Hip Hop Heat

by Tricia Tucker

Lisa couldn't stop shaking her head. Tina wanted more details. And just telling the story made Lalana feel like she was still in paradise. How she longed to be back at that beach house! She fantasized nonstop about that walk along the beach. The sight of that sunrise still haunted her in her sleep.

  Lalana had already told the entire story once from beginning to end,and she didn't leave out a single detail. This was the Q and A session; and even it was helping Lalana relive her glorious weekend as if it had ended minutes, instead of two weeks, ago. It had all but killed her to hang on that long without dishing to the girls, but Tina was traveling for work and Lalana wanted to make a big deal out of sharing details of her whirlwind weekend. She struggled, but forced herself to wait for their next get-together.

  Forget the fact MC ROC hadn't taken any of her calls since then. It took a full week for Lalana to learn the number she'd been calling didn't even belong to ROC, but to one of the guys in his entourage.

  Still, she understood such measures were only in place to keep MC ROC safe. She could just imagine the groupies struggling to get near him.

  "So he still hasn't called you back?" Tina asked.

  "Nope, not yet." Lalana flopped down on the sofa. "But I'm sure he will. I just think he's not getting my messages."

  Lalana remembered the way she made love to him; the way he took her with such great force. Each time they came together it was as if they'd been crazy about each other for years. Their chemistry was palpable. Lalana knew he felt the same; and she was sure he wouldn't be able to stay away.

  "Yeah, that has to be it," Lisa tossed in with utter insincerity. Lalana rolled her eyes.

  "What about that driver?" Tina asked. "You try calling him?"

  "Yeah, I've talked to him a few times. But..." Lalana trailed off.

  "But what?" Tina asked. "Seems to me like he would know more than you think. I mean, come on. The driver sees everything, right?"

  "Normally, I'm sure," Lalana answered. Her plan to keep in touch with Logan in order to at least determine where he had been driving MC ROC seemed after a few phone conversations to be an ill-conceived plan. "He's just always talking about our high school days. Who wants to go back there?"

  "Have you ever thought that maybe he doesn't quite know what to discuss with you, so he's picking a topic he finds safe?" Tina said.

  Lalana considered the possibility. "He just seems weird. I mean, always going down memory lane and shit?" Lalana waved a dismissive hand. "I just wish I could call him up and be like, okay have you been driving any hoochies around for my man ROC?"

  "Yeah," Tina said, "now that would be the business for real. Especially if he would act as your extra set of eyes and he was cool with it. Shit, you'd be on top of all the business for sure then."

  Lalana could only hope. She didn't want to come right out and ask Logan questions about MC ROC. Truth be told, their conversations were awkward at best. She often labored through his random high school-related monologues, or try to remember some obscure event he seemed convinced she'd remember.

  "I think you need to realize it ain't gonna be easy to get with him again," Lisa said.

  "I don't know if that's a given," Lalana replied. "I feel like, if he knew I was trying to hook up again, he'd be game."

  She didn't care whether her friends believed her. She felt deep in her heart that she and ROC shared a special bond. It didn't matter that he'd done nothing to get in touch with her. She chalked that up to him being really busy with his pending album release.

  Thinking about that upcoming event also made Lalana think about the new plan she was hatching.

  "Oh, hold up," Tina interjected. "Isn't he signing copies of his new album out in The Grove?"

  "I wasn't gonna say anything, but I plan to be there front and center," Lalana replied. "That way I'll know for sure he'll see me and we can get this thing back on track."

  "Are you serious?" Lisa wanted to know. "I don't know if I'd wanna date some rapper."

  "MC ROC is not some rapper," Lalana shot back.

  "Just because you fucked him don't mean he's anything but a rapper, Lalana," Lisa snickered. "I'm just saying. You can't be serious about trying to get with him again."

  Lalana looked at her strangely. Of course she was serious. Why wouldn't she be?

  "You want me to go with you?" Tina asked.

  Lalana didn't know how to answer that. She wasn't sure what kind of plans MC ROC would have once he saw her; maybe bringing company would be a bad move.

  "Ummm, I don't know if that's a good idea, I mean, once we hook up, I'm thinking he may wanna go kick it or something."

