The lie that rolled off her tongue made both women's jaws clench. Carla was selfish and everything she did had a motive. Taking Tyler in was to fatten her pockets, just like throwing her into the lion’s den with Oakwood was to secure her own future, and they both knew it.
“Whatever. I actually came by to give you this.” Carla dug in her purse and handed her an envelope. “Rahlo is having a listening party, and he invited you and Dex.”
“When is it?”
“Tonight.”
“Why so last-minute?”
“I know his manager Terri, and when he mentioned it, I asked him for an invite.” Carla stretched the truth. She actuallysaw a post on Instagram about the party and jumped in Terri’s DM. At first, he told her the guest list was full. Dexter’s personality didn’t always mix well with others, and Terri was familiar with his and Tyler’s public disputes. Carla was pissed, but at the very last minute, a couple of people informed Terri that they couldn’t attend, so he doubled back and sent Carla the information, warning her that if Dexter started some shit he’d never receive another invite.
“You don’t ask for an invite, sounds like this was a pity offer, and I’m straight.”
“Oh girl, climb off the fucking high horse and go to the damn party. If not for you, then for Dex. He needs the exposure. I told Bobbi to tell him, but you know how dense your cousin can be.”
“Why would you tell her to tell him?” Tyler squinted.
“I asked him to give her a trial run as an assistant.”
“That’s a recipe for disaster, but whatever.”
“Do you need anything?” Carla asked, heading to the door. “I have some-”
“I don’t need anything and stop offering me pills like I'm a freaking crackhead!”
For Tyler’s 18thbirthday, Darryl decided to throw her a big pool bash at a mansion he rented out for the weekend. Not only was it her birthday, but Tyler signed a five-album contract with the label, earning the top spot as the R&B princess of Detroit. Since signing, Tyler’s name rung bells around the Midwest. Everybody wanted a piece of her, but the price tag Darryl attached to her name came with stipulations that most weren’t willing to abide by. After finding out she wrote her own music, Darryl knew that Dexter stumbled upon a goldmine. Tyler wasn’t just a singer, she was a songwriter, a freestylegenius, and a visionary. Her talents went beyond what Dexter saw, and for that reason, Darryl made it a point to handle Tyler’s career himself.
“Oh bitch, eighteen looks good on you!” Shane admired his best friend as she trotted around the master bedroom in her bathing suit and heels that she could barely walk in. “Who picked out this bathing suit?”
“Darryl, but Carla got the wrong size,” Tyler said, pulling the bottoms out of her ass.
“It’s probably all that ass.” Aria popped her on the backside.
“Right. I’ve seen a lot of BBLs, but they did a really good job on yours,” Shane agreed. “I still can’t believe you did it.”
“Me either.” Tyler cupped her perfectly sculpted cheeks.
When Carla approached her about the surgery, Tyler was bewildered. She was only seventeen, but the label wanted to give her childish looks an enhancement. They couldn’t have her talking about riding dick with a flat ass and boy chest. Tyler still had a baby face, but the upgraded booty and breasts were giving grown as fuck.
“I need to get mine redone,” Bobbi pouted, cupping her uneven cheeks.
“No comment,” Shane twisted his lips. Aria snickered at the shade because his no comment was a comment. Thus far, Bobbi had undergone two BBLs, lipo, and a nose job. They couldn’t figure out who she was trying to be because she looked nothing like the girl from years ago.
Bobbi opened her mouth to go off on Shane but paused when the door swung open.
“What the fuck taking so long?” Dexter barked, pushing the bedroom door open.
“Damn, what if we were naked?” Bobbi placed her hand on her hip.
“Ain’t shit I haven’t seen.” He stared at her before turning to face Tyler. “You ready, baby? Everybody here and that nigga Darryl getting antsy.”
“Ok, yall go ahead, I’ll be down in a second.” She smiled.
“See you down there, superstar.” Shane blew her a kiss, following Aria and Bobbi out the door.
“Two minutes, Ty,” Dexter demanded, shutting the bedroom door to give her a little privacy.
Sitting in front of the vanity, Tyler took a deep breath. It was her eighteenth birthday, and she should’ve been happy, but all she wanted to do was go visit her mother. This wasn’t how she planned to celebrate her birthday, but Carla and Darryl had other plans. Had it been up to her, Tyler would have sat by her mother’s bedside and indulged in ice cream and cake.
