It's Either Me Or Her: A Side Bitch Story Read online

  He sighed while thinking that something had to change or Rayne could easily fall for another. In the music industry things and people changed on a daily basis, at any given time. There would be nothing for her to meet some other hot producer, singer or rapper, but this time one that didn’t come with excuses.

  “You ready?” he asked Rayne.

  She held a pair of headphones up to her right ear as she nodded her head. The last thing she saw was Chase giving her a thumbs-up as the music began to play. She closed her eyes and began singing the lyrics of her song, If Only You Were My Man. Lyrics that seemed like they were meant just for him. He bobbed his head feeling good about the hit single and knew that it would blow up the charts. Just as he started to really get in tune with everything that was going on around him, the studio doors swung open.

  Rayne’s eyes opened to connect with Chase’s eyes as they always did. But, instantly she frowned as she noticed a woman walking in while heading straight over to Chase.

  Chase looked up from the mixer board with an irritated expression on his face. “Brooke,” he apprehensively said while already trying to figure out her motives of being there uninvited. “What are you doing here?”

  Chapter Two

  “What are you doing here?” Chase repeated again after Brooke acted like she didn’t hear him.

  Brooke had completely ignored him as she stared at Rayne inside of the booth. It was no denying that the girl was beautiful. She looked better than any other scrub that Chase came in contact with.

  So this must be Chase’s new artist, the infamous Rayne that I’ve been hearing so much about. She thought to herself. She stared at Rayne, taking in everything about her appearance that she could see clearly. She frowned up her face a little bit as she thought about her man spending all of his time in the studio with her.

  “Brooke,” Chase called out.

  “Huh,” Brooke responded shifting her eyes away from Rayne and back towards him.

  “What are you doing here?” He asked for the third time.

  Brook placed her hands on her hips and stared at him like she couldn’t believe that he was asking her that. “Soooo, I can’t come and see my man now?”

  Chase glanced inside the sound booth at Rayne whose eyes were still glued on his baby mama. He then focused his attention back on Brooke. “Didn’t I tell you that I will see you later? You know how I feel about you showing up here.” He said wanting to shake his head, but he knew that Rayne was peeping game and the less body language he showed was for the best. “And, where is Mason?”

  “He’s with my parents.” Brooke responded. “I missed you baby and I thought it would be nice to treat you to a late lunch.”

  Chase grinned a little. Brooke probably did want to take him out for lunch, but she also had bigger motives than that. “I told you that I was wrapping up this single today. You already know I can’t. I’m busy right now.” He responded while letting out a frustrated sigh. Brooke was beyond slick showing up to the studio acting clueless. This within itself only pissed him off.

  Brooke pouted like she always did. “Chase you stay busy and I’m tired of it. When are you going to spend some time with me and Mason?”

  “One thing I’m sure of is that it won’t be right now,” Chase stated with a shake of his head. “This is not the time or place to talk about us spending time together. I got work to do. We can talk about this later.”

  “Okay,” Brooke responded. She turned like she was going to leave, but to Chase’s surprise she went and sat down on a long, black couch that was right across from the sound booth. From the way the couch was located, she had a clear view of Chase’s new artist. She stared at her just as hard as Rayne sat there staring back at her.

  Chase frowned a little while trying not to get upset. “What are you doing?” He questioned following her with his eyes.

  “What it look like I’m doing, Chase? I’m sitting my ass down right here until you’re finished.” Brooke responded as she placed her Gucci handbag down on the couch beside her, and then crossed her legs and arms. “Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t you have work to do?”

  “Brooooooke,” Chase dragged in an irritated tone. This was another one of his problems with her. She could be so damn persistent and stubborn at times. “Go home,” he said. “Please, just go home.”

  “Chaaaaaase, I’m not going anywhere.” Brooke mimicked. “I’m going to sit right here until you finish handling your business, and then we’re going to talk about us spending more time together. Plus, I think it’s about time for me to meet your little artist.” She smirked as she nodded her head in the direction of the booth.

  Rayne continued to sit behind the booth watching Chase and the unfamiliar woman interact with each other. She couldn’t hear anything, but she could certainly see the woman as she looked her way with a slick roll of the eyes, and then back to Chase like she could care less about what he was saying. From that alone, she concluded that the unhappy looking woman had to be Chase’s infamous baby mother, Brooke.

  Rayne sat there eyeing the woman. It was no doubt that she was stunning. She had cocoa brown skin with light brown, shoulder length hair that bounced every time she turned her head. She could instantly see why Chase was with her. She definitely didn’t look like the groupies that came around the studio trying to get a piece of him. She had a very nice shape with the perfect round butt to go along with her petite frame. Rayne sucked in her teeth, still being nosey as she watched the unknown woman look in her direction for the umptenth time and nod her head.

  What the hell? Rayne thought.

  Getting irritated at the glances that both Chase and the woman were throwing her way, she decided to see what the deal was. Rayne stood up and stepped outside of the booth. At that point she could care less about the woman since Chase was the only person that she needed to address. “Ummm, are we going to work or not?” She questioned him in a puzzled tone.

