Chapter 19 #2
Arrogant ass.
“And I don’t do things like everybody else. The king sets the pace, which is why I’m up first, but trust and believe, the ones who got next know how to claim the stage. So let’s kick that shit off with what’s next.”
His attention moved to side stage and Sheree leaned into Samari’s side. “You better kill that shit, Mari.”
“You think she won’t?” Ju’rae said, doing one last fit check, tugging the neck of Samari’s shirt so it dropped deeper off her shoulder.
“A king isn’t running shit unless he has the knowledge and support of a woman who holds him down. I think I have that. It’s time for me to bring out your next headliner ’cause y’all know I’m sharing that title with the one and only Samari Janaé. Y’all ready to see what she’s bringing?”
Samari’s heart dropped until she heard the crowd screaming their approval and chanting her name. When the track for “Fuck Love, Get Money” started playing, a smile spread across her face.
This was the first song they’d recorded together the night he’d invited her to his apartment.
The night he’d promised her he would get her career back.
The significance made her chest tight. Today was the beginning of her re-introduction to the world.
This would be her first time performing as an artist on Track Killaz.
She wondered if he’d thought about all of those things or if this was simply the track he’d selected with no intention.
She knew better. Each move Asao made was always thought out and deliberate.
He began his verse, and after he finished the last line, his eyes were side stage again.
She worked the IEMs in one by one then accepted the mic from the tech who’d appeared out of nowhere.
He shoved it into her hand and Samari lifted it to her mouth and moved with a confident stride, delivering her verse as she walked out to join Asao.
Niggas got it twisted, love the way they got us misted
All I need is honesty, don’t care much about the money chase
Wish he understood, I’m a hustler so I’m good
Want a man to stand by me, hold me down, love me deep
He’s always moving fast, never seeing what he passed
If he can’t see me, then I say fuck you
Live life to the fullest, life rotates without you
So fuck love, get money, it’s better to be free
Fuck love, get money, I’m just out here doing me
Samari worked the stage, moving around Asao. Her hands occasionally found his shoulder but she kept their connection fun and playful. His attention no longer belonged to the crowd. She owned it, and each time her eyes were on him, his were already locked in.
As she repeated the line, “Fuck love, get money I’m just out here doing me”, he smiled arrogantly and began a new verse that didn’t match what they’d recorded.
She want it bad, she want it right
I might just leave with her tonight
Shot gun in the whip, secrets on her lips
Obsessed with her scent, all my money spent
Never locked down, willing to let her wear the crown
Got a player getting played, questioning motives changing ways
Before he finished the last line, he stepped to Samari, toe to toe, dropping his chin and holding the mic to his mouth as he leaned close to her face.
Fuck love, get money was the old recipe
Try love, I have money, pockets already deep
Want her, in pursuit, stepping hard, best believe
Try love for the right one, if she wants it she got me
She grinned, playfully pushed her hand into his chest, and began her next verse, finishing with the chorus. The crowd went crazy and the energy pushing through her veins was like the purest drug, partially from the high of being back on stage but also because of the man she’d shared the stage with.
The moment felt surreal but she didn’t have long to absorb it because the track changed and Dom’s voice rolled out.
“We’re gunnin’, they’re runnin’, Track Killaz…”
Asao winked, threw one arm in the air, then walked offstage, leaving Samari to do her thing. When he was out of sight, Niles stepped to his boy who accepted the waiting towel and bottle of water.
The same tech who’d handed Samari the mic made sure Asao had what he needed.
He was assigned to Asao and Samari courtesy of Niles who always made sure every detail was in place.
With the size of the festival, he’d enlisted help to make sure everything moved flawlessly, but certain specifics were handled by him.
“You trying to kill your sales, fam?” Niles’s brows were pinched while he sported his typical scowl.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re out here making love affirmations.
You know who’s pushing your sales, Sao. Women.
You think they’re gonna fuck with you now that hope no longer exists.
” Niles turned to Asao but Asao kept his eyes on the topic of their discussion.
The smirk that surfaced, however, let Niles know Asao had heard him loud and clear.