  Lalana envisioned spending time with MC ROC like she did during their weekend together. She figured she'd suggest they go out to Malibu again. That had started off so well: breakfast on the deck overlooking the ocean, the walk along the beach. She told herself ROC seemed at peace while they were there.

  "What's up with you and ol' boy we picked up at the club a few weeks ago?" Lisa asked Tina, changing the subject. Lalana's eyes lit up. Finally they could talk about someone else.

  "Who?" Lalana asked, smiling. "What club?"

  Lisa rolled her eyes. "Like you would've gone if you were here. Besides, this was when you were rubbing elbows with Hip Hop's elite."

  "We went to that club out in Marina Del Ray," Tina offered. The big girl's club. It was all right."

  "If you consider being the only skinny girls in the place," Lisa frowned. "I hate going there with those big girls hating and shit."

  "So what happened?" Lalana asked Tina.

  "Oh, his name is David and we still kick it," Tina confessed with a smirk. She was significantly more private than Lalana.

  After her friends left, Lalana called Logan to see if she could squeeze any information out of him. She left a brief voicemail message when he didn't answer, then hung up and tried to think about what she could wear for her next visit with MC ROC.

  Not five minutes had passed before Lalana's phone rang. Logan's number popped up on her caller ID.

  "Hello?"

  "Hi, beautiful," he greeted.

  Lalana felt awkward, but went with the flow. "Hey, I was just calling to see how you were doing."

  "You wanna go grab a drink or dinner?" he asked.

  Silence.

  "Lalana?" Logan asked. "Can you hear me?"

  Lalana wondered whether to feign a bad connection or go along with his offer.

  "Um, dinner?" she asked.

  "Or a drink - it's up to you," Logan answered. "Or we could do both," he quickly added.

  "You know what, yeah, that sounds like a good idea. My girlfriends just left; they're hitting a club tonight, and I wasn't in a partying mood. But dinner and a drink might be nice."

  "Okay, where can I pick you up?"

  "I live in Carson."

  "Let me get your address. I'll plug it into my GPS system."

  Lalana got ready. She picked out a sexy outfit that gave her confidence, showered, and had just finished her makeup when her phone rang. Lalana grabbed for it quickly, figuring Logan was lost.

  "Where are you?" she questioned.

  "Aaaeeey, Shorty," ROC's voice rang out.

  Lalana's pulse raced.

  "Yo man, you there?" he asked.

  "Um, ROC," she said slowly.

  Just then her doorbell rang. It had never seemed so loud.

  "Oh, you got company," he said. "I didn't want nothing'. I was just thinking 'bout you. Go 'head, I'll holla at you later." The line went dead as Lalana's doorbell chimed again.

  Chapter Twelve

  "How much time you got?" Logan asked.

  Lalana felt funny sitting next to him in the front seat. They weren't in one of his company cars - Logan was instead driving a BMW 7- series.

  Lalana wore an ankle-length, red halter dress that showcased her ample chest. She had on a pair of gold three-inch heels, brushed-gold dangling earrings, a long gold necklace, and gold and jade bangles on her wrists. She carried a bright gr
een clutch purse that matched her bangles.

  "How much time do I have?"

  "Yeah, I was thinking we could go to the Blue Water Grill for seafood out in Redondo Beach."

  "That sounds good," Lalana said. She was in a good mood - not because she was with Logan, but because MC ROC had finally reached out to her. He called and said he'd been thinking about her.

  Logan sported a pair of dark denim jeans with a button-down Polo shirt and sports jacket. He looked like he walked off the cover of GQ.

  "You look good tonight," he complimented, stealing glances at Lalana as he drove.

  "Thanks, you look nice yourself," she said.

  Lalana kept wondering how long it was going to take Logan to bring up something about their high school years. She was pleasantly surprised when they drove down Pacific Coast Highway and he didn't mention the past. A Jill Scott CD Logan loaded into the car stereo filled the ensuing silence.

  The Blue Water Grill in Redondo Beach overlooked the harbor. Blinking lights sparkled on docked boats and yachts and created a maze of glistening light on the dark water.

