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Chapter Seven “What kind of hair brained stunt was that? I said you could go to the concert
not perform! It wasn’t even with Nelly, but some new hotshot on the radio. You put your image in danger. What if this
girl turns out to be a loose cannon? Then your name is on it, the name we worked so hard to protect. A white female rapper,
whose ever heard of such a thing?” Johnny laid into the boys minus Chris and Joey. Justin slouched in his chair with
a poker face and J.C. shook his head in apology. Lance folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall. The meeting
came as no surprise, J.C. had tried to reason with them, but it was no use. “So are you going to say anything for yourselves?” Johnny asked. “It wasn’t Josh's fault. Lance spoke up. Justin quickly agreed and
started to clear the air. “I’m sorry Johnny I didn’t think I doubt Lance did either. We
were just having fun, goofing around.” “Well thank you Justin.” He replied. “It won’t happen again… ever.” J.C. put his two cents
in. Johnny excused them, but asked Lance to stay. His solider stance concerned him. “Let’s talk man.” “Talk.” “Sit down.” Johnny directed. Doing so Lance took deep breaths so not
to loose his cool. “What’s going on man?” Johnny tried to ease into it. “Nothing.” “Come on don’t be like that…” “Why did you have to say it like that?” “Say what… What are we talking about here?” “Lucky why did you have to call her a hotshot… she’s got talent,
and she’s not a loose canon.” “You like her… it’s all starting to make sense.” “No I have respect for her.” “And I’m buying it.” “Err…” Lance growled getting aggravated. “Lance, don’t get pissed I hear you she’s cute or whatever.
However, she is different from you, which in this case is not necessarily a good thing. You don’t know where she is
going or what her plans are. I can guarantee they are not the same as yours. I think you would save us all much grief if you
just listen to me this time.” “How would you know, you haven’t even met her.” “I don’t have to. And I don’t plan to.” “Oh you’ll meet her sooner than you think.” “What is that suppose to mean?” Lance smiled looking at his watch. “Her plane landed five minutes ago. She is going to spend the week with
me. We are writing a song together.” Lance stood up, turned on his heel, and headed for the door. “Lance! Don’t get caught.” “Sure thing boss.” With that, Lance was gone. Later that day Lucky was finishing up her shower when Lance made his way up stairs. Wrapping
a towel around herself, she stepped into the bedroom where her suitcase was. Pulling out pajama pants and a tank top she began
to dry off. When Lance made it in to the room she dropped to towel. A bit embarrassed at his timing he watched her in silence.
With her back to him, he could see the curves of her slender frame. The sleek line between her shoulder blades ran into the
small of her back. In the middle of her hips, a music note was tatted. He admired her from afar as she continued. When she turned around dressed, she screamed at the shock and made him jump a
little. “I’m sorry, I just came in” he spoke quickly. “No… I didn’t mean to yell. I just… you scared me.”
She picked up the towel as he approached her. He pulled her into a hug and they both calmed their nerves. When she was better,
he changed into his nightclothes as well. “This is the most comfortable room in the house.” Lance said leading
her into the pale yellow sunroom. “I love it” she spoke softly. They sat down and snuggled up to each
other. Conversations they had been in only hours ago re-played in their minds. However, this was their time to forget that
world and enjoy each other. “I wasn’t expecting you until Wednesday.” “I know… things just didn’t work out.” “Do you want to talk about it?” “Oh it’s no big deal. They haven’t got my mom’s dosage
right yet.” “What?” “She wants me to be someone else.” “Who?” “Sydney Blue… of course.” She stopped to see his confused expression.
