Chapter 17: Playing to the Beat

 Well, here we go.. the start to longer chapters. Be Careful What You Wish For. -_- [rolls eyes] Anyways, proper shout out to @ItsAiyannaBxtch Yeah, And About 9/9-10 *salty face* Ch. & 9/11 :-( Right. Our hearts go out all the victims and their love ones. Enjoy 

                                                                                            Cooncerely,
                                                                                                                                     Green & Purp

“Nicki!” Someone called out. Damn, I almost made it. Guess a scarf and dark shades don’t really work anymore. “Yo Nic, wait up!” called the same voice, sounding a bit more familiar. I turned around to see Drake signing a few autographs. Shit, he needs to hurry up before I get seen. And right after I finished that thought about 9 people approached me. I really wasn’t in the mood, but of course I put aside my emotions to make their day.

Drake made his way over to me and Dream as I was taking my last picture with a KenBarb. He was wearing a hoodie, some sweats and he had on his infamous smile, which was contagious as usual. I rolled my eyes at him as soon as the Ken had walked away.

“C’mon, Nic.” He pleaded, as I headed to an exit.

          “What, Drake?” I responded, slowing down.

          “What did I do?” He asked, catching up to me.

          “Did you really have to yell my name like that?” I asked, looking towards him. He was slapping up Dream.

          “Well, yeah. I think it would’ve been odd if I yelled it any other way.” He responded, before giving me a devilish grin. He betta not. “Let me demonstrate.”

          “Don’t.” I warned, while pointing at him. And as if I was his misbehaving child. He sternly yelled,

          “NICKI!” It shocked me a bit. Not because he actually went through with it, but because I couldn’t remember him ever raising his voice at me.

          “Drake.” I scolded. Swear he gets on my nerves sometimes. Matter fact, all dudes play too much.

          “NIIICKIII!” He squealed like an excited fan. I looked around and saw a few people staring our way. No, like seriously, he really wanted me to hurt him.

          “Stop.” I pleaded, speeding up my pace so he couldn’t see me smiling. I heard him take a huge inhale.

          “Oooh, SHIT Nic!” He moaned loudly. Damn. You ever had a dude with a deep voice moan yo name?

          “Goodbye, Drake.” I said in a monotone voice, before leaving out the automatic doors.

NICKI, OVER HERE… YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL… HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT.. CAN YOU CONFIRM.. WHERE’S SCAFF BEEZY? The paps yelled out as they surrounded our truck. Uuugh! Dream got into his overly defensive mode and started leading me through the crowd. They were too persistent. Asking me all types of questions and taking pictures. They know good and well they don’t need to use all that flash when it’s broad daylight. Good thing I had my shades on.

“BACK UP.” Dream ordered. But only a few listened. Most of them acted like they ain’t hear shit.

“DANG, WE ALL KNOW SHE’S GOURGEOUS, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF LESSER BEAUTY?” Drake complained half jokingly as he came out the airport. This caught their attention and laughs broke out as my path to the truck became clearer. Crazy thing is… I hadn’t even noticed he’d stop following me.

DRAKE, THIS WAY… CONGRATS ON… IS IT TRUE THAT.. HOW’S THE ALBUM.. YOU AND NICKI COMMING FROM THE SAME PLACE? Were some of the questions they were shooting him. I finally got in and put my seat belt on as the driver started the engine. Dream was telling a couple guys who were still in front of us to move. Shit, if they wanna lose some toes or ride plastered to the hood, it was fine by me. I turned around to see Drake still standing there talking. He must have felt me watching him cause he looked my way and winked before resuming back to the vultures.

As we made our twists and turns out of LAX I checked my phone. No missed calls. Just the same voicemail that Martin had left me this morning. I called to make sure though. Yep. “Jerk.” I said under my breath. Guess I was still mad cuz as soon as I heard Martin’s voice I pushed 7. I leaned my head back against the seat and just thought. I mean, I know he’s a grown man and I fo damn sho ain’t his mama, but he could’ve at least told Martin where he went. He ain’t never pulled this shit before and I hope he don’t think imma call him first. Ch. I began to put my phone in my purse when I heard it beep, letting me know I had a new text.

You’re welcome.

Thanks. Even though they probably came cause they heard u.

You think? Not really. I’m Nicki Minaj. I laughed to myself.

I know.

My bad, Nic. Let Drizzy make it up to you. Seriously?

I’m joking! U knows they be everywhere we go.

Sure, but you should still let me. Hmmm.

What do u have in mind?

A lot of things, but tell ‘em to pull into Randy’s real quick. What? I looked up to see the huge donut about a light away. I turned around and saw him behind us in the same car from our little outing.

Ok. I replied before asking the driver to pull into the parking lot.

Drake pulled up beside us, got out and motioned for me to do the same. “Nuh, uh.” I told Dream as I saw him reach to unlock the doors. Drakes face twisted causing me to laugh out loud.

“Stop playing, Nic.” He said, trying to open the door.

“See, now it’s ‘Stop playing’ but when I asked you to stop, you continued.” Guess he knew I was right cause he grinned. I mimicked. He held up his index finger before jogging into the shop. I unhooked my seat belt and after about 5mins he came out carrying a box with a bag sitting on it. He sat them on top of his car before opening the back door and putting the bag in the seat. Picking up the box, he approached Dreams window.