  Chase glanced over his shoulder at her, and then back at Brooke. He cleared his throat several times before speaking. “Yeah, but first let me introduce you to someone. Brooke this is Rayne, the new R&B artist that I was telling you about, and Rayne this is Brooke, my son’s mother.”

  “And girlfriend,” Brooke added giving Rayne a fake smile. She wanted to make sure that Rayne knew that she was the primary woman in Chase’s life. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”

  Wish I could say the same thing about you. Rayne thought. “Same here,” she lied. She turned back towards Chase. “I’m ready when you are.”

  “I’m sorry about this, but I’m ready,” he said now feeling a bit overwhelmed himself at the way things were playing out. “Once you’re back inside the booth, I’ll start the music over.” Chase responded. The look Rayne shot Brooke had Chase chuckling under his breath. He had to commence Rayne on the way she handled herself. She didn’t seem the least bit intimated by Brooke, and that was the first. Most of the female artists or even groupies would run the other way when they saw Brooke coming, because they knew she was a force to be reckoned with.

  “Are you staying?” Rayne asked Brooke.

  “Yup, can you handle that? I mean, is my being here going to make you nervous, sweetie?” Brooke responded with the fake smile still plastered on her face.

  “Nope, not all,” Rayne answered before walking off. The previous jitters that were in her stomach earlier had now settled. She felt a burst of confidence shoot through her body as she headed back inside the booth. She wanted to prove to Chase’s little girlfriend that she wasn’t the least bit fazed by her presence. She sat back on the bar stool and put the headphones back up to her ear. Closing her eyes, she waited until the music started back playing, and then she bellowed out every single word like she was performing at the Grammy’s on a live stage in front of the world.

  ***

  The next couples of hours were spent on making sure that Rayne’s vocals were on point and satisfying to the ear. “Okay, I think
that’s a wrap,” Chase called out. He stopped the song and motioned for her to come out of the booth.

  Rayne stepped out of the booth with a bright smile on her face. This had to be one of the best moments of her life.

  “Let’s see how it sounds.” He said as he pressed play so that they could listen to the final version of the song. They both bobbed their heads while they listened to Rayne’s sweet voice flowing through the studio speakers.

  “Oh my God, that’s me.” Rayne said in awe.

  “Yeah, and you sound damn good, too.” Chase agreed with a smile. He was feeling just as excited as she was.

  “I can’t believe it. I’m about to be on the radio soon.” Rayne responded while clapping her hands like a cheerleader in College after a perfect performance.

  “You better believe it. This song is going to be a hit.” Chase chimed in.

  Rayne’s eyes filled with excitement. “You really think so?” she questioned. Although she couldn’t wait to hear her song on the radio, she was still nervous about it.

  Chase nodded his head. “Yep, watch what I say.”

  Rayne grinned. “Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God!” She squealed. “I just finished my first single. We did it, Chase.” She said while grabbing his arm. They stared at each other with huge smiles on their faces, getting lost in each other’s eyes. They were in their own little world and had completely forgotten for a moment that they weren’t alone.

  “Ummm Hmmm,” Brooke hummed as she cleared her throat interrupting their moment of happy bliss. She wasn’t feeling the way they were acting around each other. A quick thought entered her delusional mind. Oh hell no! He better not have fucked this bitch. She quickly stood up about ready to act a fool if necessary. “Are we finished here?” She questioned in a raised voice so they could hear her over the music that was playing in the background.

  Chase broke his attention away from Rayne. “Yeah,” he responded while turning off the music and then focusing his attention on Brooke. “You can leave now.” He told her. “I still gotta get up with Jeremy and James to discusse some more business. I will be home around eight.”

  Brooke rolled her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me that earlier, Chase?”

  “You’re the one that insisted on staying.” He responded with a frown.

  “Only because I thought you were coming home after you finished with her.” She shot his way.

  “What gave you that idea?” Chase asked. “I never told you that.”

  “Stop being funny,” Brooke snapped. Nothing pissed her off more than for Chase to handle her in front of some new artist of his. He was really starting to test her patience.

  “Look Brooke, I promise I’ll be home later. The meeting with Jeremy and James won’t take that long.” Chase explained trying to calm her down before she got started.

  Brooke huffed while finally deciding to just leave. She picked up her purse without saying anything else. Before walking out the door, she gave him a look letting him know that once he got home it was on and popping.

  Chase shook his head at her, and then turned back towards the mixer board. “Uh, Chase, I actually need a ride home. Can you give me one?” Rayne questioned while grabbing her purse and keys.

  “A’ight, I got you.” He glanced down at his Rolex timepiece. “I have about an hour before I meet up with James and Jeremy. That’ll be enough time to take you home.”

  Unbeknowst to them, Brooke had stopped to check her phone outside of the studio doors when she’d overhead Rayne ask her man to take her home and hearing Chase’s response pissed her off. She quickly pushed the studio doors back open and walked in looking at Chase all crazy. Without hesitation, she asked, “In what car? Because, last time I checked, you drove my car here.” She confronted him. It was no way in hell she was going to let Rayne get inside of her car. She was already blowed as thoughts roamed her mind that they were fucking each other.

