Page 128 of Just Like Summer

“I should be set up by December. I want to have at least one artist signed so I need Big Dawg to do her big one at Lucci Day,” Haddon spoke up. “I’m also planning on sharing her.”

“You say that like I don’t share well,” Lucci spoke, earning a look from everyone in the room. “Okay, aight. So I’m a bit possessive.”

Kamilla held her fingers up and expanded them wide. “Mhmm, just a tad.”

“Baby, you don’t share well and it’s okay,” Daysha hummed, patting his shoulder. “Who’s this guy in South Caroda that you want to feel out?”

“He’s a writer and it’s just a little bit of a conflict,” Kamilla spoke up.

“Crimson Heart?” Lucci asked. “Because y’all are really stretching my capacity.”

“You’re growing, brother,” Haddon spoke up. “Just keep growing.”

“No, not that. You can climb that mountain. His name is Joseph Sims…Indigo’s brother,” Kamilla announced.

“Indie has a writing ass brother?” Lucci and Haddon sounded off.

“A poet of sorts and I don’t know if Indie even knows. I think he’ll be perfect for Haddon’s group. I’ve listened to some of the stuff East Way P has been recording via Joey’s words, and the shit is poetic. It gives the vibe Haddon is looking for. And with the tiny conflict, Haddon might be the best mentor,” Kamilla shared, putting a mint in her mouth to quell the queasiness.

“I’m with it,” Lucci shared. “How you feel about it, Don?”

“I’m with it,” Haddon stated. “What else you got, Big Dawg?”

“Two things you might like, might hate, I don’t know. C4 and I-”

“That’s your baby daddy. Girl, I took one look at him yesterday and put the pieces to the puzzle together,” Lucci said like it was nothing.

“Now if you tell us you’re going to need maternity leave in nine months, I’m going to fight the air,” Haddon stated.

“I’m going to need maternity leave in maybe eight months,” she shared, nipping her lip as Daysha smiled from ear to ear.

Haddon threw his arms around her and groaned in a mix of professional irritation and personal happiness. “I’m happy for you, I am. But dammit.”

“I haven’t told him yet, but I promise I will have everything set up before I go out,” Kamilla assured once Haddon released her.

“If you were someone who dropped the ball, I wouldn’t be happy about this or put you in that seat. You deserve all the good shit, K, and I mean that. Whatever you need, you tell us and we got you. Aight?” Lucci asked, standing up and helping Daysha to her feet.

“Alright,” Kamilla spoke with a soft smile.

“You two figure out the Joey details and loop me in when it’s done,” Lucci said, trailing his wife out of the conference room.

Haddon looked up at her and smirked. “You know I’m happy for you.”

“I know.”

“C4 is one of the realest niggas to come from where we’re from. He’s going to take great care of you and that’s all I want because you had me following that Armon nigga around,” Haddon admitted. “And you’re a big girl so I’m not gonna get too deep in your business but personally, keep your aunt and that nigga far from your glow up. They’re leeches. And they never deserved you.”

“Thanks, Don.”

“Don’t thank me. I love you, girl. We all do. Am I happy to have you off my hands? Hell yea!” Haddon joked, standing. “Go home and rest up, I’ll see you at the Lucci Day.”

fifty-two

Back on Husten felt surreal. His woman and his son were off enjoying all the activities El Jefe put together. The morning started off with a marathon and would end with a free afterparty. The label made sure blocks were shut down and there was security staged at every corner.

As full as he felt, something wasn’t right, and there was a look on Nate’s face that proved it. Moving away from the food truck, he roamed over to Nate. “What’s wrong?”

Nate moved further away from the crowd before surveying the space and looking at his boy. “Tiny’s out. He’s here. Dania is going over to get Kamilla and Kairo.”