“Here man. They’re for you.” Dream looked at me for an okay. Oh hell naw, he think he slick.

“Don’t open the door! Just roll down your window enough for him to slide them through.” I instructed. He nodded and attempted to do so. Next thing I know I was being snatch up and put into Drake’s car. Stupid automatic windows. I forgot that sometimes they have a mind of their own. Dream had done exactly as I told him, but once he let go of the button, the window kept going. Drake had reached his hand in, unlocked the doors and opened mine in less than 3 seconds. I wanted to be mad at Dream because he wasn’t quick enough, but what could he do with a box of donuts in his hands.

“You know, this would be much easier if you’d unfold your arms.” Drake said, trying to buckle me in. I uncrossed them and shoved him away.

“I got this. Just give me my purse.” I told him. He stood up, grabbed it off the roof and handed it to me. After he shut my door he walked around to his side and mumbled something to Dream before getting in. The driver and Dream pulled off as Drake reached in the back seat. When he turned around he had the bag and some napkins in his hand.

“Would you like some?” He offered going in it with a napkin and pulling out a glazed donut hole. I nodded my head and took the bag from him. He shook his head and smiled again before handing me a napkin.

“Thanks.” I said looking down trying to resist the urge to return the smile. Did I mention that I really wasn’t in the mood?

“Sure, so what’s bothering you? He asked bluntly. I thought carefully about my response as I poured a few donut holes onto the napkin I had laid across my lap.

“Yo, these are so good. But you know I can’t eat these right?” Drake tried to take the bag from me. He succeeded after about five tugs. Closing it up, he tossed it to the back and started the car.

“I know that you really don’t care.” He replied, while buckling up. “And when you want to talk about it, I’m here.” I flashed him what smile I had left in me and began to finish off what was in my napkin. He reached over and opened his glove compartment and removed some CDs. “Could you hand me that one under there?” He asked referring to the one out of his reach. I did, before replacing the ones he handed me to put back. “Thank you.” He said, tryna sound all sexy while feeding it into the stereo. I held in my laugh as he backed up out the space and proceeded to drive me home.

As we turned onto to my street and went through the gate of my condo, déjà vu set in.  The beat that started once we got off the highway must have been the one Drake told me he wanted 40 to make. It still sounded like Faith Evans’ I Love You, but it was slower, had soft synths and more bass. I was ready to write to it right then and there. I continued to listen as a potential hook came to mind.

“Whoa. I want this for myself.” I said, as the beat came to an end. Drakes face lit up as he chuckled at my response. Don’t know why cuz I was serious.

“So you really like it?”

“Yes Drake, you know y’all make magic.” I complemented while trying to eject the CD. “Now let me have this and y’all can make you a new one.”

“First my donuts, and now my beats?” He teased, as he grabbed my hand and blocked the CD, making the stereo retract it.

“Yep, unless you planning on sharing 40.”

“Not at all.” He joked, as he parked in front of the entrance.

“Then give it to me.” I said while pushing the eject button with my other hand. He blocked it again then cut the car.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll just let you hop on it.”

“Aye yo, pauz on this whole conversation, like.” He grinned.

“No pauz.” And of coursed my smile betrayed me.

“But you promised me a beat.” I whined.

“I’m just not sure if I could part with this one.” I snatched my hand away. He rubbed my thigh before I smacked his hand.

“Seriously, or did you already promise it to someone else?”

“Beside me and 40, you’re the only person who’s heard it. I’m not even sure if I’m going to play it for everybody tomorrow.”

“Oh. What’s tomorrow?” I asked. He looked confused.

“Martin didn’t tell you?”

“Nope, not that I can remember.” Unless it was in the voicemail.

“Oh. Well, I’m not having a listening party this time. I just want the fam to stop through and critic.”

“So you’re telling me I’m supposed to keep doing all these favors for you, and get nothing in return. Ch.”

“What favors?” He asked. I turned to face him. Looked him right in his eyes and said,

“Being your friend, letting you hop on my tracks and blessing yours.” I teased with a straight face. “I even let you think I like you.”

“Damn.” He said, hanging his head. He was quit for a minute. Oops. I rested my hand on his shoulder.

“Drake I..”

“I guess we been playing each other.” He cut in, lifting his head.

“Boy please.” I said, shoving him.

 I attempted to get that CD one more time, before he grabbed my hand again. Only this time he brought it up to his lips and planted a kiss. He could always be a freakin’ gentleman. A true reflection of his folks, who I’ve met on many occasions. His mom is such a sweetheart. I think she might actually want me to give Drake a chance as much as he does. I felt an awkward grin spreading across my face as that assumption ran through my mind. I knew exactly how I looked because I had people point it out to me. One day, I even held it so I could look in da mirror to see it for myself. It fit perfectly for the moment too, cuz this kiss was in its 8^th second. I cleared my throat causing him to let up, but he didn’t open his eyes. He just held my hand, still, in the same place. His unsteady breathing on the back of my hand gave me a chill. I don’t know why he continues to torture himself. It’s like he focuses on the possibility and not the probability. And how I’m feeling today, neither are in his favor. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I said, and pulled my hand away before he could start tonguing it.