Lalana finished dressing and beat the girls to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. Fifteen minutes later, Lisa pranced into the restaurant. Tina was hot on her heels.
"Are you going out with us tonight?" Tina asked Lalana without a greeting.
"No, I have plans," Lalana smiled.
"I am so glad you finally left that dog alone," Lisa said. "I don't even listen to his music anymore. He won't get another red cent from me!"
"Don't let me be the reason you give up on him," Lalana said. She meant it. She had made her peace and moved beyond him.
The waitress, a teenager loudly chewing on several pieces of gum, came to take the women's order.
"Y'all decided what you wanted yet?" she asked.
"Yes, the Jeanne Jones Omelette with a waffle for me," Lalana said. "And a glass of water and extra lemons."
"I'll take the um, let's see, the Country Boy with a waffle," Lisa said.
The waitress looked at Tina, the usual last holdout. Tina skimmed the menu one last time then said, "Okay, I'm gonna have the Carol C. Special, with a large orange juice."
Once they were alone, Tina turned to Lalana.
"Are you gonna be okay?"
"You act like I'm fragile or something," Lalana said.
"No, but I know how much you wanted to be with him."
"You know, I think I just got caught up in the glamour and flash. I mean, when I realized he already had another contest winner, it was like I was socked in the gut. But the more I think about it, his is really a lonely existence."
"I don't think people like him ever get theirs," Lisa commented. "I mean seriously, I used to believe in karma, but I've seen way too many men get away with treating women like trash, and they usually get to upgrade to a newer and more improved model." Lisa shook her head. "That karma shit is for the birds, if you ask me."
"I don't know that I want anything bad to happen to him," Lalana said. "Think about it - everywhere he goes, women throw themselves at him. I should know. I really thought he and I could go the distance, but when I admitted to myself that there was that side to him, I also realized I was just caught up in the whole 'Party with a Rapstar' foolishness."
"Well, no one can say you didn't have an interesting summer," Tina said.
"Amen to that," Lalana confirmed.
Their meals arrived and the friends dug in. As always, they fell silent as they enjoyed there food. But after a few minutes, Lisa looked up from her plate. "You should sell your story!" she cried to Lalana.
A brief image of Lalana as some washed-up chick on TV talking about how she sucked this rapper off and expected him to marry her flashed through her mind. No way in hell, Lalana thought.
"Think about it," Lisa continued. All these publishers are buying tell-all books. Remember that girl from the videos? How she talked about sleeping with all those rappers, and they called her superhead?" Lisa looked at Lalana. "No offense."
"None taken," Lalana replied "But let me make something clear. I did get caught up, no doubt about it. And it's one thing for the two of you to know all the nasty little details, but do you think I want to shame myself by telling the world I allowed this man to use me, then toss me to the side when he was done? I think not!"
"Well, I think it's all in the way you tell your story," Lisa countered. "You wouldn't tell it like that. I mean, why would you let the world know you were used? When she told her story, it was like she knew what they were doing to her, so she used them too."
Lalana shook her head. "I still wouldn't do it."
"Could you imagine?" Tina joined in.
"No, I don't even want to imagine. I mean, I've made enough of a fool of myself. The last thing I want is for men to see me as this gullible freak."
"I was just thinking you could make a few dollars," Lisa said. "I mean, look at him! He's getting his own show! What the hell is he gonna be talking about?"
"You know, there's enough material for several shows," Lalana said. "Besides, some people are into that kind of stuff."
"How did you even find out about that contest?" Tina asked.
Lalana sat speechless. She hadn't thought about it until Tina posed the question. Finally she remembered. Earlier in the spring, Lalana was shopping at the Beverly Center when she noticed a crowd frenzy at one of the stores. Passing by to get a look, she learned MC ROC was there. Now she remembered that one of his bodyguards approached her.
"You know what," Lalana said slowly, "I think this thing was a set up from the very start."
"Uh, yeah, we've established that much," Lisa said.
"No, I mean, there is no contest, at least not a real one anyway. He must've seen me, had one of his boys come and give me a flyer they made up. I remember now, I wasn't even inside that store. I was poking around trying to figure out why all those people were there screaming and carrying on.
"It was when my job had that health fair off Wilshire," Lalana continued, speaking faster now. "I slipped out of one of the sessions to go over to the mall. Anyway, dude comes up to me and gives me a flyer. You know I was hyped. I think I called from my cell phone before I even left the mall. That's how they know what you look like. So he hand-picks a woman, has his guy give her the flyer, and it's history. Silly me - I've always been a fan anyway - I didn't even think I had a chance to win. I had forgotten all about it when Jennifer called to say I won."
"I was wondering when you had entered a contest," Lisa tossed in.
"Yeah, it's all making sense now. He saw me at the mall, decided he wanted me, and instead of coming right out and approaching me, he must have pointed me out. Next thing you know, I get the call of my life, telling me I was the lucky winner. Wow. I fell for it too."
"Girl, don't even beat yourself up about it," Tina said. "Who wouldn't have fallen for that? I mean, if Terrance ever did something like that, I'd be first in line, no doubt."
