Chapter 25
twenty-five
His eyes closed, still sitting in yesterday’s t-shirt, listening to a project he produced from top to bottom.
It sounded majestic. Sounded like R&B artists were going to be chasing this sound he curated.
The entire experience made him emotional.
From shadowing KP making beats on the old sound board he left behind to an entire album ready to be sent to Ekho’s label.
Dare he say it, he was catching his wind.
All thanks to the wide-eyed beauty who passed out and pushed him out of the darkness when she woke up.
Cairo didn’t pull his eyes back open until his nerves settled.
When he opened them, Fahaad was sitting, eyes closed, tears slipping down his cheeks.
Ekho sat in the small booth, head down. There was no question this one album was going to change their lives forever.
Nate caught every moment on camera, wiping tears of his own.
When the last track ended, the men looked at one another. Cheers erupted along with hand claps and pure glee. Four men who were trying to step out the shadows bet it all on themselves and each other. They’d done it. With the help of a golden ear.
Fahaad reached into his bag and handed Cairo the producer’s agreement. “Read over that. Label is paying you three-hundred and fifty plus points on the album.”
“Points?” Cairo asked.
Fahaad nodded. “You get paid forever. Every stream, radio play, sample —anything, you get paid for it.”
Cairo took the agreement flipped through it and mused over it for a moment. His eyes lifted to Fahaad. “Take this back to the label, have them give Kamilla producer credits and points. And we got a deal.”
A smile grew over Fahaad’s face as he took the agreement back.
“I swear, every day I’ve spent with you in here, you’ve amazed me.
C4, you’re a good man. You got a good heart.
You’re going to go far in this shit. I’ll get this back to you.
Y’all go home, get some sleep, some pussy whatever. It’s been a long two weeks.”
Cairo and Ekho shared a handshake before parting ways.
Outside of the studio, Cairo pulled in a deep breath and looked up at the sky.
The sun was setting, Kamilla was done for the day, and he was itching for a shower and to lay in her arms. Food could wait, checking in on gang shit could wait.
Getting back to his lady without having to run out was at the top of his list.
Cairo pulled in a deep breath and scanned the block. “Ear been to the street?”
“Yeah. Been getting some news. Tiny is definitely singing. Putting targets on his own niggas. All the living ones anyway. Best bet right now is to stay low and stay ready. Keep your temper low and your hands off niggas.”
Cairo scoffed, sparking up a blunt. “You say that like I just be runnin’ around slapping niggas. It’s been two weeks, I haven’t burnt nothing to the ground. I haven whopped a nigga’s ass and I damn sure ain’t sent no one home without teeth. It’s been a smooth two weeks.”
“It’s been smooth because you’ve been getting food delivered twice a day and locking yourself in the closet with your girl for twenty minutes every other day,” Nate teased.
Cairo shrugged and laughed. “The touch of your lady, nigga. And this is coming from the nigga who disappeared every day for extended amounts of time? Nigga, fuck you. Standin’ here talking to me when Dania got you wrapped around her finger. You a sucka just like me.”
“I ain’t no sucka ass nigga, nigga,” Nate shot back with a laugh before proudly pushing his chest out. “I’m about to be a daddy. Got to make sure she’s good. Otherwise, you gon’ be talking to a tombstone.”
“Tombstone? You fuck around and piss Dania off, she ain’t givin’ you a tombstone. Pine box unmarked grave,” Cairo continued to laugh.
“You right. She might give my ass a daisy. Crazy, emotional ass but I love her,” Nate said with a shiver. “I’m going home. I’ll get up with you later.”
“Tell sis I said thanks for the borrowed time,” Cairo spoke, walking to his car.
Nate moved to his and laughed. “She’s sending your ass an invoice.”
“Ain’t no need, y’all about to be up,” Cairo stated, opening his door. “Ay, Nate, keep your temper low and your hands to yourself.”
Nate flicked Cairo off, got in his car, and sped off.
He sped down the block to the local grocery store for a bouquet of flowers, a stop to Pepe’s for their C4 special, and home.
Cairo crept in knowing she was more than likely sleep, especially with the uptick in work Fredo had given her to stay busy.
With the vase of flowers on the small table, food in the kitchen, and a shower, Cairo slid under the covers next to her and kissed her face.
Even in her sleep, she threw her leg over him and pulled him closer. Just what he needed. To finally rest in her arms and let the last two weeks be a story he told her over dinner and a head rub.
“Missed you,” he grumbled against her lips.
“Can’t when I missed you more,” she mumbled, snuggling into him. “The bed’s been too cold without you. Get your rest, baby.”