Page 20 of Rah

He dragged a hand down his face. “It’s weird, man. All this praise, all this love at my party, but outside of here, I still got regular money. Getting with a label’s taking forever. I’m supposed to be the provider for Kahlani and Trent.”

“Youarethe provider,” I reminded him. “They don’t need for anything.”

“Yeah, but I workhardto make that happen, and I’m risking my life and freedom every day. I’m ready to move them out the hood, give Kahlani everything she dreams about, and stop risking my freedom to take care of my family. I don’t want tojust be able to pay my bills. I want real security. Getting signed is taking too damn long. I’m ready to stop these little side hustles and move some real weight so I can make real paper.”

I shook my head immediately. “You can’t do that. You’re too visible now. You’re famous.”

He gave me a frustrated look. “In Chicago! Shit, not even in Chicago. Just in the hood! These people out there singing my praises, and I’m still trappin’!”

“Look, man. Listen. I was gonna tell you this as a birthday gift, but you’ve been so busy all day I haven’t had the chance.”

That pulled his eyes up to mine. The disappointment faded and was replaced with a spark of anticipation.

“You know I’ve been sending your music to some people I know at the labels—”

“Uh huh,” he urged as his eyes slowly got bigger.

“Interscope hit me the other day.”

His eyebrows went up, and I could tell he was hanging on my next words. I almost felt bad lying, but I needed him focused on music, not risking his life or freedom. This wasn’t just his ticket out of the hood. It was mine too. I wasn’t letting him throw it away because he was worried about spoiling his woman.

“They wanna meet with you—”

Before I could finish, he jumped out of the chair, yelling, “Whew! Yes! That’s what the fuck I’m talking about!”

He grabbed my hand, yanked me up, and hugged me tight like I’d just given him the world. And in his mind, I had. With one quick lie, I’d saved his birthday and, as far as he knew, his future.

“There’s no date yet,” I added, to buy myself time. “They still gotta get the execs to listen to yourmusic. But within the next month, we’ll be at Interscope, signing paperwork.”

He grinned like a kid on Christmas morning. All that previous frustration was gone.

There was a knock on the door, and it swung open before we could answer. Moses was still bouncing with excitement as three women stepped inside. They were Instagram models I’d personally invited to the party. They smelled like perfume and eagerness, and they walked like they knew they were the finest women in the room.

“Happy birthday,” the one in the middle purred with her eyes locked on Moses.

“Happy birthday, baby,” another added, while her gaze slid down his body.

I grinned, throwing a hand out toward them. “Happy birthday, bro.” I nodded toward the trio, making my point without having to say much more. “They’re your present.”

Moses chuckled under his breath. “Man…” He shook his head, already taking a step back.

I caught the way he put space between himself and the women.

“Where you goin’?” I asked as he moved toward the door.

He glanced back at me. “To find my woman.”

I raised my brows. “Yo’, you for real?”

“This is your thing, not mine,” he said over his shoulder. “You can enjoy ‘em. I’m cool.”

I scoffed. “Man, you a chump.”

He just laughed, not even slowing down, and closed the door behind him.

MOSES

I shut the dressing room door behind me, shaking my head a little. I never agreed with how much Rah cheated on Solae. She held him down, took care of his kids, made sure the house was a home, and he still found reasons to play her. But that was Rah. Some men were just dogs by nature, and I’d learned to mind my business. I wasn’t about to play captain save-a-nigga when I knew Rah wasn’t about to change.