4
“I’m so not surprised by this,” I say as Mystique pushes her tablet across the table at me to show me a YouTube video from inside her wedding. “You think Dreya did this?”
I take a long sip of my fresh-squeezed orange juice as I wait for Mystique to respond. We’re at Zac’s house, in the sun room, having breakfast the Wednesday after Mystique and Zac’s wedding. Why can’t I enjoy this gourmet prepared French toast and hash browns?
“Who else would post a video of Zac’s crazy baby’s mother? I swear your cousin is out to destroy me.”
I consider this accusation. I wouldn’t put it past Dreya to try and destroy Mystique’s career, but in my opinion, it wouldn’t really be a good idea. Dreya is trying to reform her image, and stay in good with the record label. Starting a little controversy is one thing, but I don’t think Dreya is really trying to ruin Mystique.
“Destroying your career doesn’t help her one bit. Your record sales provide revenue for the company. It’s the only way Reign Records can exist.”
“I know this and you know it, but does your cousin ever think before she acts? She’s a one-chick catastrophe. A category-five hurricane waiting to tear up the coast.”
I can’t disagree, so I simply give a quick nod. “Don’t worry about it, Mystique. The girl looks crazy and Zac married you. When are y’all going on your honeymoon?”
“No time soon. I’ve got to get to work on my new album, and I’m working with a whole new team of writers and producers.”
I’m a little shocked at this news. I was sure she’d ask me to contribute some music to her next effort. The last song I gave her went straight to the top of the Billboard charts the week it was released.
“I want a different sound this time. Something to set me completely apart from what Evan is doing,” Mystique explains as if she’s got the ability to spy on my brain waves.
“It’s all good. I’ve got more than I can handle right now anyway. I’ve got Dreya’s second album to do, and we’re planning my second release. With school too, I might need to clone myself to finish all of these projects.”
“Bethany’s record is going to solidify you in the game as a songwriter. You won’t have to tour and do all the extra stuff to make money, because you’ll have enough songwriting gigs to keep you busy.”
“I hope so, because I can’t really do a good tour right now. Not unless it’s over the summer months.”
“Speaking of a summer tour, I think I want you to open for me at some of my European shows this summer. I’m talking Paris, Monaco, London, Madrid, and maybe even Lisbon.”
Even though my life has been on warp speed since my senior year of high school, summer seems so far away. It’s only January now, and I’ve got a whole other semester in college to worry about.
“It sounds like a great opportunity,” I say.
“But . . .”
“But nothing! Why do you think there’s a but?” I ask.
“Because your body language tells me you’re not feeling it.”
“I’m just stressed out right now, girl. I hope that I get to go on the tour with you.”
Mystique lifts an eyebrow as if she doesn’t believe me. “Okay, Sunday. I’m gonna let that slide. I noticed that you and Sam didn’t have a reunion at the wedding.”
I laugh out loud. “I know you didn’t think that was going to happen. He should’ve brought a date so he didn’t look so lonely.”
“Girl, you are harsh. And you brought DeShawn with you? That had to be uncomfortable. Do they know each other?”
“They met when we went to Destin, a couple months ago. But Sam and I were still together then, so it didn’t really matter.”
“I wish my drama was as uncomplicated as yours. I’ve got a child running around my house that doesn’t belong to me.”
“Are you serious? I just thought she was doing that for show and that she would come back and get her baby. Who does that?”
“A trifling, deadbeat skank. She’ll be back though, because Zac’s been paying her child support for two years. I guarantee she doesn’t want that gravy train to stop.”
“What if she doesn’t come back? Are you ready to be a stepmother?”
Now it’s Mystique’s turn to laugh. “I guess. With the help of round-the-clock nannies. I’m not even gonna act like I’m the domestic type. I don’t know what to do with a toddler. I did play with dolls, but they were never babies. They were always grown-up girls in a singing group. I played Dreamgirls with my dolls.”
All of this happening with Mystique and Zac helps solidify my decision to stay away from Sam. I don’t think this stuff with Rielle was totally random. This is one of those a-ha moments, my mother always like to talk about. She would say that God was trying to tell me something. I just hope I can slow down long enough to hear Him.