Page 89 of Just Like Summer

“You going solo?”

Cairo nodded. “Yeah. Fahaad is back in Port East with Ekho working out some label shit. All goes well, I’m working on the second album.”

“You know how to speak it. God hears you,” Dania stated.

Cairo grew silent, acknowledging that much to be true. Home with a fraction of his time served with no papers and still unsure of who that made that happen. Only one of the accounts he’d looked at had more money than he knew what to do with. And the house, too big for him. Outside of the clothes, he ordered another laptop and some up to date equipment. There was one thing missing and figuring out how to bring her out of wherever she was hiding would be the task. But when it came to bringing her out of her hiding places, whether her shell or a house she didn’t belong in, he knew the exact level of crazy to embark on.

After Dania was done with his hair, he stood and handed her a roll of hundreds, and she waved him off.

“I’m your favorite dealer. The first one is on me. Keep that, tip the girl up front; she’s going to OSU,” Dania stated. “When you leaving?”

“Grabbing my shit from that big ass house and flying out around eight. I’ll hop into the mix tomorrow,” he stated.

“Okay, good. Don’t be alarmed. You have a housekeeper that comes twice a week to keep that big ass house to your standards.” Dania’s back was turned to him now, cleaning her station.

“Who is paying for that?” he asked with a frown. “I can clean up behind myself.”

“Might be true but you don’t have time. Cairo, accept your blessings and go, it’s already six and you’re flying L.O.X. Give your nutty ass some time to get through security. And keep your gun at home, felon,” Dania joked.

“You got jokes. I’m not giving them no reason to cart my ass back off. And furthermore, Dania, I haven’t blown shit up,” he toyed, making her spin around and put her hands on her hips.

“Yeah, nigga, ‘cause blowing up a prison is federal damn offense. Had you done that, you would’ve never seen the light of day again. The mere fact you said that lets me know given the opportunity, something will explode,” Dania huffed rolling her eyes. “You know the owner of the taco place went bankrupt and QaMeesha does the Dougie in the middle of 46th and Avalon everyday around noon.”

Cairo shrugged. “I’m supposed to feel sorry about that?”

Dania snapped her fingers. “And that right there verifies that you are still nutty as hell. If not more than you were when you left. Get out here before I’m another accessory after the fact.”

Cairo laughed and started out of the private suite. The receptionist looked at him as if she wanted to gobble him up. That type of attention he didn’t like, instead of giving her a tip, he caught the older woman walking in, grinned at her and said.

“Your hair is on me. Have a good day.”

“Ohhweeee,” she groaned, watching his back as he strolled off. “They don’t make ‘em like that no more.”

By nine thirty, he was checked into his hotel suite outside of the festival. Fahaad ensured his room was stacked with La Bega’s finest bud, passes to all the events and VIP spaces, club spots and after parties. There was a list of sets he needed to be at, along with artists he needed to make sure he listened to. That and a text confirming that Ekho would be ready to record after La Bega Fest was over, and the album needed a record label to land.

Sparking up his first blunt of the night, he sat on the balcony high above the liveliness of the festival and took in the freedom. He looked to his right, finding the pain of the emptiness Kamilla once filled up and spilled out. Prison wasn’t hard because he was locked away from the outside world. Naturally shy and reclusive, he masked it with grumpiness. It was easy to keep a low profile until someone tried him. He didn’t tell anyone who he was or what he’d done. If he’d had to spend the next twenty-five years looking to his right and daydreaming she was there, smiling softly at him, he would’ve.

He blew the smoke out of his nostrils and scoffed to himself. “Yeah, C4, you blew that shit up, didn’t you?”

Finishing off a blunt, ordering room service, Cairo laid on the couch and drifted to sleep. He needed to prep himself for what tomorrow entailed – prep himself for what this new chapter entailed.

thirty-seven

“Good morning,” CiCi buzzed, walking into the massive suite.

There wasn’t a detail Daysha had overlooked when it came to Kamilla representing El Jefe, including the large bouquet congratulating her on her promotion. All while she swayed around the house prepping to add another heir to the Gallalucci legacy.

“Good morning,” Kamilla hummed, eyes closed while the makeup artist cemented the look in place to combat the heat. “How’d you sleep?”

“Good, this is such a nice hotel and I bumped into Sincere. Ohh he’s so fine,” CiCi gushed.

“CiCi,” Kamilla buzzed. “Focus.”

“You’re right, professionality is my specialty. But do you think we’re going to see Trae Way MB?”

“He’s doing a set at LIV tonight. So maybe. Please don’t fan girl,” Kamilla directed. “Are you ready for the hustle?”

“Yeah, Big Kwan is getting the SUV from the parking garage, it’s crazy down there. First up is the indie show and then the rookies. There’s a lunch break in the industry lounge. Indigo is going to be there with Rolani— we should definitely see them—then back to the sound stage for emerging artists and the afterparty. I’ve penciled in times on your schedule to talk to Kai,” CiCi rambled off.