22. Unforgettable 🤩

To keep my mind off of where we were headed, I turned to Zeke. "Can I ask you something?" I drummed my fingers on my knees.

"What's up?" Zeke kept his eyes on his phone.

I hesitated before speaking, "Umm... That family photo that's over the fireplace in the kitchen... you were a little boy and you were pointing and your eyes were squinted." I smiled just thinking about it. "How old were you?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe 7 or 8 years old."

I sighed, "Well, there's also a garden in your backyard with a maze..."

"I haven't been back there in years."

Now, I know he's lying. I sighed as I turned to look out the window. "How far away is this party?"

"We'll be there soon."

This is going nowhere. I reached for my purse and opened it. I grabbed my phone to see that I had 2 missed calls  and one text from Monica. I clicked on her message and instantly laughed out loud.

Monica: GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLL

I pressed on the call button and held the phone to my ear as it rang.

Monica answered before the first full ring. "Jamie, I'm gonna hurt you. I went to your job looking like who-shot-John and here comes this beautiful man with his beautiful face, strong body, and that voice. I even asked if he works for the radio station at night."

In our deepest baritones, we said in unison, "You're listening to 103.5 R&B at night." We both laughed.

Monica shouted, "I can't believe you worked with that and left! Are you blind?"

I smacked my lips. "Monica, I'm following my dreams."

"Jamie, that man is the dream! At first, I was gonna shoot my shot, but then, I came to my senses."

I arched my brow. "Monica, what are you talking about? I was actually hoping you'd find him attractive, because I think y'all would be great together."

"You think anybody would be great with me just so I'd stop blowing up your phone."

That's about 80% true, but she doesn't need to be told that. "You have a great personality; therefore, you shouldn't be single."

"Says the person that gets upset whenever I tell her the same thing." Monica caught my bluff.

I smiled, "Anyway, did you give him the key?"

"Forget the key and the check. He followed me to your apartment. I gave him a tour of your bedroom and closet, 'cause that's the size of the entire apartment. He said he likes how clean you are. Girl, I was glad you made up the bed and washed the dishes. You know how you do, sometimes."

I rolled my eyes.

Monica continued, "He did ask if it was okay for him to bring some of his furniture in from his storage. I said I'd ask you first."

"Oh, yeah. That's fine," I granted the permission.

"Good, 'cause I already told him you wouldn't mind. He did say that he was looking for a place, and if he found one before your lease was up, that he would stay at your place until your lease is up. Ain't that so sweet? I said 'boy, you better move into your new place. I'll check on my cousin stuff. Trust me, it ain't going nowhere unless she becomes rich and famous.'"

I chuckled, "Monica, how long did you talk his ear off?"

"Not long. He ordered pizza for us and even asked if I wanted to watch this documentary he found on YouTube. You know I don't watch anything without getting paid. So, I declined."

"Monica?" She could really use a filter. "How long did you talk to him?"

"Umm... I think I left about ten minutes ago... yeah. That's about right."

"Monica, he has to open the store in the morning." I took the phone from my ear to see the time. "It's almost ten o'clock."

Monica chuckled, "I knew it!"

"Knew what?" I balled my hand into a fist. I wanted to snatch her up through the phone.

"You like him. I'll admit I'd do the same thing if there was a handsome man that needed a place to stay while I was away. There's no better way to let a man get to know you without making it too obvious. I mean, it's obvious to me, but I get it. It's cute or whatever," she finished.

"Monica, I gotta go."

"Oh, you mad now that I figured your little plan out? You thought I wouldn't put the pieces of the puzzle together. Oh, I know you, cousin. See, Zeke may be fine and a celebrity, but that's too much competition. AB, on the other hand, works at your old job where all the customers are old people. He's from out-of-town so there's no exes to run into, and he a snack. Cousin, just because we're on different branches, don't mean we not from the same family tree."

"Bye, Monica. And for your-baldheaded-information, I don't like him like that. He helped me, and I'm doing him a favor. Thank you."

"I don't know who you think you talking to, but you still better send me a round trip ticket to where you lodging at in Beverly Hills. Bye!" She hung up before I could.

I tried to laugh, but a cough came out instead. Ugh, she gets on my nerves.

