Page 68 of Love's Free Will

That shit cut deeper than it should’ve. I clenched the glass tighter and nodded.

“She got every right to hate me,” I said. “I gave her hell… then pushed her away when she was the only peace I had.”

Nasseem tilted his head. “You still want her?”

I didn’t even hesitate. “Yeah.”

“Then what the fuck you waitin’ on?”

I exhaled, long and slow. “Timing. I ain’t wanna show up broken, and I damn sure didn’t wanna show up empty-handed.” He nodded slowly, understanding without pushin’. That’s what I respected about Nas—he ain’t press, he just let the truth rise up. “She deserves somethin’ real,” I added. “Not whatever the fuck I was when I told her to leave.”

Nasseem cracked a dry smile. “She’s strong, but she soft too. You were her soft place. You just forgot how much that meant.” We fell quiet for a minute as the server brought our food, the smell of truffle fries and garlic butter filling the air. After a few bites, he asked, “So what’s the play now?”

I leaned forward. “Get my team straight. Handle this business. Then maybe… figure out how to face her again. For real.”

“Don’t wait too long,” he warned. “Ain’t nothin’ worse than lettin’ a good woman walk ‘cause yo ego got you in a chokehold.”

I cracked a small smile, nodding. “You sound like you got some experience in that?”

He chuckled shaking his head. “Nah my boy, I’m single for life.”

“No but for real, I hear you,” I said. “Loud and clear.”

Two dayslater I found myself pulling up to T&A Management. I wasn’t nervous, but I’d be lyin’ if I said I didn’t feel the weight of what this meeting meant. New manager. New chapter. New everything.

The elevator doors opened on the top floor of the modern glass building, and Zay and I stepped into a simple lobby flooded with natural light and sleek black accents. Gold-framed art lined the white walls. A marble reception desk sat beneath a chandelier that looked expensive as hell but somehow understated. This wasn’t no regular office—this was power.

The receptionist greeted us with a polished smile. “Mr. Teegan, they’re expecting you. Mrs. Alexander is just finishing up a call—please have a seat.”

I gave a quick nod and took a seat across from Zay, who was already scanning the room like he was clockin’ exits. I leaned back, legs spread, arms resting on the sides of the chair, cool as ever. Still, I knew Kylei was a heavy hitter in this game. The fact she even agreed to meet? That said somethin’.

The door to the private glass office finally opened, and Kylei Alexander stepped out in a cream pantsuit with gold buttons, hair slicked into a low ponytail, diamond studs in her ears, and a Rolex that probably cost more than most cars.

“Royal,” she greeted with a firm handshake. “Nice to meet you in person.”

“Pleasure’s mine, Mrs. Alexander,” I said, returning the handshake with the same confidence. “Been lookin’ forward to this.”

“Come in and please, call me Kylei.”

I gestured for Zay to hang back in the waiting area and followed her into the office. Floor-to-ceiling windows gave a view of West Hollywood below. On one side was a sleek desk with two MacBooks and a leather notebook: on the other, a sitting area with a black velvet couch, a marble coffee table, and a glass decanter of water with cucumbers.

She motioned to the couch. “Have a seat.” I sank into the couch and relaxed into the plush leather. “First I want to say I’m sorry about your brother. I know what it means to lose someone who’s your backbone.”

“Appreciate that,” I replied. “And before we get into it, I just wanna say I appreciate you for makin’ time. I know your schedule crazy.”

“I make time for the people worth it,” she said smoothly, pouring us both glasses of water. “And I’ve been hearing about you since your first project started making waves internally. Logan speaks highly of you. Lux, too. Your name’s in the right mouths.”

I smirked. “That’s what I like to hear.”

She sat across from me, crossing her legs. “Before I agree to take on a new client, I need to be sure they’re serious. I don’t do the babysitting thing. I’m not here to fix personal messes or manage egos. If we work together, it’s business, no drama.”

“I respect that,” I said. “Truth is, I ain’t come out here lookin’ for a second chance. I came to handle business and elevate.”

Kylei nodded once. “Good. Because I’ve reviewed your numbers, your streaming growth, engagement, and the early feedback from the Concrete Roses pre-release strategy. You’ve got something special—but it needs direction and discipline.”

“I got both,” I told her. “Had to learn the hard way, but I’m here now. Focused.”

She pulled out a folder from her side table and slid it toward me. “This is the rollout plan I sketched based on the timelineLogan gave me. Your album is strong—raw, grounded, and marketable beyond your base if we hit the right promo angles. But you need to reintroduce yourself.”

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