“We’ll be there tonight.”
“You’re good. I’m here. Do what you need to do. I’ll send Ma home to get some rest and work here after I update the others.”
“Thanks Jamal.”
“No problem. I’ll keep you posted.”
Jamal made his round of calls and returned to John’s room. Donna was asleep sitting in a chair with her head resting on John’s leg. He called the car service then lightly tapped Donna.
“Ma.” She popped up. “Let’s go. I have a car waiting for you downstairs.”
“I can’t leave.” Her eyes shifted between Jamal and John.
“Go home and rest. I’ll take the night shift.” He smiled.
“You’ll call me if something changes.”
“Promise. Let me walk you down.” Jamal grabbed her purse and walked her back to the pickup area. He helped her into the car. It was after seven. He sent Carmela a quick text before getting in the elevator, Have an amazing show! Call me when you get back to the bus.
He return to John’s side kissing his forehead. He carried the files for Crescendo and La Frank Records over to the couch. He removed his jacket and stretched out. The chime of his phone pulled him away from the bank statement.
It was Carmela. I will, with the a black fist emoji.
Jamal smiled pulling out his laptop. He stopped to watch the sun set. Then pulled the curtains closed.
“When did you get here?”
Jamal slowly turned around. “I few hours ago. How are you feeling?” Jamal pushed the button to call the nurse.
“When are they releasing me?”
Jamal released a sigh of relief. “As soon as the doctors give you the green light and not a moment sooner.”
“How’s Donna?”
“Worried.”
John dropped his head. “I’ll call her after the nurses leave.”
Jamal stood back while they checked his vitals. Thirty minutes later they sat alone with the tv running in the background.
He cleared his throat. “Dad.”
“Yes.” John looked up sitting his iPad aside.
“Thank you.” He’d never called John, dad but it felt right. This scare was all he needed to right his wrongs with his parents.
“For what?”
“Everything.”
He chuckled removing his readers, brushing away his tears. Jamal realized the word meant just a much to John and it did to him. It took every ounce of control not to shed a tear himself.
“You’d have to be more specific Son.”
“For accepting me as your son and into your family. For my career and for teaching me about family and business and being a man.”
“It’s been my pleasure. Most men have sons who want nothing to do with the businesses they’ve built. Can you imagine building a legacy for your family and no one wants to carry the torch?” He shakes his head in disbelief. “And here I am, a man who never intended to have children, and now I have five. Who are thriving, self sufficient, and…” his voice cracks, “I can’t ask for me. It would be pure selfishness on my part.”
“I’m sorry.” Jamal dropped his head unable to meet John’s eyes. “I’ve run hard and fast from you and Donna after you’ve done so much for me.”
“Don’t be sorry. Your life taught you to run from a lot of things. But look at you. You’re here now and I’m proud of you. Besides, you can run but you can’t hide.”
Jamal laughed brushing away his tears. “Yeah, I think Damian got his PI skills from Ma.”
John’s laughter filled the room and Jamal felt whole. For once in his life, he had the things that once seemed unobtainable. Parents, siblings, friends, and Carmela. The things he said he didn’t want, when in reality it was all wanted. To belong.
“So, how’d New Orleans go?” John asked.
“Pop, I don’t know. I’m crazy about Carmela but the business stuff is messy.”
“Tell me about it.”
Jamal broke down the situation. “I believe her father is embezzling the funds and she’s touring nonstop trying to keep the a vicious cycle afloat.”
“What type of deal are you proposing?”
“I don’t know yet. I’d hate to take her independence from her, but she’d be amazing at RSE. Have Cameron oversee her management and Bruce with the music.”
“But is that what she wants?”
“She wants Crescendo opened and to not have to oversee the financial matters of her music business.”
“That sounds like a great pairing for her and RSE.”
“It would be if she wasn’t a package deal. She wants to maintain her existing management.”
“That won’t work. Not if he’s set on running her career in the same manner.”
“Tell me about it.” Jamal dreaded the conversation already. “Any advice?”
“Family ties and business ties are like invisible leashes. You don’t know they exist until you try walkaway. Then inevitably you’re yanked back to your starting place. So, Son, be patient with her. But also know when to cut your ties.”
“Yes, sir.”
They sat in a comfortable silence.
“When you say, crazy…do you mean grands are on the way?”
“Really Pops?!”
* * *
All the Hughes are packed in the family home like the good old days huddled around John. Today, Damian, Imani and Wright took the guest house. Jamal and Jake, Jr. shared a room, leaving Charlotte and Katlin together. Jamal tiptoed down the hall to the family room to wait on Carmela’s daily call.
John stayed in the hospital for a week and now he’s home. Donna demanded leave his job immediately. John did it without a word. Maybe they’ll take that vacation.
Jamal sat the video baby monitor on the island, opening the refrigerator to get some juice. His phone rung as he closed the door.
“Hey Gorgeous.”
“Hey back, handsome.” Carmela coughed so hard it made his chest hurt.
Jamal snagged the monitor and went to sit in the family room. “What was that?”
“A nasty cold that is driving me insane. How’s Pops?”
“Don’t side step my question. Are you taking something for it?”
