“I can’t believe you recorded that,” I said, curled up in Quade’s lap as we sat in front of the soundboard.
“Every damn beautiful second.” He wrapped his arms around me as his fingers moved across the soundboard. He was layering my voice onto the track, mixing it with the melody.
“Look. Listen to this shit.” He pressed play, and the track played again. That time, we could hear the faint sounds of my voice, a few moans, a giggle here and there. He even added my confession to him. And strangely, it wasn’t embarrassing. It didn’t make me want to hide. It gave the song something it didn’t have before. I thought the song was perfect before, but this version was outstanding. What he’d created felt intimate in a way I couldn’t explain, and it honored me to be a part of his art.
“It’s so good!”
“Deadass.” He pulled me a little closer and pressed his mouth to my ear, rapping the lyrics he’d written just for me. I pressed my palm to his heart. This man, this moment, the music we’d made together—it was all unreal. I didn’t know a relationship could feel like this. I definitely never thought it would be possible for me.
“You really did that,” I said. “This song, it’s… everything. I want it on repeat.”
“Nah, we did that. It was a solid six before I added your voice.”
I looked up at him, a little breathless. My mouth opened and closed as I tried to find the words to tell this man I was falling in love with him. Before I could say anything else, his phone vibrated loudly against the wood of the soundboard, making us both sigh with irritation. He leaned forward, grabbed it, and glanced down at the screen.
“Shit,” he muttered. “It’s Dru from Eight24 Records.” He stared down at the screen like he didn’t know what to do with it.
“Answer it,” I said softly, and he hesitated for a minute longer before finally answering the call and putting it on speaker.
“Yeah.”
“Quae Fucking Lo!” Dru’s voice boomed through the phone. “Aye, I know it’s late, but you got a minute?”
“I was kind of chilling with my girl,” Quade replied, glancing at me briefly.
“My bad. I respect family time. I’m on my way to the wife as we speak. But look, this won’t be long,” Dru said. “Money just played me your verse. That track goes fucking crazy, man!”
Quade didn’t say anything, just leaned back in the chair and waited. He had a quiet confidence about him that I admired.
“My brother and I want to talk business,” Dru continued. “How do you feel about coming to LA in a few weeks to hear us out?”
“Dru, man. I appreciate the offer, but I didn’t hop on that track hoping to relive my glory days. I’m not really interested in being signed.” Quade exhaled slowly, and I just sat there, stunned. Most men in his predicament would hop on this opportunity, but Quade was sitting here calm and unbothered like the CEO of the biggest independent label in the country wasn’t on his phone.
“I know, man. That’s exactly why we want to sit down with you. I know your first go-around in this industry was some straight bullshit. Savage Row played with you, took advantage ofyou. You were dealt a bad hand. But we ain’t them, and we don’t do grimy business.”
“I hear you. I’m just not sold on hopping back in the spotlight. I’m older, wiser, and I like my peace and quiet.”
I stared at Quade. I could feel him trying to breathe normally. This was a big moment for him. This decision would shape the rest of his life.
“I get it. Trust me, I do. That’s why we want to sit down face-to-face. My brother is opening a new club in LA in two weeks. Come down to the grand opening. Kick it with us. Hear us out. On our dime, no pressure.”
I smiled quietly, my fingers tracing the fabric of Quade’s shirt. It sounded like a good deal to me.
“Take the meeting,” I leaned in and whispered. “You’re not committing to anything,” I said softly. “Just hear them out.” He looked at me, and I hoped I wasn’t overstepping, but it wouldn’t hurt him to hear them out. His gaze lingered on me for a second longer, and then he looked down at the phone.
“So… uh,… if I come out, I’m bringing my girl,” he finally said. “And she needs certain accommodations. Everything gotta be accessible. Hotel, transportation, studio, all of it.”
I looked at him, and my mouth fell open.
“Man, stop playin’,” Dru said like it was nothing. “You think we flyin’ you commercial? This Eight24. We sendin’ the jet. Any accommodations she needs, we’ll get them arranged. She’s good. Plus, my wife and sister-in-law will be in attendance. It’ll be perfect.”
My heart skipped a beat, not just because Dru was so willing to accommodate me, but because Quade had included me in his decision before he’d even said yes. Quade looked at me, and I nodded my head.
“Alright. I’m down. Send me the details, and I’ll see y’all in three weeks.”
“Bet. I’ll have my assistant send the email in the morning.”
“Cool.” Quade nodded. The line clicked, and I could feel him release a deep breath.
