Michael
Saturday, July 24th
7:26am

Like any other morning, the sun is shining bright through the window, making me squint. I feel a small hand rub my back, trying to wake me up, though there's no need. Today's one of the less busy ones we've had, but I still got business to take care of.

I sit up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and stretching. I see Gabi out of the corner of my eye, already up and reading one of those romance novels she like so much. Looking closer, I notice slight bags under her eyes. God, don't tell me she's having her nightmares again.

"Babe, did you sleep at all last night? You look tired as hell."

She looks up, startled. "Oh, I barely heard you wake up." She then gives me a weak smile. "I tried to sleep, I really did. It's just, I can't stop thinking about what Zara said."

My eyebrows furrow as I remember what happened at the club opening. I still can't believe it was Angel's little sister who put up some of the money for Club 51.

After Kevin excused himself, she went straight to Gabi, falling all over herself and damn near acting a fool. "I'm so sorry about what my sister did to you!" She had said. "I wish we could've met on better terms. Maybe we could start over, since we'll be in contact with each other for this club."

What a load of horse shit. After the scars Angel left on my lady, Zara's guilty by association. Ain't no telling why she decided to show up now.

We left right after that, and I had hoped Gabi didn't fall for any of it, but it looks like she's actually considering her bull.

"Gabi, you can't honestly be thinking 'bout that. She's probably only trying to get close for Angel, now that we blew up."

She closes her book and sets it aside, frowning. "But she said she hasn't spoken to her in years. And she is telling the truth, I can feel it. Wouldn't you forgive your brothers if they came to you and asked the same thing?"

Hell no. The most they'll get from me is a cap bust in that ass. I gotta remember though, Gabi doesn't think like that.

She hasn't been wrong about a person yet, but every time I see the scar on her stomach, reminding me that Angel almost took her away from me because of her jealousy, I get heated all over again.

"That's not the point. You KNOW the lengths Angel would go just to get you out of the way. She even damn near killed you. Do you want to go through that again?"

The uneasy look in her eyes immediately makes me want to take back what I said. I know she hates remembering that time, but I don't want her to end up hurt like last time. One time was one too many.

"I know. Maybe I was just getting ahead of myself."

I frown, standing up and holding her face in my hands. She sounds so let down. "I don't like making you upset, baby. I'm just telling you because I don't want you to get hurt."

Gabi smiles at me, a little bigger this time. "I know, and I love you for it." She hops out of bed, coming over to push me towards the master bathroom. "Now go on and get ready! You said you had a studio session at 9, right?"

"Yeah, I almost forgot. I gotta get in the shower." I turn and face her, smirking. "Want to join me, Lady?"

I expected her to blush and turn away, but she apparently has other ideas. She smiles innocently, though her eyes are flirtatious, her body language inviting. Slowly, she walks towards me, never breaking eye contact, and I hardly notice myself stepping backwards into the bathroom. As soon as she closed the door behind her, I was gone.

Hot damn.

******************
8:48am

I was walking down the street a ways away from the house. Good thing we lived close by the studio, otherwise I would've been hella late. It's partly my fault, though. I need to stop inviting Gabi in the shower with me. But I just can't help it, you know? I am glad she's gotten over being alone. It's taken her a lot to get to this point, but I'm proud of her still.

Anyways, I'm supposed to be meeting with my producer, Damien James, owner of DJ Records. He's only 5 years older than me, and he's helped me on a few songs that I've written before, and even let me record a few covers at this studio. DJ said he's getting a feel for my talent, and I guess I've impressed him. He's impressed me, too. Dude got crazy skills when it comes to making music.

I can't thank him enough for taking a chance on me. His company is just starting out too, but hopefully with these new tracks on Facts of Life, I can start showing the people all the ideas I've got spinning in my head. I've even been able to collaborate on some of my tracks with other artists that DJ's signed. Both of us can glow up from what I've got to sing.

Finally coming to the studio, I step inside, the tan and maroon color scheme immediately getting me into a working mood. I see Marcie, DJ's secretary, nod at me with a polite smile, then calling him up on the phone to let him know I'm here. Within a few minutes, I see him come from the back, arm out to shake my hand.

"Heyy, Mike, what's going on?" I give him dap, and he smiles. "Ready to crank out these hits, man?"

I smirk back. "You know I am. I got a new song already written up, and I got how I want the tracklist to be. The album's dropping in a few weeks, right?"

DJ nods, leading me to the back. "Exactly. But still, your singles are holding their own on the charts for now, so you're holding on to the peoples' attention."

We both take a seat by the soundboard, and I feel myself itching to start tuning and playing with the controls. DJ just chuckles at my excitement.

"Chill man, you can start recording in a minute. First, I wanna see this tracklist you done wrote up."

Reaching in my pocket, I pull out the napkin that I wrote all over. It could've been on paper, but Gabi and I were out to eat, and when an idea hits, I gotta write it down before I forget.

I hand it to him, and he starts to look it over.

