Page 67 of Love's Free Will

She came over and wrapped her arms around me, holdin’ me tight for a long second. I kissed her forehead and headed out.

Five days later,we were boarding a plane in Hartsfield Jackson. A five hour plane ride later in the comfort of first class and we landed. LAX was loud, fast and chaotic like always. I hated it and missed it at the same time. I came out to LA a lot, always needing to come to the label to get shit done. I never stayed this long though, but this time I was on a mission.

Cory had arranged everything. Black Escalade waitin’ outside. Keys already in the hands of the driver--Andy. Zay already complaining about how he ain’t get no window seat.

We pulled up to the house, which was located in the Hollywood Hills late afternoon, sun just startin’ to cool off the sky. Soon as I stepped out the truck and caught a glimpse of the crib, I knew Cory understood the assignment.

Clean lines, neutral tones, privacy and most importantly, space. The backyard looked like a music video. Pool, hot tub, firepit, string lights over elegant ass seating. A BBQ setup that’d make my mama jealous. Inside was just as dope—modern, warm, and laid-back. There was a chef’s kitchen, spa-style bath, rooms for Cory and Zay, and an enormous master bedroom suite which I wasdefinitelyclaiming for myself.

I dropped my bags upstairs in the master and called up Nas. We had been communicating a lot since I met the crew. He checked on me a lot after the news broke about King and I appreciated that from him.

He answered on the second ring. “Yo!”

“What’s good, my boy? I’m in yo’ city.”

Nas laughed. “Damn, you don’t waste time. You tryna link?”

“Perch tonight?”

“Say less. I’ll meet you there.”

The night hadthat perfect kind of chill—cool enough to keep the air crisp but warm enough to still be out on a rooftop. Downtown lights flickered below us like they knew somebody important had just touched down.

I leaned back into the booth at Perch, city skyline stretched out like a backdrop in a music video, nursing a Henny neat while waitin’ on Nasseem. Felt like the world had kept moving while I was stuck somewhere between rage and regret.

When he finally walked up, I stood to dap him up. “My guy,” I said, clapping hands and pulling him in for a half-hug.

“Royal fuckin’’ Teegan,” he grinned. “Back in LA like you ain’t just burned down the internet last month.”

I smirked, dropping back into my seat. “You know I had to make a lil' noise. Ain’t no fun in movin’ quiet no more.”

He slid into the seat across from me. “You been good?”

“I’m doing as good as can be expected,” I muttered. “Just tryna stay out the bullshit honestly.”

“Yeah, I heard some of the bullshit still found you.”

I chuckled dryly, rubbing my hand over my face. “Too much of it.”

A server came by to take our orders—I got the braised short ribs and truffle fries with garlic butter, he got the salmon with saffron rice, then we were alone again under the hum of rooftop jazz and low lighting.

“I been hearin’ about what you been workin’ on. Westlake Ave is dope as fuck.” Nasseem said. “That album’s lookin’ like it’s gonna shake shit up.”

“Appreciate that,” I nodded. “Put my whole heart in that shit.”

He glanced at me, reading deeper than I wanted him to. “And what about that other shit? You fixin’ that too?”

I knew what he meant. I hesitated before answering, looking out at the skyline like it had answers for me. “She don’t know I’m out here.”

He raised an eyebrow. “She don’t?”

“Nah. I ain’t say nothin’. I wanted to get my business right before I even think about showing up talkin’ slick.”

Nas sipped his drink slowly, eyes on me the whole time. “That why you asked me out here? To check the temperature?”

“Nah,” I shrugged. “I fuck with you. Real recognize real. Just figured if anybody had eyes on her, it’d be you.”

He leaned back, folded his arms. “Averi’s… man, she surviving. But she ain’t really there, you feel me?” I didn’t answer, but I felt my jaw lock up. “She show up when the crew link up,” he continued. “But it’s like—her body be in the room,but her soul somewhere else, you feel me? Ain’t the same Ave. You ask if she good? She’ll say yeah, but that ‘yeah’ got silence behind it.” I stared down at my drink, suddenly not as interested in finishing it. “She don’t bring you up,” he added after a beat. “But she don’t got to. You in every room she step in. Just not the way you supposed to be.”

---