Mahogany: The Love Drought Series

by Nako

  “In the tub. How about you go get ready to take a bath too?”

  He smelled like outside, so he figured that’s what Mahogany would tell him anyway.

  “Okay!” Kareem was such a good kid and smart too.

  Porter went back to cleaning the kitchen, something he didn’t do at home but gave him peace doing it at her place. When he was done, he went back to working on his iPad, while waiting on Mahogany to call for him.

  Genesis walked through the living room, seemingly headed back out the door. He was dressed in all-black with a hoodie pulled over his afro.

  “Be safe,” Porter said coolly. Not knowing what he was into, but it couldn’t be nothing good. Mahogany had enough on her plate and worrying about him getting into trouble didn’t need to be added.

  Genesis only nodded his head again and then left. Porter knew how it felt to be that age, lost and alone. Feeling like no one heard you or understood you. That’s what he saw when he looked into that boy’s eyes.

  “Lock the door behind him!”

  His misses had rung, and he did as she told him to, then walked into her small bedroom that shouldn’t even be considered a master. He saw her applying lotion to her legs and feet.

  “Let me do that for you.”

  She was still damp from her bath.

  “Kareem is in the tub,” she warned, knowing how Porter’s “help” normally turned into a full-out sex session.

  He wasn’t good at self-control and hell, she wasn’t either.

  “Not checking for you...yet.”

  She smiled at him, as he bent down and lifted her feet to him.

  “I know you think I’m a drama queen…”

  He smiled back at her. “Not at all.”

  “Today was one of those days…” she conceded.

  He knew how that could be.

  “We all have em’ baby and I promise your time is coming. A year from now you gon’ look back at these days and be in amazement at how far you’ve come. Mark my words,” he was only speaking from a true experience.

  “Porter, I feel like you’re the only that believes in me…also Juice and Muncho.” She couldn’t leave out her guys.

  “That’s ‘cus no one has heard your new stuff yet. I’m going to let some people come hear the EP. It’s almost done, right?”

  She leaned back. “Hmm hmm…” The foot massage was heavenly and much needed.

  “Now how you gon be making all them noises?” He was turned on immediately.

  She tried to act all innocent. “What? I ain’t even say nothing.”

  He knew what she was doing, and he had a trick for that ass. Just as soon as she put Kareem to sleep…

  Their sex was transforming into love-making and he wondered had she picked up on it. Slow, sticky, and sensual. Deep penetration and eye-gazing. Holding each other close during high climaxes… They were highly compatible in and out of the bedroom. Porter was trying his hardest to pace himself. He was falling in love with Mahogany.

  η

  “What y’all think?” he finally asked them after Mahogany’s debut EP had been played twice. The room was silent.

  For the occasion, he rented the covered rooftop at this swanky Thai restaurant in Soho. D’usse sponsored the event, although it was only fifteen people present. A few of his trusted friends and a handful of industry execs. Porter asked Mahogany if she want to invite any of her family and friends, she laughed him off, saying, “Boy, you know it’s me and my two boys.”

  He wanted to know more about her background, not what he read in her file. Her mother was serving time in prison, but did she visit her? Did they have a relationship? Did she go to the yearly family reunion? Her last name wasn’t too common. What was the story behind it? Did she talk to her Pops? She was closed off when it came to her past and Porter assumed that it was because she thought he would judge her, but he would never. He only wanted to learn about her and love her. Nothing more or less.

  Yara was nestled in Quentin’s lap. He only saw them react to two of the seven songs. They were opinionated beings and that was one reason why he wanted their feedback. Over the years, they had become a respectable duo in the music industry. They broke records and discovered artists. Yara had a good ear for music and when QB came through, he added the golden touch and made legends.

  Juice was nervous as shit too. He and Mahogany had developed a strong bond over the past two months as they worked hand in hand along with Muncho to create this EP.

  His girl was shitting bricks as she waited on someone…anyone to speak. She didn’t sit by Porter during the listening.

