On the Flip Side

by Nikki Carter

  Yeah ... well ... I can wish, can’t I?

  13

  “So here are the moves.... They’re really simple, but the slickness of it is to keep your upper body completely still while you move your feet, legs, and knees.”

  Gia must see the look of sheer confusion on my face, because she continues, “Just watch me and Ricky, and then you’ll see what I mean.”

  Ricky uses the remote control to turn on the music. When the music blares from the speakers, they slide across the conference room floor with ease, like they’re not even thinking of the next move. They both have serious facial expressions, but when they get to the chorus, both their faces light up with smiles. So, the somber faces must’ve been intentional.

  When the music ends, Dreya laughs out loud and says, “Girl, bye! I don’t know who you think is about to do all of that. I am not doing all that sliding and jumping and dropping on my knees.”

  “I want to try to learn,” I say, “but I’m nowhere near as talented as you guys. This is going to take a miracle.”

  Gia pulls me onto the floor. “Not a miracle, but a lot of practice.”

  “Does anyone else want to learn?” I ask. “Here’s your chance to be on the American Music Awards.”

  Both Meagan and Kevin shake their heads no, but Piper jumps up. “I thought you’d never ask,” she says.

  “Can you dance?” Ricky asks.

  “I’m gonna ignore that obviously racially motivated comment! Of course I can dance. Do you think I’d make a fool out of myself in front of you meanies?”

  Kiki and Tasia stand up too, even though I wasn’t really talking to them. They’re part of Dreya’s entourage anyway, so if she’s not gonna learn the dance, why are they trying to learn it? DeShawn decides to join us as well.

  When everyone in the room is standing in two straight lines, Dreya stomps over. “I will try, but if I don’t get it quick, then I’m done.”

  Kevin stands up, and says, “Meagan and I are going to the beach. We’ll see y’all at dinnertime.”

  Ricky and Gia exchange surprised glances that melt into smiles. I wonder what they’re thinking. I’ve noticed Kevin and Meagan hitting it off on more than one occasion, and he’s her type too.

  I look over my shoulder at Piper, and she’s frowning, but Kevin made it clear that he wasn’t trying to get at her. I don’t think she wanted to admit that, but it’s the truth.

  “Okay, everybody. This should be simple because it’s basically five moves, and then we do variations of them on each turn. So the first is stomp, stomp, kick, cross, stomp. We’ll start off slowly.”

  After a few tries, everyone gets the first move, except Dreya. But she’s not trying very hard.

  “We’re not going to go on until Drama gets it,” Gia says. “Everyone, take five except me, Ricky, and Drama.”

  They work with her for another fifteen minutes, and she gets it. Finally. But we’ve got four more moves to go.

  By the time we learn the entire routine, it’s three hours later and we are drenched in sweat. Kevin and Meagan finally rejoin us, both looking as if they’ve had a wonderful time.

  “Kevin, can you record us doing this step?” I ask. “We’re going to give everyone copies of it so we can practice.”

  “Who’s got the camera?”

  I point to my bag that’s sitting on the chair. Meagan rushes to get the camera for Kevin, and then he smiles appreciatively when she hands it to him.

  “Thank you, Meagan.”

  “You’re welcome, Kevin.”

  Gia looks at me and we hurry to start the dance, before Piper has a chance to get heated.

  We get through the routine on the first try, even Dreya. It’s incredible that she was able to learn all those steps. I think she was embarrassed because her little groupies were down with it.

  “Can we please get something to eat now?” DeShawn says. “I am hungry den a mug.”

  “So am I!” Meagan concurs.

  “Are we doing room service or what?” I ask. “I’m too tired to go back out.”

  Sam says, “I’m with Sunday. Room service sounds great.”

  “Don’t worry, y’all. We’ll charge it to the room,” I say when everyone looks at me kind of strange.

  “Do you think you should run that by Mystique or Evan?” Dreya asks.

  Since when did she care about spending money? Especially someone else’s money! And I know she’s not about to start acting like she’s the good girl, on the straight and narrow, and that wild Sunday is the one spending up the money all recklessly.

