Black Ice

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ten | antonio

Shaan and Cris were at odds again and had been since the day of our show in Houston. They dealt with their issues like they always did: with space.

Something that seemed almost unattainable in such close quarters had been achieved through the power of stubbornness.

When Ishaan would walk into the room, Cris would leave as if she were automated to. It was rarely a quiet exit either, with a dramatic rise from her seat and a cold breeze whipping by as she passed.

It created an awkward air for everyone, but especially for Ice, who shouldered the blame for their opposition.

Issac was too young to be taking on stress caused by two grown ass adults who are too childish to keep him out of the middle of their dispute.

It was because of that, that I called a group meeting.

Cris and Ice were already settled in the studio with Crucial, like always. I insisted that Ishaan join me in my journey to the studio, and upon entering, I ordered Crucial out.

The bald headed rapper scoffed at me, "Nigga, you barely be in here, but as soon as you come, you tryna boss niggas around."

"I need to have a discussion with my group, so if you would excuse us," I was really being polite, but if he kept trying to test me, he would soon get the answer he was looking for.

"A discussion?" It was at those words that Crystal's eyes lifted from the page she was writing on and caught sight of Ishaan. "Oh, unh-uh. I'm good."

"Cris—"

"If y'all wanna talk and shit, y'all got fuckin' five hours until we get to the next city and a whole night at a hotel to do so. We are in here working," Crucial stated.

"Yo, Crucial," Issac broke his silence, forcing all eyes on him. "Just give us a couple minutes, a'ight?"

Crucial sucked his teeth and reluctantly stood from his seat. "A'ight, Ice. Only because you asked, man."

"Whatever, nigga," I muttered just as he started to pass.

"You might think you run shit, but this ain't fuckin' East New York, nigga."

I chuckled, "That's supposed to be a threat?"

Shaan squeezed past us and took Crucial's seat.

Crucial laughed with his gaze scanning me up and down like I was a joke, "Nigga, you ain't even get to pick your own singles off your album. You ain't worth no fuckin' threat because you don't run shit."

"Yo, what?" I bucked at him, and his lack of flinching only made me angrier.

He only smirked before glancing at Cris. "I'll be in the lounge area, so when you're ready, you just come get me, a'ight?"

To that, she nodded with a slight smile. He sent a nod of departure to Ice before finally stepping out. I didn't hesitate to slam the door behind him.

That nigga's ego was starting to get too big for this bus, and if I didn't have my eyes on a bigger prize, I would've already humbled him in a major way.

Not to mention the sly ways he was flirting with Cris, here and there. From comments about her stage wardrobe— which was becoming a bigger conversation piece for every nigga on the tour with every performance— to subtle jabs at me and Shaan.

He was probably part of the reason the schism between Cris and Shaan was growing again. We wouldn't know until the group discussion began.

"You," I pointed at Crystal before pointing at Shaan, "and you! What the fuck is up wit'chu two?"