Mr. and Mrs. Swing

Chapter 16 - Homecoming

After two hours in the salon, my hair was finally finished and I was more than happy with the results. My hairdresser Tonya was so cool and funny and I enjoyed talking with her. During my appointment I realized we had a lot in common, including her time working in the industry. We exchanged personal numbers and promised to keep in touch. The total for my hair was only $150 but I slid her $300 for the excellent service.

It was now 2 PM and we needed to be on the road soon. I used my car phone to call the driver of the tour bus to get his ETA and he informed me that he was at Devante's house but there was an argument going on between the guys. I shook my head in annoyance and speed all the way to Devante's house.

When I pulled up I saw all the guys in the front yard arguing. K-Ci was the first voice I heard.

"I'm fucking tired and I don't want to do no damn college show! I don't give a fuck what Drew said! Free doesn't run me I'm a grown ass man!" K-Ci yelled.

"Yo Ced, I know you're mad and shit but watch how you talk about my woman. Real shit", Devante replied.

"Fuck you and fuck her! I don't have to do shit!"

The guys were so into the argument they didn't even notice that I pulled up. I hopped out the car and quietly walked towards the guys.

"Well damn K, tell me how you really feel", I said and all the guys turned to look in my direction.

"Drew, don't come with your bullshit", K-Ci yelled.

"What the fuck I told you about talking to my girl like that? Now I know you talk to Mary like a dog and that's your business, but you will not talk to my wife like that. You better calm down before you catch your issue", Devante growled, throwing down the joint he was smoking.

"Fuck you De! You ain't gon do shit! Those tattoos don't make you hard nigga! You ain't nothing but a fucking church boy!" K-Ci yelled, laughing.

In one quick motion Devante lunged and punched K-Ci in the face. K-Ci fell down and Devante got on top of him and kept punching him in the face. I ran over to try to stop him and Jojo grabbed me.

"Drew stay out of this. Let that nigga get his issue. He's been being an asshole to everyone, especially De. He's been asking for this ass whipping", Jojo said while gently moving me back towards my car.

I stood my by car horrified as Devante continued to punch and kick K-Ci. He tried to get up and swing but it was no good. He was still hungover from the night before and couldn't catch his balance. After about 5 minutes of Devante beating the shit out of K-Ci, Dalvin and Jojo stepped in to end the fight.

K-Ci was laying on the ground holding his head, I could see the blood running from his lip into his mouth. It took him a while but he was finally able to stand up, he was holding his ribs winching in pain. Jojo walked over to his brother, looked at him for a while, then slapped him in his face.

"I don't know what what has gotten into you but it ends now. It's one thing to talk shit to us, we're men we can handle it. But being disrespectful to Drew is uncalled for considering how much she has done for us. Any other manager would've ratted your ass out to Andre right now and you would be on the next Greyhound bus back to Charlotte. And in case you've forgotten, we wouldn't be here without De. Yeah you're the lead singer, but you're singing De's song. His lyrics. On his beats. Jodeci was HIS idea nigga. Ain't nobody perfect, but De is your fucking brother and this is his group at the end of the day. So if you can't respect him and his lady, you can bounce", Jojo said in a solemn voice. He turned away from K-Ci and grabbed his bag that was sitting on the steps before heading on the bus.

I was still standing frozen by the car when I noticed Devante appear next to me with my Louis Vuitton duffle bag in his hand.

"Go ahead and get on the bus baby, we'll be there in a minute", De said softly.

I was taken aback by everything that happen so all I could do was follow his instructions and head on the bus. I walked on and noticed Jojo sitting quietly with his hands over his face. He was crying.

I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tight. He sat in silence while he quietly cried to himself. I rubbed his back gently while whispering "Just let it all out bro, just let it out. It's okay".

"Drew I'm so sorry. I'm so damn sorry. You don't deserve none of this shit man. You do so much for us, not even just as our manager but as our sister. I'm sorry man", he said softly.

"Joel it's fine. I do what I do because I love y'all. Including Ced. I know he didn't mean nothing by it. I know how hostile alcoholics can be, trust me", I said thinking back to my childhood and how mean my daddy would get when he would drink.

"De told me about your family man. I'm sorry you have to deal with all this, again. It's not fair to you".

"Life is never fair Jo, I learned that early on".

Our conversation was interrupted by K-Ci coming on the bus. He had a band-aid on his lip and a fresh shirt on. He looked at me with a pained expression and dropped to his knees.

"Sis, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I need help. I want to stop but I don't know how. I'm sorry", K-Ci cried.

"Ced I know you didn't mean nothing by it. And I'm sorry for springing on this on y'all. But just trust me, everything will be okay. I'm not mad at you. We good, so stand up nigga this ain't no movie", I replied and the guys chuckled.

"I trust you, I got you. I'ma sleep this hangover and this ass whipping off. You won't have no problems out of me this weekend Drew, I promise", K-Ci said while he headed to back where the bunks are.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. For four years I thought that after graduation I would be sitting in someone's office, doing logistics for a big company. Not breaking up fights and finding rehab centers. A part of me wanted to laugh because my life was so dramatic these days, it was almost comical.

Finally, Devante and Dalvin came onto the bus and they both looked exhausted and disgusted. Dalvin retreated to the back of the bus with his guitar, something he always did when he wanted to by myself. Jojo got up and went to check on K-Ci and Devante sat next to me. Finally after all this commotion, James started the bus we headed towards North Carolina A&T University.

"You good baby?", I asked De as I looked at his bruised knuckles.

"I'm good my love. This ain't the first time me and Ced done threw hands. That's my brother but you literally have to knock some sense into him sometimes".

"Who woulda thought that Pretty Boy Devante Swing was a part time boxer", I teased.

"Oh you got jokes huh?", Devante smirked as he grabbed me and placed me on his lap. I giggled throughout the motion and placed my head into the crook of his neck. We sat like that for a while, I could feel his arms pull me in closer to his chest. Devante always smelled like expensive cologne and weed, sometimes I wish I could turn his scent into a candle or something.

"You think this plan is going to work baby?" I whispered into his ear.

"I hope so. I don't know what else we can do. Besides tell Andre".

"That's the last thing I want to do. And baby, I need to tell you something".

"What's up love?"

"Puff is leaving Uptown. But you can't tell anyone".

Devante looked up at me with a confused look on his face. "Word?"

"Word. He's sick of Andre treating him like a flunky".

"Damn. Puff damn near built Uptown with Andre. What is he gonna do when he leaves?"

"He said he wants to start his own label. Bad Boy Records".

"That's what's up. Well more power to him."

"Yeah. And um, one more thing".

"What's up?"

"He wants me to come with him", I whispered.