Page 61 of Grown

Sean:Does she have proof? You know girls be lying and trying to trap a bruh.

Creighton:And it ain’t like she didn’t know what she was doing. Back then, he went triple platinum and was on a world tour. My dad said she probably didn’t even look fourteen.

Malika:So EVERY chick that comes forward is vengeful? That’s stupid as hell. Even if she did, HE knew better. Not looking their age don’t change their age. Your dad is being messy.

Sean:She took that settlement money tho.

Malika:That was nothing but hush money. Bet you that’s happening to Enchanted right now.

Sean:Ew, dude. Don’t put that image in my head. She’s like our sister!

Malika:You’ve seen the videos of them? They singing in each other mouths onstage. Korey was dancing on her too.

Creighton:They were just performing. Chill.

Malika:Nah, that’s like your auntie twerking on you.

Creighton:CHILL! I don’t need the visual!

Aisha:Has anyone heard from her?

Sean:No.

Creighton:Nah.

Malika:Nope.

Aisha:Her sister hasn’t either. And she ain’t returning any of her parents calls.

Chapter 43

Candy

Candy Cole. That’s her name. Sometimes goes by CC.

I’ve only caught mere snippets of information from the news, but not much since Jessica keeps the TV off and I don’t dare google it since Korey checks my phone. He’s even changed my password.

But from what I’ve gathered, CC, the twenty-year-old aspiring singer, is a big liar. She has to be. Because what she’s saying about Korey, what he did to her, isn’t possible.

Korey would never hit a woman, ever. He’d never lock her in her room or force her to have sex in his studio. Korey is a complete gentleman. He opens doors, buys me flowers before our shows, sends me the sweetest notes and songs...

Then I think of Mr. Hyde, the ice bucket, Flounder... and the hairs on my neck spike up.

“The promoter isn’t budging,” Jessica whispers to Korey after finishing her call, her voice soft yet direct. “They’ve decided to cancel the show. They think it’d be too... risky for their brand.”

Korey stares off into the sea from our suite inside the Fontainebleau in Miami. I lick my lips, inhaling the familiar salty air. I’d never been to Florida, but I’ve heard of their white-sand beaches and crisp ocean. Korey glances at me, his eyes softening. For a moment, I think I see the same yearning, to run and dive into the blue waters, and a spark of hope ignites in me. But then he rips his eyes away from me, typing on his phone.

“As long as I get my check, I don’t give a shit,” he says unconvincingly.

Across the room, Richie and his camera crew are standing by. They’ve been following us this last leg of the tour. Stealing interviews when they can. But today, they are quiet, making themselves small, pretending to be deaf.

Richie clears his throat and joins us in the sitting area.

“Aye, my man, don’t sweat it, playboy,” Richie offers with a laugh. “You know how these chicks be. Spreading gossip for attention.”

“Yeah,” another one of Korey’s friends says. “It’s mad convenient she talking now, right after they announce that endorsement deal. All she sees is dollar signs!”

Jessica holds a blank face. I guess the rest of his teamdoesn’t know that Nike canceled the endorsement deal as of this morning.