“I know you’re currently in denial about what this is, friend, but that’s definitely your man.” Sheree spoke in an amused tone with her eyes darting between the couple.
Asao swung his head to the side, taking in the woman seated next to him, then the toddler in her lap like he’d just realized they were there at that very second. Anytime Samari was in attendance, he had tunnel vision.
“The friend.”
Sheree arched a brow and he smirked.
“The friend, Sheree,” he clarified, remembering their last conversation. She nodded in approval and his eyes lowered to the toddler. “And Baby Sheree.”
“Jomie,” Samari clarified and shifted to adjust herself on his lap. He tossed his chin in acknowledgment. “What y’all in here working on?”
“EP or Album,” Sheree stated, locking her phone. Asao turned his attention to her briefly before it was back on Samari and Dom.
“He asked and I don’t know. Apparently, I’m costing you money.” She smirked at Dom who chuckled and addressed his boy.
“Your investment in her is a lot different than mine and Niles. I had to say it because you won’t. I also made it very clear that the money is not the issue because she didn’t ask, we offered, but the facts don’t change. We’re spending money. We need to make some.”
“This part isn’t as fun as watching you sing, so I’m going to let y’all have this. I need to get her home.” Sheree motioned to the toddler in her lap who was occupied with her mother’s cellphone.
“I’ll walk you out,” Samari said, attempting to stand, but Asao didn’t release her until she glared at him over her shoulder, bringing a cocky yet sexy grin to his face. He kissed her neck and let her go.
After collecting Jomie’s things, Sheree said her goodbyes and the two women walked outside. The second the door closed separating them, Dom spoke his peace.
“That’s your girl, but she’s our artist.”
Asao nodded in understanding. He had no argument to present. Dom’s time was money.
“If we do this together, that means all business decisions. I’m not going to come at you for handling business. What did you record today?”
Dom smirked. “That’s it?”
“What the fuck else is it supposed to be, fam? I know how to separate the two spaces I’m in with Mari. Are you gonna play the tracks or not?” Asao asserted.
Dom cued the first one and let it run. When Samari’s voice flowed through the speakers, Asao closed his eyes and dissected every bar, lyric, and combination of the first track. When it ended, he handed over his thoughts. “She needs to run the chorus again. You can bring the bass down and let her voice carry through the first and second verses. The third, bring it back up so it blends into the run at the end.”
“You in production no?.” Dom’s tone carried a hint of amusement but he wasn’t offended because Asao’s thoughts mirrored his own. He also trusted his boy and Track Killaz was developing a signature sound that was a blend of Dom’s skills and Asao’s leadership.
“You said it’s time to make money. I’m giving you my thoughts on what that looks like for the first artist on Track Killaz.”
“She’s claiming us now?” Dom turned to the soundboard and began making the adjustments.
“Mari is just trying to figure out how to have what she wants without giving someone the power to take it away. I’m not gonna push one way or the other. She trusts me but trusting me scares her.”
Dom turned to his boy, reading between the lines. Asao wouldn’t push because pushing was exactly what he’d done with Na’Mya. He demanded her trust that he would be the man she deserved as long as she gave him time to get there.
“If you’re in this, you have to be in this. You can’t let the past control how you deal with things between you and Samari. Regardless of whether or not she trusts you, if you don’t trust yourself, shit is going to fall apart. You’re gonna carry what happened for life, no doubt, but how you carry it is what matters. If she’s your second chance, don’t fuck it up.”
Asao laughed arrogantly. “You trying to tell me how to move in a relationship when the only one you’ve ever had is with your damn self?”
“Don’t they say to love yourself so you know how to love someone else? Consider this stage of my life a gotdamn masterclass of discovery to prepare me for my future wife.”
Asao chuckled. “Play the next track.”
By the time they finished listening to all three tracks and Asao gave his thoughts, Samari still hadn’t made it back inside. Dom received a text that his next session was on the way, so Asao dapped him up and asked his boy to send over the revised songs so he could listen to them in the car. That was how Asao decided if they were where they needed to be.
When he stepped out of the building to find Samari standing next to a navy SUV, talking animatedly. She turned her head and smiled his way before leaning into the vehicle to hug her girl seconds before she closed the door and watched as Sheree backed out of the spot.
“Come ride with me.”
