I removed the photos from her hands, getting to the real issue I was having. Shaking my head at the first one, I wasn’t doing this shit. I hated what it represented.
“Okay, a new you. Well sort of without all the tattoos…” She smirked. “This brand. They’re everywhere. Are they wanting you to model their brand?” she said, elated as best as she could, sitting up from my chest.
“Yeah, but I don’t like what the fuck they wanna do to me. You just said yourself a ‘new me’. I don’t want these folks trying to change me.”
“Rayzor, they’re not trying to change you, baby. I think they cleaned your look.”
“But they knew who I was before coming to me with the proposition.”
“Yes, they did, but that also doesn’t mean they’re changing you. Being a model for them is a big deal. I know you’re stubborn but you sure you wanna miss your blessings by negatively thinking they’re changing you?”
“Okay, cool, so they’re not trying to change me. Then why can’t I do the shoots the way I am.”
“Image. Boxing is one thing, but this is a billion-dollar brand. When we see you on the billboards, it’s not just about you. It’s about the people that the ads attract, and right now, you’re the people’s champ. That includes people from all walks of life, kids included.”
She put it into a new perspective because I was thinking about it in my own terms. But she helped me see the bigger picture. I guess it made sense.
“You think I should do it?”
“What’s your heart telling you?”
“It’s saying do it, but that ego’s a bitch, man.”
“Then sit with it for a few days and you decide from there. Personally, it’s a great opportunity. Stand on your principles but don’t stand so tall that you won’t be able to see the empire you’re building falling from the inside because of your ego.”
I wanted to stand on business with these mothafuckas because once I gave it the first time, it’ll be one opportunity after the next until they turned my ass Hollywood.
Eris’s been the balance away from the street shit, the peace I needed with my professional career. She mirrored everything I needed for a better, overall life. This shit was getting deep.
After a few terrible days of being sick since coming back from the premiere, I had the nastiest cold. But thanks to Courtland, I was better than ever. He made me sweat it out with exercise, juices and sex. Yes, it sounds crazy, but it worked.
Life had been moving fast since meeting him. He took me to a movie premiere and when I say my nerves were rattled, but he made it enjoyable. I couldn’t believe I was there to begin with, but he says it’s the first of many. I’m looking forward to it.
Levi and Eris wanted a day in the city. After breakfast, we jumped in the streets.
“I want these.” Levi picked up a pair of shoes with Erin across the way showing me a pair as well.
I shook my head because they wanted everything. My money wasn’t long, but I could afford the shoes they wanted.
Just as we were checking out, I opened my purse. That’s when I noticed a wad of cash sitting in the bottom. I looked around like there was a fragrant red flag hovering over me.
My mind went to Rayzor as I closed the bag up.
I stepped to the side to call him.
“Sup, beautiful.”
“Hey, you.” I smiled, forgetting that I was about to lay into him.
His background was loud. He was at the gym.
“You miss me already? I just gave you some dick last night. I mean, I’m charged up and can be through in a minute.”
I don’t even understand why his mannish ways had me blushing, but I felt my cheeks flush. Rayzor had ways about him that made me feel things on the inside just from the sound of his words– it didn’t matter what they were.
“Hey, I’m out and was wondering did you put this money in my purse?” I got to the point, reminding myself that I wasn’t a charity.
“Who else dropping shit in your purse?”
