Best I Ever Had

By Jennifer Cornet

Mack will stop at nothing to become the next big thing in the rap game. But ever since he signed his name on the dotted line giving him the record contract of his dreams, more than just his career is changing. As he skyrockets from a no-name mixtape maker hailing from Atlanta to an international sensation, the wedge between him and his high school sweetheart, Alisha, is the only thing growing faster than his fan base.

Mack tries to remain true to the only two things he has ever loved - music and her - but the temptation filled waters of the music industry prove to be too much. After a nasty split, Mack’s music and heart are haunted by her. It doesn’t matter what he does. He can’t drink her away. He can’t erase her memory by filling his bed with as many pop stars, models, or strippers as he can. No matter what he does, he can’t free himself from her. And when a chance encounter at a club throws them back into each other’s life, they have to decide if the moments of ecstasy are worth the risk of having it all come crashing down once more.

Best I Ever Had tells the story of a performer whose life is mirrored in the works of today’s popular music with each chapter being inspired by lyrics of a single song, for which the chapter is named. Best I Ever Had is a work of fiction and although it is rooted in the very real experiences of young love - pain, betrayal, lust, and growth - it is in no way a true story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennifer Cornet
• Release date: Apr 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9780989950091

Jennifer Cornet

Jennifer Cornet was born in Florida and raised in northern Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Ocean Engineering from Virginia Tech and works as a civil servant for the U.S. Navy designing DDG51 Destroyers. Jennifer channeled her creative nature into publishing her first novel, Order of Earth, in 2013. Her love for art played a pivotal role in writing the Elements of Ink series, an urban fantasy involving tattoos which come to life. She recently released the follow up, Order of Fire, and has also published a companion prequel to the series entitled Journey to the Order. Her short stories have appeared in literary magazines such as PaperTape, Nebula Rift, and Quailbell. Jennifer is currently developing a new series of novellas that will be apart from the Elements world.When not writing, Jennifer spends her time with her husband, Vladimir, and two children, Charlie and Dimitri. She is also an avid hobby collector, filling what spare time she has with painting, sewing, cooking, and gardening. She is the youngest of three sisters, the proud aunt of three amazing nieces, and mother to two beautiful twins. Jennifer’s parents encourage her in both her technical and creative aspirations, making her the engineer, artist, and author she is today.

Book preview

He fidgeted nervously in the front seat of the car just outside Alisha’s apartment building, tapping the plastic case against the steering wheel to the beat in his head. He hadn’t put in the CD yet. He didn’t want it to start until just the right moment when she was sitting next to him. That and he couldn’t bring himself to listen to it on the way over. The anxiety pulsed through Mack. He contemplated driving off. He’d just explain something came up. She could hear the track at another time.

This is a terrible idea, he muttered to himself.

What if she hated it? Everything he had been working so hard for rested heavily on this one track. Months of preparation boiled down to four minutes and thirty-two seconds.

Alisha had to be the first to hear it. She would tell him honestly what she thought. He wasn’t sure he was ready to hear it.

The rusty white metal door on the front of the building swung open. Alisha made her way down the stoop and through the twisted walkway in the darkness to Mack’s car waiting out front. He watched as she half jogged half walked. His heart skipped a beat. There was no turning back now.

Hey baby, you don’t want to come up? she asked sweetly as she got in the car and leaned over for a kiss. Her roommates weren’t home for once. They could have the apartment to themselves.

Mack sat silently trying to work up the courage to say something. He should explain the track before playing it. He should prepare her in some way. Suddenly the words couldn’t find him.

Is everything ok? You look awful.

The stress was written all over his face. He stopped tapping the CD and looked over at his girlfriend of a year.

Is that is? she asked hopefully.

He nodded.

Do I get to hear it?

He nodded but didn’t move, suddenly frozen with uncertainty.

Without a word she took the plastic case from his sweaty hands, slipped out the CD, and placed it in the car stereo.

Mack turned his focus out the front window and stared down the street. He couldn’t bring himself to watch her reaction.

The music started. First the drums came in. They rattled the car as they pulsed repetitively. The beat flowed through the speakers, surrounding them with the music Mack had spent so much time putting together. He could feel it in his chest. Not just the bass, but the words, the feeling, and the vibe. It was a part of him, a huge part. It was all about her. It was always going to be about her.

Alisha sat silently as she listened to Mack sing the hook and then spit the verses. He had never talked this openly about his feelings before and yet there it was for the world to hear. It was the single he was going to release, the one the record label was finally going to push, on it he told everyone that she was the greatest thing that ever happened to him. That she was better than the rest, she had his heart and no one else could compete. He was going to take her with him straight to the top. They were in this together.

The seconds ticked down, the music faded out, filling the car with silence. She had been expecting another rap about him being the greatest of all time, like rappers often preach. This was not something she had prepared a reply for. The CD player attempted to restart, but Mack smacked the power buttoned before it had the chance.

I thought you liked when I wore makeup, she commented on the line in the song.

He smiled to himself. She had picked up on it. She was always a good listener. Girl, you know you don’t need it.

She smirked at him. Mack often told her she looked better when she was bumming around the house with just him than when she got dolled up for a night out.

So? he asked tentatively.

Eh, she shrugged and cringed.

Eh? That’s all you got? He was stunned, angry, and offended.

I mean, it’s alright.

Alright? Are you serious? This shit is amazing.

And this is the one Big Man wants to push? I guess he’s the expert. I just…eh. I don’t know, babe. Alisha tried to hide her smile. She knew exactly how to get him worked up.

