Collaboration 26
*NOTE* I do not claim to know the celebrities mentioned below or their sexual preferences. This fictional story was written solely for entertainment purposes only and does NOT imply the sexual preferences of said celebrities or anything about their personal lives. Enjoy!
The morning air was crisp as the sun began to rise and shine in on Nelly's room through the balcony. He stayed up late last night thinking about everything that was said, all the raw emotions involved, and the sweetest kiss he ever had, even with T.I. The kiss was very special because Nelly never experienced anything like it before and he was sure that T.I. felt the exact same way. It was passionate but it wasn't linked to sex in any way. It just felt so right! Not to long after the sun came gleaming into his room did he start stirring and rousing around in his bed. He put his head under a pillow in an attempt to block it out, which was hitting his face, and causing him to wake up. It worked for a short while until he started to become restless. He tossed a few more times before the sun finally overpowered him. Its rays were bright as his eyes tried their best to adjust to all the light that was entering it while he sat up on the bed.
After brushing his teeth and a rather long shower, he ordered breakfast because he was hungry, seeing as he didn't eat anything last night. It was almost ten when he finished packing up his stuff and rang for a bellhop to take it to the lobby. One of the road managers asked them a few days ago what they all would be doing after the tour so he could make the appropriate plans for each of them. Nelly told him that he was going back to St. Louis so he went ahead and booked the first class ticket. He grabbed the rest of his things and made his was down the hotel to the lobby. Sure enough, everyone was there, huddled in a group as usual. What Nelly didn't expect see was T.I. within the group. He was pretty sure that the caramel colored rapper would have left by now. He started to think that just maybe he got through to him last night but he didn't want to get his hopes up too high because he would be crushed if he was wrong. He tried to remain as neutral about the situation as possible but it was T.I. He could never remain calm whenever it came to him and the love they shared. Once Nelly made his presence known in the group everyone looked up at him, even T.I.
Nelly could tell by looking into his eyes that their talk last night didn't do much good. He was still hurt badly and trying his best to conceal it. Even though the others didn't pick up on it, Nelly did right away because T.I. was the only other person he knew as well as himself. He started to feel lousy for this as he felt one of the road managers tapping him, giving him his plane ticket. The flight was for one, which was only a couple of hours away. He wasn't even listening to the final farewells of the group and the comments on how successful the tour was. He was worried at how awkward things will be for him and T.I. when they have to leave. Do they say goodbye to each other or just leave things the way they were now? How was it going to be? He didn't know what to say or do around the man he still loved.
Murphy bid farewell to the group as a long black limo whisked him deeper into the city. Slowly the rest of the group disbanded, going to various places around the continent. As if by fate, T.I. and Nelly were the only ones left in the hotel lobby. The minutes took increasingly longer to pass by as a moment of awkwardness befell the two former lovers. Nelly was confused as to what to do and didn't know if he should try once more to get his man back. T.I. was becoming uneasy with the situation because deep down, he knew that he still loved and wanted Nelly. He became increasingly agitated when he saw Nelly making his way over to him. He looked so good, smelled like a God, and had the sexiest body, T.I. thought, as he walked over to him. He looked Nelly in the eyes; the same eyes that were his weakness. Nelly ached for T.I.'s love again.
"Hey," Nelly shyly said.
"Sup?"
"Missing you."
"Don't do this. Everything has been said. There's nothing left."
"I know but I just can't let go. I can't let you go."
"I don't know what to tell you."
"Tell me that you want me! Tell me that you want to kiss me as bad as I want to kiss you right now!"
"I can't. I can't give you what you want. Not anymore," T.I. said, looking away.
"But bab---"
"I have to go. The limo is waiting."
