Checkmate. The song ended, and the tension in the room was high as DJ Baby covered the mic with his hand.
“We live, y’all, in 5, 4, 3, 2… DJ Baby is back in the building with Grammy award-winning producer and rapper, Day Night. You just heard the song from his newest artist. Day, what was the process like working with Charlie?”
Day was tight. He was grinding his teeth so hard as he stared a hole through Miss Mix that his head ached with tension.
He took his time responding, letting every listener in on the tension clouding the interview.
“She’s the best singer I’ve heard in my entire career. She’s an artist,” Day said.
“Well, let’s see what the people have to say?” DJ Baby said. He clicked a button and pulled a fan on air.
“Thank you for calling in, tell us your name and where you from.”
“Keisha from Saginaw,” the caller answered.
“Keisha, how did you like the record?” The DJ asked.
“It was fire. It’s a whole vibe,” she answered. “Can I just say I’m in love with you, Day!”
“What’s good, Keisha from Saginaw?” Day answered, chuckling. “I’m in love with you back.”
“Do you have a question for Day Night?” DJ Baby asked.
“Yeah, sooo, Day, you’re never out in public with no girls, but me and my homegirls are jealous because Shade Room posted you out with some broad yesterday, and I just want to know if you’re still on the market because they say you got to shoot your shot when you get the chance.”
DJ Baby laughed, and Day instantly tensed. “Ooo… yeah, we saw that post,” Miss Mix said. “So, how’s it laying? Is the infamous bachelor, Day Night, spoken for? Or do the ladies still have hope?”
“Nah, man, I’m single. That wasn’t nothing major.”
“Well, you’re known to spoil the women. It’s speculated that you bought Kiara Da’vi her G wagon after you were seen out withher six months ago. Is she out? Is this new girl the new hire? Cuz Kiara told the blogs she was hired to please, nothing else. She said, and I quote, ‘I profit from his pleasure.’”
“Y’all wild, man,” Day said, dismissing the rumors.
“I mean, I don’t blame you, bruh. It ain’t tricking if you got it,” DJ Baby encouraged. “Got to pay a bih so she keep her mouth closed. Sign these women up like employees and write ‘em off on your taxes.”
The DJ laughed, and Day smirked, shaking his head as he said, “Sometimes you got to feed the help, you know?”
The studio fell out in laughter.
“Nah, I’m just bullshitting, but for real though, weird-ass paparrazi taking pictures of anything nowadays. Must be a slow news week. I’m a single man.”
“Oh!” Miss Mix said. “You heard it here. Day Night is still on the market, and the picture you saw him in with this new mystery girl is just him feeding the help.”
Chapter 16
Demi was a shell of a man. He was trying. He wanted to be present and to focus on his son as DJ talked excitedly about switching positions next football season, but he couldn’t. He was full of half-hearted replies as he tried to encourage his son.
“You see that play, Dad?” DJ asked. His little league championship tape played in the background.
“If you gon’ run the field both ways, you gon’ have to train, my boi,” Demi stated. “You get lazy on defense, and you gon’ mess around and get hurt.”
“Coach Ny said he’ll let me come to middle school conditioning. If I train with them all summer, I’ll be set for fall. Can I, Dad? Please?”
DJ was riding a wave after being nominated for little league player of the year.
“Coach Ny, huh?” Demi asked, glancing up at Lauren.
“Has nothing to do with me. That’s between DJ and Coach Ny. That offer was on the table way before whatever you thinking happened, happened,” Lauren said.
