On the Flip Side by Nikki Carter Read Free Book Online

want to be real careful with that, baby girl. Zac and Mystique aren’t feeling him, and his time is up at Epsilon Records.”
    â€œSo what? Epsilon Records is not the only company out here signing record deals. Truth just got signed to Big Cash Gents Records, so he’s gonna be a’ight.”
    My eyes widen at the mention of Big Cash Gents Records. They are known for gangsta activity. The rumor in the industry is that they got started with money from drug deals. Getting let go from Epsilon was not a good look, but signing up with Big Cash Gents is an even worse look.
    â€œLet’s get back to this record,” Dreya fusses. “I’m trying to figure out my career right now anyway. I need to make sure I’ve got something popping off at the end of the day.”
    â€œOkay, try the phrase again,” I say. “Bring the attitude.”
    This time Dreya gets in a zone or something, because she brings the fiyah! She spits every line like she means it. Like she’s really got a vendetta with someone. She totally makes me believe it. Big D and Dilly like it too, because they both give her a round of applause when she’s done.
    Dreya takes a little bow and smiles. “Who said I can’t be a female emcee?”
    â€œIt wasn’t me!” Dilly says, as he gives Dreya a fist pound. “You did that, girl. I felt that!”
    â€œSo now the only ones left to convince are the executives at Epsilon Records,” Big D says. “But I think if you go hard for your whole record like you did right there, you won’t have a problem convincing them.”
    Dreya smiles hard, and I can’t help but share her joy. It’s not often that I get to see Dreya totally happy. We grew up like sisters, most of the time in the same house, and it seems like we were always competing. This is something that she gets to have all to herself. She never has to worry about me rapping. Even though I’m nice on the mic, I enjoy singing so much more.
    â€œDo you think Epsilon Records would let me do a duet with Dilly?” Dreya asks.
    â€œYou want me to do a duet with you? That’s what’s up!”
    Big D says, “I’m sure they would. They’re still trying to figure out how to put Dilly on the map.”
    My phone rings, and I’m sure my face lights up when I see the caller ID. It’s Sam! With the video shoot, I haven’t talked to him all weekend.
    â€œHey, Sam,” I say in a voice that is just a little bit too bubbly.
    â€œHey, Sunday. Are you alone right now?”
    Okay, he sounds weird. “No. I’m in the lab with Big D, Dilly, and Dreya.” I hold the phone up in the air. “Say hey to Sam, y’all.”
    Big D says, “You need to get back to the A. We’ve got work to do, son.”
    I place the phone back on my face. “What’s up?”
    â€œDo me a favor and go upstairs for a second, so I can talk to you in private.”
    Now, he’s scaring me. “Is everything okay?”
    â€œYes, it’s okay, but I just want to tell you this without everyone seeing your face.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll be back, y’all.”
    I take the steps two at a time, because Sam’s tone sounds anxious, and he’s such a cool dude. He hardly ever gets wound up.
    Huffing and puffing at that little bit of physical exertion, I ask, “Okay, what’s going on?”
    â€œI don’t know how to say this, so I’m just gonna say it. I went to a party with Zac over the weekend, and some things popped off that I wish never did.”
    â€œWhat kind of things?”
    I hear Sam sigh over the phone. Not a good sign.
    â€œWell, I wasn’t drinking. At all. I was sipping on a Coke. But someone slipped something in my soda when I set it down.”
    â€œWhat? That’s crazy! Are you okay?”
    â€œYes, I’m fine. But after the party, Zac told me it was ground-up ecstasy.”
    Ecstasy?