  “So,” Chase responded, but he was certainly surprised to see that she hadn’t left yet.

  Brooke’s neck jerked to the side as she cut her eyes at him. “So, you are not about to take that bi…” Brooke started to say, but stopped once receiving a seriously unpleasant look from Chase.

  “Brooke,” Chase cut in walking over to where she was standing by the door. “Don’t start,” he whispered in a stern tone.

  “She is not getting in my car, Chase. I don’t care if she is your artist. Tell that bitch to take a cab.” Brooke angrily said.

  Chase glanced over at Rayne to see if she’d heard anything. Luckily, the minute Brooke stepped back inside the control room she’d put her Beats back over her ears and was looking down at her phone. “Did you drive my car?” He asked frowning at Brooke. She nodded her head indicating that she had drove his car. “Well, that settles it. We will just switch out cars and before you say anything else; I’m taking her home.”

  Brooke stood there feeling some type of way. “Why? She can call a cab.” She snapped.

  “That’s not going to happen. I’m taking her home, end of discussion.” Chase said with his mind already made up.

  “No, you’re not. I will take her home.” Brooke stated to his surprise, and then she walked over to Rayne before he could stop her. She tapped Rayne on the shoulder to get her attention.

  Rayne looked up from her phone and removed the Beats from her ears. “Yes,” she said with an irritated expression on her face.

  “Me and Chase agreed that I’ll be the one to take you home,” Brooke responded with a sly look on her face.

  Chapter Three

  Did this bitch just say that she and Chase agreed that she’d take me home? Rayne quickly pondered in her mind. Her eyes glanced over at Chase who had this undeniably surprised look on his face, but before either of them could say anything, James pushed the control room doors open.

  “What’s up, Brooke?” he spoke, and then turned his attention to Rayne. “You still need that ride, home girl?”

  Rayne glanced over at James, and then right back over to Brooke. “I actually don’t need you to take me anywhere. I have a ride.” She told Brooke while grabbing her Louis Vuitton handbag that was sitting next to her on top of the mixer. “James, you ready?”

  “Wait a minute,” Chase cut in with an irritated expression. “Brooke, I think you should leave now.”

  “What?” Brooke questioned with a frown on her face.

  “You heard me,” Chase said in a serious tone. He shot her a look that told her that he’d had just about enough of her shenanigans.

  “I’m not going anywhere, especially if you think that you’re going to take her home.” She said pointing back over at Rayne.

  This bitch better learn some manners or I’m going to shove some up her ass. Rayne thought as she tried desperately hard to maintain her composure.

  Chase looked at Brooke and nonchalantly nodded his head up and down. “Okay, so we’re playing these games again?”

  “Chase,” Rayne called out. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll catch James home.”

  “Yeah, it’s no biggie,” James chimed in just as Jeremy pushed the control room doors open and walked in. He glanced around the room from one face to the other, and then instantly shook his head.

  “So, what’s the problem, Brooke?” Jeremy questioned already knowing that she was back up to her old tricks of showing off at their place of business.

  Immediately Brooke started. “Chase thinks that he’s going to take this girl home in my ride.” Chase stood there not saying a word as he stared at her as if she’d lost her damn mind.

  “Say what now?” Jeremy pondered. Lord, what is this woman talking about?

  “You heard me,” Brooke said. “He’s not taking her home in my car and she’s not getting in his car, either. Why she can’t get a cab? Hell, I’ll pay for it if she ain’t got the money.” She said looking over at Rayne while feeling like everything about her was a knock-off.

  “Ain’t no trees in here, but it’s plenty of shade,” James m
umbled being the clown that he was.

  “If I wanted to take a cab home, I would’ve called one.” Rayne responded with a sharp attitude while giving Brooke the side eye. “Chase, please get your woman before I do.” She bluntly stated.

  “Get me then!” Brooke yelled out. She’d been waiting for Rayne to jump bad, not that anyone ever did. However, Rayne was a different breed, cut from a much different cloth.

  Rayne shook her head at her almost wanting to laugh. Brooke was definitely a pretty woman with a lot of sex appeal about herself, but her attitude sucked tremendously and Rayne could see one of the reasons why Chase wasn’t happy with her.

  “Whoa!” Jeremy said stepping in between the two women.

  By this point, Chase was tired of Brooke showing her ass. He glanced over at Jeremy. “Cuz, you don’t have to do all of that. I’m done playing Brooke’s games. Where are your keys?” Jeremy didn’t hesitate as he reached inside of his pockets and pulled out the keys to his black Maserati. Chase then directed his attention back at Brooke to let her know how he felt. “I don’t have to take her home in your car or my car, but I will be taking her home.” He said while grabbing Jeremy’s keys out of his hand.

  “Oh no the hell you won’t.” Brooke cut in.

  “Chase, I can ride with James.” Rayne said not wanting to cause any more unneccesary drama between them that would always have Brooke looking at her sideways.

  “Nah, her ass is gonna learn today,” Chase responded as he shot Brooke an angry stare.

  Brooke hissed as she put her hands on her hips. “If you take her home, don’t you come home tonight!”