Chapter 19
“Jamani, how you doing?” Erys asked, moving over to the bar where his artist was standing.
Everyone got the memo about this party being a Playa’s Ball for Ernie.
Erys wasn’t sure how many of these he would be able to have with his father so it needed to be special.
It wouldn’t make up for the lost time but it would make their journey fuller.
Erys had made himself clear about not supporting anything that wasn’t true to who Jamani was at his core.
Instead of Jamani pushing back, he took the direction and pivoted.
His flows less fraudulent and more conscious.
The only thing to work on now was his image and publicity surrounding the different direction he was taking as an artist.
Jamani greeted him with a dap and nodded. “I’m cool. Your shit is nice.”
Erys looked around for Remedy, finding her standing next to Ernie holding his golden cup with a mocktail in it. “Appreciate it. Hard work building it. I understand why now.”
“Nothing makes niggas do shit like a good woman,” Jamani rumbled. “I thought your ass was hard as fuck though.”
“Eh, don’t get it twisted I will air this muhfucka out. She gets soft cause she deserves that shit, everybody else fuck it. But for you, young nigga, your head needs to be in the game one hundred percent if you’re serious.”
“I’m serious, Erys. I trust you. Where you walk, I’m walking too. My uncle is cool and I know the streets is all he knows but… I’m looking for more structure. I never had that shit.”
“Aight then. We locked in and I got you. But don’t bullshit me, nigga.”
“I won’t,” Jamani replied, cementing their agreement in a pound.
“Enjoy the party, Remedy paid these girls to be here, get you a dance or three,” Erys stated before grabbing Remedy a drink and roaming over to her.
“Little mama, what they call you?” Erys asked in full character.
Remedy laughed, taking in his shiny black suit. “Strawberry, ‘cause I’m sweet in your mouth. What do they call you, cat daddy?”
Erys watched her pick up his tie and twirl it between her fingers. “Slick Silk Sniper. ‘Cause when I hunt my prey, I do the shit with ease.”
“Do you now?” Remedy indulged him. “You got your eye on a target, Slick?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I seen that ass poking out that dress. I’m trying to get a taste of Strawberry.”
“See the thing, Mr. Slick, Sweet Lick Ernie over there, is looking for me to be at his beck and call.”
Erys looked over her large bun to Tone holding Ernie up while two strippers twerked on him. “He’s occupied. Daddy just wants a dance.”
Remedy took the drink from his hand and spun around, allowing his full view of the pink iridescent dress she wore. “Tell me what it looks like.”
“Looking good as fuck, Strawberry,” he complimented, wrapping his arm around her waist. Erys kissed her cheek. “Thank you for doing this. He’s having a ball.”
“Don’t thank me for loving your daddy. I’ll do anything for my best friend. How’s the food?”
“Good as fuck. The lamb chops, turkey wings, and salmon are gone. I put out your back up hor d’oeuvres tray. The liquor is drying up too. He’s going to sleep like a champ tonight,” Erys shared.
“Thank you for your assistance. I might have to talk to Slick Silk Snipe tonight,” Remedy teased, rocking her hips against him to the beat of the music.
He gripped her waist. “Don’t thank me. We’re a team.”
“Ohh, you got all the words today. Enjoy this dance before we’re interrupted.”
“Luckily for me, I got you now, I can get a dance whenever,” Erys spoke.
“Is that what you think?” Remedy stopped rocking. “This dance ain’t free, cat daddy. You gotta pay the cost.”
“What’s the price?” he posed, spinning her around so he could adore the softness of her face when her eyes met his. “I got the money.”
Remedy looked up at him with a silly smirk. “I don’t want your money.”
“What you want then?” Erys asked with an arrogant grin. “‘Cause I can tell you what I’m willing and ready to give.”
“Remedyyyy,” Desi sang, as she approached the couple.
Remedy bit her lip and winked. “I guess we’ll be left in suspense until everyone is gone. Good thing you’re wearing black.”
Erys released her so she could turn around and smile at her friend. Desi was clearly enjoying herself like the rest of the people enjoying the party. “Ohh, y’all are cute. I should’ve known this was how this was going to go. She slapped the shit out you.”
Erys touched his cheek like the slap was fresh and bit a grin. “She did.”
“I’ve apologized,” Remedy said.
Desi folded her arms and gave Remedy a pointed look. “You apologize? If that’s the case, Officer Dannon is still waiting on his. Did she tell you that she sent her probation officer’s wife screenshots of him trying to get at her?”
“You know when I said you don’t hold water? This was what I was talking about,” Remedy grumbled.
“Girl, I’m looking at this man and his hold on you, you’re going to be his wife.
Might as well tell him how we met in the probation office and I talked you into coming to amateur night with me.
We’ve been friends ever since,” Desi said with a giggle.
“Although I was sure you were going to be a kingpin. Tone said you’re a manager. ”
“Yeah, something like that. Let me guess, he made you a couple of promises,” Erys replied, sitting down and gently pulling Remedy down in one motion. She had him on brick and it was her job now to cover it up.
“A few. Studio time, a manager, a deal hopefully. I’m tired of being in the club,” Desi huffed. “Rem knows I can sing.”
Remedy draped her arms around his shoulders. “She can. She’s singing happy birthday to Ernie in a few.”
“I’ll see if you can really sing or not. If I like what I hear, we’ll be at the studio tomorrow night with Jamani. If not, you’ll have to find another way out the club,” Erys informed.
Remedy chimed. “You better kill it, Desi.”
“I like this shit,” Desi giggled, looking at how beautiful they were together. “You really got my girl gleaming like a Trae Way diamond. I love it. I won’t let you down, Rem.”
Desi squealed before she walked away, leaving Remedy to nuzzle her face into the side of Erys’. The subtle motion allowing his shoulders to relax.
“I hope she can sing for real. I’d hate to tell her it’s not happening,” Erys muttered, enjoying the freedom she was experiencing. The freedom he wanted to stay.
“She can sing. I might need a signing bonus.”
“That’s the payment?” Erys toyed.
“Mm mm nope,” Remedy buzzed, watching Ernie stand on the couch and thrust his hips. “Go get your daddy before he breaks something. And you have to carry him everywhere.”
“Give me a kiss first,” Erys muttered, turning her face to his.
“Two hits and the man is gone,” she giggled, kissing him.
“Want to see what I’ll do with three?” he teased. “Don’t answer that. Of course you do.”