Page 13 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

Chapter Six

It’s in the Harmonies

Jhae

A t three in the morning, I was writing “Tested Love.”

You pushed to my brink, and my love flowed.

Malcolm made it clear he wasn’t playing along with the label or letting me out of this marriage.

The walls of my world were collapsing on me with Midwest Records playing hardball.

Moe was pissed about the missed session today.

I’m keeping secrets from Anissa, and a 6’8 basketball player holding all the cards kissed me alive.

I caressed my neck, taking my mind back to what appeared to be him claiming me. Malcolm refused to leave but never suggested sleeping in the bed with me. Outside of this stunt he pulled, he treats me better than anyone I’ve ever dated.

Malcolm

Writing?

Me

Blackmailing

Malcolm

Loving you

Me

You can’t say those words to me.

Malcolm

I love you. Said it and meant it.

I covered my eyes with my hands as I rested my back against the headboard. A tap on the door pulled my attention. Begrudgingly, I pulled the blanket away from my legs and approached the door.

“What do you want, Malcolm?”

“I love how you stand on your tiptoes to talk to me, how one dimple is deeper than the other. I love your natural pixie cut hair instead of the wigs, your tan coffin nails, and your light pink lip gloss. I love how you fan your mouth after eating spicy food and how you grow in height when you get upset,” Malcolm professed through the door.

Listening to him list off random things about me made my eyes water.

“Those are some of the reasons why I love you,” he said, and my heart raced.

I placed my hand on the doorknob but snatched it back.

Stepping backward, I moved away from the door, crawling back into bed.

Jhae, don’t fall for this. He is Anissa’s son.

The words looped in my head. Connecting with him on any level would shatter any trust or relationship I curated with Anissa.

Our friendship was built on open honesty, laughter, tears and hard conversations.

We have held each other down through love droughts and uncertainty.

I couldn’t imagine my life without my friend.

I wiped a tear from beside my nose before cradling myself to sleep.

This morning, I am determined to get back on track with Moe.

After a long, steam filled shower, I dressed down in jeans and a tank.

I planned to ignore Malcolm on my way out the door.

I stepped out to find a trail of red roses leading to a table set with breakfast. Bacon, eggs, toast and fruit sat on nice plated dishes.

He had changed into fresh clothes, and I bet he and Marquise switched places.

It’s the only way he could get back inside my hotel room.

Malcolm gently took my hand and guided me toward the setting, pulling out a chair with no objection from me.

Maybe over breakfast we could come to a peaceful resolution.

“Music Note, I know yesterday was a lot,” he said, and I gave him the side-eye.

He reached for my hand again, but I moved my hand away.

“Malcolm, I want out of this marriage,” I requested as I crossed my legs underneath the table.

Instead of arguing, he lifted a plate, loading it with eggs and bacon before handing it to me.

“No, Jhae. I could see if we weren’t working out, but you’re afraid. To get the freedom you say you want, you’re going to have to fight me for it.”

I sighed before I stabbed a piece of egg with my fork and pulled it toward my mouth. Malcolm added a few things to his plate before a knock came to the door. I continued to eat, guessing it was Marquise. Malcolm stood, moving toward the door, and a familiar voice echoed through the space.

“Are you Malcolm?”

I swiveled in my seat to find Tyrus standing in the sitting area.

“Join us,” Malcolm said, leading Tyrus to the table covered in fruit, breakfast, and roses.

My manager agreed, giving me wide eyes as he pulled out the brown padded chair.

“I know you are confused about your requested attendance. Before we get down to business, how was the ride to Kansas City?” Malcolm asked as he loaded fruit on his plate.

“Seamless. The red and black interior on the jet was a nice touch,” he said.

“What jet?” I asked.

Malcolm reached for my hand underneath the table, but I moved it before we could fully connect.

“Why is Tyrus here?” I asked, looking between the two men.

My longtime manager raised both hands in a surrendering manner.

“I asked Tyrus to join us to discuss a plan regarding your music career,” Malcolm said.

I gave a quick chuckle before I slanted my head to the side. “Excuse me,” I said with audacity.

“Jhae is my wife. Faking a relationship isn’t going to happen. Neither is a divorce. I’m fully prepared to fund Jhae’s independent label, new album, tour, marketing, and purchase her current masters,” Malcolm announced our business and full plan.

I stood from my seat. “Absolutely not. Divorce is the only option we have here.”