  “They expect for us to eat, Dreya. That’s not a big deal.”

  “I just don’t think Evan would want them eating room service. It’s expensive, and he would rather spend the money on more important things than food and beverage.”

  Okay, now this is really feeling trippy, like some kind of alternate Twilight Zone reality.

  “How do you know so much about what Evan wants?” Sam asks the obvious question that was hovering at the forefront of my mind.

  “We had a long talk and he’s about his business. Don’t get mad at me because Evan and I connected. He’s about to change the game and I’m trying to change it with him. That’s real talk.”

  Kiki gives Dreya a fist pound. “That’s what’s up,” Kiki says.

  “Okay, for the sake of everyone’s sanity, I’ll call him and see what he says.”

  I take my cell phone and step out of the conference room. I don’t want everyone to hear the conversation in case it goes in a direction I’m not trying to have it go, although I don’t see what the big deal would be.

  “Sunday, how’s it going in Destin?” Evan asks without even saying hello.

  “It’s going well. Hey, I just wanted to run something by you before I do it, because I don’t want there to be any issues.”

  “Okay, go ahead.”

  “We’ve been practicing all afternoon to get this choreography down, and the crew has done a fabulous job. I’m going to email you and Mystique a video of the rehearsal.”

  “Fantastic! And Drama was able to hook up with you too?”

  “Yes. Surprisingly she was very cooperative.”

  “Surprisingly? You thought that she wouldn’t want to work with you?”

  “She hasn’t in the past.”

  I can hear Evan sigh through the phone. “Why are you holding her to her past? If we’re going to go forward like a family then we’re going to have to let go of past hurts.”

  Okay, first of all Dreya is my real family. There’s no record label that can make us any closer than we already are. We’re blood.

  “I’m not holding on to anything. I’m just happy she’s moved on, so we can all do what we need to do.”

  “That’s what I like to hear.”

  “So, I wanted to ask you, since the team has worked so hard, if you had an objection to us getting room service. They don’t really feel like getting dressed to go back out.”

  “Room service, huh? Pizza Hut doesn’t deliver to your hotel?”

  “Um ... well ... I’m sure it does, but I want to reward everyone for their dedication.”

  “Aren’t you paying them to be on the show?”

  “Yes?”

  “Aren’t you allowing them the opportunity to be seen around the world?”

  “Um ... yes, I suppose.”

  “You suppose? You aren’t sure?”

  This conversation is going down a slippery slope into the tremendously irksome. “I am sure. Are you telling me you don’t want me to do the room service? Let’s cut to the chase.”

  I hear Evan chuckle. “Let me say this. If you decide to feed everyone room service, steak and lobster, like a big dog, trying to show off, then it will be your decision. But I will say that it’s coming out of your royalty money.”

  “Why don’t you check your books, Evan? I’ve made a lot of money and hardly spent any. I should have quite a bit at my disposal.”

  “You’re right, Sun
day. You have been thrifty, and I like that in you. You haven’t done anything flashy, or blown a lot of money on stupid stuff. I just don’t want you to start. It’s addictive, and that’s how the best of the best end up broke.”

  “You would know something about that, wouldn’t you? Isn’t that what happened to your last crew? They ended up broke?”

  “Zac told me that you were the real deal, and that I wouldn’t be able to just tell you anything and have you obey. So, since you’ve got a good head on your shoulders, I will treat you like I’m talking to my equal. Yes, they ended up broke. They were a bunch of drug-abusing idiots. Reign Records is going to be different.”

  “Okay, I believe you. But I’m making a decision tonight, to allow my crew to eat what they want. They deserve it. I deserve it.”

  “Just don’t think of me as your enemy, Sunday,” Evan says. “We’re all on the same team.”

  “All right. I will talk to you later.”

  We’re all on the same team? Hmmm ... I don’t know if I can believe that yet. This industry is beyond cutthroat, and everybody does what they have to do to survive. Something tells me that Evan isn’t above playing dirty to come out on top.

