Part 4 (1/2)
”Sway ain't even a factor anymore.”
”Why is that?”
”After the video dropped he dumped me.”
”Wow, just like that. That n.i.g.g.a cold blooded.”
”Are you serious about that cover?”
”Yeah, why you ask?”
”'Cause that will show Sway's a.s.s. I'ma personally make sure he gets a copy of that s.h.i.+t so he can choke on it.”
”Yo you crazy!” I laughed.
”Maybe, but I'm serious. You have no idea all the bulls.h.i.+t I put up with dealing with him and then you should've seen how he dumped me. After s.h.i.+t wasn't jumping off for me, I started to regret doing the f.u.c.kin' video. But after the news you just gave me, I'm back in business.”
”Yes, you are. I'll be in touch with all the details so keep yo' head up.”
”Will do!”
Before Dior hung up the phone I could hear the fight back in her voice. I could tell she didn't want to admit it but getting dumped by Sway had left her shook. She had grown dependent on that jet set life with him and it all slipped away in a matter of seconds. But I was going to enjoy playing a major part in helping her dreams come true. It was actually turning out to be a lot more amusing than I thought it would be. Initially I didn't even think of it as being fun. Part of me wanted to prove to Dior that my money could be as powerful as Sway's fame in getting her what she wanted and the other part of me wanted to get her in bed since she said that wasn't a possibility. But what was viewed to me as a game in the beginning was now turning into a challenge of how far I could take this fame thing and would I win at it.
Dior.
So Amazing.
When the cab dropped me off in front of the Gramercy Park Hotel, I knew Brittani would be p.i.s.sed that I was almost thirty minutes late. Luckily we were meeting at the Maialino for lunch, so it wasn't a doubt in my mind that there had to be a wait. If she was seated it only could've happened within the last five to ten minutes.
”I'm meeting someone,” I said, bypa.s.sing the long line and the hostess as I noticed Brittani sitting in a corner table. ”Sorry I'm late, sweetie,” I smiled before sitting down.
”Dior, I've known you long enough to know that this is on time for you, plus we only got a table a few minutes ago.”
”Yeah, I figured that. Everybody is always raving about how great the food is here.”
”It really is. It's my new favorite spot. I hope you don't mind but I already ordered. I know what's best on the menu. But enough about the food, how are you holding up?”
”How do you think?” I asked in my most cynical voice. ”A couple weeks ago I was in Paris now I can barely afford French fries.”
”It's that bad?” Brittani's mouth was wide open waiting for my reply.
”Pretty much, so I hope this meal is on you.”
”You don't have money for food, Dior? You didn't save any money while you were with Sway?”
”Please, the most cash Sway ever put in my hand was to tip people. He covered all my expenses and gave me access to his credit cards. I figured by the time our relations.h.i.+p was over I would be so hot people would pay me to show up to places and do things. But it hasn't worked out that way.”
”Even after that video you did with Phenomenon? That's the number one song and video out right now. I'd think your phone would be blowing up!”
”Me too! I swear I believe Sway called everybody and their mother after he dumped me letting them know not to f.u.c.k with me at all.”
”Seriously, is dude that petty...wait, I forgot we are talking about Sway.”
”He's so foul,” I said, shaking my head.
”So what are you gonna to do? I mean you don't have anybody that can help you out until you get back on your feet?”
”No, Sway made sure I cut everybody off when I started dealing with him. I do have something brewing that would put me in the center of s.h.i.+t if it happens. But I'm not sure if it's legit or not.”
”What is it?”
”I don't want to talk about it because if it don't happen I'll be beyond f.u.c.kin' p.i.s.sed and if it does happen then you'll know about it like everybody else.”
”Cool, but again, what are you going to do for money, some more videos?”
”h.e.l.l no! You know that s.h.i.+t don't pay no d.a.m.n money. I did the one with Phenomenon because I thought the exposure would open so many doors for me, which would mean making some money!”
”I can always hook you up with an athlete. You know they love video girls.”
”Unless it was Kobe Bryant, who is married, so that's not gonna happen, why would I date some random athlete. Seriously, how do you go from like one of the biggest hip hop artist to some regular NBA player? That's not gonna garner me consistent media attention. If anything people will say I'm desperate and a has been. I refuse to be the next Amber Rose.”
”Since I know you're not gonna go out and get a real job, you have to date somebody to get your bills paid.”
”True, but it has to be the right man. They say the next person you date has to be equal or better than the last one.”
”Unless I missed the announcement, Jay Z is still married so your options are limited.”
”No s.h.i.+t Sherlock.”
”Don't get upset with me because you're in this predicament. When we first left Philly and we moved here in search of fame and fortune, well you fame me fortune I told you to find a rich man and get pregnant. That way you would always know you had a steady check coming in.”
”Brittani, that is so 2000. You and I both know that just like an NFL contract that money ain't guaranteed.”
”I'm a NBA baby mama and I ain't had a problem paying a bill yet. So it's worked for me.”
”So far, let's reconvene this conversation in a few years and see if you're talking the same s.h.i.+t.”
”I bet you I will!”
”Look at Nas and Kelis. I know she wasn't counting on getting her payments sliced in half. And I guarantee you in six months to a year, Nas will be right back in front of a judge, screaming we still in a recession, getting it reduced some more. But honestly Brittani, I'm not trying to rain on your parade. Real talk, I hope your s.h.i.+t continues to work out for you but you know I never wanted to do the baby mama thing. I don't want to be known for poppin' out some kid for a famous person. I want my own fame.”
”I hear you but fame don't pay the bills-money does, something you don't seem to have. You need to figure out something, Dior, and quick.”
”You think I don't know that. I don't even have money to pay for my meal. So again, I hope those child support checks keep coming in on time because I might need a small loan to hold me over.”
”You know I'll do whatever I can for you but I really think you need to let me set you up, even if it's just a short fling.”
”I don't know, Brittani. Athletes aren't big on trickin' money unless you're a stripper. And that's only because they like to show off by throwing money around in front of other men in the club to boost their ego.”