April 18, 1992 - Atlanta, GA.
Another night on the tour and everything went smoothly to my satisfaction. Mc Hammer rocked the house and Jodeci killed it as the main opening act. I could tell the guys didn't like my management style but it was effective and it was working. Before the show ended I was getting calls from magazines about how good the show was, especially the opening act. Despite my resistance, Puff was right. I am good at this music shit so far and maybe I'll stick with it.
Before I got on the tour bus, Michelle Nicks from The Source magazine pulled me aside to rave about the show and talk about the piece she planned on writing.
"Girl, they were a mess on that last tour. Late. Tired. You got them together. You going to the afterparty?", Michelle asked.
"Hell no. I am exhausted. And you know clubs aren't really my thing, honestly. Plus, whenever I go to the club I just end up watching the guys like a damn babysitter. Puff is here tonight, let him do it", I said to Michelle as I walked up the stairs.
"You get home safe girl, call me!", I yelled to her.
"See you later Drew! Have some fun one day! Get some dick!" She yelled back.
I laughed as I walked on the bus and then I saw a light on and was confused as I expected the bus to be empty. Right after the show ended I saw the guys run to the tour bus, and I assumed they were rushing to get ready and head to the after-party in Buckhead. As I walked completely on I heard the soft keys of a piano.
"Aye. Who's back there?", I yelled.
"Drew. It's me De'. Come listen to something right quick", DeVante yelled back to me.
I walked to the back of the bus and found Devante sitting on a couch with his keyboard on his lap and his old beat-up notebook next to him.
"I've been working on this song and um, I want you to hear it. Tell me what you think". He started to play the melody and sing.
It's been an hour since you've been gone
And that's too long so come back home
I can't live without you
So I'll cry for you
Do anything that I can
To feel that touch from your hand
Sorry that I want you
Lady what do I do
You know you're everything I do
Ooh, yeah
Do what you want me to
I would do anything
Get on my knees for you
Ooh, baby
What else is there to do?
I don't know, I don't know, but I'll cry
Lady, I will cry for you tonight, tonight (yeah)
Lady, I will cry for you tonight, tonight
Well I, well, help me out, help me out
I sat in silence. This guy is really a genius.
"Sooooo... what do you think?", he asked softly.
"It's beautiful De'. Excellent. You really have a gift", I replied.
He smiled and that smile lit me up, I could feel my cheeks turning red again.
"That's my second time making you blush since we've met. And I peep you avoid me whenever you can. Is that why?", he asked in his low, deep voice.
"I don't avoid you. I just do my job. And I'm low-key. I don't like big crowds and lots of people really. I like completing tasks and being alone, honestly", I said truthfully to DeVante'.
"I like being alone too," he replied, "Just me and the music. The club shit is cool sometimes but I can live without it".
I cocked my eyebrow up at him, "I always see you leave with the guys though, I thought you liked the club.". I kicked off my shoes and let down my tight top bun.
"I'll go for a lil while but I always come back early. I've come up in here and caught you snoring a few times but I wasn't gonna say nothing," he said as he laughed at me.
"Awww man I thought I heard someone once but I thought I was tripping. I be sleeping good De', forreal", I replied laughing at myself.
"Maybe one day you can wake up from that good sleep next to me", DeVante said looking me straight in the eye.
I felt the blush coming again, I took a deep breath and moved a little away from him.
"De', you're a nice guy. But I didn't come here to fuck a singer or be a groupie. I'm here to work and make a path for myself. I'm a professional. A businesswoman. I didn't get a degree from Howard for nothing.", I said as I looked him straight in the eye. I was playing with my hair, a nervous habit I have from my childhood.
"Drew, you don't think I already know that? I been watching you since the first day I met you. You wear dry-cleaned dresses with matching suit jackets and Chanel heels. You cross your legs at the ankle every time you sit. You greet everyone with a handshake and you always make eye contact. I've never seen you drink anything besides water and those nasty-looking green smoothies. Nothing about you says, groupie. But I want to know who's under the makeup and designer clothes. I want to know the introverted side of you. And I would never fuck you. I would make love to you while the sun rises and I would never leave your side.", DeVante said as he came closer to me.
He placed his big long hand on mine and continued to speak, "I've wanted you since the day I met you. I've been working up the courage to come at you because...you really don't play. This doesn't have to be a sex thing or anything public, I just wanna get to know you. Touch you. Hold you". As he finished those words he grabbed my face softly and kissed me.
I kissed him back and it felt so right, so natural. I've never gotten this close to a dude really. Even though I was 21, I didn't date in college. We sat and kissed for a while, with DeVante rubbing my thigh and kissing my neck, then suddenly he pulled back.
"But I wanna know Drew, what do you think of me? Of what I said", he asked. I looked at him, I felt tears coming to my eyes and I had no idea why.
"DeVante. I came here to work. I've never had a boyfriend. Only thing I know how to do is work. But I would be lying if I said I didn't want to get to know you. I'm open to that.".
Devante smiled at me and felt myself melting again, I managed to sit up straight and look at him directly.
"The guys can't know about this De'. I'm serious. I'm starting to like this music shit and Andre says I have a promising future. I don't want any unnecessary drama or for anyone to get the wrong impression about me".
Devante paused for a moment like he was thinking of a reply. It felt like forever before he spoke again.
De' grabbed my hand, "Drew, that's what I respect the most about you. Seriously. You're not like these groupies I meet on the road. Puff told me all about you. Earned a scholarship to the best private school in Virginia. Top of your class at Howard. Got into Georgetown for your MBA. You're ambitious. Driven. A little rude but I think it's sexy", he chuckled.
"Nobody will know about our friendship.. unless you want them to", and with that De' kissed me on the forehead and went back towards his room.
YOU ARE READING
Mr. and Mrs. Swing
FanficDrew LaCroix moves to New York City to take a job offered by her college buddy, Sean Combs, at Uptown Records. But this is not a normal job, Drew becomes the A&R for Jodeci. Along the way, she falls in love with fan-favorite Devante Swing. Will Drew...