  "You wanna have a drink while we wait for appetizers?" Logan asked.

  The restaurant wasn't crowded. Its dim lighting and water views created a perfectly romantic setting. Most customers at the restaurant were couples.

  "These are good," Lalana said of the raspberry mojitos Logan ordered for them.

  As he talked about a bachelor party gone way wrong, Lalana couldn't help thinking how nice he was while hoping he wasn't getting any romantic ideas. After appetizers of coconut-fried shrimp and mango-papaya salsa, Logan ordered wild king salmon in artichoke saffron broth over chive mashed potatoes. Lalana ordered Pan Sauteed Panko Calamari Steak.

  "You want another drink?" Logan asked suddenly.

  "I probably shouldn't." The first drink had been quite potent, and Lalana feared another one might have her blatantly asking questions about MC ROC. As much as she wanted to, she figured doing so would ruin the evening for Logan. Everything in his face said he wasn't interested in anything other than bragging about how well he had done since high school. Lalana didn't have the heart to disappoint Logan by asking about anyone else.

  "You sure?" he asked.

  "Yeah, I think I'm good."

  "I'd like to try a watermelon mojito this time," Logan told the waiter.

  The minute Logan's drink arrived, Lalana eyed it with desire.

  "See, I knew you'd want one," Logan teased. He laughed, and for the first time Lalana noticed his dimples.

  "Okay, order one quick before I change my mind," she laughed.

  By the time dessert rolled around, Lalana's head was spinning. Logan asked the waiter if the two could enjoy their cake outside; and the couple was moved to a cozy little table out on the deck. The night was just right - not too warm, and not too chilly.

  * * * *

  "I'm glad you decided to have dinner with me," Logan said as he and Lalana strolled the boardwalk after dinner. "Thanks For saying yes."

  "No, thank you," Lalana responded.

  Getting into Logan's car an hour later, Lalana found her nerve and asked why he wasn't driving for MC ROC that evening.

  "Oh, he's out of town," Logan answered. "I think he had to go to New York on some business."

  "Oh, New York, huh?"

  "Yeah, he's been there for a week now."

  This was music to Lalana's ears. That's why she hadn't heard from him! ROC wasn't ignoring her. He had been out of town! She couldn't wait to get home and call her girls.

  It was midnight when Logan pulled up to Lalana's house. He walked around the car to open the door for her. "When can I see you again?" he asked.

  Lalana hesitated. There was no way she could tell him she didn't want to see him again. The truth was, a part of her did - and not just because he might give up the goods on MC ROC.

  "You know what, let me check my schedule and get back to you."

  Logan's expression made her feel immediately guilty. "Oh, okay, that's cool," he muttered.

  "I had a really good time," she said, hoping to ease his hurt.

  "Oh, me too," he said. "That's why I hope you let me take you out again."

  Lalana was ready to go. She wanted to get inside in case ROC called back.

  "Um, I'm sure we'll hook up again," she said. "I mean, I had fun tonight."

  "Okay, well, I'll wait for you to call me," he said, and walked Lalana to the door.

  "I'll call you," she promised, then slipped inside and locked the door. Yes, she had a good time with Logan; and yes, he was a really nice guy. But she wanted - she needed - MC ROC.

  Later that night Lalana she slept, thoughts of her sex-filled weekend with ROC danced around in her dreams.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The hot-pink Juicy Couture jumpsuit, or the burnt orange mini dress from BeBe? Lalana struggled to figure out what to wear to MC ROC's CD signing.

  Lalana's radio blasted in her room. A Power 106 DJ was discussing an upcoming fashion show. Lalana half-listened as she held up different outfits to herself in her mirror.

  "And yes," the DJ said, "LA's own MC ROC will be ripping the runway in this special feature, taped live to air on BET!"

  Lalana dropped the couture jumpsuit as her phone rang.

  "Lalana, can you see if MC ROC can get us into this fashion show tonight?" Lisa asked without a greeting.

  Lalana panicked. How could she admit she had no way to reach MC ROC to ask for tickets since she didn't even know how to get in touch with him? "Yeah, lemme give him and call and see what he can do," she said without thinking.