“Sydney is my sister she hasn’t been very successful in her modeling career. For some reason it’s my fault.” “Baby… don’t think about it… ok?” he said pulling
her into his lap trying to make it better. She smiled at his efforts and kissed him sweetly. The rest of the night was just
as good as that first kiss. Two days later “If I don’t get out of this bed right now I won’t be able to
walk.” Lucky scoffed from the far side of the bed. “Come here” Lance pulled her back to his side in the middle of the
pillows. She let him pin her again with a smile. “You can’t leave now, look what you’ve done to me.” “That excuse only works so many times in a forty eight hour time frame.” “Do you see a clock in here?” he asked kissing her neck. “Humm… no” she giggled. “Then shut up.” “Excuse me?” she pushed him away trying to act offended. “I’m sorry he laughed and inched toward her. “Yeah, yeah… you know we are suppose to be working.” She lay
on her back and tried to kiss him. “How did you know I told Johnny that?” he asked seriously. “You told Johnny?” she sat up. “Well …yeah. What are you talking about?” “I told J.D. that so he would chill on the idea of me coming down here.” “What do you mean chill? He didn’t want you down here?” “Well the “you” part of it wasn’t the selling point. Anyways
what happened with Johnny?” “Truth?” “Yes.” “He was pissed about the concert. When it was just me and him I told him
we were going to be spending some time together.” “Personally or professionally?” “Professionally, but he didn’t believe me.” “That’s funny, Jermaine didn’t believe me either.” Chapter Eight Sammy was waiting at the airport in N.J. when Lucky’s plane landed. “How was your break?” she asked happily. “Please don’t ask… how was you break Sammy?” Lucky asked
falling into the SUV. “Well since you asked and trust me you will hear all about it. First, we
have some work to do. Nelly called earlier about some duet thing. I pretended to know what he was talking about.” “Thanks…” Lucky said from behind her sunglasses. “When we get to the city can you pick me up another phone charger?” “Sure, where is yours?” “I left it… with my Orlando tour guide.” She busted out laughing.
“Yeah, we gonna talk about that too. Here Nelly on line two.” Sammy
handed over her phone. Lucky confirmed the song’s completion pending Dupri’s approval. Once
they arrived at the Roxy, the show seemed to go over with out a hitch. The record executives were more than pleased with the
vast improvement of her stage show and overall ability. The next day would be a meeting for the first listen. Jermaine listened
with anticipation and open mind. Lucky sat at the head of the table for the bird’s eye view. The boardroom was silent
as the music started. Treat her right Hey L (yeah Lucky) We gonna do this (yeah) Turn it out (yeah) Like it like this…(like this) Drop it… [Music changes] It’s the L-A-N-C-E and me Miss Lucky. Here to tell you a little tale so
chill like ill. And we will… get it krunk (yeah) get it started (yeah, yeah) tell ya about the broken hearted (broken
hearted) I met this kid the other day, not more than 15 and by the way, she was crying.
What is this she dying? The one she loved left with out a trace, she couldn’t help but miss his face. (No sorry, no
goodbyes) she got none so I told her ---- the bum. Sorry… sorry as hell. Sorry it’s too late but oh well. Best bet forget
him and get another one yeah brand new. Lance tell them. Better watch your step let’s not forget… who runs this…it ain’t
you baby boy. So stop acting like a fool, treat her right or she will leave you. Take it from me, whack that take it from us… take her seriously or take
the bus. If the lady is the love of your life be a man and make her ya wife. Chapter Nine “Hello?” Lance spoke into the cell phone. “Oh my goodness!” she yelled back. “What? Lucky is that you?” “Yeah it’s me, guess what.” “What?” “They loved the song!” “Alright that’s great.” “I haven’t told you the best part yet.” “Which is?” “I have been approved for more Lance time.” “Oh really… Lance time. Personally or professionally?” “Professionally… but umm…” “Yeah I hear ya baby girl.” “Damn it!” “What?” “I have to let you go. This makeup girl thinks I’m in the big top,
not the top forty. (Quit it!)” She growled at the chick. “Ok lady, call me later. I have to go too.” “Bye” “Bye” hanging up the phone and reaching for a Kleenex she stopped.
The small flutter of excitement made her smile. Over the next few weeks, they made music in the studio and bedroom. “Lucky go over the second verse, then we can cut the background.”
