Grown(33)

“OK,” I laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He flicks out his wrist, holding up his gold watch. “You see this? It’s a Richard Mille custom, there’s only one like it. See those diamonds in the middle? Those were from my grandma’s ring. I’ma get them to bust this open and put it in your ring when they make it.”

“Really? You’d do that . . . for me?”

“I’d do anything for you! My most prized possession on my most prized possession.”

The watch is different from his other jewelry. Crisp and understated. I’ve never seen him without it.

“But before all that, we gonna go to my spot in Atlanta and record that album. You gonna love it. Gonna be living like a real princess. Nah, a queen! Have whatever you want. Even have your own room for a change. No sharing everything with all your brothers and sisters. Maybe even get you that car you wanted.”

My phone rings and I glance at it.

Mom.

I hit decline and continue listening to the life Korey plans to make for us.





Chapter 42


Group Chat: Settlement




W&W Squad (w/o the Jones sisters)

Sean: Y’all see that shit on the news?

Malika: Yup! And I told y’all. Korey Fields is a creep.

Aisha: Girl, calm down. OK? All it said was that he settled out of court with some lady. They didn’t find him guilty.

Malika: The lady said she was fourteen and Korey was twenty-three.

Sean: It’s his word against hers, tho.

Malika: Her word ain’t enough?

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 team doesn’t know that Nike canceled the endorsement deal as of this morning.

Korey slouches in his seat, hands folded across his stomach. The most defeated I’ve ever seen him. This is the third show canceled this week. After the news dropped about the case, fans are demanding refunds.

Richie tries to inject optimism into the room. “Don’t let this get you down, bruh. You know all this me-too shit is just a phase. You’ll bounce back, baby. You always do! Yo, you know what we should do? We should get you on Love and Hip Hop! My homeboy is an executive producer on the show. It would tie in well with the release of the doc.”