Page 106 of Just Like Summer

“Too scared to be in that nigga’s shadow. Best friends until I made that move out of fear. Biggest regret of my life. He never stopped looking out for me. Never let them niggas give me drugs. Every time I slipped, he was pulling up in that Cutlass. Had that bitch on two wheels. He didn’t give a fuck what block I was on. He was there, blue flag hanging, gun out, and daring a nigga to block him. Pride is the devil. Pride, a fucked up head, and fear is the devil. I don’t want you being fearful of anything. Big or small. The truth, whatever. Whatever it is, you stand in it and you know you did the best you could,” Rodrick advised. “Don’t be like me and your pops. Separated by bullshit.”

“I can’t help but feel like you’re being shady,” Kamilla muttered, cutting her eyes at him. “Which is ironic being that you’re the one that was trying to take yourself up out of here.”

“You want me to say the shit plain, little barbie? Huh?”

She shook her head. “Nah, I’m tracking. I’ll handle it.”

“Better or I’m telling on your pretty ass. That nigga might be a little dormant right now. That’s what prison does to niggas like us. He still out his fuckin’ mind and he don’t scare me,” Rodrick grumbled. “I’ll tell and watch him crash out.”

“But I do?” Kamilla’s brows rose.

“Hell yeah, you your daddy’s daughter. He taught you everything and then told you to stay unassuming. That’s how you stay muhfuckin’ dangerous, K. That’s how you got that nigga out there panting to get back where y’all were. And don’t tell me he ain’t out there guarding the door. I know he is,” he sighed. “You told Lucci?”

“No, I haven’t told anyone yet. He’s in newborn bliss. I’m not talking to him about this until later. I’m just going to handle it. So when Tess gets here and you’re stable enough to move, you’re going back to rehab and we’re going to have to figure out something else to keep you busy, so you don’t feel like you’re losing anything. All your sessions will be closed. No new niggas. You will keep the management I find for you, if you fire them or get to set tripping, I’m going to get to tripping. Feel me?”

“Felt. Who you got doing my set?”

“Whoever Sincere pulled. I trust him enough to handle that. Don’t worry about that, though. I think you’ve figured out what message you’re leaving the game with before you retire. If all goes well, I might have something in mind to keep you close,” Kamilla buzzed tiredly.

“Oh, Fredo is going to love that shit,” he grumbled.

“He’ll be fine. It’s time to let bygones be bygones.”

“Tell yourself that,” he pointed.

“Aren’t you supposed to be doped up or something?” she huffed, jokingly. “In here trying to get me together is wild.”

“You must want a nigga to die,” he grumbled in laughter. “I won’t do this shit again. A nigga too old to be tripping.”

“Duhhh, dummy,” she quipped, flicking the back of his hand. “Damn near seventy in rhinestones like you young and what not. Like ya buddy from up north.”

“Aight now, K,” Rodrick spoke in laughter. Laughter he needed. Laughter they both needed. “Only difference is, I let my hair go. That nigga is still holding on to it. Braiding over bald spots is insanity and I know. I’m fuckin’ bipolar.”

“Could you please?” Kamilla asked, muffling her laughter in the blanket. “Go to sleep.”

By the time Tess showed up, Rodrick was finally sleep and Cairo wasn’t anywhere to be found. She accepted his absence. Her phone buzzed in her hand; Haddon was calling.

“It’s three a.m. in the hills, Don,” she quipped upon answering.

“You good?” he asked, concern in his voice. “Rowdy good?”

“I’m fine. Tess is here and he’s finally sleep. I’m still here,” she shared, leaning against the wall. “How’d you find out?”

“You know I keep my ears to the street and Kwan told me. He started tripping, thinking he lost you,” Haddon said with slight laughter. “Charlie said he was going to light his ass up for not keeping you in his sight.”

“He was handling something for me. It’s all fine. Sincere and a few of his artists handled the set. We need to send them a check. I’ll email accounting when I get back to the room.”

“Hell nah. You’re going to take your ass to sleep. Every time Rowdy has an episode, you’re up all night trying to fix it. I know why and I get it. But K, he’s fine. Tess is there, we’re sending him to rehab. You can’t hold guilt that’s not yours. Hear me?”

“Heard. So why are you even up?”

Haddon bitterly laughed. “Holding guilt that ain’t mine. One of these days I’ll take my own advice, until then, I can preach at you and watch you not listen.”

“I’m going to listen one of these days.”

“Listen tonight. Go back to your room, get some rest; you’ve done all you can do. And you’ve done it so well. You got what you needed, when contracts are signed, you’re officially A&R. I’m not finding anyone else to work with, so lock in.”

“I got you.”