The instructions came through the speaker into the booth. “Alright.” The music started as she let her flow go. Lance sat behind
the board next to Timberland as the song unfolded. “This is tight.” Timb said nodding to Lance. “Yeah, everything is so crazy right now.” “Tell me about it I swear Missy is trying to kill me.” “Word” Lance joked it off but in true need to vent. “Timb you
think we can really pull this off? I’m all for it but so many people are just trying to tear us down it’s like…” “Like why bother?” “Yeah…” “Come on man, if it was easy everybody would do it.” “I know you’re right.” “This is about music… right?” “Look at her man… I can’t truthfully say it’s all about
the music.” “The truth comes out…” “Wait, she does have talent. But a white, chick, rapper… it a bit
of a stretch.” “Let’s just see what happens before you hit and run…ok.” “Thanks.” “How was that?” Lucky’s voice came back. “Good, baby come on out here.” Lance held the button down. She abandoned
the booth and joined the guys. She sat in Lance’s lap and Timberland let her hear the playback. Her bittersweet rhymes
laid over the low bass harmony in a perfect mix. The three were pleased when they left the studio. “Your coming home with me right?” he asked as he opened the passenger
door to his 4runner. “Do I have a choice?” she smile as she sat her bag in the floor. “Nope” he lifted her to her seat and kissed her before he shut the
door. Ridding down the highway Lucky scanned the radio for some tunes. “Stop…” “Huh?” she continued switching channels. “STOP IT” he pulled her hand away from the radio. “What’s wrong?” she looked confused. “Nothing…just quit messing with everything.” He snapped. “Come on” Lance said as he opened her door once more. “Thanks” she tried to smile in appreciation. “Sure” he replied noticing her distant state. “Hey are you ok?”
he caught up with her. “Yeah, why are you ok?” she wondered if he could read her mind. “I’m fine” he shied away a little to unlock the door. Once inside
they sat their bags down and lurked around for a minute. “I have a great idea” Lance smiled. “Do you now?” she held onto his hand. “Go watch a movie or TV for a while and I’ll cook us dinner.” “Uh… are you sure? You don’t need any help?” “I can handle it” he kissed her hand and pushed her though the archway
into the living room. “Ok, this remote does… nothing. This one works… the drapes.”
She laughed unable to figure out the game boy looking remote. Which seemed to control everything except the TV. There was
a loud crash of pans hitting the floor so she ran to the kitchen. “What happened?” she asked him standing at the island counter. “I dropped that pot. It sounded a lot worse than it actually was.”
He flashed a smile and filled the pan with water. “So what are you watching?” he asked with his back to her. “The curtains open and close.” “What?” he giggled. “I can’t work the remote” she whined. “Why didn’t you call me sooner?” “Ok… Sharoonnn!!” she yelled into the room. They laughed as
he walked her back into the living room. The morning after Lucky showered and packed her bag. “Back to work?” Lance snuck up behind her. “Yep… the tour is about to end.” “And mine is about to start.” “Yeah…” she zipped up her bag and sat down to put on her shoes. “Damn I’m going to be busy” Lance ran his fingers through his
hair. “True… will you be too busy for me?” “Honestly… at times, but we can plan around the windows right.” “Like we’ve been doing?” “Maybe a little less.” “Ok.” “Ok… what does that mean?” “I mean ok, I won’t get to see you as much that’s all.” “Don’t sound so upset” he snapped sarcastically. “Whatever… I gotta go.” “You would leave just like that?” “Like what? We are arguing about how much I might miss you when you go on
tour. Mine isn’t over yet.” “Ughhh” he stood up. “Shut up!” with that the room fell silent. She stood up and picked
up her bag. “Come here Lance” she spoke firmly. He did and stopped a few feet away from her. “Come here.”
When he again complied she kissed him hard on the mouth. “I’ll call you when I get to Philly.” “Bye” he whispered close to her face.
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