Page 106 of Love U Down II

I grabbed her chair and yanked it closer to mine, my coffee still in my other hand.

“So what had you fucked up yesterday? Besides me,” I clarified.

Myome snickered.

“You didn’t have me fucked up, Berlin. You were a sweetheart and I love you and how well you know me and that you care as much as you do. I was a bitch and it wasn’t your fault.” She exhaled. “I was just annoyed and feeling stupid and insecure and I lashed out. You don’t deserve that. You do a lot for me… and everyone. I don’t want to be a bitch when you care because if you stop caring it’ll be because I’ve been an asshole.”

“I ain’t never gon’ stop caring. You don’t have to worry about that. I promise.” I took one more sip of coffee, set the mug down ,and moved a little bit closer. I grabbed both of Myome’s hands in mine. “Let’s rewind a lil bit though. What’s going on? Why would you feel insecure? Do I do shit that makes you feel insecure?”

“No. No. Fuck no. I love you and I know that you love me and care about us. Plus, you ain’t fucking stupid.” Myome cut her eyes at me and I smiled.

“That’s fucking right.” I leaned in and kissed her. “So, what’s up? Talk to me.”

“Our song flopped.” She shrugged.

“What song?”

“That last song me, Charm, and Retta recorded. The label put it out and it just… fucking flopped.”

“That happens, baby.”

“Not to you.”

“It’s easier for men.”

“You’re saying that to make me feel better,” she accused.

“I’m not. I promise I’m not.” I ran my thumbs along the outside of her hand. “Women have to sing and do choreography in fucking heels and shit. They want y’all to be sweet and personable and seductive but not hoes. Y’all ain’t allowed to have bad days or want privacy or stand up for yourselves. They want y’all to be a certain weight and critique y’all hair and makeup and lyrics. Myome, girl groups barely make it. People always pick a favorite for whatever reason and send hate to the rest. Fuck. Coming out solo off a girl group ain’t easy.”

“That doesn’t make it not bother me.”

“That’s understandable but no shade. I’ve been on y’all’s ass about them fuck ass runs Retta does from the day we met, Myome. If the song flopped, so what? It happens. At least you’re done with Retta and we can move forward. The next song will be better.”

“Berlin, you’ve never had a song flop.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve also got some years on you, Yo. When we met a little over a year ago, you hadn’t done a tour nor did you have a debut album out. For someone who hasn’t been really in the industry for a good amount of time, you’re doing shit peoplewish they could. You’ve fucking toured twice in that time. Y’all dropped that album. You’re featured on mine, Jameer’s, and Bino’s shit. You were offered a song on a movie. Myome, for a first year artist, you’re killing shit.”

“But your album––”

I cut her off. “Was in progress for literally a decade, baby. I put my first shit out at nineteen. I’m about to be thirty. That album had blood, sweat, and tears and ten years’ worth of connections and hype behind it. You, Retta, and Charm threw out some bullshit to get out of a contract. Come on, now. I saw the tape. Retta recorded her fucking portion with a busted nose. I don’t know why you acting shocked when you know that song was some bullshit.”

“I didn’t plan for it to be bullshit. It has my name on it.”

“It has Radiant Reverie’s name on it. It’s out. People hate it. Oh fucking well. We on to the next shit, which is going to be your debut solo album, and that’s where your focus should be.”

“Maybe I’m not cut out for this music shit.”

I scoffed and sat up in my seat.

“A’ight. Then what you want to do, Twin? Yo’ man got money. You can do whatever the fuck you want. You want to manage the label full-time? Talent scout? Go back to college? What’s up?”

“I don’t know. I think I’m just going to be a housewife.” Myome shrugged and climbed to her feet.

My hands went to her waist and I leaned back a little while she straddled me and lowered herself into my lap.

“Oh yeah?”

“Mhm. I’m going to just sit at home, spend your money, and have our musically inclined babies.” She wrapped her arms around my neck.