Chapter One

“Hey men get ready, they’re right around the corner.”

“I’m good, get these people back.” The bouncers spoke to each other over the crowd of people waiting to get into the club. When the tricked out escalade pulled to a stop a girl in line asked her man “Who is that?” “I don’t know, but this line is too damn long to be waiting on this shit.” He snapped already aggravated from the chilly weather. The truck door was opened and a crew poured out.  “J.D.!” one person shouted in the back. Jermaine Dupri who was hanging up a call waved as the crowd greeted him.  “Da Brat” some girls screamed. She jumped on her bodyguard for a piggyback ride to the front door. Following the SoSo Def entourage, she waved to the line of people and slapped five to the door attendant.

Before going inside, they all stopped to see the rest of their party arriving. The valet opened the limo door. A tall slender Nelly hopped out of the car while the crowd cheered at his arrival. He graciously threw up a peace sign, then popped his collar and offered his hand to his lady companion. Kelly Rowland found her footing next to him on the sidewalk. They caught up with their friends at the door. Kelly’s electric smile warmed some of the club goers as they made their way inside.

Across town in her mother’s split level Buckhead home Lucky finished her packing. “Blue where is my butterfly bracelet?” she yelled into her sister’s room as she passed by with a full bag in hand. “I don’t know” Sydney Blue shouted back from downstairs. “Get up here and find it. You wore it last,” Lucky said. The night before she left found her with a lot on her mind. The roller coaster of new fame it seemed was not without it’s bumps and headaches along the way. Sitting on the floor in front of her suitcase, she neatly arranged her clothing and accessories. “Like you need more stuff to take,” Blue sighed handing over the bracelet with a roll of her eyes.” 

“Don’t start with me I can’t handle it tonight.”      

“I’m not starting I just wanted you to know how much I was going to miss you while you’re gone.” The comment threw Lucky for a loop. Normally Blue would have been practically pushing her out the door.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I talked to mom earlier…”

“Oh I see, so now you’re being nice to me so you can be the favorite while I’m gone” Lucky laughed.

“Yep, pretty much.” Blue smiled while helping her zip up the suitcase. With her bags packed and a suit lain out for tomorrow’s trip, she was done for the night.

“Come on, let’s grub.”

“Chicken and waffles!” Lucky cracked as they went downstairs.  Sitting across from her, Blue tried to talk to her sister.

“Mom said she’ll call your cell tomorrow, hopefully before you leave.”

“New shrink going well?”

“Yeah he thinks some time in the country will do her some good. She will leave New York for Colorado on Tuesday.”

“My goodness no momma, no Lucky whatever will you do all by yourself.”

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about me Tatum Jade.” Blue laughed hard spitting some her shrimp out.

“Gross… it’s not really see food be-och!”

“My bad” they both laughed.

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“So Cornell….” Kelly addressed Nelly with a smile. “You know you and my momma are the only ones that can call me that right.” He laughed pulling her close for the conversation. “This girl that’s going out with ya’ll… Lucky… is she the real deal or what?”

“Yeah she has a hot sound, I think she can handle her own.”

“Hey I love that song she put out, but you have to admit she’s not your average rapper.” J.D. overheard them and decided to butt in the mix.

“That’s the hook. She’s different, lot of money to be made on a principal artist.”

“I hear ya, strike while the iron is hot” Kelly nodded.

“If your talking about the pressure of being a principal artist wax dat, we got her the best assistant in the biz.”

“Well that’s straight, you did you get?”

“Samantha…”

“Sammy Bedding?”

“Yeah do you know her?”

“We used to chill together back in Texas.”

“Tight!” J.D. said ordering another drink.

“Lets do this then” Nelly led her to the dance floor.

Chapter Two

Lucky spent most of the flight to Callie getting to know Samantha. While she contemplated the next night’s performance. She had spent endless hours in front of the camera for her first video and a few photo shoots. This tour however would be the first full set she had ever done. A song here and there for MTV and whatnot but never a whole show. When Nelly became her manger, she was conditioned by the best of the best. Chorographers put together her show, stylist made her look and she put the flow the max. She had rehearsed her show a million times. However there was still something. That scared the hell out of her.