Zeke's laughter caught me off guard. I glanced over at him. He put his phone down. "My uncle was a photographer. He took our family photo, the one you asked about. My cousin, who was my age, was next to him, but he was doing a lot of funny stuff to make me laugh. I hated taking pictures. So, I would never smile. I was pointing at him to stop when my uncle took the photo.  We have more photos from that day, but that one is our favorite. In the past, we would only bring it out for dinner parties and special occasions, but it's been there now since..."

I waited for him to finish.

The door on Zeke's side opened. I didn't even realize the vehicle had stopped. Maximo was too smooth of a driver.

"Let's go." Zeke got out the car first, stepping onto the red carpet.

My heart dropped to my stomach. I've had butterflies before, but it was nothing compared to this. These butterflies were athletes.

Zeke held his hand out for me to take. I took his hand. As soon as I stepped onto the carpet with both feet, my knees buckled. The camera lights didn't stop flashing and the fans screamed louder. Zeke's name was being called over and over, again. Then I heard the questions: Is this your new girlfriend? What's her name? Who is she?

"Hey, Jae! Stand next to me."

I turned around to see Zeke's assistant, Jaylei. Was I glad to see her. I waved at her before I stood beside her.

Zeke stood by himself, posing for photos. A few seconds later, Jaylei began walking. I followed her as we followed Zeke into the building.

When we walked into the building, I thought I was on the set of a music video. There were so many celebrities wearing so many shiny and expensive things from clothes to jewelry. I didn't know where to look without being blinded.

"Jae?"

I looked over to see Jaylei in front of me. I didn't know I had stopped walking. Jaylei took my hand and whispered in my ear, "I'm going to leave for now, but I'll be back when Zeke is ready to go. So, stay close to him. And by close, I mean, next to him like how I am with you. Got it?"

Jaylei went in the opposite direction. I looked ahead to see Zeke shaking hands with an actor that my mom would leave my dad for in a heartbeat, but only if she were single.

I adjusted my coat as I walked over to Zeke.

"I'll see you later," Zeke told the actor. Then, he smiled at me. "We won't be here long. If anyone asks you who you are, I'll say we're old friends."

"What if they ask for my name?" I wanted to be prepared.

Zeke smiled at me. "I hope you would know your name."

Once I realized how silly my question was, I smiled back at Zeke.

"Let's go." He began walking towards a staircase that was heavily guarded. "This is Ricky Santana's party. Some of his guards used to work for my dad."

I took a deep breath as we walked passed them and went up the stairs. There was an even bigger party. The music up here was louder and fit the style of my parents, like 70s Disco and 80s Rap.

Zeke took my hand and led me to a VIP section where Ricky Santana sat as the center piece among a big group of famous faces. I tried to shake my nerves. I couldn't tell if I was smiling or if I was cheesing. Was I happy or was I excited?

"Zeke!" Ricky Santana announced. "Come here, boy!" He sounded like a dad.

Ricky Santana is the most known for finding talent. He's responsible for all the top 100 artists of the last 40 years. Yes - he has an eye and an ear for talent. Then, it hit me. Zeke wants Ricky Santana to see me. Oh, no. This is way too soon. Panic button! Either this wig just melted or it fell off, because I can't feel anything on my head, right now.

Ricky Santana hugged Zeke. "Y'all know Zeke is like my nephew, right?"

The people around him agreed.

He began to talk to Zeke, but I could barely hear them.

Then, Ricky Santana pointed at me while talking to Zeke.

Zeke licked his lips and nodded his head. Then, he moved me in front of him. "She wants to become a singer," Zeke said.

Ricky Santana smiled at me. "I've been looking for new talent. Oh, and forgive me, beautiful. I didn't introduce myself. I'm Ricky Santana. What's your name?" He held out his hand to me.

I shook his hand. "Hi, I'm Jam, uh, Jae." I cleared my throat.

With both his hands, he cupped mine. I looked at his hands. They felt so soft.

"J-what?" He asked me.

You know, I wouldn't mind dating an older man if he looked like Ricky Santana. The older he got the finer he got.

I replied, "It's J-A-E."

"Nice. When can we set up a meeting?"

I quickly looked at Zeke.

"Caught red handed!" Ricky Santana pointed at Zeke. "Do you know how long I've been alive? Man, you better claim this woman."

Zeke chuckled, "I know, but she's not going to be famous for being with me."

Ricky Santana said to me. "Are you okay with being single as a new artist? Better yet, are you okay with Zeke being single?"

I nodded my head.

Ricky Santana clasped his hands together. "So, no attachments at all?"