T.I. walked past him and Nelly wanted to stop him but he couldn't. He realized how selfish he was being after all this time. How could he have asked T.I. to forgive him after what he did? He gave him his heart and he destroyed it. How could be ever expect T.I. to forgive him for that? He stared at the back of his head as he walked out the large lobby. His heart skipped when he saw T.I. look back at him before he went out the door. Nelly held the gaze until he was gone. He fucked up. He knew deep down that he wasn't going to find any better than what he had with T.I. because what they had was perfect. The relationship was perfect, but mainly, T.I. was perfect in every way. Nelly remained in the lonely lobby for a few more minutes until he saw his limo waiting outside for him.
After checking in and boarding his plane, Nelly sat in first class drinking a glass of Cristal. Although he was excited to go home, he couldn't shake T.I. from his mind or his heart. Thoughts swirled in his head of better times he had with T.I. That cool New Year's night they spent on Miami Beach watching the Orange drop to the many long conversations they shared with each other. The thought of never having moments like that again made Nelly want to scream as loud as he possibly could. He was sure that there was no feeling in his body at the moment as the flight continued on. After what seemed like too many hours engulfed in his thoughts, he heard the pilot welcome them to St. Louis. He left the champagne glass on the armrest and buckled his seatbelt in preparation for the landing.
Once he got everything straightened out at the airport, he saw the black limo, which one of the road managers arranged, sitting outside waiting for him. He had one carryon bag with him while his other luggage was already being placed into the limo. He was grateful that no one recognized him because the last thing he wanted was a mob of fans at the airport. Once in the car, he took off his cap and sunglasses. There was no sign of snow in St. Louis and the weather was surprisingly hot for it still being winter. He took off his jacket and tossed it next to him. He fetched his phone from his pocket and saw that he had a missed call. He flipped it open to see who it was before dialing back the number.
"Hey man! What you up to?"
"Chillin' man. Why you ain't pick up your phone?" Murphy asked him.
"Didn't even know it rang durrty. You needed something."
"Nah! Just called to see if my boy was aight."
"Yea man. I'm headed to the crib right now."
"Oh you in St. Louis already?"
"Yea man."
"Ay give your mom a big hug for me. You know she loves me."
"Nah man. She puts up with you for me."
"You one jealous ass nigga you know that?"
"Whatever. So how's the wifey?"
"Nigga she ain't my wifey! She could be though. I'm telling you Cornell, she's special man. I've never found anyone like her."
"That's good man. I'm happy for you guys."
"Thanks! That means a lot coming from you."
"So when's the wedding? Am I invited?"
"You got jokes fuck nigga! Don't worry though, when we meet up again I'll give you Murphy style grill to wear fucker!"
"I'd like to see you try. You all talk."
"Don't worry Cornell. I got you! I got you man!"
"So when are we going to meet up my supposed best friend?"
"Supposed? Bitch I am your best friend. No one can replace me and all the shit I do for your ungrateful ass."
"Right! So when you gonna stop playing husband and start recording?" Nelly playfully asked.
"Damn Cornell! I didn't know you had such a passionate death wish nigga!"
"Just answer the question!"
"Shit! Someone needs to get laid! I'll probably stay here a few more days. You know I could record while I'm down here."
"Yea you could but didn't you want me to help you with the album?"
"Yea. Where you recording at?"
"In L.A. After I see what's up with the family and stuff. A couple of days vacation then its back to work."
"Aight then. I'll meet up with you in L.A. by the end of this week."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll see you out there."
"One."
Their conversation lasted the whole ride from the airport to the house that Nelly bought his mother. He could have opted to go to his own house but he hasn't seen his mom in a long while and promised her that he'd see her on his down time. He was excited because he loved his mother dearly and because they shared a special relationship. He opened the door as the driver got out and started retrieving the suitcases from the trunk. Walking up to the house, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and saw that one of the tour managers had text messaged him to see if he made it safe. He expertly typed back a message under the terrace of his mother's grand house. The driver left the suitcases next to him and Nelly tipped him extremely well. He rang the doorbell.
