Chapter 6
Despite dropping an album earlier in the year, Melo was still working.
He had a few songs tucked away and was currently doing features for a few artists.
Having his own studio location that folks could pull up to had its perks and downsides.
He’d been there well past the time he’d planned to be, and no one seemed ready to leave.
Melo wasn’t complaining, though. Music had always been one of those things he could lose himself in.
Being in his own space made it easier to create.
He didn’t have to worry about studio hours or someone waiting for him to finish so they could get their session in.
If he wanted to sit on a beat for two hours before laying down a verse, he could.
If he wanted to scrap an entire song after recording it three different ways, that was his business.
Tonight, he’d been working on a feature with Laurent, an R&B artist from the city.
The song they were laying down was perfect for the ladies first, and the fellas, but something was missing.
The song sounded good, and the beat was tough, but Melo knew it could sound much better, and he wouldn’t be satisfied until it did.
Thankfully, Laurent’s verse and the chorus were finished.
“You need a break?” his engineer asked.
Melo glanced through the glass and leaned back in his chair. “Probably.”
“Nigga, you do,” Roddy said, rolling a blunt on the couch. “Told you that shit was good twenty minutes ago.”
Ignoring his brother, Melo stood and stretched, rolling his shoulders before walking out of the booth.
The room was full of people, but none of them were anyone Melo didn’t know.
At this stage of the game, groupies and dick-riding niggas at his sessions weren’t happening.
Roddy’s lil’ friend, whom he’d been seeing for some months, and her homegirl were chilling, along with their cousin, Devin.
“What’s up, cuz? You ain’t feeling it?” Devin questioned, passing him the blunt.
Shaking his head, Melo declined it and answered his question. “Nah. Something is missing.”
“What’s missing?”
Melo gave him a blank stare. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be out here talking to you niggas.”
The girls laughed, and Melo shook his head.
“Nigga mad at us like we’re the artist,” Roddy cracked. “I’m just here for moral support.”
“Exactly, cuz. That shit sounds playa to me,” Devin added, pouring another drink. “Might get you a few hoes when it drops.”
Melo sucked his teeth as laughter filled the room. “Man, fuck y’all.”
He couldn’t even be mad at them. Roddy and Devin had been around him too long. They knew how his sessions went. Everybody talked shit and had an opinion, and somehow Melo would still manage to lay down the track. He wouldn’t want it any other way.
Grabbing a bottle of water from the mini fridge, he took a seat on the empty couch while his engineer played the song back.
Checking the time on his phone, Melo shook his head at how late it had gotten.
He’d originally planned to be there only a couple of hours, but he wasn’t leaving until he got it right.
There was something about creating music late at night that hit differently.
He didn’t know if it was the quietness from outside that aided his pen or what.
Whatever it was, Melo had always preferred working when there were fewer distractions.
Although tonight, there was one distraction he couldn’t seem to shake, and he didn’t want to.
Kwinn had been heavily on his mind. She’d finally hit him up almost two weeks after he slid her his number on Instagram, and they’d been talking consistently for a week. Melo wasn’t the type of man to waste time pretending he wasn’t interested when he was, and he was feeling Kwinn.
Though they’d talked earlier in the day, Melo found himself wondering what she was doing now. That had become the norm over the last few days. He’d wake up wondering whether she’d eaten breakfast, what she had going on during the day, and never hesitated to reach out.
They’d end up talking about everything from work to music to the random shit that happened throughout their days.
Melo liked talking to her more than he probably should have this early.
Kwinn didn’t seem to have a problem with it, so Melo called her.
He brought the phone to his ear, and she picked up after a few rings.
“Hey,” Kwinn answered with a smile evident on her face.
“What’s up, gorgeous. What you doing?”
“Working.”
He smiled. “Still?”
Kwinn chuckled. “Yes. Just going over a few designs. How’d the studio go?”
Melo told her that’s where he was when they were texting earlier, and Kwinn figured he was gone by now.
“I’m still here. We taking a quick break,” Melo replied.
“Oh. I surely thought you’d be back at home.”
Chuckling, Melo agreed, “Shit, me too. It’s all good, though. How did your important meeting go earlier?”
Kwinn stopped clicking around on her screen. A smile slowly spread across her face as she leaned back in her office chair. A few days ago, on FaceTime, she casually ran down what she had going on. Kwinn didn’t expect him to remember that today was the day of the meeting.
“It went really well. They want to move forward with the project,” Kwinn answered.
“That’s what’s up, my baby. Congratulations.”
Kwinn grinned so hard, she was grateful he couldn’t see her face. “Thank you. So, what kind of song are you working on?”
“A gangsta-ass love song.”