“I’ll stop at a drug store once we get to Jackson. Now update me on the family reunion.”
Every night he had a tale to tell. Tonight was about Wright—Damian and Imani’s son. Jamal glanced at the monitor seeing Wright tossing his head a few times before falling back to sleep.
“Tonight I have a roommate. We had dinner and played Uno. When Damian and Imani got ready to head out Wright wouldn’t let me go.”
“Ahhhh Uncle Jamal in the house.” Jamal shook his head. Her laughter morphed into a fit of coughing.
“La.” The warning in his tone was clear.
“I’m stopping at CVS or Walgreens as soon as we hit town. This weather and hopping from state to state makes it hard to stay healthy. How’s babysitting?”
“It’s fun. Wright is an old soul. He sits back with his legs crossed observing the world with his favorite uncle.”
“Don’t let Jake, Jr. hear that.” Carmela recalls their names as if she’s met them before.
“I can’t wait for you to meet everyone over the holidays.”
“For a man set on not being a keeper, you sure you want me to meet your family. They might fall in love with me.” They wouldn’t be the only one.
“One night in this house and you’d gladly run back to New Orleans.” It was an exaggeration because this week has been close to perfection, minus John’s illness.
“I doubt it. I want that one day. I house full of people filled with food and music and love. Christmas trees, Thanksgiving turkeys, Juneteenth BBQs. I want it all.” Her voice fades but he didn’t miss the wistful tone in her voice. “What about you? Do you see yourself having a family of your own?”
“Not really. My entire childhood I was seen as a burden or a paycheck. And for most families I was both. Except for
maybe once.”
“What happened?”
“Trying to get me to bare my soul.” He wanted to dodge the question, but she’d been open concerning her childhood and relationships with her family.
“Not if you don’t want to. I’m curious. It must seem, I don’t know…odd to have this type of connection with a family after being on your own for most of your life.”
“It was for the first few years. But John and Donna let me move at my own pace. I’d sit quiet for most of the holiday. They used to joke about forgetting I was in the house.” He laughed.
“You still do that.”
“Do what?”
“Hide.”
Jamal sat up, feeling exposed. “What do you mean?”
“It’s like you know how to disappear.”
He thought about it. “When?”
“Remember when you booked the rehearsal space. You stayed but off to the side. You move so quiet I’d miss you if my heart....”
“Your heart what La?” He held his breath knowing what she’d say before she said it.
“If my heart didn’t already know where you were.”
“La, where are you?” She was putting a spell over him. He’d never revealed so much about himself and his past, now all he wanted was to hold her. His patience was running thin.
“I’m on a bus, heading straight to Jackson, Mississippi.”
“I’m gonna—”
“Don’t Jamal. It’s hard enough on the road. Missing you makes it worse.”
“Sweetheart, don’t say that.”
“It’s the truth.” The silence heighten his resolve to close the distance between them. “Did Wright kick you out of the bed?”
Jamal dropped back, rubbing a hand over his head and down his face.
“Don’t give up on me.” Carmela whispered.
“Never.” He took a deep breath trying to exhale his frustration. He’d let her change the subject for now. “Yeah. He kicked me all in my back. I kept sliding over and he’d follow me in his sleep.”
“He was following your warmth.” The heat in her tone made him growl in frustration.
Jamal had to hold on to their upcoming trip to Houston. She managed to get the additional ten shows pushed out to after January and February. They’d have at least a couple of weeks to enjoy each other.
“Is this worse than you thought?” She finally asked.
“Yes. Didn’t think I’d miss you this much.” He whispered in the dark of the family room. To be surrounded by his family, having a great time, but in his heart he wanted Carmela. “I thought this time would help me gain perspective.”
“Oh. About what exactly?”
“You. Us.” He sat forward listening to her rough cough feeling helpless. Until he realized, he’s not. He’s a man with many things at his disposal.
“What conclusions have you made?”
“That I want you in my life. And I’m prepared to do what it takes to get and keep you.”
“Good. Because I feel the same.”
Her words pulverized the last of his resistance to a relationship, and love, and whatever it took to build a life with Carmela. Now he had to go see his lady.
Chapter 22
Carmela stepped out of the bus leaving the dancers behind. The venue was a hole in the wall without a dressing room and the stage was big enough for the her and the DJ. Gabriel was pissed about the location and the lack of security. But the show goes on.
“La Luvie!” A fan screamed from the line outside. Carmela waved walking faster to get inside.
This was the fifth subpar club booked as a “theatre” or “music hall.” Carmela was thankful for her fans but disappointed yet again by Richard and Marcel. And to make matters worse, she was fighting a nasty cold.
“We can cancel.” Gabriel was on one side.
“La, I think you should. They have metal detectors at this joint.” Mike D , the tour DJ, said keeping pace with her.
“They paid their money and we’ll give them a show.”
“Fine.” Gabriel barked. “Mike shorten the transitions from five to two minutes and La cut the outfit changes. If they call fowl I’ll show them the rider requirements.”
