The Art of Falling | Szn 1, Episode Sixteen

Showtime | Shameek

“Hey!” Gabriella called, rushing toward where Shameek and Kiyanne stood with a man Shameek had never seen before, trailing her.

“Who is this?” Shameek demanded, one eyebrow raised.

“Don’t start,” she shoved his chest. “This is Maurice, a client. Reese, this is my brother, Meek.”

“What’s up?” Maurice nodded, extending a hand.

Determining that something with Maurice’s vibe was off, Shameek looked him up and down.

“You bring all your clients to your events?”

“Meek!” Kiyanne hissed, punching his shoulder.

“Don’t mind him,” Gabriella waved off the awkward moment and turned her attention to Kiyanne. “It’s nice to see you again, Kiy. You don’t mind if I call you that, do you? I know some people are weird about someone shortening their name. Me included.”

“Of course not,” Kiyanne offered a smile. “And it’s nice to see you again, too.”

“What’s up, family?” Hendric’s voice penetrated the circle.

Shameek laughed as Gabriella groaned and dropped her head back.

“What’s up, bro?” He greeted Hendric, slapping hands with him as soon as he was close enough. “I wasn’t sure you would make it.”

“You know damn well I wouldn’t miss this after all the hard work you’ve been putting in. I’m proud of you, bruh.”

“Appreciate that, dawg,” Shameek nodded as Kiyanne cleared her throat. Chuckling, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and ushered her forward. “Kiy, this is my brother, Hendric. Dric, this is Kiy.”

“Hi,” Kiyanne waved. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“And vice versa. It’s nice to finally see my brother with someone who’s a good look for him.”

“Alright,” Gabriella interrupted. “Meek, you should get backstage and prep for your set.”

As she’d captured his attention, Hendric turned toward her, and Shameek didn’t miss how his face contorted when he finally noticed she was there with someone. “Who’s your friend, Ella?”

“I’m not doing this with you at my event, Dric. Goodbye.”

And with that, she grabbed Maurice’s arm and disappeared into the crowd. Hedric started after them, but Shameek stepped in his path. “Not tonight, Dric. Gab worked too hard to put this together for you to show your ass and ruin it. Let her rock.”

“Boy, if tonight wasn’t major for both of y’all,” Hendric shook his head. “Gone and head backstage, bruh. I’ll make sure your girl is good.”

Tilting his head, Shameek shot him a skeptical look. “I don’t know how I feel about all that. I don’t put it past you to tell her some embarrassing shit about me.”

“If my vote counts, I want to hear the embarrassing stories,” Kiyanne chimed in. “Meek is always so secretive about his life.”

“Trust me, I’m more than happy to fill you in,” Hendric delivered a mischievous smirk, offering her his arm.

“Don’t get your ass whooped, nigga,” Shameek threatened as Hendric led Kiyanne away.

Despite his threats, Shameek was glad to have his support system on deck. He’d never admit it aloud, but the idea of taking the stage rattled his nerves. There was so much riding on executing a perfect performance that it almost made him want to throw up. But he was built for the pressure. Made for it. And he’d be damned if he let another opportunity go to waste.

Sucking in a deep breath, Shameek sent up a quick prayer before pushing through the curtains. On autopilot, he raised the mic to his lips and did what he knew best.

Rapped.

After finishing his first verse, he found Kiyanne in the crowd and zeroed in on her. No one else in the room mattered. All he could see was her.

“You ever met somebody so addicting they got you thinking that you trippin’? Have all your niggas clownin’ ‘bout how they lookin’ at you different?”  he rapped, smiling as her mouth dropped in shock. “Kiyanne, she’s spicy, a hot lil’ pepper. Shorty sets my mind at ease. No one does it better.”

Winking at her, he returned his attention to the general crowd, doing his best to keep them engaged through the rest of his set. Finishing, he exited the stage to return to the main floor. His foot barely touched the hardwood before Kiyanne thrust herself into his arms.

“Oh my God,” she squealed as he lifted her. “You did so good!”

“Thanks, Love,” he grinned, returning her to the floor. Linking his fingers with hers, Shameek led her to the table where Hendric sat waiting.

“Man, you ass is a sucka in love,” Hendric teased once they were close enough. But I’ll allow it. Your performance was lit.”

“Thanks, bruh,” Shameek nodded. A familiar face caught his eye when the words left his mouth, causing his stomach to sink. Kissing Kiyanne’s cheek, he released her hand. “Stay with Dric. I’ll be right back.”

Maneuvering through the crowd, having to stop a few times for people to compliment his performance, he finally made it near the door where Amber stood. Shifting nervously, she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” He demanded before she could utter a word.

“Meek, I—”

“Outside,” he interrupted, gesturing toward the door.

Swallowing hard, she nodded, complying with his demand. Rubbing his hands together, he followed, hoping to get her out of his space as quickly as possible.

“Listen,” Amber cleared her throat. “I know I’m probably the last person you want to see right now, but I need your help, Meek.”

“Thinking I’d be willing to help you after what you did is fuckin’ crazy, Amb,” he chuckled. “I’m not even mad about the break-up because I never would have asked you to put your life on hold for me for that long. It’s how you did it.”

“I didn’t have a choice, Meek. And regardless of what happened, we need to put our differences aside and come together for one significant reason.”

“And what reason is that, Amb?”

“Our daughter,” she announced, taking his breath away.