Laughing, Kwinn asked, “Like a lil’ romantic hood jam?”
“Yeah.” Melo chuckled, drinking from his bottle. “One of them.”
“Ooh. I love when rappers—” Kwinn caught herself and shook her head.
“Nah. Finish what you were going to say. You love when what?” Melo asked, obviously teasing her.
Smirking, Kwinn rolled her eyes. “When y’all make the songs for the ladies but still keep it G. You know what I mean?”
Knowing what she meant and glad she was comfortable enough to explain, Melo nodded. “Yeah, I do. This one is definitely for the ladies.”
“But what?” Kwinn asked, hearing the hesitancy in his voice.
“It ain’t quite where I need it to be, and it’s pissing me off.”
“Maybe you’re overthinking it. Let me hear it,” Kwinn suggested. “You might be missing a woman’s ear.”
Melo smirked. “Is that right?”
“Mhm,” Kwinn hummed.
“Come up here so you can listen to it in person.”
Kwinn stopped straightening her office at his request. At least it sounded like one.
“You want me to come to the studio?” she asked.
“Yeah, slide through. I promise not to keep you long. I can have my driver come get you.”
Melo’s offer was kind, but Kwinn wanted to be able to leave whenever she was ready. Plus, she was calling Saiko on the way there, and Sarge didn’t need to hear their conversation.
“Um, no. You don’t have to do that. Just send me the address.”
“You sure? It’s a lil’ late out, and I ain’t particularly coo’ with you driving by yourself.”
Kwinn chuckled. “I’m grown, love. I know how to drive when it’s dark.”
“Yeah, a’ight Ms. Grown Ass. We gon’ see when you get here.” Melo chuckled, meaning that. He couldn’t wait to be in her presence. “I’m sending the location now.”
Kwinn’s phone pinged with his text. “Got it. I’ll text you when I’m on the way.”
“Why you trying to get off the phone with me?” Melo asked, making her struggle to fight off a grin. It was useless.
“So I can get dressed. Aren’t you in a timed session?” Kwinn asked, moseying into her bedroom.
“Nah. Can’t be when I own the place,” Melo said so casually.
He was never boastful, and Kwinn loved that about him so much.
“Oh. Well, okay. But I want to get ready in peace. Can I do that?”
Melo chuckled at the playfulness in her tone. “Yeah, gon’ head and get cute for me with your pretty ass. Text me before you pull off and when you get here.”
Biting her bottom lip, Kwinn told him she would, and they hung up. She had no plans to leave the house this evening, but she was excited to see him. After a shower, she got dressed and locked up her house. She texted Melo to let him know she was on her way, then called Saiko.
“You must’ve known I was about to call you,” Saiko said when she answered.
Kwinn laughed. “Why you say that?”
“Because I just randomly checked your location and you’re in the car. Where the hell you going?”
“To see Malone at the studio,” Kwinn answered, flicking on her left blinker.
“Ooo. I know that’s right. What’s going on up there?”
“Not much, but he’s recording a new song. I asked to hear it, and he told me to come listen in person, so”—Kwinn shrugged— “that’s what I’m about to do.”
On the other end, Saiko was grinning. “I love that, and I love how you’re not letting Jabari’s hoe ass keep you from still enjoying your life.”
“Girl, let’s not even talk about him, okay?”
“Right, right. My fault. Fuck him for now. Let’s talk about how you’re not gonna give the pussy up tonight,” Saiko suggested.
“Eh. Let’s not talk about that either ‘cause it’s not a guarantee that I won’t.”
Saiko sputtered out a laugh. “Wait. What?”
“I’m just saying”—Kwinn’s shoulder lifted—“Melo is fine as fuck.”
“I’m with you when you’re right.”
“Exactly. I’m just playing, though. I’m only going to chill, listen to this song, and bring my tail back home,” Kwinn said.
She didn’t sound convincing, but Saiko let her make it. “Alright. That’s what I like to hear. I mean, I wouldn’t be opposed if you did see what the dick was hitting for. I know you need some.”
Kwinn cackled, hating that she was even laughing at such a serious matter. “No, bitch for real. I was in heat so bad the other day, I was masturbating between meetings.”
Saiko fell out laughing, but she understood. No one had warned them about their sexual appetite or ovulation in their thirties. It was almost criminal the amount of times Kwinn made herself cum.
“Just horny and sleepy.” Saiko wheezed.
“Girl.” Kwinn laughed. “But it’s fine. I’m in no rush to do anything with him. I like his vibe. He’s always been cool.”
Nodding, Saiko agreed. “Yeah, he has. You’re just having fun. Nothing wrong with that.”