  “I don’t care if your friends think we talk, we’re not confirming or validating anything tonight. This is business,” she told him firmly, as they got dressed a few hours prior.

  He didn’t protest, wanting to respect her wishes and her stance on their relationship.

  He winked at her and she lowered her head.

  “Anybody?” he asked again for feedback.

  Casey scratched his head and said, “Well, she’s beautiful. Beats are fye. Did Tye Keith do that last track? It sounds like him.”

  What about the songs though...and how Mahogany sounded over the beat?

  Porter’s heart was thumping, he was nervous.

  He loved the EP, he had been listening to it on repeat and didn’t want to be bias. Feedback was necessary. He needed to know if his baby had it.

  “I liked four out of the seven songs,” Quentin finally chimed in.

  Porter nodded his head. “Come on with it, Yara.”

  She rolled her eyes at him, playfully.

  “Work is needed, I’m sure you know that. I would suggest a vocal coach to train her chords and get her in range. She obviously has a sound that she’s comfortable with, but we don’t grow when we’re comfortable. The fact that she already has a name coming from a rap group that did well, the buzz won’t be hard to get back popping. I would also suggest that I manage her.” She winked her eye and sat back.

  Mahogany’s eyes lit up.

  “What about the songs though? She wrote them herself.”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “They were good. I didn’t love any of them, I liked them all. If you’re asking me is there a hit on the EP? No.”

  Yara then added, “Again, with some work, she’ll do well. I can see you being the next Cardi, with the right management and team behind you.” She looked directly at Mahogany as she spoke the latter.

  Once the GOATS broke their silence, everyone was a little more comfortable to speak on how they felt. Juice made mental notes of the comments and Mahogany took it all in. Porter motioned for her to come closer and say something.

  She looked…magnificent. In gray acid-wash jeans, a black corset top, a sheer sparkly floor-length camisole with black red bottoms and a smoky eye made up face, she was drop-dead gorgeous, and many wondered where P discover her. Her signature long blonde weave was pressed straight with a middle part and P had her wrist and ears shining. She looked like a million bucks, which made the execs more confident of what was to possibly come from the young girl from South Florida.

  Mahogany had been working on her speech. Although, she sounded gutter on the microphone, she never wanted to be judged for her heavy tongue and country dialect.

  “Thanks so much for coming out tonight…and giving me feedback. I really appreciate it and I will take all of this into consideration. I want to also thank P for everything.” She turned to him and crossed her legs.

  “Thank you for listening to me, for believing in me, pushing me to go harder. This is only the beginning. And to Juice and Muncho, we' got some work to do.” She blushed and then clapped her hands, happily.

  As if on cue, the DJ played her music again and everyone began to socialize. Porter fell into a conversation with Casey and Carmen while Mahogany was pulled to the side by Yara.

  “I hope that you really heard what I said. Me and my husband really liked your sound and it’s different. Cardi is from up here and y
ou’re from the South. Oher than Trina, it hasn’t been an artist to blow up and that could be you.”

  Mahogany heard what she said, yet didn’t agree.

  “Well, it’s a lot of people out right now, even though they aren’t mainstream.”

  “Like who?” Yara would love to know.

  “Lightskin Teisha, Bossy Doll, Tokyo Planez...”

  She smiled at her and touched her arm. “Those are all great artists, sweetheart, but we’re talking about creating a legacy. Becoming a household name and not only becoming famous but endorsement deals, ads…”

  Porter swung in and pulled Mahogany close to him. “Relax Yara, she’s in good hands. Trust me.”

  “She’ll be in even better hands with me…”

  And he knew it. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”

  He excused them and took her to meet a few of his other comrades.

  Casey told Yara, “He’s not playing about that one…”

  Yara looked at him. “Me neither. I see something in her.”

  Quentin was ready to be out, so they made their exit quietly.

