6
T
here's something about a tight drumbeat and a banging bass line that gets my mind right. I feel it right down in the core in my being in a way that's hard to explain. When the track is a perfect fit to my melody it's like seeing a solar eclipse for the first time. Downright incredible.
The only thing making this setting less than rapturous is Sam staring me down. I have no idea what's wrong with him. I've let him back into my life, my music, and my studio. So, I'm thinking he should be as chilled out as I am, but instead he's sitting across from me on my red leather sofa straight up mean mugging me. I stretch out on my comfy armchair and roll my eyes at him while this track plays.
“What's your malfunction?” I ask when he turns the track off.
“Nothing. You like?”
I nod. “It's perfect for the melody. I love it. Have you thought about that country melody I sent your way?”
“Nah, not yet. I listened to it, but I have no idea what to do with it.”
“But do you like it?” I ask, now feeling a little bit insecure about the sound of it.
“Usually, I'm not a fan of country, but it's nice. It's got your vibe all over it and the lyrics are the bomb.”
“Okay, so why were you just looking at me like I had a third eye?” I ask.
“Because, this . . .” Sam motions from the top of my body to down to my feet. “. . . is not the business.”
I look down at my grey sweats, and shrug. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with what I have on.”
“You look stale, like a loaf of day old bread.”
Oh no, he didn't! I sit up ramrod straight and say, “I don't have to dress up for ex-boyfriends.”
Sam smiles and clears his throat. “But you should get real fly for your future husband.”
“And when I see him I will get all the way fresh and clean.”
Sam grabs his midsection like I punched or stabbed him. “Ouch.”
“You're the one who tried it, boo boo.”
“I did.”
Sam shakes his head sadly as he pulls a CD out of his backpack. I didn't mean to bust his bubble, but he need not get ahead of himself. I'm not ready to let him get back to boyfriend status, much less future husband. He should seriously consider slowing his roll, for real.
“Listen to this,” Sam says, “and tell me what you think.”
He pops the CD into the player and a bumping beat blares from the speakers. Then, I hear a girl singing a really catchy pop star hook, which totally makes sense because she is definitely a pop-star type of chick.
“Whose record is this for?” I ask.
Sam holds a finger to his lips shushing me. “Listen.”
Then, on the verse, my homeboy and former Reign Records artist Dilly. Evan unceremoniously dropped Dilly from our label right after announcing his wedding plans to Dreya.
“Was this gonna be on his album?”
“It
is
gonna be on his album.”
“I'm confused. He got dropped right?”
“Reign Records ain't the only label on the planet. He's signed to Big D in the A.”
My eyes widen in surprise. I thought Big D had pretty much merged his operations with Evan and Reign. At least that was Evan's plan.
“But I thought Big D in the A was by the wayside. Does he have distribution?”
Sam nods. “Yes, through Epsilon.”
Now, I'm really confused. Why would Epsilon let Big D distribute an artist who Evan dropped? Evan is on the senior management team of Epsilon too. This makes absolutely no sense.
“Does Evan know?” I ask.
“Nope. This is strictly a Lawrence Cohen venture. Keep it under wraps.”
Lawrence Cohen is one of the other partners at Epsilon. His family founded the company in the seventies so he kind of inherited the position. He usually defers to Evan on decisions, but obviously he's trying to make some of his own moves.
“What brought this on? Is Big D not happy with Reign?”
Sam shakes his head. “You know Big D isn't a follower. Evan wants everybody under his thumb.”
This puts me in a really tough spot. Evan signed me to a nice contract and he's about to be my family. But Big D gave me my start. None of this would be possible if it wasn't for him. I sure hope nobody asks me to pick a side.
“This won't stay a secret for long, Sam. What are you gonna do when Evan finds out?”
He shrugs. “I'm independent. I work for Zac, Big D, and Evan, so it's all gravy to me. More records drop, more money for me.”
Sam doesn't just work for Mystique's husband, Zac aka Zillionaire, one of the highest-selling rap artists out right now. They are good friends too. But like me, Sam wouldn't even be in the industry if it wasn't for Big D. And since he's my exclusive producer, he can't help but have dealings with Evan.
Sam and I are both smack dab in the middle of lines in the sand. We didn't draw them, but we sure have to color inside them.
Sam's phone chirps with a text message. He smiles as he reads it. “Drama's single is number one on Billboard,” he says.
I clap and pump my fist in the air. “That's what's up!”
First of all, Sam and I wrote Dreya's number-one song,
“All Hail the Queen,” and it's her first time rapping and singing on one track and she sounds awesome. Plus, Epsilon has been pressuring Evan to drop her from the label because Mystique doesn't want the competition. She totally needs this success right now.
