82. Back to Business 📈

I cleared my throat as we sat stood in the kitchen, waiting to put food on my plate.

"Jamie, that's the third time you've done that. Do you need something to drink?" My mom asked me as she ate at the kitchen table.

"No, ma'am." I glanced at A.B. as he fixed his plate.

My dad stood up. "Baby, I told you to remind me when that new show comes on."

"Oh!" My mom got up from the table. "Is it time, already?"

"Yeah. Let's go." My step-dad told her.

"Sorry, kids. We'll be in our room," my mom told us.

"Do not disturb us." My step-dad warned us. They carried their food and drinks with them.

I smacked my lips.

A.B. gave me his plate. "You're not making this any better."

I sat down at the kitchen table. "Me? I blame you for all of this. Why do you come over here, hanging out with my parents all the time? You know they old and like when people visit them."

A.B. lightly laughed, "You big mad."

"Now, the neighbors are watching us when we're out in public. My cousin talks so much that even my mom wants me to be careful."

"Be careful?" A.B. sat across from me at the kitchen table.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Did you know that your mom knew that I was at your house the night she came over? She saw my shoes by the front door. You probably made it so obvious going to your bedroom and closing the door. I bet she heard us talking, too."

A.B. asked, "What's the harm in people thinking we're together? As long as we know what we are is all that matters. They'll be people that don't want us together or talk about us - good or bad. So, why should it matter?"

"Because..." I picked up my fork. "We're not together." I put emphasis on the word not.

A.B. reached across the small table and took my hand. "I know you want more, but don't forget about me, Jamie. A relationship is not about one person getting what they want. That would be... selfish."

I took my hand away from him. "Is that how I come across to you? Selfish?"

"Jamie, I pray that you use your ears more than your emotions. I didn't call you selfish. I said a relationship that is about one person getting what they want is selfish."

"And I heard what you said. You pick your words carefully, knowing good and well the intention behind them."

A.B. smiled at me. "I'm not as smart as you think I am, but I'm willing to give you time to learn that."

"The only time I need is time to eat my food." I finally ate.

A.B. got up and stood in front of me. "Jamie, I've learned that you can't force people to do anything, no matter what the situation is."

Why is he all up on me? My brows merged, "Sir, I am going to eat my food right now."

A.B. took the fork out of my hand and put it on my plate. Then, he attack my stomach with his quick fingers.

"I'm not ticklish!" I held my composure.

Unfortunately, he got access to my neck, and I lost it as I loudly laughed. Minutes later, after nearly kicking him in his member, A.B. decided to call it quits.

I was exhausted from laughing, but I couldn't stop. "Why did you do that?"

"I like it when you smile." A.B. picked up his fork and ate.

I took a deep breath. "I'm gonna get you back."

A.B. smiled at me. "Don't try too hard."

We finished our food and talked about my trip back to Cali. As if he heard our conversation, Colby text me with my schedule for the weekend. Yes - the weekend.

Friday:

4 p.m. - Interview with Black Music Matters Podcast

5:15 p.m. - Rehearsals for "Easy" Music Video

Saturday:

5 a.m. - Music Video Shoot for "Easy" and "Home"

Sunday:

1:30 p.m. - Live Performance Rehearsal for Next Up YouTube channel

6:00 p.m. Live Performance for Next Up YouTube channel

After eating, we went to the living room to continue our conversation. I curled up on the sofa, feeling extremely tired. A.B. guided me to rest on him.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked me with his arm me.

"I have to go back to work tomorrow."

"Busy schedule?" A.B. inquired.

I nodded my head. "I'm doing that Black Music Matters interview as soon as I get off the plane. It'll be over the phone." I scrolled through my calendar on my phone. "On Saturday, I'm shooting two music videos. On Sunday, I'm doing a live performance for Next Up's YouTube channel." I put my phone down before closing my eyes.

"Don't think it about too much."

I whispered, "I wish I could stay here longer."

In less than 24 hours, I was getting off the plane and waving at Maximo.

"Welcome back, Jamie!" He greeted me.

I smiled brightly at him. "It's good to see you, Maximo. I do have an interview to attend over the phone. So, I won't be able to talk to you in the car."

"It's not a problem." He opened the back door for me.

I added, "My next destination is to the dance studio to meet with my choreographer."