  Once the rooftop cleared, all that remained was Juice, Muncho, Casey, Porter and Mahogany, who had her feet in her man’s lap now that the night was over.

  “How soon are we jumping back in?” She was anxious to take the critiques and perfect her EP.

  All eyes landed on P.

  “I want you to go to LA and work with my girl out there, she’s a beast. I think we should re-record the whole thing.”

  “Scratch the entire project?” Mahogany jumped up.

  Casey saw her hands shaking. Lil Pitbull must’ve had an anger problem.

  Porter sighed, “Yeah, new songs, beats…everything.”

  Muncho seemed a little disappointed in hearing that, but he had gotten paid and that’s all that should matter. Porter had to do what was best for Mahogany.

  “The fuck? Because your friends didn’t hop up and back flip over the songs, I gotta redo it? That’s not fair. And who the fuck finna fly all the way to California? I have to work. Kareem has school…”

  This wasn’t a conversation that they should be having in front of people.

  “We’ll iron out the details later,” that was a cool way of him saying to let it go.

  Luckily, she caught the hint.

  “I’ll see y’all later.” She slid her feet off his lap and back into her red bottoms. Grabbed her Celine purse, courtesy of him too and left.

  Juice felt where she was coming from and spoke on it, “No disrespect boss, but it’s like all our hard work was for nothing.”

  Muncho chimed in, “FACTS.”

  Porter said, “Not at all and I appreciate every hour y’all put into it. It’s still going to be a great collection but trust me when I say that if they were fuckin with it for real, we would’ve known. Not one person rushed to praise the EP. What does that mean? If niggas that get paid to do this on a regular didn’t have much to say, what do y’all think the Internet is gon’ do? Drag the fuck out of it and then you’ll really feel like your hard work was for nothing. It’s all about the timing. Patience is key.” He tapped his watch.

  Casey agreed with him there, “Yeah and sometimes you gotta pull back and make sure you’re not doing shit ‘cus the pussy good. Ya feel me?”

  Juice’s head jerked around to Casey.

  Muncho was taken back as well. That nigga was tripping.

  “Aye y’all, good looking. Thanks for coming out tonight and supporting Mahogany. I’ll be in touch about LA for the both of you. I want y’all to go out there too. Well, Muncho for sure. Juice, you need to be getting back to work,” he said, hurriedly.

  They got the hint. He wanted the room clear.

  As soon as they all dapped up and dipped, Porter swiped under his nose and stood up, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

  “Say that again?”

  “Nigga, don’t be standing up like you gon’ do something. I’m just saying dawg, the EP was wack!” He shrugged his shoulders, nonchalantly.

  “Okay and you’re entitled to your opinion, but to imply that I’m doing this shit strictly off a bedroom experience was out of line, Case,” he stated his disposition.

  “Don’t give me that shit, P. I know how you are, that’s all I’m saying.” He chuckled although nothing he said was amusing.

  “Please enlighten me, how am I?”

  Casey downed his drink. He had lost count on how many he had, something he had been doing a lot lately.

  “You enjoy saving people. You wanna be the reason bitches smile and shit.”

  That was far from the truth.

  “Where is this coming from?” he had to ask.

  Casey shook his head at his clueless friend. “Come on man, prime example: Kim. She was on her last leg modeling. She was washed up as fuck and you were her comeback. Supermodel Kimberann is currently dating Pretty Boy P. Sugar mama shit at its finest, but instead, you brought her back to life. Now, years later, look what you’re doing…taking this project hoe-”

  He was unsuccessful at completing his thought.

  Porter punched the fuck out of him, leaving him on the floor gaping with his feet in the air.

  “Goodnight bruh.” He stepped over him and exited the rooftop.

  An hour later, after he had calmed down and shook his best friend’s commentary from his mental, he found himself tapping on Mahogany’s door. He was in a place of wanting and needing her at the same damn time.

  She answered the door, groggily. Her makeup was gone, hair tied and in one of his shirts that he left over.