“I can’t do shit about that.”
“Yeah, muthafucker, you can.” Niles’s smile was smug. “Don’t share your personal shit.”
It was pointless. His boy no longer had control of his emotions. His heart was committed to the woman onstage and there was no argument to be had.
“That’s me,” Asao motioned toward Samari. As soon as the affirmation left his mouth, Samari sang the lyrics in her song “Let Me” that confirmed the sentiment was shared.
Let him be my everything,
I trust him, I need him, I want him, I breathe him…
Let him handle me, protect me, please me
I see him, bleed him, I’m free with him
Niles grunted. “Let’s go. I’m not fucking up the media rotation. The only way I got Beauty to agree to an open invitation for all our artists was an exclusive with you.”
Asao frowned. “Why the fuck you do that?”
“Because we need exposure and reach. She’s the biggest reach we have access to right now who will even touch our artists before they gain any type of following.
That’s your shit…” He pointed to the stage, motioning to the idea of Asao performing.
“Business is mine, now let’s go. Ten minutes.
She has twenty left on stage. We’ll be back before she’s done. ”
Asao wanted to watch the rest of Samari’s set, but had already asked a lot of his boys. They never questioned his moves, so he would pay the same respect.
“Who’s going to make sure…”
Niles cut that statement off, pointing to the corner where security was positioned. Niles had hired them to shadow Samari when he or Asao couldn’t. “She’s covered.”
Asao tossed his chin, and walked away with his boy. His goal was to move through the interview with Beauty as fast as possible then be the first face Samari saw when she stepped offstage.
Samari held the crowd until the very last minute of her set, and when she waved to say goodbye, her heart was full.
The minute Sheree noticed her girl’s disappointment at who was missing after her performance, she quickly remedied the situation.
She filled Samari in with details that Niles had dragged Asao off to do a media run, starting with Beauty.
Samari relaxed and grinned, knowing Beauty had gotten her way.
Niles had gone over the schedule, putting emphasis on being where they needed to be at all times.
Apparently Asao wasn’t exempt but she’d learned that their dynamic when it came to friendship and business differed greatly. Niles didn’t fucking play.
Sheree threw her arms around her girl as soon as she made it side stage.
Ju’rae had already dipped off to check in with Sol.
She had been blessed with the opportunity of styling him for the festival.
Asao had set it up a few days prior, and when he asked if she could come up with options last minute, her only response had been hell yeah, even if it meant no sleep and using every favor and resource she had in her possession to get it done.
The women were escorted through the crowd by two linebacker built security guards, causing everyone to move out of their path.
“Mari, that was so damn good.” Sheree looped her arm through Samari’s and leaned into her side.
“I can’t believe that just happened.” A smile blossomed on Samari’s face and she dropped her head to Sheree’s shoulder.
“Believe it, friend. They love you real bad because you are the muthafuckin’ truth.”
“I am the truth.”
“Ay, that’s what I’m talking about. Pop. Your. Shit. Mari.”
Sheree paused and began dancing around her girl, shaking her ass. Samari joined in, both bending at the waist, locking their legs, and throwing their asses against each other before falling into a fit of laughter.
“Real shit though, Mari, I’m so happy for you. I’m proud too because you could have easily let that snake ass man break you and keep you from all this.”
He did, Samari thought before it was replaced with a thought that put a smile on her face. The man who’d placed her heart back in her chest.
Asao…
He was the reason she was where she needed to be. Not only had he given the rhythm to her heart back, he was also stepping behind her in ways she’d never even considered possible. The only other person who had ever given her that was Sheree.
“You know I love you, right?” Samari said as soon as they reached the tour bus.
“Hoe yes, what’s not to love?. Look at me.” Sheree moved a hand over the fitted dress that hugged her curves which she’d paired with platform, lace-up leather boots. “I am so damn lovable.”
“So now you’re poppin’ your shit.” Samari grinned and stepped out of the way while one of the guards opened the door to the bus, walked inside, and made sure it was clear before he stepped off and waved them on.