"I have the address. You'll be on time."

"Thank you, Maximo." I got in the car.

The interview was one of the best interviews I ever had. The interviewers were two men and a woman: Manny, Dylon, and Porsha. They made me feel relaxed and comfortable. The interview ended up being about 45 minutes long. I asked them to let me know when it's available to listen to, and they told me I'd be the first to know.

A few minutes later, I got out the car and met with my choreographer to rehearse my nonstop dance routine for my song "Easy." Surprisingly, I didn't make any mistakes.

By midnight, I was back at the Rivers' Residence. From the front door to my bedroom door, it felt like I was floating. I was ready for the bed. Before I could get there, Colby called me.

"Hello." I slowly made my way over to my chair in the corner by the window.

"I'm working on your schedule. Did you want to reschedule your studio session with Larry?"

I nodded my head as if he could see me. "Can you put him down for Monday morning?"

"On Monday, you have a meeting with your team at 9 a.m. Then, you have a meeting with movie director Michael Skhip at 11 a.m."

Did he say a movie director? "Michael Skhip?"

Colby replied, "He does a lot of animation films like The Story of Toys, Finding Noris, and Monster's Lab. I heard he's working on a new animation about a super hero family."

"Really? I can't wait for that one. And that's on Monday?"

Colby confirmed, "Yes. Also, Deonte Way invited you to his album release party on Monday night at 9 p.m."

"You can put that on my schedule," I told him. "Just put Larry down for Tuesday morning."

"That day is booked, too. You're only free time is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday," he informed me.

"That works," I sighed. I was really back to organized chaos.

So, what did I do? I put it in the back of my mind and turned myself on auto-pilot. Everything I did had it's fun parts, but overall, I was getting sick of it.

My step-dad called to inform me that he and my mom wouldn't be able to fly to L.A., because his boss decided to take a last minute vacation on the same week that my step-dad planned to. I wish I could make enough money so he didn't have to work.

"Baby, we love you. Okay?" My dad told me.

I wiped my eyes. "I know. I love you, too."

Monica sent me photos and short video clips of her and Zeke almost every day. They looked like a real couple which they are, but I had my doubts. I was glad they were spending a lot of time together.

"Are you okay, Jamie?" Larry sat next to me as I rested my head on the arm of the chair in the studio.

"Huh?" I quickly sat up.

He repeated," Are you okay? You seem to be... out-of-it."

I shook my head. "I'm just tired."

"We can reschedule this session," he said.

I smiled, "Larry, we already did that. I told you I would do a song with you. I owe you."

He exclaimed, "Cool! Listen, I know you wanted me to do a feature on one of your songs which I'm still down to do. I just wanted to know if  you could do a feature on one of mine?"

I folded my arms. "We're doing two songs?"

"I figured it shouldn't take long at all. All I have to do is a 16-bar for your song, and you just sang the hook on my song," he explained.

I took a deep breath. "Okay. Let's do yours first."

Larry told the engineer to play his song. The beat started slow then it sped up. Larry "sang" the hook: I don't repeat / Unless it's a hit  / You won't find a copy / I set trends / I don't make friends / I diss-track enemies / Don't call me but my name is Larry

"This is where you come in," Larry told me.

Hook continued: This is not a cover / I am diff-rent / I'm far from easy / I'll give you a tip / Don't make love to a simp / I'm in love with a pimp / He got my mind and my body / His name is Larry

"Stop!" I spoke up.

The engineer stopped the song.

"You like it, right?" Larry asked excitedly.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What's the name of this song?"

"Name is Larry," he answered.

"What's the song about?" I asked.

Larry stood up and explained, "You know. It's about me. Who I am. I'm an original. I'm different. Girls love me, and yeah..."

I shook my head. "Larry, I got love for you, but I'm not singing that. Do you have something else?"

"That's the only song I need a female to sing on."

"Can I change the lyrics?"

He thought before saying, "As long as you don't change the part where you say 'his name is Larry."

Thank you, God! After fifteen minutes, I got in the booth, surprising Larry with the new lyrics.

I sang the new hook: Put this on repeat / 'Cause this is a hit / You won't find a copy / No identical twins / I don't make friends / I diss-track enemies / C'mon and say it with me / His name is Larry

Larry jumped up and down. "YEAH! That's fire!"