  “What P?” She was mad at him and didn’t want to be bothered. Plus, she was tired as hell. Working all week and finishing up the EP only to have it downed by her man had taken a toll on her.

  “I need you baby,” his words slurred a tad. He was drunk and high at the same damn time, and she wasn’t in the mood. However, she wouldn’t send him back to his side of town this late at night and not with all the ice he had on. Thankfully, no one had tried to rob his ass on the way into her building.

  She helped him to her bed and undressed him from head to toe, then rolled over to the side that had been deemed his on the nights that he slept with her.

  “You love me, Mahogany?” he asked, sadly.

  Yeah, he was drunk.

  “Go to bed, P.”

  He pulled her close and snuggled against her, giving her one sloppy Patron-scented kiss to her lips.

  “Love the fuck outta you, girl. Can’t no nigga tell me that I don’t.”

  C H A P T E R 15

  You the baddest bitch thus far – Jay-Z

  “Californiaaaaa, knows how to party and…me and a few bad bitches brought the real niggas out-”

  “Nope. Start over.”

  The team that Porter had arranged for her to work with in LA were like the real deal Holyfield. Studio sessions were scheduled, and they started on time. It was the complete opposite of what she had grown used to back home with Juice and Muncho. Mahogany was working on wearing her emotions on her sleeve and allowing people to know that they affected her. Her attitude was a work in progress, it was something that she wanted to get in check because her mouth was fly, and she’d dog a walk a hoe in a hot second. The vibe in LA was uptight. When she started to text P and complain, she erased the message and counted her blessings. These guys worked with the greats, the people who she aspired to become like one day, so she constantly told herself that they were the experienced ones and she wasn’t.

  “Okay.”

  She took a swig of water that was peppered with cayenne, lemon and a dash of apple cider vinegar. On top of being in the studio all night, Porter had her with a trainer for an hour every morning. No more Hot Cheetos, honey buns and big cups of sweet tea or red Kool-Aid. She hadn’t had a hot wing in days and was fiending for a ten piece, extra wet, topped with lemon pepper sprinkles.

  Porter called it “bootcamp”, she called it a major fuckin’ sacrifice.

/>   The beat dropped again, and she started over, giving it her best and only praying that this was the take they were looking for since this was her almost fifteenth time saying the same four lil’ lines.

  She closed her eyes, danced to the beat, and came in when she wanted to, versus waiting for a cue. When she was done she took a gasp and then slowly opened her eyes.

  Everyone in the studio was on their feet and were clapping and dapping each other up.

  Noah, a heavy hitter in the industry who had a great ear for music, told her, “YOOOOOO, YOU KILLED THAT SHIT! COME HEAR IT!”

  She ran out of the booth to get a better listen. Her eyes lit up as they played it for her.

  “Is that me?” she didn’t even sound the same.

  Mahogany wondered was that a good or bad thing...

  “HELL YEAH, and we didn’t even add the auto tone. Vocal lessons are paying off.” She had been sticking with that as well. Everything that Yara suggested, P took it all into consideration and only hired the best for his baby.

  “This is not me.”

  The song was one of those cuts that you could roll too, skate, clean your house up, all of that shit. Overall, it made you feel good. It was one of those jams that you and your girls could do at Karaoke or at a girls’ night in on some drunk shit.

  “Come on, we got a hit to put together.”

  She spent the next three hours finishing the song and when she was done, she fell out on the floor. Mahogany’s feet were aching, and her throat was dry. She was tired and sweaty.

  “I think we’re good to go. You can head home.”

  That was music to her ears.

  She had barely talked to her brother and son since she got to Cali. All she wanted right now was to take a long shower and catch up with her family via Facetime. Porter was flying them out this weekend and she couldn’t wait.

  After she talked to them and sent her love, she called her baby, but he texted and promised to call her back once he made it home. It was about eleven o’clock and she was too sleepy to wait up. Mahogany was out like a light.