Tracklist:
The Covers
Feels Good (originally by Toni! Tony! Toné!)
Never Too Much (originally by Luther Vandross)
Make It Last Forever ft. Dion (originally by Keith Sweat ft. Jackie McGee)
Sure Thing (originally by Miguel)
If I Ever Fall In Love (originally by Shai/original & acapella)
The Originals
My Time Now ft. Dion
It's Time
Five Years
Facts of Life

DJ nods thoughtfully. "Man, you got a good set. Got some real baby making music here, too."

"Thanks, man. Aye, and thanks for letting me work with Dion. She got pipes on her, like a Braxton."

"No problem. I have a feeling you two are gonna be my breakout artists. Y'all might even do some shows together." DJ sets the napkin on the table beside him, next to some possible album covers. "Back to the album though, I did notice Lady's Song ain't on here. You don't wanna put that one on?"

"Hell nah." I shake my head. "I wrote that for Gabi, and Gabi only. I want her to hear it first."

DJ gives a big laugh. "Boy, I know this Gabi is something special to make you bust out all these love songs like this." He shrugs. "I don't mind, though. Tell her to keep it up, whatever she's doing. At this rate, everything you put out gone go platinum."

My face heats up, though I can't help the goofy smile on my face. I get up and head inside the recording booth, trying to hide my embarrassment. "Yeah, yeah, did you bring me here to talk, or make this record? I bet this one'll get you a good chunk of change."

He puts a hand over his heart, a fake hurt expression on his face. "You make it sound like I only care about the money, Mike."

I kiss my teeth, narrowing my eyes at him.

Chuckling, he turns on the mic system. "Alright, you got me. I gotta eat, too." Turning around, he adjusts the sound. "Now, let's finish the hook on this Shai song."

**************
12:11pm

Finally, I'm finished. I didn't wanna stop until I had finished all the tracks the way I wanted them. Call me a perfectionist, but everything needs to be perfect, especially with this being my debut album. Now all that's left is the cover art. I'll probably run the idea I have in mind by DJ tomorrow.

Right now, I'm hungry as hell.

Gabi's probably still asleep, so I decide to walk a little farther down to the modest Lincoln's Carryout place not too far from the studio. It's become one of my favorites since being out here, surprisingly.

I get to the restaurant and head inside, but not before putting my shades on. It's like they protect my face from prying eyes, or the occasional crazy fan. They make me more comfortable when I'm not out with my crew, that's for sure.

Getting my usual U.S Steel Roast Beef, I go over to sit by the window. There's a few guys already at one of the tables, but as I get closer to the other one, I almost drop my food in shock. These three guys are looking hella familiar.

"Hey, Mike! Is that you over there?"

Shit. What in the hell are they doing here?!

The three guys by the window are none other than three of my brothers. Marlon's waving me over, with Jermaine and Randy sitting across from him.

I debate on whether or not I should go over there. Haven't exactly been on the best terms with my brothers for a minute, especially since they still wanna slang drugs for some fast cash. I mean, I can't say much cause I did the same thing right with them, but at least I got out. I wonder if they somehow woke up.

Doesn't change the fact that I can't trust them as far as I can throw them. Actually, I can haul a nigga pretty far. Probably shouldn't use that analogy.

I silently curse myself when I realize I hesitated too long. All three of them stand and make their way towards my table.

Marlon slides onto one of the chairs across from me. "Mike! It's been too long, man. How you been?"

I give him a half-hearted nod while Jermaine takes a seat. "Ain't no need to ask him that, Marlon. You must not have seen him performing at the BET Awards!"

My patience starts disappearing with that comment. Seems to me that my brothers done seen me blow up, and now they want a piece of the spotlight, too.

Meanwhile, Randy's sitting on the other side of Jermaine, seemingly relaxed but looking at everything but my face. He must be remembering the last time I saw him when he helped Angel set me up. My shoulder aches, reminding me of when she shot me years ago. If he wanna act brand new, I'll gladly show him the scar.

"Yo, I can't believe my little brother is one of the hottest R&B singers out right now!" Jermaine keeps going. "Hey, it's nice to see you putting the family on the map like that, for real."

Marlon kisses his teeth, glaring at him. "What he means to say is, it's good to see you doing well, Mike."

If I know him as well as I do, I highly doubt that's what he meant, but I say nothing. As I bite into my sandwich, Marlon takes notice and actually looks genuinely hurt by my silence.

"Look, I know you probably thinking we only here cause we want some money, but it's not like that. We trying to start over out here too, seeing as we left the business and all."

I raise an eyebrow, and Randy finally chooses to speak up. "It's true. After I saw you that day... I left. I just didn't have the means to get here until Mother let me live with her. We didn't even know you were in L.A until afterwards."

I nod, wrapping up the rest of my sandwich. "That's real good and all, and I mean that. But I got to get going. I guess I'll see y'all around the city."

Jermaine nods back at me, while Marlon and Randy glance at each other. Then Marlon calls my name, making me stop.

"Well, Mother's having a Sunday dinner tomorrow, if you want to stop by. She probably will call anyway, but she told us to tell you if we saw you. Maybe we can catch up or something."