"Yeah, but I thought I was special," Lalana said. "I mean, I remember thinking how strange it was that I wasn't even required to do anything to win. I thought I'd been selected from a pool of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands."
"Does it matter?" Tina asked. "I mean, you realized this was just one sleazeball's way of getting women. Think about it. He knows you're a fan, otherwise you wouldn't even bother calling. Once you call, he's got you there. You know all his racy rhymes, his bragging about his dick size and all, so he automatically assumes you'll be down to give up the ass."
"Yeah, but I guess what I'm saying is he really doesn't need to go through all of that," Lalana said. "I would have gone willingly."
"Yeah," Tina said, "you and most women. But where's the fantasy or fun in that? This way, you're all hyped, stupid excited, and - let's face it - you think you're special. He doles out the Queen for a weekend treatment and you're head over heels. It's the perfect scam."
"Anyway," Lisa said, "You got something out of it. Spine-tingling sex that was outta this world, new clothes, and one helluva story to tell. Sell that story, Lalana. Teach his ass a lesson."
"You're right about one thing," Lalana said. "At least one good thing did come from this."
"What's that?" Lisa asked.
"Logan." Lalana broke into an ear-to-ear grin.
Two sets of eyebrows rose simultaneously.
"Wwwhhhat?" Tina cried.
Lisa shook her head, "Uh-huh, you been holding out? Oh, no, get to the business."
Chapter Thirty-One
Lalana was home, hanging around the house, and looking forward to a quiet evening alone. Lisa and Tina had just left, once again without convincing Lalana to go out with them. She explained to her friends that she finally found what she was looking for; and that clubs no longer held any allure for her.
Tina said she understood, but Lisa, being her normal disagreeable self, pressed the issue.
"So you're just planning to sit here all alone tonight," Lisa saidsarcastically. She looked around suspiciously, as though she half-expected someone to jump out from behind a couch to prove Lalana was
lying. "You expect us to believe that? What are you really planning to do?"
Lalana shook her head. "Listen. It doesn't matter if I wanna sit here by myself and scratch my ass all night. I don't have to explain anything to you."
Her words stunned Lisa and Tina. Lalana was never quick to defend herself, but had lately found her confidence.
"You don't have to get all defensive about it," Lisa whined. "I'm only going out because Shawn and I have decided to go our separate ways for good this time."
"Dave and I are doing just fine," Tina smiled. "I mean, he's no Terrance Howard, but he is a nice guy and I'm happy with him," she said.
"Dave, huh?" Lalana giggled.
"Yeah, Dave."
Lisa rolled her eyes. Lalana and Tina ignored her.
After the girls had gone, Lalana turned on the TV. Her jaw dropped. Several of her pictures were on the screen: The first one was of her waiting in a parking lot for MC ROC; another sometime during that weekend she spent with him. Her face was blurred out of the shots, but there was no mistaking it: Lalana was on TV.
"What the hell?" she asked out loud.
"Could this be the mystery woman in the now infamous sex tape of MC ROC?" a voice from inside the TV asked.
Sex tape? What the hell are they talking about? Lalana's heart raced.
"It's too racy for us to show on TV, but the tape has been circulating on the Internet for several days now. There's no word on what kind of impact this will have on CD sales for the flamboyant rapper."
Lalana felt her ears ringing as horror washed over her. What if her boss found out? She rushed to a computer and Googled MC ROC. Nothing scandalous involving her. She went to YouTube. Another brick wall. Lalana even visited the TV show's Web site to see if it provided a link to the tape. More nothing. Four hours of futile digging passed.
Lalana decided to call it a night. She felt a little better knowing the tape wasn't readily accessible. If she couldn't find it, she figured, maybe it didn't exist.
Before finally drifting off to sleep, Lalana reflected n all that had happened since "winning" that contest. There was a time when she was stunned by her good fortune; but now, her life was in danger of being turned upside down.
Lalana called the record company the following morning, hoping to get in touch with someone who could help. She got a machine.
"I'd like to leave urgent messages for two people," Lalana said into the recording. "Please leave a message for Jennifer Price and MC ROC. I'd like the message to read, "This is Lalana George. I was the June contest winner and someone needs to contact me now!"
Lalana rattled off her phone number then said, "If I don't hear from someone within the next few hours, I plan to talk to the press about this bogus contest." Lalana hung up and waited.
It took less than 30 minutes for her phone to ring. Lalana was unsurprised to hear Jennifer on the other end of the line.
"Is this Lalana George?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes," Lalana answered. "What's this about a sex tape circulating around the Internet?"
"Oh yes, we're being flooded by calls for interviews and appearances, but I'm not sure what that has to do with you."
"Are you aware I'm being linked to this tape?" Lalana cried. "I don't understand how this could've happened. I can't afford to have stuff like this circulating around about me."
"Well, ma'am, you were forewarned of possible links to you in the tabloids before you consented to the terms of the contest. And for what it's worth, this is great publicity for you."
"Are you serious?"
"I'm just trying to help," Jennifer offered.
"I don't understand how you could see this as a good thing. I'm worried that my name will become mud."
"By being linked to the world's hottest rapper?" Jennifer asked increduously. "This is MC ROC we're talking about, not James Curtis."
