She Used to Be the Sweetest Girl(55)

Shemel’s manager tapped him on the shoulder before he could respond. Holding his finger up, he stepped off to the side to see what was going on.

“So it looks like the other people we were supposed to meet up with later on today canceled due to an emergency they have going on. You’re free for the day after this next meeting at one,” his manager said.

“Alright, bet. I’ll probably just cool out to be honest. I get into some shit out in the A, Jae gone trip out on me,” he said, with a chuckle.

“Exactly, and we need you in one piece to sign this contract,” he replied back, patting him on the back.

Walking back over to Marcella, he pulled out his phone to exchange numbers. He was going to be free for the last few days of his stay and wouldn’t mind turning up with her. Mel knew who she was, and if he planned to sign to Homage, he figured he’d might as well get acquainted with a few of the artists. Preferably the women; he had enough niggas on his team. He didn’t need any new friends.

Handing his phone back, Marcella said her goodbyes before heading down the hall. She was five minutes behind to her meeting. That’s the real reason she was upstairs in the first place. Looking at his screen, he checked to see what she saved her name as. It was her real name, no emoji’s. Glad that she kept it simple. That let Shemel know she wasn’t checking for him. Most women he came across wanted to have a silly pet name or some damn emoji’s. He couldn’t front though; he did the same with his name in Brix’s phone, but he was making a statement.

Going to his messages, he sent Pierre a text asking if he’d talked to Carissa. Brix still hadn’t texted him back and he was getting concerned. His mind began to go in overdrive thinking of the most negative shit that could have been going on with her. A few hours without replying? Cool. Two days though? Nah, that wasn’t gone fly with Shemel. He didn’t want to seem pressed, but damn was it hard not to be.

Pierre: Nah nigga. Why?

Mel: Brix ain’t replying .. shit idk what’s going on. Tryna figure out what’s up.

Pierre: Aww, you miss her lol.

Mel: Lol gone nigga. I’m just saying.

Pierre: I ain’t texting Carissa so I don’t know what to tell you

Mel: Punk ass. I’ll figure something out. How shit looking?

Pierre: A1.

Mel: Good shit. I’ll hit yo line after this meeting.

Pierre: Fa sho.



Not getting any further with his plan to reach Brix, Shemel sighed heavily. Wasn’t too much more he could do if she didn’t want to reply back. If he was back home, he’d definitely be pulling up on her in a quickness. Back in St. Louis, Brix was ignoring him just like he did the day her car got damaged. She was in no mood to deal with him. It was so funny to her that he could ignore her, and it was cool, but when she did it, all hell broke loose. Double standards were a mufucka.

Sliding his phone back into his jeans, they all walked toward the elevator. The cancellation of his meeting with the other company was music to his ears. It was also another chance for him to weigh his options. With not many choices left and the money some were offering, Homage was looking like the win. He’d make his decision in a few days before they headed back home. He wanted to clear his head of Brix, and all other things that could cloud his decision making. In the end this was his life and his career at stake.

“So what you think Shemel? Could you see yourself with this company?” Jae asked, as they all got comfortable inside his manager’s Expedition.

Pondering over her question, Shemel rubbed his goatee. The money they were talking sounded right. He had heard nothing but good feedback from them and a few negative comments, but that’s a part of the business. Howard hadn’t sugar-coated shit over the two-hour meeting, and Shemel appreciated that. Of course he couldn’t tell him all the gritty details of the industry in one sitting, but he gave him enough to sleep on and look out for.

“I know a lot of people who work with Howard, Mel. The man is about his money, but more importantly, he wants to see his artists make it. Not just make it, but get to the top and stay there. As your manager, I feel the same way. I’m not trying to persuade you with a speech, but really think about your decision. You have a week or so before they want a reply, so no pressure. Well, shit. Then again, yes it is, but you know what I mean,” his manager said, peeling his eyes away from the review mirror.

Shemel was never easily persuaded, but the speech had given him more than enough to think about. It wasn’t all about the money to him, because there was a time he was giving his mixtapes out for free. He still did for some, but that’s how you market yourself. Mel felt like there was no need to even visit with anyone else at this point. The vibes were good from Howard, and he never misjudged a vibe. Only issues was this street shit. It was slowly but surely, becoming a burden of his thoughts. Knowing that this opportunity only came once in a lifetime, Shemel answered.