Page 69 of Love's Free Will

I opened the folder. There was a breakdown of week-by-week deliverables: interviews, digital content, behind-the-scenes footage, influencer engagement, playlist targeting, podcast appearances, press week with select outlets. A mini doc-style short film about the making of the album, with a special feature on Westlake Ave.

“Damn,” I muttered, impressed. “You already got the blueprint laid out.”

She offered the faintest smile. “I don’t do anything halfway.”

I looked over the promo visuals mockups—dark-toned, vulnerable and artistic. It was masculine but refined. Everything about it screamed elevation. She even had brand collabs listed: fashion houses, sneaker brands, maybe even a liquor deal in the works.

“I’m with it,” I said, looking up. “All of it.”

Kylei cocked her head slightly. “No second-guessing? No ‘I’ll get back to you’?”

“Nah,” I said, leaning forward. “Ain’t nothin’ to get back to. I’m serious. I need this pivot. The right team. The right voice behind me. And from what I see, you don’t miss. Plus, I’ll never be against making a bag. My little sister just started at Spelman, tuition ain’t cheap.”

She smiled for real this time. “Then let’s get to work.” We stood and shook hands, and this time, it felt like a deal was being sealed—one that could change the trajectory of my whole career. “One last thing,” she said as I started to head toward the door. “You’re talented. But what separates stars from legends is how they recover from their worst season. Your brother’s passing was tragic. You had some slip ups in dealing with it but today starts a new day. Keep that in mind.”

I nodded. “Already in my chest. Trust me.”

She gave a single approving nod and turned back toward her desk. I walked out feeling something I hadn’t felt in a minute—clarity. This was the first real step toward becoming who I was supposed to be. I just hated the fact that King wasn’t here to see it happen with me.

Later that nightI found myself at the LA Records studio inside of the Biggie Suite. I had one more track to get out, one last verse to lay. It was a last minute decision; one I was glad I made. Being back in the studio felt… right. Like I could breathe again.

Just me, Zay, and the engineer. The mic was hot, and the lights were low. I pulled out the notepad I’d scribbled in on the plane and took a deep breath.

5AM and the silence hittin’ different now,

I keep hearin’ your laugh echo through this empty house.

You was my shadow, my right hand, my day one,

Now I’m talkin’ to your picture like it’s gon' say somethin’.

If I was there, maybe we both would’ve stood tall...

But maybe we both would’ve just took the fall.

I been tryna drown the pain with the loud and the liquor,

But the flashbacks hit me quicker than the trigger.

Wish I could trade places, give you one more sunrise,

One more chain, one more toast, one more ride.

But all I got is regrets and this beat on loop,

Writin' eulogies in verses, just me in the booth.

This was going to be track 12 on my album. The song was called,5AM. It was raw, honest and filled with a quiet pain. Ipoured everything into it. Every bar, every line, every beat of my heart that I hadn’t let myself feel in weeks. When the playback hit, I closed my eyes and let it wrap around me. This wasn’t just another track. It was my tribute to my big brother the best way I knew how.

18

AVERI

Thursday night at 7even had become my favorite part about being home again. I missed my girls, missed our sacred girls’ nights every Thursday and with my life in Cali back in full swing, so was this tradition.

Our room was already full of laughter and half-empty martini glasses by the time I slid into the velvet corner seat beside Egypt. The glow of the gold pendant lights above us softened everything—our skin, our moods, the messiness of life outside this room. The smell of lemon pepper wings, truffle fries, and hookah smoke floated through the air like comfort. Sevyn had already made sure our favorite private room was reserved. He always looked out.

“So how do you think the table read went earlier?” I asked Serenity and Egypt taking a sip from my martini glass.

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