My phone buzzes too. It's a text from Dreya. #1 bay-bee. Tell Mystique to bow down and kiss my ring.
This makes me bust out laughing. Mystique has never made it a secret that she doesn't care for Dreya. She's even tried to come between me and my cousin, but that's not how I roll. This industry is one thing, but blood is another. I think Dreya has learned that too. She knows that even though she gets on my last nerve, I've got her back.
“Who was that?” Sam asks.
“Who you think? Ms. Drama Queen herself.”
“She needed that number one,” Sam says. “I hope she goes a few more weeks. Epsilon would be stupid to let her go, no matter what Mystique says, if she keeps pulling number ones.”
“But Mystique says that she's gonna walk if they don't drop Dreya.”
Sam shakes his head. “She's bluffing. I know it. No other label is gonna treat her like Epsilon does. She is spoiled for real. I think a little competition is good for her.”
“Is it just about competition though? Because she doesn't seem to be threatened by me.”
There is a long and incredibly pregnant pause before Sam replies.
“That's because you let her mentor you. Drama wasn't on that. She was like, âI'm coming for your spot.' ”
Sam is right. I've always shown Mystique respect and all I want to do is learn from her. But if she's insecure about Dreya, how is she gonna feel about me in a little bit? I'm blowing up too! Less than a year into my career, I've got millions and endorsements and I'm calling my own shots. I may not be purposely going for the crown, but if Sam and I keep making hot music, it's only a matter of time. I'm in line for the throne too.
“You know Mystique's done a few hater type things to you too, right?”
I lift an eyebrow and wait for details. Many have told me not to trust Mystique, but none of them have given me proof.
“Like what?”
“Remember the girl I got caught with at the club?”
I narrow my eyes at Sam. How can I forget that? Sam went to New York and started wilding out like he didn't have good sense. Taking pills at the club and slobbering all over some random chick. It was the beginning of the end of our relationship.
“Yeah, I remember.”
“Mystique hooked that up. She brought the girl up to VIP and after everything went down she gave the girl a personal assistant job. It didn't last long, because the chick tried to get at Zac.”
“Mystique might have given the girl the opportunity, but she didn't make you kiss her. That was all you, boo.”
“But don't you see? I was a mark! Groupies don't know who I am, or that I was balling. I'm not an artist. Mystique told that chick to go after me, even though she knew how tight we were. Would a friend do that? She was trying to throw you off your gameâtrying to break us up as hit-makers.”
I fold my arms across my chest and sigh. The jury is still out on Mystique as far as I'm concerned. What Sam is saying sounds pretty real, but he could be trying to excuse away another thing that made me move on, just like he conveniently tried to make Rielle disappear from memory.
“Man, I see how you looking at me, Sunday. You sure know how to hold a grudge.”
“You keep ripping the scab off, Sam. I would love to forgive you; as a matter of fact, I'm trying to forgive you.”
“Why is it so hard? Why can't you just do it?”
“Because if I let you back, and you play me again, all of it is done. The music, the friendship, everything.”
Sam stands from the couch and crosses the space between us too quickly for me to react or retreat. He puts both arms around me, lifts me from my chair, and hugs me tightly. I feel him inhale the scent of my hair and then plant kisses on the top of my head.
“Sunday, I promise. Losing you is the dumbest thing I've ever done. If I ever got you back, I'd never do anything to mess it up again.”
I hug Sam back, wishing more than anything that I could believe him. This whole “first love” thing is strong and it doesn't want to die. But, I keep hearing a small voice saying,
Once a cheater, always a cheater.
I really, really wish that voice would just shut up.
7
“L
et me see what I'm working with.”
Gia motions for the Gamma Phi Gamma girls to line up and show her the step that they tried to put together. Hope and I came along for moral support of Gia and for the giggles. Okay, mostly giggles. Especially hilarious is Meagan and her line sisters. Their stepping is really bad. They look like a dozen peg-leg pirates. And of course, Piper doesn't know the step yet, because this is her first time seeing it too.
Their bootleg step is to Mystique's hit song “Girl Power,” and they could sure use a dose of some kind of power because this here is just plain old unacceptable for a sorority at a historically black college. I mean, if they were at the University of Iowa or something, they'd probably win the top prize with this two-left-footed stomp clomping. And the Spring Fest is in three weeks too, at the end of April. They should've come to Gia a long time ago. Like last year.
Looking thoroughly disgusted, Gia turns off the music in the middle of the song. She closes her eyes and shakes her head. Is she praying? I tense my body trying not to burst into laughter. Hope is not successful with this. She lets out a little giggle.
Big Sister Sharday says, “Look, we know it's bad. Why do you think we asked for your help?”
