“Yes.”
“He didn’t tell you about the interview?”
“No,” she stated without giving him her eyes, which made Niles chuckle.
“I need to apologize to get more than a one-word answer?”
“Yes.” She looked his way and smiled smugly.
“You had media training?”
“Yes?”
When he arched a brow, she lifted a shoulder. “You didn’t apologize.”
“Aight, you got that too. My bad for being an asshole.”
“Apology accepted.” She smiled triumphally and Niles smirked, shaking his head. “Who’s the interview with?”
“Beauty.”
“Oh…”
He noticed she tensed and frowned. “Y’all got beef or something?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t know her like that.”
“Then why that dry ass oh…” He pulled up at a light and stared at Samari.
“Everybody listens to her show.”
“That’s kinda the point. Getting you out there. Those songs y’all recorded are fire as hell.”
She nodded and Niles knew something was up. He would never claim to be an expert at reading women, but with Samari, he didn’t have to be. She wore her feelings all over her face and right now she was nervous as hell.
“Stop stressing, you’re gonna be straight. Beauty is cool and she fucks with us heavy. So she won’t hit you with any bullshit ass questions.”
Samari huffed and turned to face him. Niles was handsome. He was tall like Asao but built like a football player. His chocolate skin was almost as dark as the waves on his head and the beard that covered his jaw. He had thick, bushy brows, a wide nose and lips. There was a permanent crease between his brows and she surmised he didn’t smile a lot.
“It’s not that. They’re going to ask me about the festival and that means admitting on air that I’m doing music again.”
“Aren’t you an artist? Why wouldn’t you want people to know you’re doing music?” He frowned, looking confused.
“Not people, my label.”
Niles nodded, now understanding what the issue was. “Your label doesn’t give a fuck about you putting music out. In fact, that’s the point and I know you haven’t decided whether or not you’re gonna sign with us, but until you say no, we’re moving like it’s a yes.”
“I wasn’t talking about Track Killaz,” she admitted and he read between the lines.
“You’re not with Cobra anymore, Mari. Sao took care of that.”
“How?”
“He didn’t tell you?” She pulled her lip between her teeth and shook her head. Niles nodded again.
“You’re gonna have to wait until he does. We don’t work like that. Sao is family. I respect his moves just like he respects mine. You’re gonna have to do the same.”
“Youcan afford a lawsuit. I can’t,” she admitted.