That would make the show forty-five minutes tops. They agreed and entered the club from the side door. After five weeks of touring, she was ready for a good night of sleep. But they didn’t have a break for three more weeks. The only thing making this entire tour bearable was her nightly calls with Jamal.
She smiled at the thought of this morning waking up with the phone beside her and hearing his soft sores on the other end. She missed him more every day. Wright’s cry in the monitor woke them both up. She blew him a kiss and Jamal went off to his uncle duties.
Mike opened the door and the haze of smoke welcomed them. Carmela coughed until her eyes watered. “That’s definitely not cigarette smoke.”
“Cut the transitions entirely.” Gabriel demanded.
“You got it. Let me set up.” Mike D cut to the right, leaving them to wait.
The air inside was stuffy. Carmela used two of her locs to secure her hair off her neck. Gabriel put his hand on her lower back guiding her towards the stage, blocking her body from the crowd.
“They oversold this place.” Carmela could barely see past Gabriel. They were told it was a show for 200 people. She guessed the room held twice that amount. “I’m making an executive call. We’re not doing anymore shows until one of them calls us. This is ridiculous and it’s unsafe.”
“I’m with you.” Carmela agreed.
Gabriel helped her onto the stage. Then he walked down to the front. When they worked small clubs like this one, he stood almost directly in front of her. That way if something jumps off, he’d have her off the stage within seconds.
Carmela gave Mike a thumbs up and he started the music. Small venues didn’t have the special lights and sound systems. It was her, the stage, and her fans.
“Whatcha know about a NOLA chick?” Carmela called from the side to get the crowd’s attention. And it worked. The guys yelled but the women yelled louder. She took center stage, turning from the mic for a second to cough. Her chest rattled in protest. “DJ, you know what time it is.”
The concert started. Carmela worked the small stage like an arena. She didn’t miss a beat, and by the time she reached the last song, she was thankful Gabriel cut the show short.
Carmela yelled good night walking to the end of the stage in search of Gabriel. But in his place was…. Her heart stopped and her feet ran. Carmela dove off the stage into his arms.
“Jamal what are you doing here?” She said surprised by this unpredictable man.
“I was tired of missing you.” He whispered in her ear, carrying her out the side door. “Kiss me La.”
“I can’t or you’ll catch my cold.” She held he face close to hers, kissing everywhere her lips landed but his mouth.
“I don’t give a damn, I’ve waited over a month to kiss your sweet lips. Kiss me.”
She gladly followed his orders. When she pulled back her heart sang with joy.
Jamal stopped beside a black SUV. “What’s the next tour stop?”
“Montgomery. But we may cut this tour short.”
“Short?” She felt Jamal’s arms tense.
“I’ll let La explain.”
Carmela couldn’t keep her eyes off of him. She ran a finger along his goatee, brushing the edge of his lips. Her heart pounded and he kissed her fingertips. He was more handsome than before.
“Gabriel, I’ll have her there on time.” He called over his shoulder before the driver opened the door. Jamal carefully placed her inside.
“I need my bag.” She bounced across the seat making room for him.
“Don’t worry, I got you.” He slammed the door closed.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” Her face hurt from smiling. Carmela ran a hand over his smooth head pulling him to her. The moment his lips touched hers the stress from the tour and toni
ght’s show left her body. “Where are you taking me?”
“Does it matter?” The man is finer than he was a month ago.
“No, you could take me anywhere and I’d go.”
“That’s what your man wanna here.” He nibbled down her neck.
“My man?” She reached for his hem of his shirt, stopping short. “Where’s your blue suit Mr. Washington?”
Jamal laughed. “I’m not showing up in the hood with a suit. Now stop talking. I have less than 24 hours to make up for lost time.”
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
Jamal kissed her from the SUV to the elevator and from the elevator to the suite. He kicked the door closed once inside she took several steps back not pulling her eyes from his.
He removed his sweatshirt tossing it to the floor.
She removed her crop top then anticipation creeped through his body as her bra slipped from her fingers. He licked his lips ready to devour her, savoring every inch of her tonight. Then he’d get to the bottom of this hood tour.
Jamal slipped his thumbs into the waistband of his sweats, stopping to kicked them off. She followed his lead flicking her pants at him.
He wrapped his hands around her waist bringing her body to his. His thumbs brushed the soft skin above her navel. Her sexy lace bra and thong had him harder than a brick.
Carmela draped her arms around his neck. She kissed him slow and deep. Then she pulled back glancing into his eyes. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” He picked her up, please when she wrapped her legs around his waist. He carried her back to the bathroom. She had him wrapped around her finger and he didn’t give a damn who knew it. “Let me wash the club off of you. Because I plan to enjoy every inch of your sweet body.”
He reached for the faucet and Carmela gripped him. “La….”
“I just want a little taste.” She stroked him, causing his eyes to slide shut.
“Not until I can taste you.” He kissed her quick, slipping from her grip. “And not until we shower because we smell like weed and Hennessy.”
Carmela laughed and he stopped as happiness filled him. And in that moment he knew he was in love. He thought he didn’t want this. To have his happiness and his life intertwined with anyone. But he knew from the moment he saw her that it was a lie. He was just waiting for someone special. He was waiting for her.
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