Ramey’s face tighten so much that she looked like she was in pain.
“Sunny-”
“Shut up, Aiden,” Sunny snapped. “I’m not talking to you.”
Ramey glared at Sunny. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. He wouldn’t have married me if he didn’t love me. You’re just mad because you don’t know Aiden as well as you think you do.”
Sunny smirked. “That’s where you’re wrong, Ramey. I know Aiden better than anyone at this table. You might think you hit the jackpot because you snagged Aiden Tyler but you will never be the woman that he loves. You will never be first in his life. The best you can do is fourth or fifth. Aiden doesn’t love you because he can’t love you.”
Ramey’s ice blue eyes darkened. “And why is that?”
Everyone was looking at Sunny but Sunny’s furious hazel eyes were only focused on me. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair and looked away from the hurt that was shooting out of Sunny’s eyes.
She chuckled and looked back at Ramey. “Because Aiden always has and always will be in love with me. You’re just his poor choice for a backup plan. It will do you good to remember that.”
Sunny pushed her chair away from the table and walked out of the dining room. The entire table burst out laughing.
“Looks like she just set your ass straight, honey,” Erica jeered.
“Oh my God,” Delilah laughed. “I can’t believe she called you his backup plan!”
“Shut up,” I told my little sister. Against my better judgment, I got up from the table and went after Sunny.
“Sunny!” I yelled. Thankfully, she stopped walking.
“What? I have work to do,” she snapped.
“You’re engaged,” I said and instantly regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth.
“What does that have to do with you? Don’t tell me you married her because I’m engaged.”
“No. But you’re happy. You’re over me. You said so yourself. Why can’t you be happy for me?”
“I never said I was still I in love with you, Aiden. But don’t play with me. We both know who’s in love with who.”
“What are you saying?”
She sighed. “I’ll let you figure that out.”
“Whatever, Sunny. Just be happy for me. Is that so hard for you?”
“If you say so.” Sunny slipped her sunglasses on. Even through the dark shades, her eyes still questioned my decision. Her eyes still hurt.
“Just a bit of advice,” she spoke after a half a minute of total silence.
“What?”
“Your wife is a selfish attention whore and you’re not. Don’t let her ruin you. And by you, I mean your career.”
“Chill out Sunny,” I groaned in frustration. “I know what I’m doing. Ramey is a good person. Maybe if you took the time to get to know-”
“I don’t want to be around her!” Sunny yelled. “I don’t want to get to know her. You married her. You get to know her! I’m outta here.”
Sunny started walking again. This time I didn’t follow her. I’m happy with my decision, just like Sunny’s happy with her decision to marry her lame ass basketball player. I wish her the best. I wish she could do the same for me, but she won’t. Maybe she never will.
Chapter 39
“Where are we going today?” Ramey asked me as she lazily sprawled across the bed in our hotel suite.
I gritted my teeth and ignored her. Seems like I’ve been doing that a lot these past six months.
I can’t believe we’ve only been married for six months. Most days it feels like sixty years. Boy was I wrong when I thought that things weren’t going to change just because I put a ring on her finger.
“We aren’t going anywhere,” I told her. “I am going to meet with label. You are going to pack all this shit and get ready to get on a plane.”
“I don’t understand why we have to go to Mt. Vernon already,” Ramey huffed. “Your sister’s wedding is next weekend. Why can’t we go home first and just fly up there the day before.”
“For the exact same reason I’ve been telling you,” I replied. “I want to be there. Let it go, Ramey. I’m not changing my mind.”
Ramey pouted again but this time, I ignored her completely. She can pout, moan, and groan all she wants. We’re going back to Mt. Vernon after I officially end my relationship with Power Music. This is the day I’ve been waiting for and my grumpy ass wife is not going to steal my joy.
Ramey was still complaining as I walked out of the suite and escaped to my rental car without incident. When we arrived in Atlanta two days ago, the paparazzi was ridiculous.
The media attention that Ramey and I get since we announced our marriage gets worse every day. Besides people thinking our marriage isn’t going to last, photographers follow us wherever we go. Atlanta used to be a place where I could go and escape the madness of L.A. Now I can’t go anywhere without someone following me around, hoping to catch a shot of us together.
I met Roxy in the lobby of Power. She was waiting impatiently but she looked prepared for battle in her black executive style suit and briefcase. I’m pretty sure she has everything covered but I’m still a little nervous about telling Dre that I want out.
“You sure you want to do this?” Roxy asked. “This is huge decision and you look terrified. You know I can do this over the phone. You don’t have to be here, Aiden.”
I shook my head. “I’m not a coward. I’ll tell him, face to face.”
“Aww, my baby is growing up,” Roxy smiled.
I rolled my eyes and started to walk towards Dre’s office.
“What up, A.T?” Dre greeted me cheerfully.
I haven’t been to the label or around Dre a lot since my tour ended. Limited Edition and Sell My Soul are still doing well. Of course he’s happy to see me. I’ve made Dre a very rich man.
