In Rhythm, page 27
“And all while continuing your own already heavy club and festival performance schedule,” Tommy said. “I know because my team booked all ninety-three gigs.”
Velvet nodded. “It’s been exhausting but we love the music and the fans.”
“You’ve suffered some internal challenges as a duo. It’s great to see you both working through those hardships and putting things in place for long-term success and group harmony. I hope you never have a situation like what we saw in Amsterdam or Vegas again.” Sonny’s eyes landed on Candy.
“The liability would be too great and the blemish could possibly be career ending,” Abe added.
“I got it,” Candy said. “We’re working it out and are making some personal changes that will only make us stronger DJs.” Candy grabbed her hand. “And friends.”
Velvet smiled at her. After the Egyptian she and Candy had discussed how to make things work living separately. Velvet never wanted Candy to feel so tied to her that she couldn’t have the life she wanted with LED.
Once Candy cut ties, Willem didn’t show up at their performances anymore. Their new security detail didn’t hurt and they both felt safer, especially with their growing fame. Willem had tried to contact Candy a few times but with support from her and Bernard, Candy no longer needed to be polite about her wishes.
“Good. So here we are.” Tommy brimmed with enthusiasm and Tommy rarely brimmed.
“We have good news.”
“Okay.” Velvet readied herself and the suspense brewed in the office space.
“We want to welcome you to the Millionaire DJ Club,” Abe said.
“I’m sorry, the what?” Velvet asked.
“Yes. With your performances so far this year you’ve pulled in an annual salary of $3 million. Each.”
Candy and Velvet looked at each other. Not quite sure if they understood Abe correctly.
Tommy and Sonny nodded to confirm.
“We still have to compete with the men on the financial side. It’s still a struggle but your success this year has been undeniable,” Sonny added.
Velvet squealed and linked arms with Candy. “Oh my goodness.” As women their challenges were great but their manager found ways to navigate and work around the male dominance of the industry. “I think I’m going to burst.” Her skin tingled and she pressed her palm to her lungs.
Hitting the million mark had never been the dream, but the accomplishment filled her with pride. As a woman of color, sometimes the obstacles were even greater but her mentor had given her the gift of knowledge, history and DJ skills. She would never be able to express her gratitude to Reynard. His lessons gave her the freedom to reclaim the culture and educate all while elbowing her way in one gig at a time. Now here she was a bona fide millionaire?
“But wait, there’s more.” Tommy rubbed his hands together.
“More?” Velvet’s eyes widened.
“What?” Candy asked.
“You still have fall and winter performances left and we fully expect that number to increase substantially.” Tommy grinned.
Velvet didn’t understand what was happening.
Sonny beamed. “They haven’t officially announced it yet, but Bedazzled Beats will be playing the main stage at Temptation this year.”
“No way!” Velvet leapt out of her seat, dragged Candy up, and nearly unhinged her friend’s arm at the shoulder socket in the process.
“Yes,” Tommy cheered. “Not only that but you also got one of the nine headliner spots for the weekend. Saturday I believe.”
“Is this really happening, Bonnie?”
“We did it, Velveteen,” Candy hollered and hugged her.
“I can’t believe it. We’re playing Temptation’s main stage as headliners,” Velvet repeated to make it real and tears wet her cheeks. She’d wanted Temptation so much. Part of her had doubts especially over the last weeks when she hadn’t known if Bedazzled Beats still existed and if she had Candy as a friend. But she pushed through it, even if some scars remained. Now she and Candy would be headlining the biggest fan event for dance music DJs.
“Bravo, you two,” Sonny said.
“I can’t even.” Candy gulped breath. “We’ve been through so much this year. So many changes. I know I’ve personally fucked up. But still the fans heard our music, felt the love and rallied around us.”
“There’s a bit more,” Abe offered.
“What?” Velvet gasped. She didn’t think she could take any more.
“Bring it on.” Candy’s fingers wiggled.
“We’re opening early bird sales for your tour at the end of next month. We’ll finalize and clear everything with you, creative, media, staffing for promo and marketing, but the train has left the station.” Abe offered them his famous Southern smile.
“It’s official,” Tommy said.
“And your album release date is scheduled for the middle of next month.”
Velvet plopped into the office chair, shaking her head in disbelief. Happy tears dripped off her chin and Abe handed both her and Candy a Kleenex. Velvet tried to speak but the constriction in her throat prevented her from verbally expressing the grandeur of the moment.
“We still have some finer details to discuss about next festival season, but you ladies have a lot lined up for the rest of the year. Your performances will jump in attendance and popularity,” Sonny said.
“All this gives us an upper hand in future residency discussions,” Tommy stated. “This is a good start. Now we can push those negotiation conversations regarding your residencies and gigs a little harder.”
“Still here, Velveteen?” Candy asked.