From there, Larry worked on his rap for my 90s style, dance song "Again."

Larry rapped his verse: Jae baby, chill on that hook you singing / I can't agree to disagree that we should stop talking / Girl, we been through thick and thin / I'm the only man you ever been / whenever you needed me, I'm always on time / Ja Rule and Ashanti, we stayed on the grind / Call ya mama, call ya mama / Call your sister and your cousin, too / I'm your only best friend / Who else you gonna vent to / We've known each other since forever / Mariah said it best, we belong together / Don't front 'cause you know I got your back / When the storm is heavy, I breeze right through the track / I'll say it again, mami, I got your back / When it rains outside, I'll take you outback / I can't lie I like when you get mad, bae / Hate to see you leave, but love when you walk away / I'll be like Martin Payne begging you to stay / Here we go again, time to serve that soufflé / Or we can go back 'Home' and 'Choose' to take it 'Easy' / Push play on the sound of Jae and Larry / You give me nostalgia with this 90s beat / You forever my lady, call me Jodeci

I believe we played my song 10 more times after that. I knew that would be my next song to release. I sang along, "Everybody thinks we're perfection. Nobody ever has to question. When it's you and me, it's us against the world, but see... when you don't call me and act like you don't know me... I get in a defensive mood. It becomes pointless to argue with you. Let's agree to disagree... I like you and you like me. Why do fools fall in love again and again and again and again."

"You just got in the game, and you already a legend," Larry told me.

I playfully rolled my eyes. It may look that way on the outside, but on the inside, I felt lost.

An entire month went by, and I was looking forward to the end of the year.  That night, A.B. text that he wanted to see me. I fell asleep in the middle of my reply.

With the back-to-back holidays approaching, my schedule was making it impossible for me to even spend 24 hours at home with family. Instead, I would be on stage performing for the White House, U.S. troops and veterans, cancer patients of all ages, survivors of domestic abuse, and orphans. Part of me was glad that I was asked to sing for those people. Part of me was sad, because of their situations. I had no right to complain about anything.

Today, I woke up as if it were any other day, but apparently, there was a rumor that I would be performing as the opening act for the World International Music award show in Europe. Also, I was nominated 12 times. Definitely a rumor. On top of that, it had been announced that I would be one of the performers at the Superbowl. My phone vibrated.

Monica: Congrats cousin!!! You are the new Michael Jackson lol I wish I could fly back with E to see you, but I do have a business to run. Call me before I call you 100 times in a row. Love you!

Me: Thanks, cousin. I'll try to call you later. Love you too

I went from closing my eyes to opening them. I found myself singing to the live studio audience at The Valerie Davis Talk Show. Mid-way into my performance, an audience member caught my eye. When I looked next to him, I saw two more people that I knew. I was on the verge of tears as I continued to sing. At the end of my performance, the audience gave me a standing ovation.

"That is why she is called 'The Princess of Performing.' We'll be right back on The Valerie Davis Show!" The host shouted to the camera.

When we were done filming, Valerie Davis thanked me before mingling with her audience. I looked at the three people in the crowd and waved. They waved back. After the show, I waited in the car for them. Finally, Maximo opened the back door.

"Look at my baby!" My mom shouted as she got in the car first.

We embraced.

"When did y'all get here?"

My step-dad got in next. "This morning. You did a great job on stage. You look so beautiful, Princess."

"Thank you, daddy."

My mom tapped my knee. "We heard that you couldn't get anytime to come see us. So, Jace flew us down here to surprise you."

"I wish y'all could stay with me." I held back my tears.

"Princess, you make us so proud. Right now, we want you to stay focus. Finish the year strong. Next year, you'll find some down time to come back home."

I smiled, "I hope so."

We talked for about twenty minutes before they left. My parents were staying in L.A. for the night. They would be leaving tomorrow.

En route to a radio station for an interview, my phone vibrated.

A.B.: Great job today! Sorry I couldn't stay and talk after the show.

Me: It's okay. My parents told me. Thank you for flying them out here and getting them a hotel room. They haven't left East Grove in forever.

A.B.: You're welcome. If you can get away tonight, I can pick you up.

Me: I'll be free after 10 o'clock.

A.B.: I'll be there