On the ground at LAX she and Sammy were ushered into an expedition that took them to the hotel. Dark sunglasses topped off her hip-hop appeal. It fooled on lookers in the lobby that she knew who she was and exactly what she wanted. Stepping off the elevator on to her floor, she dropped the act quickly to greet Nelly who was waiting for her.           

His entourage parted as he stepped forward. “What up Lucky?”

“Just getting in man,” she replied.

“Sammy…” he started “lady it’s been too long.”

“There’s that charm I love” Sammy smiled back.

“Ok ladies, we chilling until about eight o’clock. All the acts should be here by then. We’re all going out for dinner and a little fun… let everybody know we in town.”

“Sounds good” Lucky smiled.

The next day she was already at the venue when Nelly arrived. Sitting in is dressing room she craved some sort of pep talk. When he found her, he could see the fear on her face.

“You left early last night” he spoke after settling into his favorite chair.

“Yeah, I know I didn’t want to be out too late, ya know.”

“You nervous?”

“God yes, man I’m freaking out so bad.”

“Hey chill out, it’s cool. Everybody is gonna love ya, where do you think that top ten single came from?”

“Thanks, I mean for everything… If it wasn’t for you…”

“Just stop… I only polish the talent baby girl.” He stood up and put his hands on her slumped shoulders. Looking up at him with puppy eyes she tried to smile. “You’re gonna be great… I promise. Now where’s my thug girl? I’m looking for a thug girl…”

“Here I am shawt!” she jumped to her feet with a laugh.

“Now go get ready, you’re on in about a hour.”

“I’m out.” she ducked out of the room and found her way into her own corner.

Chapter Three

The Show

“Ladies and gentlemen, pimps and hoes!” the MC started pumping up the crowd. Lucky was standing backstage when she finally calmed down. Falling into her alter ego, she feared nothing and was ready to prove it. Nelly spoke to her briefly after she was dressed, he was pleased with her attitude adjustment. With makeup just right, her long brown hair was highlighted with blonde streaks. It was curled caressing her shoulders. The typical lady of rap outfit showed off her curves. The small purple sports bra covered her in just the right places. The white low-waisted baggy pants allowed only the toe of her adidas to show. The colors went well with her tanned skin and her petite build was both sporty and feminine.

The MC continued “Whose been listening to the radio?” Lucky took a deep breath. “Anybody heard that song… The One?” the audience cheered. She grabbed her mic and winked at the dancers. “Straight from the dirty south! Here’s LUCKY!” the crowd jumped to their feet as the music started. She ran out with her people and took her place on the front of the stage.

“Yeah, Yeah ya’ll!” she started strong with her dancers. “I’m Lucky. The one you heard about. Now's the time to scream and shout, what? Can’t hear you way in the back betta start hollering cuz’ I got it like dat. I’m da one stepping on stage with my crew promise you’ll know me next time I come through.

Lady luck ain’t got shit on me, it’s a whole new game with one miss luck-ie. Twist one up and roll out to the show, uh oh someone’s got me on da low low.

The Lucky one is here and she’s here to stay, back up boy get out of her way.   Lucky I’m the one, hear where I’m coming from. Do you need me to tell you again? It’s all about me today, if ya feel what I say then come on and I’ll led the way. Into a whole new world filled with phat beats and lyrics t keep ya on your feet.   Don’t be afraid because Miss Lucky is about to get paid.”

She performed six more songs before the main show started. Nelly thanked her

for warming up the crowd as he went on stage. She tried to smile when Sammy found her. Quickly finding the restroom, Lucky threw up for five minutes before she made it back to her dressing room. Settling her nerves settled her stomach and having her very first show out of the way lifted a lot of pressure. The girls went back to the hotel to shower and pack.

Checking out at three a.m. was only foreign to Lucky. Everyone else seemed to flow through the lobby with ease. “This…is our bus?” she asked in amazement it was immaculate.

“Yeah, this is #4” Sammy checked her notes. The driver stepped down to introduce himself.

“Name’s Winston. Everybody calls me Pappy,” the older man explained as he shook hands with the girls.

“I’m Lucky… Tatum for the record.” She smiled sweetly.

“Samantha, just call me Sammy.”    

“Great let’s get going.”