Velvet nodded but she barely heard the rest of the conversation. They were headlining the Temptation Festival. She was happy but the pinch on her heart grew. Zazzle would have liked to know what happened to them. Would have wanted to celebrate her and toast her with a green smoothie or cup of herbal tea. Her fingers twitched to send a text but he’d stopped texting her and no matter her accomplishments she still struggled with her inadequacies to be the person he needed and deserved.
“They make the official announcement next week so don’t share, but who are we fooling here. Lead with code of silence if you do.”
They ended their meeting and as she and Candy descended in the elevator, Velvet was still digesting the huge meal Sonny, Tommy and Abe had given them.
“DJ FeNom would be proud of us,” Candy announced.
“Yeah. He would be.” Velvet blinked back tears.
“So would Zazzle.” Candy hooked her shoulder. “You should tell them.”
* * *
Velvet waited for Reynard at Cafe Lalo on the upper West Side. It had been two years since she’d seen him. Bedazzled Beats had played the XO festival on Governors Island. Candy departed to Vancouver to spend her days off with LED, and with her late flight back to the West Coast, Velvet reached out to her old mentor.
She arrived at the café early to settle her nerves. How would he look? Would she recognize him? When the bell on the shop door dinged her head darted toward the sound. Several people she didn’t know entered and sat at various tables.
“Calm yourself, girl,” she said to herself.
The next ding of the bell she didn’t even bother to check.
“Asha?” She heard the familiar deep bass of Reynard’s voice.
“Hey.” She stared into his light brown face and dark brows. She rose to her feet and hugged him, careful not to knock over the elaborate coffee drinks on the table next to her. Strong muscular arms hugged her back and he smelled like cigarettes and star anise. “So good to see you.”
“You look really good. You wear success well.” He gave her the up and down perusal.
“Thanks.” She laughed. “You, too.”
Still handsome, Reynard’s upbeat energy reminded her of old times. The area around his eyes was darker than his skin and spoke of fatigue, but this was the best shape she’d seen him in in quite some time.
“How long has it been?” he asked.
“Like two years.”
He bobbed his head. “That long, huh?”
“Yeah.”
She pushed her guilt aside. “I heard you’re playing at the Brooklyn Library on first Fridays.”
“Yup. I found my groove with that gig. Low-key, no fuss. People come for the art and the music, plus the dance parties jam.” He still had that heart-stopping smile that commanded both men and women to smile back.
“I love it. I wish we were in town long enough to come through.”
“Candy stopped by the house on her way to the airport. It was out of her way, so I appreciated it. It was nice to see her. She told me about all that went down. That must have been tough.”
“I’m glad she told you. It was a rough time but we’re rebuilding and taking it one day at a time.” Velvet hoped Candy got some insight from Reynard but that conversation was and should remain private between the two of them.
“Too bad we couldn’t all meet together. That would have been a trip.” Reynard’s animated suggestion made her grin like the teenager she was when she had first met him.
“Yeah, it would have been. She and her boyfriend have plans so...”
“What about you? Where’s your boo?”
Velvet shifted in her seat but Reynard called her out.
“I know that move. You’re not going to duck and cover. On me?”
“I’m really here to see you and hear about all that’s been going on with you, not to discuss my love life.”
“So there is one?”
“Was. We broke up. I mean...we weren’t really dating, just together. That sounds horrible.” Her hand smothered her face.
“What happened? He couldn’t handle your success? The jealous type?”
She hadn’t met with Reynard to dredge up the past. Like always the past just seemed to find her, no matter how hard she tried to hide from it, or bury it.
She fanned him off. “No, it was none of that.”
“What then? Too busy? You gotta make time for that good healin’.”
“He was recovering and I couldn’t handle it.” She ripped the bandage off and tears she thought she’d gotten under control sprang to her eyes. She missed Zazzle more than she could tolerate but she wasn’t good for him. Those in recovery needed support and strength, not doubt and hovering.
“How long’s he been out of rehab?”
“Eight months.”
Reynard nodded. “He’s awake now. In the beginning you hold tight to your routine and then when you think you’re managing, you let up a bit. Try to live a more balanced life. Some people relapse but others do find that balance. There’s no guarantee one way or the other.”
“I wanted to take care of him, you know, but I kept doubting him the whole time. Judging him or being a smothering mom.”
“You must really love him if you feel all that and still let him go.”
She nodded. “I just miss him so much.” She told Reynard about Zazzle helping her and LED find Candy at the Egyptian.
“That place has more lives than any cat. No matter how many times it dies someone keeps reviving it and it’s worse each time. I had my fun there.” Reynard’s bitter smile spoke volumes.
“I asked him to help me. I should have never done that.” She bit her lip so hard the metallic tinge of blood coated her tongue.
“You did a lot for me back in the day. A lot of which I didn’t deserve. My recovery never should have been your cross to bear. But I wasn’t strong enough to ever really tell you that. The support I’ve gotten through groups, therapy, meds...and the support I’m still getting are always helpful but recovery ultimately boils down to how much I want to stay sober. Some days are better than others but each day, I’m fighting myself and every pull to use something but still, it’s all on me.”