  14

  Ms. Layla, Mystique’s mother and fashion designer, has brought an entire collection of dresses to Zac’s house for Mystique, Dreya, and I to try on for our red-carpet gowns. Evan says that we have to use Ms. Layla whether we want to or not, because Epsilon is picking up the tab for this. He’s a serious penny pincher, which I don’t mind, if the money is passed on to us. If he’s just cutting corners to line his own pockets then I have a serious issue with his thriftiness.

  “Drama and Sunday, I think you each need at least three looks,” Ms. Layla says. “Of course your red-carpet look, your award-acceptance look, and your performance look. Each of these three will have different hair and makeup to accompany them.”

  “Mom, did you interview the makeup artists?”

  “Yes, we found a perfect one. She did Toni Braxton’s last tour. She’s incredible.”

  “What about Regina?” I ask. “She’s the only one who’s ever done my makeup.”

  Ms. Layla and Mystique look at one another, but Mystique answers. “We had to fire Regina.”

  “What?” I ask. “Why?”

  Mystique clears her throat and strides across the room to look at some of the dresses. “Some things came to my attention about Regina. She was spreading some untruths about me and Zac. I can’t have someone like that in my circle. She had to go.”

  Dreya laughs out loud. “Dang, Mystique be putting chicks out! Fired her? What did she say about you that was that bad? I mean, y’all corny as what anyway.”

  “That’s not important,” Mystique says. “What’s important is that she betrayed my trust. I let her into my inner circle and she abused that right.”

  “What is this? The mob?” Dreya asks. “You gangsta like a big dawg!”

  “I protect mine, and I handle business when necessary,” Mystique says. “Nothing gangsta about that.”

  I don’t say anything about the firing. I’m wondering if anyone told Mystique about what Regina said to me. There was no one there but us, and I know that I didn’t say anything. Maybe it wasn’t the only thing Regina was talking greasy about.

  “Well, can someone communicate to the new makeup artist that I do not and will not do fake eyelashes?” I say.

  “You ain’t gonna take up for your girl, Regina?” Dreya asks. “That’s your homegirl, right?”

  I shrug. “I’m sure that Mystique had a good reason to fire her. I’m not going to question that right now.”

  “So, Sunday,” Ms. Layla says. “I love your skin tone in warm colors. Fall is your season. How about this copper tube dress for the red carpet?”

  I look at the tiny piece of material that Ms. Layla holds up. “That’s a dress? Where is the rest of it?” I ask.

  “It stretches, honey. Try it on.”

  I snatch off my jeans and T-shirt and pull the little sliver of material over my underwear. It’s a good thing that I’m naturally thin, because this dress doesn’t hide a dang thing. It clings to my stomach like a piece of Saran wrap on a hunk of meat.

  “That’s hot,” Dreya says.

  I disagree. “Ms. Layla. I’m not feeling this. I need something with a little more ... coverage.”

  Ms. Layla chuckles. “When I was your age, I was the same way. Always covering up. Now I wish I had that body!”

  Dreya says, “I want a tiny dress just like that, but not that color. I only want to cover up the vital parts.”

  “I’ve got the perfect outfit for you, Drama.”

  Ms. Layla pulls a red and black skintight halter dress from the rack. Dreya claps her hands and squeals.

  “That’s what I’m talking about!” Dreya says. “That’s what’s up!”

  “We’re gonna get you some black fishnet stockings and leather booties. Your long legs are going to look divine.”

  “What about my hair? How will I wear my hair with this?”

  Mystique says, “I’m thinking a big, red updo, with curls cascading down in the back.”

  “That’s hot,” Dreya says. “And of course, I’ve got to have my red lipstick.”

  “Certainly,” Ms. Layla says. “You can’t go without that.”

  I rifle through the dresses until I find one that I like. It’s a cream-colored knee-length satin number. It is perfect for me.

  “I like this one,” I say. “I look good in cream.”

  Ms. Layla takes the dress from my hands. “Well, honey, Mystique is wearing cream on the red carpet. I want the two of you to be colorful, in case someone tries to photograph all three of you at once.”