Mack shook his head and threw his hands in the air, completely baffled by his girlfriend’s response. You are tripping. I don’t even know right now. I can’t believe. Are you serious? Maybe you need to get out the car.

Hey, don’t hate. You asked what I thought.

Mack crossed his arms in a huff.

Finally, Alisha cracked a smile and let out a playful laugh; the one Mack always loved to hear. I’m just playin’ with you. Damn, you’re sensitive. It’s amazing, boo. You’re amazing.

You think so? Mack asked cautiously.

I do. I’m your number one fan.

You’re my number one girl, he said lovingly and leaned in for a kiss.

She smacked him away. I’m your only girl.

Best I ever had.

Track 2: Shut It Down

Maybe you should just go alone. It’s your event. You don’t even need me there. Alisha adjusted the hem of her skirt as she shifted her weight anxiously. She wiped her palms on the worn-out car upholstery trying to both dry the sweat and calm her nerves.

Babe, we talked about this. I need you there. You’re my ride or die chick. Geez, the song is even about you. How am I going to roll up in there without my girl, looking like a fool? He gave her knee a small squeeze, hoping she would stop shaking. Her mood was starting to rub off on him and this was not an event he could afford to blow. Tonight, of all nights, he needed to be on top of his game.

I’m not going to fit in. I’m a student. What am I going to talk about with music producers, radio DJs, and magazine editors?

He glanced at her in the passenger seat. The neon colored lights of the downtown Atlanta strip were reflecting off her soft almond skin. She looked like a movie star tonight, dressed in a low cut purple dress she had borrowed from her roommate. He couldn’t wait until he could buy her something nice of her own. She deserved everything she wanted. The streetlights made her deep grape colored gloss sparkle as she bit her lip. The gold flecks of eye shadow glistened. She looked amazing.

Mack? Alisha gave him a looked that asked if he was even listening to her.

He shook himself out of his trance.

You’re the star. You don’t have to talk to anyone you don’t want to. Just— he paused and took a deep breath, —just stand by my side. I got you.

He took her hand and instantly she felt more relaxed.

It’s my first industry party, too, you know, he consoled her.

Yea, but at least you know everyone here.

So do you. You know Big Man.

"No, I know of him. I know him from the radio like everyone else."

It doesn’t even matter. You’ll do great. You ready? He looked at her with an arched eyebrow.

Before she could respond, her door was opened from the outside by a mountain-sized man in a black on black suit. His head looked like a bowling ball resting on a gorilla. Hesitantly, she took his hand and stepped out of the car on to the sidewalk in front of the club. Her ankle buckled awkwardly, her high heel slipped, and she tumbled into the doorman. Flash bulbs went off from somewhere adding to her disorientation.

You okay, ma’am? he asked as he righted her with ease.

She shook it off and adjusted her dress. Before she knew it, Mack was at her side, hooking their arms together for support. Alisha plastered a smile on her face to hide the pain, both from her twisted ankle and the embarrassment.

Let’s get it, he said excitedly as they entered the club.

Club Trap was in full swing as the couple entered. The bass could be felt even from the street as the DJ blasted tracks from Atlanta’s finest underground artists and mixed them with his own blend of southern house beats. The dance floor, bar, and VIP section were teeming with young hot clientele. The women looked like they were making a rap video. Their exaggerated coke-bottle bodies were covered by strategically placed, barely-there clothing. Their hair was perfect, nails well-manicured, and they moved effortlessly in their staggering six-inch heels. Opposite them, the men donned simple, oversized white t-shirts, baggy jeans, fresh white sneakers, and piles of gold chains around their necks. They bounced slightly to the rhythm of the music as the women worked hard grinding it out on the dance floor.

Hey, yo, kid! a slim guy called from behind the velvet ropes as Alisha and Mack passed by.

Ey! Mack answered back.

The bouncer guarding the VIP selection lifted the rope letting them in. Mack and the strange looking man exchanged a series of complicated handshakes ending with a one armed hug.

Big Man, I want you to meet my girl. This is Alisha. He stepped aside so the two could exchange greetings.

Ah, so you’re the one I’ve heard so much about. The girl who launched a career, Big Man said as he smiled widely, revealing a mouthful of silver and diamonds. His grill gave him a robotic feeling that added to his already unusual appearance. Manuel Samson, known to his friends as Manny and to the rap world as Big Man, was short and slender with a head full of long, thin dreads that nearly reached the small of his back. For shows he would have his stylist work them into elaborate headpieces, weaving them like a crown. Tonight he had it tied back in a simple ponytail.

Big Man. It’s an honor to meet you.

It’s Manny, girl. You’re in the Wild ‘n’ Rich family now.

Alisha smiled and nodded, overwhelmed to be surrounded by such big names in music. Manny never traveled alone. He brought most of the crew out for the night from his small record label. There was Amika Ross, the only female rapper on the scene these days. Her ass seemed to be as big a star as she was. No one could deny her raw talent and unbelievable skills. Next to Amika was Lavonte Smith, a rapper Manny signed more than two years ago. He was working hard, putting in his time, guesting on a ton of other artists’ tracks, but had yet to have a big hit himself.

Also with them was the artist known as Lion. Lion was the biggest earner at Wild ‘n’ Rich Records, the label that Manny ran. His super fans called themselves the Cubs and when he guested on an album it was known as him leaving his paw-print. Lion was as big as they came in the industry. The fact