“I know.”
“No. You don’t, Asha. You have experience with an addict. With me. It’s not the same as being an addict and knowing you are living with a chronic illness. Everyday. It took me a long time to accept that.” Reynard sat more erect in his seat. “This man put himself in danger for you and came out the other side still in recovery. I don’t think it’s him you have to trust. You have to trust yourself. And the Asha I know? Can do this.”
She wiped her eyes. “I didn’t come here for all this advice.”
“Well, you’re getting it anyway.” He laughed. “Free of charge.”
“Let’s eat. I’ve been getting hungry waiting for you to get here.”
They caught up and chatted as if time had never passed—the way old friends do. She told him about Trevor’s work and Granny’s move to Florida and he updated her on his family in the Bronx.
“So I heard you got a spot at Temptation again.”
“Candy didn’t tell you?”
He crinkled his face. “Tell me what?”
“Code of silence because they haven’t made the official announcement.”
“I swear.”
“We got the main stage and one of the nine headliner spots.”
“What? Congratulations.” Reynard gave her a one-handed high five. “I guess all that rooting for you paid off.”
“Would you make the trip?” Asking him to go was a long shot but she still hoped he’d say yes.
He shook his head. “I know my boundaries and that’s too much. I’ll catch every minute of it on live stream, though.”
She smiled. Reynard at any festival was a big ask. “Candy and I worked really hard this year. We toured with Tres Armadas and continued to play our own spots. And our album drops next month. The payoff wasn’t guaranteed so this is icings.”
“The music did its thing. The fans have spoken. I’m proud of you.”
Between Zazzle and Temptation her shoulders stayed pinned to her ears like jewelry. Reynard wasn’t only her mentor, but doubled as a father figure. Hearing his words touched her heart and she didn’t know how much she needed to hear those words.
“So where are you headed to next?”
“Back to LA. We have a little time off coming up before the festival but I need to find a place to live.”
“You staying on the West Coast?”
She’d considered going back to New York but she thought of her future. Being close to Vegas, where she ultimately wanted to have a residency, and be in a hub city where she could fly internationally, made the West Coast ideal.
“I think so, for now. I like it out there. I’ll always love New York, though.” She patted his hand.
“New York loves you right back.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
For someone who’d just entered the Millionaire DJ Club, she had no business being on her brother’s couch and in a rental house full of his boys in East Anaheim, an hour out from LA.
“Who does this?” She needed to find a place stat. Most of her things were still in storage so at least she wasn’t lugging a bunch more unnecessary stuff.
The occupants of the house were out doing work things and Velvet did what most people did with too much downtime after being busy for months—trolled social media.
She got caught up on everyone’s stories and posts, and checked to see where they played. Rob graced the Manchester stage in the UK and Tekko basked in the Guadalajara sun. They’d cross paths at Temptation soon but seeing their faces gave her joy. She snuffed the urge to visit Tres Armadas’s page and mourn over what Zazzle’s life looked like without her. She also didn’t want the algorithm to list her profile under the “recently visited” title on his feed. He didn’t need to see her and be reminded of her any more than she needed to gaze longingly at his photos wishing for a different outcome.
Every day she questioned her decision more and more. Seeing her mentor and Candy’s absence gave her too much time with the ticker tape of her own thoughts. All of them tattooed with images of Zazzle, his touches, and the laughs they’d shared even during the dark times with Candy and Willem.
It was September and she didn’t love him any less. The longing for him hadn’t diminished and she didn’t know what to do. She continued her Internet stalking and read through some of the recent articles, and there it was in black and white.
Tres Armadas calls it quits, leaving fans with a documentary and farewell tour.
She sat up from her lounged position. “What?” Her heart broke for Zazzle over the dismantling of the group, but if they were doing a farewell tour then they must be doing better as friends who wanted one last run. That was great news.
Her fingers itched like she’d swirled them in a mason jar filled with poison ivy. She hesitated for all the reasons she’d been telling herself for the past few weeks.
“Fuck it.”
She thumbed a message to his number. According to social, he was back in the Netherlands. What time was it there? “Bitch, does it even matter?” she responded rhetorically.
Seconds later she pressed send.
Velvet: Saw the Tres Armadas announcement. One last tour. Great news. Hope you’re okay.
She didn’t expect a response and went back to her eventless millionaire lifestyle.
Her phone buzzed and she saw an incoming video call from Candy.
“Whatcha doin’?”
“Nothing. Trevor and his roommates are out trying to make millions, meanwhile I’ve spent two hours on social. I think Netflix is next.”
“Then you have no reason to say no.”
“No to what?”
“Come out to Vancouver. Me and LED are trying to put a party together. Rob and Joe are flying down close to the weekend. Come with them.”
Trolling social was one thing, being social was the complete opposite. A party might be more than she wanted to experience.
“Great. I’ll take your silence as a yes,” Candy said. “Get your stuff together and secure your ride.”