"Cornell?" his mother asked, surprised and extremely excited. She rushed to hug her son. "What are you doing here baby boy?"
"You told me to come see you when I had free time so here I am."
"I've missed you my son!"
"I've missed you too mom. You look great!"
"Boy shut up and get in this house!" she laughed.
They hugged once more before she grabbed his carryon bag and walked inside. He rolled his two large suitcases into the foyer and looked around the house. He'd been there before but the house was different. Expensive rugs and vases adorned it along with many family pictures. His mom was obviously busy decorating and he was glad for this. When he first bought his mom the house, he picked out his own room upstairs. He carried his suitcase, one at a time, up to his room, which was virtually unchanged. The room was large and had pictures of Nelly when he was a child hanging on its walls. He threw the suitcases on his bed and made his way back downstairs. He got the carryon, which his mom left on the table, and took it back upstairs. Deciding he needed a shower, he got a towel and made his way to his own bathroom.
After his relaxing shower, Nelly rummaged through his suitcases to find a pair of black silk boxers, a black tank top, and pair of basketball shorts of the same color. He smelled of lavender as he made his way downstairs. He heard his mom in the kitchen as he walked in and sat in the nook. He saw that his mom was making him a sandwich, which was perfect because he was hungry seeing as he didn't eat anything on the plane. He started to drift off, with thoughts of T.I. consuming him once more, before he heard his mom calling out to him.
"You alright honey?" she asked in a concerned tone as she brought him the sandwich and sat across from him.
"Yea mom. I was just thinking about some things I need to do."
"How long can you stay?"
"Only a couple of days," he said as he bit into the sandwich.
"That's it? You only come to spend a couple of days with your dear mother?"
"Mom you know I'd like to stay longer but I have to work."
"I know son. I'm just teasing you. It just feels so good to have you home baby boy."
"Yea. I love it here. So what have you been up to lately? I see you're not shy about spending up all of my money," Nelly joked.
"Sorry. I just saw some things I liked for the house. I guess I got a little carried away."
"No mom you don't have to be sorry. I'm glad that I can afford to give you whatever you want. That money is not a problem now. I just want you to be happy because you deserve it."
"Thank you Cornell. So how's the sandwich? Tell me, does your mom still have it?" she laughed.
"Yea! If we ever go broke, we can always open up a sandwich shop. We'd get a lot of business!"
"That won't happen. You've got talent and that's why you're so successful now my son. Trust me Cornell, you're not going anywhere."
This is why Nelly loved his mother so much. She was the only one who believed, and still believes, in him when no one else did. "Thanks mom. I'll try not to disappoint you."
"The only way you can disappoint me is if you give up. So who is she?" she asked him out of nowhere.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Come on son. I'm your mother remember. I know something's bothering you and it has to do with some girl."
"And why do you assume that?"
"I don't assume anything when it comes to you. I see it in your eyes. Now are you going to sit there and deny it?"
Nelly didn't know what to do. He couldn't bring himself to tell his mother about T.I. and the romance they shared. He decided to just go along with it and pretend as if he was hurting over a female because he couldn't lie to his mother. She always knew when he was for some reason. He sighed and thought for a moment, his mother's eyes intently on him, before he said anything.
"I found someone mom. But it's complicated," he said as he got up to get something to drink.
"How? What going on? Who is she?"
"That doesn't matter. The thing is that I'm in love," he said as he sat back down, across from her.
"That's great Cornell! So what's complicated about that? She doesn't feel the same?"
"It's not that," Nelly said. "I messed up mom. I ruined the best thing I ever had."
"What do you mean?" she asked, getting slightly worried.
"I cheated. I slept with someone else and now I lost everything."
"Why did you do it? I thought you said you were in love."
"I was. I still am. Murphy and I went to a club one night in New York and I met someone else. I was drunk mom and things just went really fast from there. I was so gone that I didn't even remember the night at all until my memory was forced to recall it because I woke up with her in my bed."