  Mystique is wearing cream? Why is it that all of a sudden I’m feeling like a second fiddle to Mystique? I never got that vibe until recently. Maybe it’s been going on the entire time, and I’ve just been too giddy about having a record deal to even notice.

  “Okay, well, let me keep looking, because that copper thing ain’t getting it,” I say.

  Finally, I come to another gown that I like. It is a deep orange kimono, with gold and brown writing on it. It’s floor length, and completely elegant. Not something I’d wear normally, but definitely something I can rock.

  “What about this one?” I ask. “Will it take anything away from Mystique’s outfit?”

  “What does that mean?” Mystique asks.

  “Nothing. I just want to be sure we don’t clash. You know. For the pictures.”

  Mystique narrows her eyes at me as if trying to read my mind and figure out if I’m innocent, or if there’s a deeper meaning to my words. She can squint all day, but I’m going to keep giving her this wide-eyed gaze and silly grin. She’ll never be able to figure me out.

  “That won’t clash at all,” Ms. Layla says. “Actually, it’s quite lovely. I’m sure that would be wonderful on you, after a few alterations. I think it was cut to fit Mystique and she’s a little bit wider than you in the hip and stomach areas.”

  “I am not!” Mystique objects.

  It takes everything in me not to burst into laughter, but Dreya doesn’t even try to contain herself. She doubles over at the waist and lets the laughs ripple out of her body.

  “Your mother called you fat!” Dreya roars.

  “No, she didn’t!” Mystique yells.

  “Don’t get mad at me, fatty. You shouldn’t have been eating all that steak and lobster with Zac. A moment on the lips, an eternity on the hips!”

  “Okay, Drama. That is enough. Mystique, honey, you have one of the best bodies in this industry,” Ms. Layla says. “Women are going into plastic surgeons’ offices carrying your picture, saying I want to look like this.”

  “Was the picture Photoshopped?” Dreya asks with laughter still pouring out of her.

  Mystique jumps up and gets right in Dreya’s face. Dreya’s laughter stops. Immediately.

  “You think that just because you’re hooking
up with Evan that you can talk to me any kind of way? I will have you dropped from this label so fast your weaved-up little head will spin!”

  Screech! What? OMG! I should’ve known something was going on when Dreya showed up on our Destin trip acting like she was in the know with Evan. Because she really, really was in the know! Shut the front door!

  Dreya smiles at Mystique. “I want to see you try, heffa. Evan is on to you. He doesn’t like how you try to hold back every new artist. He sees what you’re doing. Just like you don’t have Bethany here to get a dress for the red carpet. I already texted Evan about that.”

  “She doesn’t need a red-carpet dress! She’s not even nominated for anything.”

  Dreya shakes her head. “Evan wants everyone from Reign Records to come up in the spot looking like royalty. That’s our calling card.”

  “Who do you think you are?” Mystique roars with anger. She sounds like a lioness about to strike that weak little antelope that all the rest of the herd left behind.

  “I am Ms. Drama, soon to be the queen of Reign Records. You know what? I don’t want to wear any of these tacky creations. What about you, Sunday? Do you want a real designer to create your look? One that’s not related to Mystique the hater?”

  I don’t know why Dreya’s trying to rope me into this. I want no part of beef with anyone. Not Mystique and definitely not Evan, since my career, at this point, is in the palm of his hand.

  “You know that I don’t really give a care about what I wear to an awards show. It makes absolutely no difference.”

  Dreya stands and drops Ms. Layla’s dress on the floor like a piece of garbage. “I’ll see myself out,” she says.

  After she slams the door, Mystique says, “She is going to ruin everything we’ve worked for. Everything.”

  “I had no idea she was with him. I feel like I’m totally in the dark. No wonder she got put in my performance at the last minute,” I say. “I really wish you’d said something to me, Mystique.”

  “I should’ve. I’m sorry. I was hoping that he’d dump her and that would be the end of it. Evan uses women like he uses toilet paper, so I thought she’d just be a one and done.”