Zeke lowered his voice, "Ricky, my father and my brother cannot know about any of this. They only know that she's my girl, and it needs to stay that way."

Ricky Santana nodded his head. "Listen, I know how family in the music business can be. Don't worry. I'm glad you came to me. Let's meet tomorrow afternoon at my condo."

Zeke agreed.

Ricky said something to Zeke before waving at me. "And it was nice meeting you, J-A-B."

I waved back.

Zeke led me away from the crowd to a surprisingly quiet space, down a hall. My ears were no longer flooded with noise. He stood closely in front of me. "What do you think?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but only air came out. I giggled, "There's so many celebrities here, and I just met Ricky Santana. I don't know what to think."

Zeke smirked, "What do you think about the meeting we have with him tomorrow?"

I know I should be used to Zeke's cut-and-dry style of communication, but it was going to take some time. I replied, "Oh, I'm excited about that... I'm... Nevermind."

"We'll be leaving in a few minutes, but I have to speak to a few more people. Do you need to go to the restroom? Need some water or anything?"

"I'll take some water," I told him.

Zeke held out his hand and I took it. He led the way through the crowd to a bar. We both got waters.

Then, a woman wrapped her arms around Zeke's neck as she stood behind him. She whispered in his ear. He smiled before turning around and hugging her. Her naturally loose curls were bouncy all over the place as she laughed. She was so close to Zeke, she could smell his breath if she wanted to. She was cute or whatever. I narrowed my eyes as I watched how Zeke had his hands in front of him. Either he doesn't like her as much as she likes him more than he likes her.

"I knew I would find the next superstar here tonight," a man cut in between me and Zeke.

I quickly looked at him only to smile as wide as a football.

"And you got a beautiful smile, too." He pointed at me. "What are you drinking?"

"Just some water," I told him. It was the one and only Deonte Way. He was one of the three members of The CRU. Even though they only had small success as a group, when they all went solo, they all became more successful. Deonte Way became the go-to male singer for a feature. He'd sing on any hook, and the song would become a hit.

"Well, here's another water for you." He slid a small water bottle over to me.

I blushed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Superstar."

"You can call me Jae."

Deonte Way leaned towards me. "A?"

"J-A-E."

"Oh, Jae!" He nodded his head. "I like it. I'm Deonte."

I know. I can't believe I'm not nervous. Maybe, I've been around Zeke too long. I mean, they are the same age and from the same era. I guess it was like talking to Zeke on level two.

Deonte Way held out his hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jae."

I shook it. "You, too."

"You know, it's funny... I haven't been out to parties like this in a while, but Ricky Santana is like an uncle. So, I had to come and show my support."

"Do you know Zeke, too?" I asked him.

He squinted his eyes at me.

"Zeke Rivers," I spoke up.

Deonte Way smirked, "Yeah. We hung around some of the same crowds, practically grew up together. Wait, are you one of the girls from that group."

"Oh, no. I'm new. This is my first time in California," I admitted.

Zeke stood in front of us. "I see somebody still can't talk to women." He teased Deonte Way.

Deonte Way nudged Zeke as the two laughed before hugging.

"Where you been, D?" Zeke asked him.

"In the house! Ain't nothing new out here except for this pretty lady I just met." Deonte Way pointed at me.

I took a sip of my water.

Zeke glanced at me. "Yeah, I see. She do look good."

Deonte Way touched my hand. "Ignore this dude. He don't know how to act in front of beautiful women."

Zeke sarcastically laughed before licking his lips. "D, you gonna learn..." Zeke took a few steps toward me before my back was against him. He wrapped his arms around my neck. "Jae, this is Deonte. Deonte, this is my girl, Jae."

Deonte Way clapped his hands before laughing. "Just like a pretty boy to introduce us like that."

"Nah, bruh. You mad," Zeke told Deonte Way.

"Jae, do you really know him?"

I glanced at Zeke. "He's my-my boyfriend."

Zeke moved his arm from around my neck to my waist.

Deonte Way snapped his finger. "Well on that note, I'm gonna head back to the house." He started to walk away before quickly turning around.

He and Zeke laughed as they continued to catch up. Zeke asked if he was working on new music, and Deonte Way answered with "always." The conversation ended when Jaylei showed up. Deonte Way said goodbye, and we eventually left the party scene.

As we sat in the back of the car, all I thought about was how I could describe tonight in one word... unforgettable.