  "Cool, I'll call Tina and tell her to get ready. You want me to drive?"

  "Nah, I probably need to take my own car in case-"

  "No need to finish," Lisa interrupted. "It's cool, just see if he can get us in."

  Lalana had barely hung up the phone when a text from Tina came in. She clearly knew Lisa had already gotten in touch with her.

  OMG!! GTFO!! So we R rollin' with Hip Hop's finest! 2nite! I tnk Im gon die!!!

  Great. Lalana had to find a way to come up with three tickets to that fashion show or she wouldn't be able to face her friends. The DJ, still speaking on the radio, mentioned a few free tickets being given away. What the hell, Lalana thought, and picked up the phone.

  "Power 196 FM, how may I help you?"

  "Hi, I'm calling about tickets to tonight's filming of the BET fashion show."

  "Ma'aam this is not the hotline," the receptionist answered. "You've reached the business line. We don't give tickets away at this number."

  "I'm sorry," Lalana said. "I should have introduced myself properly. My name is Darlarece Harris, and I book for the local talk show 'Great Day LA.' I have a top designer interested in speaking with MC ROC about a new clothing line in the works. Now, please don't share this with anyone, because it's still in the works. But I messed up, because I was supposed to reserve three tickets for this designer's assistants; they're really more like headhunters, but anyway, I need to figure out a way to get them in."

  "Um," the woman said.

  Lalana knew she had her.

  "Well," the receptionist said, "I could get you a couple of tickets, but you'd have to act like you won the contest if anyone asked."

  "Oh, that would be fine, I mean, I'll even pay for them if I have to," Lalana offered.

  "No, I'm not allowed to sell them. They're actually comp tickets, but if I can help make this deal happen, I don't see anything wrong with that. We love MC ROC around here. The only problem is, I don't know how I'd get the tickets to you."

  "I can have someone pick them up," Lalana offered.

  "If you can do that, then we can make this work. Have someone come by the station and get them before six. Would that work for you?"

  "Absolutely!" Lalana's heart raced. She couldn't believe she had pulled off the near-impossible.

  "Okay, just have your messenger press the after-hours button. Someone will run the tickets
down."

  "Oh, my God! How can I thank you for this? What's your name?"

  "Tamara Jones," the woman said. "And really, don't even worry about it. I just hope the deal goes through. You know what, maybe on second thought, you could send me a pair of the jeans when it does. Will they have jeans in this line?"

  "Oh, yes! Absolutely. And I'll do better - I'll send an entire outfit. Just give me your size."

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lalana went with the skintight cat suit and brown Coach boots. She could get her outfit together for the CD-signing another time. She added one of the new Coach riding caps and knew she'd command some attention - even in a room full of models.

  She got to the venue early, and waited for Lisa and Tina to show up. When they finally did, there were only two minutes to spare before the show started.

  Barely able to speak to them because she was so mad, Lalana just grabbed her ticket from Lisa's hand and rushed to the short line at the door.

  "You guys better be glad there's no line," Lalana said. "I don't like this at all. If I miss him because of you, ugh," she bitched.

  Tina and Lisa exchanged knowing looks.

  "Let's give her a pass 'cause we know she's on one tonight, real happy about seeing her man," Lisa joked.

  Once inside, all the seats closest to the makeshift stage were already occupied. The women found some empty spots at the opposite end of the venue. Lalana was seething.

  No sooner had they sat down than she sprang up from her chair, turned to Lisa and Tina and said, "I'll be back."

  "Where you going?" Lisa wanted to know.

  Lalana held up her phone, acting like she had just gotten a text message. "He asked me to come to the back," she lied.

  Tina nodded and twisted her body to the side so Lalana could squeeze thought the aisle.

  * * * *

  Lalana slipped backstage with relative ease. Only a few seconds went by before she heard ROC's voice loud and clear from the dressing rooms.

  "I ain't doin' that shit, and that's final!" She knew his voice when she heard it. "I ain't goin' nowhere in no damn pink shirt. It just ain't happening."

  Lalana walked up to the scene. A short, frantic woman stood struggling to reason with MC ROC while a tall and visibly feminine man with a thick accent stood pulling at his own hair.