My third album, Never Ending Story...Live from Atlanta, has been flying off the shelves. I think that doing a live album early in my career was a brilliant idea and I’m glad I came up with it. Like everything else, Dre and his minions took credit for it. Since I only have a three album deal, Power Music should consider this my parting gift to them.
“Actually, I need to talk to you,” I told Dre after Roxy and I sat down.
My nerves getting the best of me, but I’m going to fight this stupid anxiety attack. I don’t have a choice. I will not show any signs of weakness during this meeting.
“What’s up?” Dre looked and sounded suspicious.
“We need to talk about my contract,” I said.
Dre quickly glanced at Roxy. He’s used to speaking with managers and agents about contracts, not artists. This time, I’m not letting Roxy speak for me.
“Are you not happy with the addendum for Never Ending Story?” Dre asked.
“This isn’t about my old contract.,” I told him.
“Okay,” Dre nodded. “Then what is this about? Your new contract?”
“This is the deal,” I said outright. “This isn’t working for me. I want to sign with another label.”
For a minute, Dre looked like someone had punched him in the stomach. I’ve never seen a black man turn so red in the face. It took him a few seconds to recover, then he eyeballed me like he wanted to punch me.
“What is he talking about?” Dre asked Roxy. “What kind of bullshit is this?”
Roxy shrugged her shoulders noncommittally.
“He wants out,” she answered. “We’ve fulfilled every contractual obligation that he had and then some. We’ve been getting offers from other labels, and Aiden has decided to pursue his other options.”
“What other options? What labels? This is bullshit!” Dre yelled.
“It’s not bullshit,” Roxy’s voice took on an authoritative tone. “It’s business. Aiden’s hot right now. There’s no way you couldn’t have known that other labels were going to make him offers as soon as his contract with you was up.”
“We made your career,
” Dre snarled angrily. “You’d still be playing at Rabbit’s if it weren’t for me. Do you know how much time and money went into developing you as an artist? And now, you get a little fame and you want to leave the label that made you? What kind of shit is that?”
I raised my eyebrows. “Time and money?” I questioned. “Are you serious? How much time went into putting me on a tour that was already planned? How many hours did you spend in the studio with me? Practically none,” I yelled. “but you’re listed as the executive producer on my records! How many promotion and marketing dollars have you really invested in my career? My video budget is less than any other artist on this label!”
“When you signed me,” I continued, “we both understood the intent was to take an independent hip-hop label mainstream. I’ve done my part. Power has not. You spend more money and time marketing and promoting Autumn and the rappers on this label than you do me and it’s the money that I’ve made this label that allows you to do that!”
“Aiden, you’re talking shit that you don’t even know about,” Dre countered. “I can’t believe you’re just gonna walk and not even give us a chance to rectify the situation. You’re not even giving us a chance to counter the other offers.”
“Give me a break!” Roxy interrupted. “You’ve had over a year to come up with a better offer. This is not the first time you’ve been made aware that he isn’t happy. When it comes to Aiden, you guys don’t do shit unless we come up with the idea. You don’t move for him unless I light a fire under your ass.”
Dre cannot deny that Roxy and I are speaking the truth. He knows that Power has benefited from me in more ways than I just pointed out. Now it’s time for me to go.
“I’m not doing anything out of the ordinary, especially for an artist that has been virtually ignored by his label,” I spoke up.
“Whatever man,” Dre dismissed my comment with an immature wave of his hand. “Do whatever you want to do.”
I wanted to say more, to really tell him how I’ve been feeling and Roxy could tell. She subtly indicated that we should leave before things got ugly.
“That could have gone worse,” Roxy said once we were standing by her car. “When Joey left his label, I had to break up a fistfight.”
“I guess so.” Truthfully, I wish I had said some of the things that I really wanted to say.
“You’re in Mt. Vernon for a week, then I’m in L.A with you and the lawyers to sign your deal with Joey.”
They weren’t questions. Roxy doesn’t ask questions anymore. She only reiterates and clarifies.
“That’s the plan. But aren’t you coming up for the wedding?”
“I’ll fly in Friday night. You don’t need me there all week. How much trouble can you possibly get into in Mt. Vernon? Just don’t do anything to disrupt this week for your sister. This is her moment, Aiden,” Roxy warned. “Don’t mess it up for her...not even accidently.”
“I won’t. I promise.” I hugged her and got into my own car.
“See you next week!”
I pulled out of the parking lot feeling like a heavy load has been lifted off my shoulders. Sara’s wedding is going to be a good time and I’m glad to be going home for a week.
Still, I can’t wait to get back to L.A and really start working with Joey on some new music. New wife, new music...it’s like I’m restarting my career. This is going to be fun!
“Sometimes you want to give up the guitar, you’ll hate the guitar. But if you stick with it, you’ll be rewarded.”
Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stone’s Greatest Guitarist Ever
Chapter 40
“I can’t believe Sara is married,” Delilah commented, truly awed by the fact that her oldest sibling actually jumped the broom....literally.
“She just emailed us the pictures from their honeymoon.”