Lalana sighed. Listening to Jennifer made her question how she could've ever thought something good would come of her time with him.
"You guys are sick-" Lalana began. Jennifer cut her off.
"Before you go throwing around threats about talking to the press or anyone else, let me remind you that you've already signed a release giving us the right to represent you, and use your likeness in any way we see fit for publicity purposes."
Lalana fumed.
"And I need to remind you," Jennifer continued, "that you are not to contact MC ROC ever again. If you continue to go out of your way to follow him, we'll be forced to take out a protective order."
Chapter Thirty-Two
Lalana had envisioned a quiet Sunday afternoon at home. Coming off her near-obsession with MC ROC, she was glad to finally be moving forward with her life. She wanted to transition back into obscurity with as little fanfare as possible. Now, however, she had to worry about being associated with a sex tape.
The phone rang as she sat thinking about how to get out of this mess, or if that was a complete impossibility.
"Hello?"
"You don't sound good," Logan said. "I take it you also flipped on the TV today. You feel like talking?"
"Um, I have a lot on my mind," Lalana choked out. "Yeah, I can imagine. You want me to come over?"
"Actually, it would be good for us to talk about this in person," she said, her voice shaking.
"Okay, cool. I'll be over in a little while," he said. Then: "Hey, Lalana, it's gonna be all right. It's never as bad as you think."
"I really hope you're right. I'll see you when you get here. It'll give me time to get my thoughts together and figure out how I'm gonna' fix this."
"Okay, I'm working to get to you, just hold on until I get there. I know you're capable, but remember it's best to put two heads together instead of one."
Lalana wasn't alone for long. She was still trying to figure out the best way to deal with this situation when there was a frantic knock on her front door.
She looked through the peephole and felt relief when she saw Logan's face.
"Hey," she greeted.
Logan pulled Lalana to him and held her. She instantly felt some of the weight lift. She spent so much time kicking herself for nearly allowing him to slip through her fingers. Lalana silently thanked God that she came to her senses before it was too late.
"You okay?"
"I'm having a moment," she admitted.
Logan followed her into the apartment and took a seat.
"Do you understand what's going on here?" Lalana asked.
"Yes," Logan answered. "And a lot of this stuff, it's leaked by MC ROC or his friends, I don't know what happened with you two, but it wouldn't surprise me if this is nothing but a bunch of hype."
"You're kidding me," Lalana said.
"I told you this is all a publicity stunt," Logan said. "I know you can't understand how a mega-star would need to pump himself up, but it's very competitive out there. When he does that contest, he's thinking about album sales."
"But what should I do? I can't afford to have this kind of stuff circulating about me. I mean my job..."
"I'm gonna need to think about how to approach this one. But don't be surprised if my suggestion is to do nothing at all."
Lalana's eyes widened. "Do nothing?"
"In these situations, it's not about you. I know you feel like your world is threatening to crumble, but seriously, the more you do or say, the more this thing stays alive. And that is exactly what you don't want."
"So you're thinking there may not even be a tape?"
"I doubt seriously if there is one. I mean, did you look for it?"
"Yeah."
"What did you find?"
"A few pictures, but nothing like a sex tape," Lalana admitted.
"If this thing was circulating, don't you think you would've found it by now? And if you couldn't find it, either it doesn't exists, or maybe I should help you find it," he offered.
Lalana's eyes widened in horror, "Oh no!" she shook her head.
"Then I suggest you let it go. If nobody has ca
lled you saying they saw you getting it on, I wouldn't worry about it."
Everything he said made sense. Lalana felt a sense of calm wash over her. She knew Logan was right.
"Besides, I don't want you sitting up here stressing yourself. This thing will boil over if you simply leave it alone."
"Do you know that Jennifer woman told me I should use this as a stepping stone?" Lalana asked. "She suggested this is the time for me to try and get my career off the ground."
"That's because that's what they're used to. Most of the women they deal with are either aspiring singers, actresses, or models."
"I had no idea."
"I know. But that's why I was trying to warn you without scaring you. I've seen this stuff explode into something with a life all its own."
"Would you like a drink?" Lalana asked him.
"Sure," Logan answered, "I wouldn't mind something."
Lalana walked to the kitchen and grabbed him a beer, telling herself he knew best. She walked back to the living room and snuggled next to Logan on the couch.
"You shouldn't let this get to you," he said. "If I were you, I'd stop watching BET and the other music networks for a while; at least until this mess clears up."
"You're probably right," she said.
"I'll figure something out, and we'll get through this together. I don't want you worrying."
For the first time in years, Lalana felt safe.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Days had passed since the bombshell dropped. And much to Lalana's surprise, not a single person asked about the tape or the pictures. No one except Lisa, that is; but Lalana already knew to expect that.
The call came in on Lalana's cell just after she left work for lunch. Lisa was quick to notify Lalana that Tina was also on the line.
"What the hell is going on in your world?" Lisa wanted to know. "I mean you are doing waaaaay too much!"
"Well, I'm rushing to grab a bite to eat, traffic of course isn't cooperating, but that's about it. It's just another ordinary day if you ask me."
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