Black Rose || The Outtakes

Black Rose || Outtake 126

Author's Note: Take that writer's block! Meet Craig's little brother Jason Wallace. Played by Jason Mitchell AKA Eazy-E from "Straight Outta Compton." Readers, what do you think? Otherwise, enjoy this chapter! keiathegypsyIndiii_bindiii michaelscrown

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1987 – Los Angeles, California

CRAIG WALLACE

"Bam! Look at her." I flashed a Polaroid right in Jason's face just as we parked at the studio. Two years ago, one of the staff members kindly took a picture of Brenda and me with his favorite but tiny camera. Our pose consisted of us simply standing right next to each other. I'd never forget seeing the black crop top and hugging blue jeans that woman rocked. Even those short curls dropped right around her gorgeous face.

Still, I knew better than to flirt as usual. Not only would the action seem unprofessional, but I heard through the grapevine that Brenda almost religiously dated Prince. Yes, loose cannon Prince. With the information crammed into my mind, I dutifully held back while this poor woman juggled between heartache and possibly new chapters with Michael Jackson.

I sighed out loud facing Jason in the driver seat. My little brother continued slouching at this point, but I didn't even care. Birds chirped this morning all around the nearby palm tears and promising sunlight. "And we only went out once. A poetry slam down here."

"What happened?" Jason questioned me and pushed up his sunglasses. I wanted to punch a wall as the words escaped my mouth, but chose to turn away from him and squint instead. We had been sitting in this car without a running engine for a least ten minutes. My session with B wouldn't start for probably fifteen minutes or so.

I adjusted this cap this hide my glare away from Jason. There was only silence in the parking lot as we both sat without seatbelts. I didn't even care. On the other hand, Jason removed his own cap and scratched a better Jheri Curl than mine. I rolled my eyes underneath this cap. "Michael. They've been serious for almost a year now."

Jason turned to face front and shrugged once more. The sunshine barely gleamed overhead as we continued speaking. I hadn't seen my brother in quite a while thanks to this project. Ma asked for the both of us to bond here and I picked up my little devil before dawn. "And what's the problem? You should be happy."

I groaned out loud once more and turned to face Jason with narrowed eyes. My hand gripped the steering wheel to somehow curb the brewing anger inside of me. Looking back never felt pleasant. "I'm not even close to happy, J. Don't you remember me telling you that Michael punched me in the face? He's even come to the studio just to pick her up."

Jason shook his for a second time. I couldn't even face my brother since rage continued growing within my heart. "What about the Angel thing? Do you think he'll stop cheating?"

I scoffed and finally willed myself to leave this car. Jason quickly followed and patted my shoulder. I completely understood, barely smiling without our eye contact "I don't know, man. Let's go."

Just as we reached those double entrance doors, wheels rolled into the parking lot. Jason and I looked back to see a familiar silver convertible. A genuine smile reached my face and Jason shook my shoulders. Embarrassment forced my skin to nearly turn red.

Within seconds, Jason laughed through almost every word. I shook my head while amused. Behind us, Michael and Brenda walked closer and closer. I could've cared less. "You sprung, my nigga. Stop playin'. Get that Kool-laid smile off your face and walked inside before Mike punches you again."