Gia finally opens her eyes and says, “Okay, we're going to have to scrap everything y'all have done so far, and start over from scratch.”
A collective moan rises from the group of girls.
“Seriously?” Gia yells. “I mean, my eyes still hurt from that monstrosity of a step. There is nothing salvageable there. At all.”
Sharday asks, “Well, do y'all want to win?”
Nods and affirmative sounds from all, and a smile from Gia. “We've only got three weeks, so there's not much time to teach you the fundamentals.”
“We can do it.”
“I have a question, though. Why are the pledges doing different steps?” Gia asks. “It makes y'all look even more confused.”
“That's easy,” Big Sister Peony says. “They're not true Gamma Phi Gamma girls until they cross. And they may not. We're teaching them the step in case they do.”
Here we go with the sorority politics again. These girls have more rules than long division.
Gia says, “I don't know about all that, but I think uniform moves will give you a better chance of winning. Let me show you what I came up with. Don't worry, it's pretty easy. Piper, you might as well get over there too with your future sorors and watch. Let's go!”
Gia turns the music back on and she and Hope start stepping. I stand back out of their way next to Meagan and Noelle. As I watch the intricate steps I wonder what in the world Gia would consider hard, if all these stomps, hip rolls, claps, and snaps are “pretty easy.”
Meagan slips her arm in mine and smiles at me. Immediately, I cringe a little. Meagan's smile fades and she removes her arm. I didn't mean to do that, but I can't really be cool with her after what happened with Piper. Even if it had nothing to do with me.
The music stops and Gia says, “Y'all are going to learn the first half today. We'll perfect that until you can do the moves in your sleep, and then I will teach you the second half.”
Noelle says, “I don't think we're going to be able to learn that in three weeks. We're not that good.”
I hear Meagan take in a sharp breath as the older sorority sisters all slowly look over at Noelle.
“What did you say?” Big Sister Millicent asks. “Peony, you better get your apprentice.”
Peony says, “Apprentice Noelle, go stand over there in the dark corner until you learn how to respect your elders.”
“I'm sorry, Big Sister,” Noelle says. “I didn't mean anything by it.”
“Go!”
I wonder if the look on my face is as crazy as the ones on Gia and Hope's faces. This girl is tripping. I shake my head in disbelief as Noelle goes and stands in a corner. What kind of mess is this?
Sharday says, “Okay, Gia, let's get started on the step.”
Visibly rattled, Gia pauses for a moment before she replies. “Shouldn't we wait for Noelle?”
Peony shrugs. “I have no idea how long we'll make her stand there. The last time it was three hours.”
Some of the sisters laugh at this, but not all. Meagan slightly frowns. Not enough for anyone to notice unless they were smiling at her, but it was still a frown.
“Come on, Peony,” Sharday says. “Drop the punishment for now. We've got a step to learn.”
Peony's face contorts into a frown. “I know you're not questioning me, Sharday. She stays in the corner until I say, and if she can't learn the step, then she doesn't step. There's no guarantee that she'll cross anyway.”
Sharday takes in a deep breath and stares Peony down. There seems to be a battle of wills with these two. I guess the Gamma Girls aren't clones of one another like I thought.
Finally, after an impossibly long silence, Sharday points to Gia and says, “Okay, just show the rest of us then.”
Gia proceeds to work these girls until their pretty heel-wearing feet have got to be in pain. About halfway through the practice, Peony lets Noelle join them, but she struggles to catch up to what the rest of them have learned.
“Come on, Noelle!” Peony fusses when Noelle misses a step and trips another of the pledges.
Noelle looks like she wants to say something snappy in response, but she probably doesn't want another round of standing in the corner. I don't blame her. After the first time someone put me in a corner, I would've hung up my pledging, uh I mean apprentice, shoes.
My cell phone rings, and I take it outside to answer. It'll give me a break from the Gammas.
“Hey, Sam,” I say when I get on the sorority house front porch. “What's going on?”
“I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me this evening. I'm leaving for NYC in the morning, and I just want to hang out on some non-work related stuff, you know?”
I'm silent for a moment, my mind processing what this means. “A date.”
“We don't have to call it that.”
For some reason, I think of DeShawn. “I don't think I'm ready for that, Sam. Maybe next time you're in town.”
I hear him sigh through the phone. “All right, man. I guess.”
“Let me know when you'll be back, so we can work on some more music.”
“Yep.”
Sam disconnects without saying good-bye. I hold the phone away from my face, staring at it, like it's gonna speak or ring again.
Gia and Hope emerge from the house with Meagan, or Apprentice Meagan. All three look tired.
Gia says, “Let's be out.”
