Connection city.
“You would do that? But you hardly know me…”
Dean shrugs, but a smile plays on his lips, ones I stare at a bit too long. “I mean I’d have to check it out first, but why not? Someone once paid me a big favor, and all they asked was that I pay it forward. I’ve been trying to live that motto since.”
His kindness is overwhelming, and I only hope he’s sincere. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”
“Please meet me here for coffee sometime this week? If you wanna show me your stuff, great. If not, we can drink coffee and shoot the shit.”
Without a second thought, I agree, actually looking forward to it.
Friends meet for coffee all the time.
And besides, this is a connection.
I’d be dumb to pass it up.
“How you holding up in the big city?” Anthony’s face pops up on my phone, his FaceTime call coming in when I left my last class.
“Alright. Tired. First day of classes felt like the longest day of classes.”
Ant snickers. “One day back and you’re already this exhausted?”
“Yes, butthead. I had five classes today, pretty much back to back, so yes, I am exhausted.” I round the corner and pick up speed, desperately in need of a shower, some food, and some serious air-conditioning. Thank God Mable can’t stand the heat like me and keeps our apartment nice and cool.
Unlike the classrooms at school, we don’t melt into puddles of goo after sitting there for only ten minutes.
It’s so hot, I think my eyelids are sweating.
Dean’s voice plays in my head, and I chuckle at the thought. I wonder if my eyelids really are sweating.
Dean? Why am I thinking about him?
“And you want me to move there? LA is cooling down, the summer temps gone while New York is still baking under a blanket of heat. No thanks.”
“Oh, don’t be such a baby. There’s a thing called air-conditioning, and every place you go has it.”
Anthony laughs. “It’s not the same as a fresh cool breeze.”
“Do you have an answer for everything?”
“You know it, sis. How’s that heart of yours doing? Do I need to fly there and kick someone’s ass?”
“No, but thank you. I’m still sad as fuck, but one day at a time, right?”
“You got this, sis. Besides calling to check on you, I have some news.”
“You do? Is it good?”
“I’ll let you be the judge. After I graduate in the spring, I’m moving to New York City.”
“What?” My mouth drops open, not believing my ears. I hurry inside my apartment building, thankful for the blast of cold air that hits my face. “You’re joking.”
“No, I’m serious, Rai. I’m interning for a company whose headquarters are located there. If things go well, they may offer me a full-time position when I graduate.”
“Oh my God, Ant!” I practically dance up the stairs to my apartment as the first real rush of excitement in a long ass time pulses through me. What I’ve hoped for since realizing my dream of living in the city was to have my brother with me.
Our parents won’t leave, set in their ways and happy with the life they’ve built in the small New Jersey suburb, but Anthony and I have always wanted something more. Something exciting.
And both of us love New York City. When he told me he decided to go to LA for college, I was hurt. I felt like he crushed our childhood dream. But after realizing my brother was his own person, and he’d do what he wanted, I made it my mission to eventually get him here when he was done spreading his wings.
And it’s finally working.
“I’m so fucking excited!” I shout in the hallway while trying to unlock the door. Slipping inside, I drop my bag and kick off my sneakers and socks. “Congrats on the job. What company is it?”
“Spin Music Productions.”
“Oh wow, I’ve heard that name around. Good for you, you must be so excited. Did you tell Mom and Dad yet?” I flick on the air conditioner in the living room along with the one in my bedroom and Mable’s. On my way to the couch, I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and collapse onto the big soft cushions.
“Nope, only you. I don’t want to say too much yet. I still need to finish school and impress them during my internship. It’s a lot of pressure, I ain’t gonna lie.” Anthony runs his hands through his hair, and I notice he’s let it grow out a little.
Pulling the phone closer, I notice he looks tired and his face a little scruffy. He’s usually well-groomed and never one to miss a haircut. I hope he’s not working himself too hard. “Are you sleeping okay? And eating enough?”
“Yes, mom, I’m fine. I’m just busy. This internship isn’t paid, so I still sling drinks at the bar some nights, mostly weekends.”
“That is a lot. Why don’t you ask Dad and Mom for some money so you can work less?”
“You know I hate doing that, Rai. Besides, this keeps me busy.”
“I get it. Just remember to take care of yourself.”
“Listen, if I wanted to hear that shit, I’d call Mom. And I should say the same thing to you.”
I catch him rolling his eyes, and I smirk. Typical Anthony. “Back to living in New York. You’re going to fucking love it.”
Anthony and I catch up for a bit longer, and when we hang up, I notice my shoulders don’t feel so heavy, the comfort of my brother’s announcement a sliver of hope in my mostly gray days.
I decide to take a shower before figuring out what to eat, ready to wash the sticky heat off me.
My phone beeps with a text as I walk to the bathroom. It’s probably Mable asking if I ate yet. Maybe she’ll grab something on her way home for us.
With a quick tap, I read the text, and my heart flickers, a tiny jolt of a reaction I haven’t felt in so long.
Unknown: Hey Raina. It’s Dean. How’s coffee this Thursday at 8?
Shit. I forgot I gave him my number before leaving.
A connection, Rai. That’s all it is.
I text back with a yes before I change my mind.
Chapter Seven
Dean
“Wow, man, this beat is sick. Like, fuck, what am I listening to right now?”
I grin to myself, another client happy with my work. People pleasing is my jam, and the satisfaction I get is unlike anything else. I can’t help it, it’s in my nature. “Yeah? You happy with it?”
“Damn straight, let’s go ahead with production.” My tall, young client, a kid almost, shakes my hand as our meeting concludes. “I’ll be in touch.”
He shuts the door behind him, and after a quick save and a few end of the day tasks, I shut down my laptop, pack up my crap, and head out the door.
Atlantic Records is one of the top label companies in the city, and with a part of the company dedicated to music production for those without a manager or a band producing tapes, I knew I wanted to be a part of this company.
Help those reach their dreams by helping to compose music. They give me lyrics, I produce the beats, we make a demo tape, and boom. Instant happiness for my clients and a job well done.