Tyrus and Malcolm both provided me with their undivided attention.

“Jhae baby, let me help you,” Malcolm offered.

“An . . . null . . . ment,” I said, breaking up the words for him to understand.

Malcolm chuckled at my request without taking me seriously and diverted his attention to Tyrus.

“Music Note is having a hard time accepting our union. Tyrus, give us your guidance,” Malcolm said as he reached for me, but I dodged his hand.

“Jhae, let’s talk about this. You’ve been wanting to break free from the label. This could be your opportunity. Let’s hear him out,” Tyrus said.

He touched my arm to guide me down, something he had done several times.

“You don’t have to touch her. Jhae knows how to sit down. If she wants to stand. Let her stand,” Malcolm said, and Tyrus snatched his hand back.

“Sweetheart, if you want to stand, that’s fine,” Malcolm said to me.

My nostrils flared, but it didn’t bother Malcolm. He gave me a blank but loaded expression. I gripped the back of the chair and retook my seat.

“The record label will not clear KC’s request for your bridge. They have frozen Moe’s money. They want the fake relationship. Purchasing your masters is no longer on the table, and your label idea with their backing is gone. They’re going to shelve you and the album,” Tyrus said.

Mad tears flowed down my face as my eyes found Malcolm’s again.

“Listen, after the fake relationship, I fully commit to this marriage,” I said in an attempt to bargain with him.

Malcolm’s jaw flinched after I finished my sentence, and he scowled.

“They don’t value you. If you are willing to do it once, you will do it again.

I’m standing here with a blank check, ready to fund your freedom.

But you can’t see it because you’re afraid of a little heat from my mother.

No man is faking a damn thing with my woman.

Stop bringing it up,” he said, elevating his voice on the last sentence.

The sternness in his voice triggered a jerk reaction from my body.

“Without her masters, the label can continue to make money off her name, sue her for a breach of contract and stop her from releasing music. She is in a three-album deal with Midwest Records,” Tyrus said.

We sat in temporary silence as Malcolm shook his head and I processed the information.

“I can get her out of the deal and secure the masters. How much money do we need for the label to get off the ground and to send Moe?” Malcolm asked.

Both Tyrus and I gave him tense expressions. Davey wasn’t going to hand over my masters without a fight. I made more money than his entire roster of artists. From writing credits alone, I should own the label.

“Malcolm, if you can get me out of this deal and secure my masters. I’ll cuddle with you every night,” I said with sarcasm.

A slow smile inched across his face. “Anything for you, Mrs. Shaw-Jefferies,” he said, and something told me I'd fucked up.

Malcolm

As Tyrus tried to convince Jhae this could work, I texted my auntie.

Me

In Kansas City.

It took five minutes, but she texted back.

Restricted

Loose Park. Thirty minutes. Have a seat. I will find you.

I closed the thread and lifted from the table. “I’ll be back in an hour. Jhae, you know I can find you. Don’t try running,” I said, and Tyrus chuckled at my statement.

The driver pulled up with enough time for me to find a random bench. The grass was a unique manicured green with stone pillars and a rose garden. People were resting on blankets while others walked on the winding trails.

“Kansas City is beautiful around this time of year.”

“Hi, Aunt India,” I said without turning around.

She sat next to me in her signature color, white. The tailored jumpsuit fit her body to perfection, accompanied by shades and a ponytail. On her left stood a man in a black suit. I’ve never seen them apart, and he never said a word.

“I would ask why you are in Kansas City, but you’re usually wherever your Music Note is,” she said, and I chuckled.

“Did you get the flowers I sent for your birthday?” I questioned.

She bumped my arm with her elbow. “Yes, I did. I would ask how you found me, but we know how. Ivey is turning out to be a career criminal. I would take her under my wing, but neither Anissa nor Khalil would understand. She has real potential breaking cyber laws. She reminds me of an old FBI buddy,” she said.

“Don’t you do it again, Mr. Shaw-Jefferies.

An occasional text will do, and a championship. ”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said.

“Tell me what you need?”

I peered over at her. “Jhae out of her record deal with her masters and no debt. A clean break.”

My aunt giggled. “Your mother is going to struggle with this. Which reminds me not to answer the phone for her when she calls. Davey Cling finally made his way onto my list. I’ve been itching to get his ass since the Richards deal fell through. Give me until seven,” she said.

“What do you know about this Tyrus guy?” I questioned.