“All right,” I say. “We going to get something to eat at Busy Bee?”
“Good Lord, yes! I need some catfish or chicken or something after this. I'm hungry as what!” Gia says.
“Is Piper staying here?” I ask. “Or is she coming with us?”
Hope says, “She's staying with the GPGs. They've got some secret Greek stuff to talk about.”
“Y'all make it sound ridiculous,” Meagan says. “The traditions of Gamma Phi Gamma are sacred, and we don't take them lightly.”
“Um, yeah,” I say. “I'm sorry if none of us share your enthusiasm.”
Meagan says, “Well, even if y'all are anti-Greek, thanks for doing this. I didn't think you would.”
Gia stops and turns to face her. “I'm not doing this for you. Don't get it twisted. I still think you're dead wrong for what you did to Piper.”
“Why are y'all acting like this is something I did to her? We were dating the same boy, and I decided to stay with him. What's more, he decided to stay with me. I didn't play her, Linden did.”
“Yeah, but I wouldn't have been able to go with a guy like that,” I say. “It says something about you that you chose him over your friend, when you knew he was a dog.”
Meagan looks at her feet for a moment. “So none of you want to be friends with me because of this?”
“It'll be hard,” Hope says. “We live with Piper.”
“You're picking that wannabe white girl over me? I can't believe that.”
I look at Gia and we both have the same blank stare on our faces. The fact that Piper is white and Meagan is black never once occurred to me. The color of Piper's skin has nothing to do with our friendship.
Noelle steps out onto the porch, and one side of her face is bright red. Her lips are tight with anger.
“Did someone hit you?” Hope asks. “I see a hand print on your face.”
Noelle shakes her head. “No, it's just hives.”
Meagan rolls her eyes. “We don't have much longer, Noelle. We cross soon. Then we'll spend all of our upper-class years as Gamma Girls. I can't wait. They know something about sisterhood.”
I shake my head. “But do you?”
“Come on, Noelle,” Meagan says. “Let's go.”
Gia stands there looking at the house for a moment after the two apprentices go indoors. “Did she seriously play the race card on us?”
“She did,” Hope says. “It was a stupid card though.”
“And for real, I've got more in common with Piper and her healthy-eating behind than I have with Martha's Vineyard's Meagan,” I say.
“Okay! Let's go!” Gia says.
Once we get in the car, I think it's a good time to raise the whole Rashad issue to Gia. I promised Kevin that I'd say something, but I didn't promise exactly what I'd say.
“So, Gia, how long are you gonna kick it with Rashad?” I ask. “Are y'all about to start dating for real?”
Gia shrugs. “I don't know. I started out thinking I would just hang out with him for a minute until Ricky got jealous enough to get back together.”
“And then?” Hope says as she scoots to the edge of the backseat and puts her head up front, getting in the mix of the conversation.
“Well, then, I started remembering why I liked Rashad in New York City. He's a really great guy. And he actually
wants
to go out with me. I don't have to convince him.”
Okay. Kevin's mission is going to be harder than I thought it would be.
“But what about Ricky?” I ask. “You love him, don't you?”
A too long pause from Gia. “Yes, I do. Definitely. But maybe it was supposed to be a first love, and not my last love, you know?”
Hope gasps. “I was afraid this would happen if we all went to school together.”
“Then why did you?” I ask. “I have never known a clique that deep! All four of y'all came to the ATL. That's crazy.”
“Maybe it is crazy. Now we all live in the same house. Even crazier,” Hope says.
“So are you going to let Ricky know how you feel?” I ask.
Gia says, “We're already broken up, so I don't really feel the need to say another word about it. I just don't think he's going to be able to deal with me dating Rashad.”
“He'll probably decide to move out on his own,” Hope says. “It might be okay to leave it how it is for now.”
This is the opposite of what Kevin wanted to happen, but I don't know what else I can do, especially since I agree with Gia. Sometimes you just grow apart from people. Sometimes you should just be friends. And it's okay. Even if he was your first love.
“Sam was my first love too,” I say.
“
Was
?” Gia asks.
She and Hope burst into giggles, but I don't join them. They might find my dilemma with Sam funny, but I absolutely do not. Everybody always rants and raves about first loves, but I don't know anyone who's been successful with their first love. Dreya loved Truth and he put his hands on her like he didn't have good sense. My mother loved my daddy like he was the center of her world and he walked away from us. I have no idea who my Auntie Charlie's first love was, but she sure isn't with him now. Gia and Ricky are floating away from each other, like two cruise ships, one on its way to the USA and the other on its way to the coast of Europe.
I wonder if it's possible to skip first love completely, and get to the one who won't break your heart. Someone should write a song about it. Maybe it'll be me.