“You know what I can’t believe?” I grumbled. “I can’t believe that you are moving out. That’s what I can’t believe.”
Delilah tossed her Blackberry on the bed and picked up another pile of clothes.
“I can’t believe you’re still pissed about this,” she said. “I can't live with you and that evil bitch you married. I've put up with her for long enough. Besides, you need to be alone with your wife. Paulie's condo is huge and there's plenty of room for me. I'll only be ten minutes away.”
Distance isn’t the issue. If Delilah isn’t around, who am I going to play for when the feeling hits me at three in the morning?
Certainly not Ramey.
Ramey will kill me if I woke her up just to listen to me play. I never have to wake Delilah up. She just seems to know when I’m up and playing.
“How come you’re okay with me moving in with Paulie? Seems like you’d be more pissed off about that?”
“Why? I don't like him being by himself. When I bought the place, I thought he was moving his father out here. Besides, Paulie's family. He'll keep you out of trouble.”
“Shall I remind you and Paulie that I’m twenty-three years old? I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Shall I remind you of you and Dana’s naked Palm Beach excursion that ended up on TMZ? You need a babysitter and a lawyer. With Paulie, you get both.
My little sister’s cheerleading dreams may not have panned out but at least she’s a bit of a celebrity now. She’s carving out her own niche in L.A. If there’s not a camera on me and Ramey, you can bet money that there’s one on Delilah Tyler. She loves it.
“What are your plans for today?” Delilah asked me, ignoring my comment.
“I’m gonna hang out at the studio for awhile. Then I have rehearsal for tomorrow’s show.”
“Doesn’t Ramey get back from New York tonight?”
I nodded. Ramey’s been in New York shooting ad campaigns. Actually, I’m in no hurry for her to get home and start complaining about how much time I spend in the studio and haven’t been looking for a new house, like she demanded before she left.
“Good luck!” Delilah laughed. “I’ll be gone before she gets here, hopefully.”
“Don’t tell her where I’m at if you are here when she gets home,” I told my sister.
“Does she know that we’re going to Atlanta next month?”
I shook my head. I don’t know if my wife is going to be happy or upset when I tell her that we’re moving to Atlanta to record my third album. My gut is telling me that she isn’t going to be too happy about it.
Even though I wasn’t happy with recording Sell My Soul in Atlanta, I’m really excited about going and spending time in the places that I used to perform in. Joey and I both agree that the songs I’ve been writing are bluesier than anything I’ve been doing so we really want to try them out on the types of crowds I used to play for.
Kat is especially happy that I’m coming back. I miss her a lot. Plus with Mike, Eddie, and Erica based in Atlanta, it’s just easier for us to record there. I’ll do my best to make Ramey understand that. It’s not like living in Atlanta until my album is done is going to kill her. Hopefully she’ll snag a job or two while we’re there.
“You know she’s going to hate staying in that apartment,” Delilah reminded me.
“I like my apartment. There’s a reason why I bought it. It’s cozy.”
“Whatever you do, you better not tell her that Sunny used to live there. She’ll have it demolished before we even get to Atlanta.”
I laughed. “I’ll see you later. And don’t take anything out of here that doesn’t belong to you. If I see any of my shit at Paulie’s, I will hurt you.”
“Whatever,” Delilah yelled as I walked out of her room. “I’m taking the blender!”
The studio was dark and empty when I unlocked the door. One of the best things about signing with Joey is that I have free use of his studio. Whenever I do get around to looking for a new house, I want to find one with enough space to build my own studio. Until then, this place is my refuge.
Sitting on a stool in an empty recording studio is how I’ve been spending most of
my time, working on new songs and compositions while Ramey and Delilah fight it out at the house. I’m kind of glad that the two of them aren’t going to be driving me insane with their silly arguments anymore. I understand that Ramey can be annoying, but so can Delilah. I love them both more than anything, but they’re always trying to make me choose a side. I simply refuse to choose between my sister and my wife.
Bright lights, even brighter stars
Can’t point me in the direction to where you are
Loving you has never been this hard
The distance between us has never been this far
I sang the lyrics to the song while trying to work out the melody on my guitar. The sound I’m going for is really smooth, a melodic, old school blues. It’s going to sound incredible once I get Erica and Mike on it.
Sunny days, stormy nights
Long hours that turn into fights
My songwriting process has changed a bit. Lately, I’ve been writing lyrics first. The music will come but the lyrics have become more important to me than anything. I want my music to say something. I don’t want to be known as a good guitar player with okay lyrics.
The studio door eased open in the middle of my song. Ramey stood silently against the wall until I stopped playing.
“I figured you’d be here since the house was empty when I got home,” she said quietly.
“Dee-Lee didn’t tell you?”
Ramey shook her head. “No. You know I’m not speaking to her since she broke my Chi.”
I groaned. I don’t want to hear one more thing about that damn flat iron.
“How long do you think you’re going to be?” Ramey asked.
“Why?”
“I know you have rehearsal for your gig tomorrow so I thought we could grab dinner before you start hanging out with Joey all night.”
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