“Whatever…” Samari playfully rolled her eyes and Asao didn’t bother delivering confirmation. She would see how he got down through his actions.
“My pops came home today.”
“Oh wow, how did that go?”
Asao smirked. “Good. I got him right, then dropped him at the crib to see my mom. I dipped on them though because they have a lot of shit to discuss and time to make up for.”
“That’s sweet but you didn’t want to stay?”
“Nah, that’s not sweet. That’s me staying out of grown folks’ business. I’m not trying to think about how they’re making up for that time, so it was best for me to take my ass home, but we’re going to pull up later to check them out.”
She tensed. “You want me to meet your parents?”
“You want your name on me, so yeah, man. You need to meet them.”
“Okay.”
“You sure?
“Yep, we can do that.”
He nodded. “Aight, you good now?”
“Yes.” Samari’s mouth brushed over his. “Dom sent my track list.”
“You listen to it?”
“Some of it.”
“You gonna play it for me?”
“You haven’t heard it yet?” She narrowed her eyes on his face.
“He might have sent them, but I had a three-hour drive there and back. I haven’t had time to check. Play it for me,” he demanded and she leaned back, pressing a hand on his chest to balance herself so she wouldn’t fall when she reached for the remote and her phone. She decided to go back to the beginning and let the tracks play, watching Asao’s reaction as she bobbed his head to each one.
When the third song began and his intro played, she smirked. “That’s not how I remember recording this.”
“’Cause it’s not. You want me to change it back?”
She shook her head and they listened to the rest of the track. She sang along and rapped his verse while Asao watchedher, feeling content. This was the woman she should be. Happy and in her element. With each smile that found its way onto her face, Asao made a vow to provide a reason for a million more.
After the final track ended, his attention was locked on her. “What you think?”
“I like it but, I don’t know.” He sensed the hesitation.
“Why don’t you know?” His question had her brows dipping inward.
“Because I’m the artist. I create the music. How it’s delivered to the world is not really my lane.”
“But it is though,” Asao assured her. “Those words are yours. You have a story to tell and that changes based on how you organize the words. We can tell you what we think from a business perspective but you have to go with what you feel. You’re connected to the music. Your feelings, your emotions are what make it what it is. Your connection is gonna sell that shit. So what do you think?”
She tucked her lip inward while she thought about it. “I want ‘Nothing and No One’ to be the last track before the one with Fyre.”
“Aight, why though?” he asked, keeping his eyes locked on her face.
“I just do.” She shrugged.
“Nah, that isn’t good enough. Tell me why.”
