“Oh, yeah?” I only spoke to give her the time she needed to let her thoughts and feelings form into actual words. I’d learned that Gina often had inner conversations with herself before she could actually vocalize what she wanted to say. I knew this was one of those times.
“Yeah. I wonder if they’ve heard the song.”
“They would have to be living under a rock to not have heard it.”
“You think they like it?”
Gina tucked her bottom lip between her teeth as she finally asked the question she wanted to start with. My girl craved her parents’ approval more than anything in the world, and I didn’t necessarily think that was the worst thing, but I did wish she understood she could still be great at what she did without it.
“Gina, baby, I don’t know much about your mother, but I know enough to know she wouldn’t be this eager to talk to you if they didn’t like your song.”
I pointed to her phone, which was ringing again for the third time in a row. Gina just looked at me while she tried to ignore that one, just as she had done the calls before. Letting out a deep sigh, she relented.
“Hey, Ma,” she finally answered with the same unenthusiastic voice. “Thanks. I’m glad you liked it.” Gina’s face immediately lit up at her mother congratulating her on her debut. Since I didn’t want to eavesdrop on their conversation, I left the room. I needed to shower and get dressed for the gym anyway.
By the time I got out of the shower, Gina was sitting on the toilet with her legs crossed, smiling from ear to ear. She always looked the best to me when she was extremely happy about something. Gina’s happiness had the ability to brighten my whole fucking year.
“You know you look creepy as hell right now, don’t you?” I joked as I stepped out of the shower and wrapped my towel around my waist.
“Oh, hush. You don’t have anything I haven’t seen before.”
“Want to see it again?” I dropped my towel, and my dick naturally stood up at the sight of her.
“Ramel, please. I have something to tell you after you put your clothes on.”
She stood from the toilet and tried to run out of the bathroom, but I snatched her little ass up. It didn’t take much effort to scoop her up and have her middle pressed against mine. She was soft and warm, as usual, and I loved that shit.
“You feel so good.” I moaned against her mouth as I kissed her
“Ramel, I’m serious. I have good news,” she said, wiggling her way out of my arms and onto her feet.
“I’m going on tour! Can you believe it? That’s why my mother was calling. She wants me to be one of her opening acts, starting as early as next month.”
The revelation caused me to step back because I actually couldn’t believe it. The whole time I helped Gina put together her demo, the thought of her having to leave for a tour never even crossed my mind, especially not so early in her career. Not only was her career just getting started, but so were we. I couldn’t help but feel like one would have to end to make way for the other.
“Wow. That’s really dope, Gina.”
I tried my best to sound as excited for her as I could because I really was. I wanted Gina to have everything she ever dreamed of, and singing was at the top of that list. I had no idea why my words didn’t roll off my tongue in the tone I wanted them to.
“Thank you, baby.” She kissed me again and pulled me into a hug. “I’m so excited. I need to start planning. I’m going to call the girls to see if they want to help.”
She was so excited that she left my ass standing right there in the middle of the bathroom. Even the erection I once had had disappeared after hearing that news. I wanted to be happy for my girl. I really did, but that was hard when I felt like I was losing a part of myself.
Gina didn’t deserve my doubts. All she ever wanted was people who would be by her side no matter what, and I hadpromised to be that for her. I needed to find a way to make sure I was truly happy for her before she noticed the sadness behind the fake smile occupying my face. Gina going on tour would be no different than me going on a deployment if I were ever called to do so. Maybe that was what I needed. There were always units going out, and getting on a rotation would be as easy as just getting my name on the list.
If I were on a deployment while Gina was on tour, we could come back together at the end and pick right back up where we left off. The play was solid. I just needed to put it into action.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
“Let me get another shot for my superstar friend!”
Anissa had been telling anyone who would listen that I was her superstar friend and that they’d better get my autograph now before I blew up. I’d called the girls to help me plan my first performance, and we somehow ended up on a whole girls’ day.
Alexis said I needed new clothes, so we went shopping so that the fashionista in her could run wild trying to style me. After we got all the clothes I could possibly need, Anissa said I needed to choose my signature nail, so we ended up at the nail shop. Now we were at restaurant, eating and drinking until our hearts were content.
“Nissa, if we take any more shots, those men are going to have to come pick us up from here.”