I keep my neutral expression, though I'm cheesing on the inside. I haven't stopped by Mother's house in a few months. It'll be good to have her special ribs and potato salad again.

As for seeing these three there, I don't know. They may be telling the truth about quitting and starting over and all that, but I can't help the nagging feeling in my gut. I can't tell if it's from just one of them, or all three.

I allow myself to smile, just a little, making their shoulders relax.

"Yeah, maybe. I'll see what I can do."

Turning to leave, I grab a paper bag from the table of condiments by the door, slip my sandwich inside, and start walking back the way I came. Maybe I'll give it to Gabi when I get home.

One thing's for sure, I'm gonna tell her about this.

***********************
2:26pm

Stepping through the front door, I make my way to the kitchen and see Gabi still in her pajamas and talking on the phone. She smiles at me when I come in, then turns her attention back to whoever's on the other line.

"Of course we can, Mama. I asked 'Miyah already, we're free tomorrow." She pauses, then chuckles. "Yeah, I'll ask them if they can come. They'll come for sure if they know what you're making."

I raise an eyebrow at that. Did my mama already call about dinner tomorrow?

"Potato salad? Well, count Nelson in, then!"

Heh, yeah, that's her.

"Alright, I'll call everyone and tell them. Okay. See you tomorrow, Mama." With that she hangs up the phone. She hops on one of the barstools at the island in the middle of the kitchen, and I take one next to her, sliding over the other half of my roast beef.

I feel her kiss my cheek. "Thanks, Applehead. I know you probably heard it all, but Mama Kate's having Sunday dinner tomorrow, and she wants all of us to come."

I nod, resting my elbows on the counter. "Yeah, I know. I saw my brothers at Lincoln's and they told me."

I'm thinking she's going to be surprised, but Gabi's face doesn't change. "I see, so that's why you're all irritated. What's wrong?" She says in between bites.

"How you know something's wrong?"

"I can just tell." She says, setting the food down and lifting a hand to lightly touch my lower cheek. "And you always lock your jaw up when you're upset."

Immediately my jaw relaxes, and I give Gabi a smile. This woman, I swear.

Then I remember what happened and I'm frowning again. I know Gabi's looking at me, patiently waiting for me to give her the story. So I start from the beginning, from when I first set foot in the restaurant to when I left. Her face doesn't change until I tell her about them being at dinner tomorrow.

I think I know what she's nervous about. "Don't worry, Randy won't bother you, if that's what you're worried about."

She just scoffs. "Randy needs to worry about me bothering him. I still haven't forgiven him for helping Angel jump you like they did."

I see her glance at my shoulder, knowing that she's thinking about when Angel shot my shoulder years ago. We both came out with a few scars then. I can see why she's reacting like this.

Gabi keeps going. "But seriously, how come you're so mistrustful of them? At least Marlon seems genuine enough."

"Maybe, but I can't just be all buddy buddy with them again." I sigh. "You know how Randy's been with Angel. They could still be talking. And Jermaine will do anything for a quick buck. Marlon never said or did much, but sometimes that's just as bad."

She looks me in my eyes, and I can see the wheels turning in her head. Knowing her, she'd want me to talk to them more, but after this morning's conversation, she's probably hesitant to say it.

Gabi simply finishes the rest of the sandwich and throws the paper away, shrugging one shoulder. "Well we're going to see them at dinner tomorrow, maybe things will be clearer then."

I frown. I haven't had dinner with my brothers since before we left Compton for good. I hope nothing pops off while we're there. The last thing I need is some family drama right now.

I'm so wrapped up in what could happen tomorrow, I hardly notice when Gabi takes my arm, gently leading me from the kitchen counter upstairs to our bedroom.

"In the meantime, Michael, you need to relax."

Pulling me to the bed, I flop down on stomach with my face in my pillow. I can feel a dip in the mattress, and Gabi straddling my lower back. Her hands trail up my back, and a shiver goes down my spine. Slim fingers find my shoulders, with a little pressure right on my knotted muscles. I can't help but let out a moan as the tightness leaves my shoulders. Then, I feel a light kiss on my neck.

I turn my head to smirk back at her. "Don't start nothing you can't finish, now."

She giggles back, her breath tickling my ear. Going back to rubbing my shoulders, her thighs lightly rub against my sides, making my skin feel hot. By now I'm totally relaxed, and there's nothing on my mind except me and the massage I'm getting from my lady.

"Have I ever said how much I love you?" I say, my voice muffled a little by the pillow. Though I couldn't see her, I knew she had a big smile on her face.

She just chuckles. "You may have mentioned it once or twice."

(A/N: Ahaha, I like this chapter, especially the last scene. But the drama is gonna start to unfold in the next chapter and beyond, so be ready! In the meantime, I wanna hear what y'all think is gonna happen.

Why do you think Michael's brother popped up so suddenly? What's Zara up to, and Angel for that matter?

Comment your theories, or even if you just want to say something about the chapter in general. Who knows, I may use your comments as inspiration for future updates.

Also, don't forget to vote!)