"Do you love this other girl?"
"No. I have no feelings for her but she did for me. She said that she thought there was a special connection and that's why she let things go as far as they did."
"Cornell I thought I raised you better than this. You're playing with two people's feelings here."
"You did mom. It was a mistake. An honest mistake."
"So what are you going to do?"
"I don't know. I tried everything to get the relationship back but nothing worked."
"Is it that special to you?"
"Yes. Mom this is the one. This is what I've wanted for so long."
"So then why did you ruin it?"
"I don't know. Because I'm stupid. I'm fucking stupid!"
"Watch your mouth young man," she said as she got up and sat next to him. "If you believe that this is the one for you and what you want then you have to fight for it Cornell. You can't just let it go. It will always be in the back of your mind if you do."
"I don't know what to do mom," he said as he rested his head on her shoulder and felt her wrap her arms around him. He felt as if he was about to cry but he wasn't going to in front of her. "I want this back more than anything but I can't have it anymore. I don't think I can fix what I did."
"I don't know what to tell you. If it's as important to you as you say, then you have to get it back my son. You deserve that kind of love in your life."
"I don't know how to. What should I do?"
"You have to figure that out on your own. I don't know enough to give you that kind of advice. I'm a person from the outside looking in. Only you two know what you mean to each other. Everyone else is just on the outside looking in like me."
"Why did you raise such an idiot?"
"Stop it! You're not an idiot. I didn't raise an idiot or a quitter. You just made a mistake. Now instead of feeling sorry for yourself, you have to go get back what you lost."
"No matter where I go in the world, I always feel the safest here."
"That's because this is your home and you know there's one person here who loves you more than anything in this world and wants to see her baby boy smile again."
"Thanks mom! I love you too. What time is it?"
"Oh! It's almost twelve. I said I was going to go shopping tomorrow but since you're here for so few days, I'll just do it another time."
"Okay. I'll figure out something for us to do tomorrow. I'm going to bed. It's been a long day," he said as he got up from the nook.
"I'm so happy to have you home Cornell."
"I know. I'm glad I came back. You going to bed?"
"In a little. I'll see you in the morning."
"Good night mom. I love you!"
"I love you to my baby boy!"
Nelly kissed his mom good night before going upstairs to his room. He did feel safest when he was in this house and close to his mother. He moved his two suitcases from the bed and placed them by his dresser. He put the carryon bag on top of one of the suitcase and took off his basketball shorts and tank top. He was settled into bed when he got up and started searching through his carryon. The necklace T.I. had given him shined in the pale moonlight as he took it out. After replacing the bag where he initially put it, he took the necklace to bed and got comfortable once again. His index finger traced over the cold letters of his name, the diamonds shining and slightly illuminating his room. He was going insane without T.I. to love him. He stayed there, staring deeply at the chain and nameplate that was once a symbol of T.I.'s love for him. He was right. He didn't deserve to wear it after what he did. But if he didn't then that would mean that he gave up and he wasn't going to give up on what he knew would make him happy for the rest of his life.
"I got to get this fixed," he softly said.
He carefully placed the necklace on the nightstand, next to his clock, before he went to bed. He stared out the large window that was in his room into the night. There were few stars out as he wondered where T.I. was and what he was doing. He wondered if he missed him at all. Though he felt guilty about giving his mom the wrong idea, it did help a lot to talk things out with someone about what has been bothering him. He turned away from the window and looked at the necklace on his nightstand. A few tears crashed onto his pillow before he was finally able to drift off to sleep. When Nelly was fast asleep, his mother came into his room. She stood over him and looked at him while he slept. She hated seeing her son in pain. She leaned over and kissed him on his forehead as he stirred a little.
"I love you my son. Now and always," she whispered as she continued looking at him.
If you have any questions or comments you can e-mail me at jc71883@hotmail.com or hit me up on AIM ~ Dragon93085.