Page 134 of Love U Down II

“Okay.” I took the contracts and exhaled. “Would I be stupid if I wanted to include him in my life?”

“Nope,” Drix answered immediately. “Not even a little bit. You only have one life to live. Live that mothafucka however you want and me and Charm got you whether it turns out good or bad.”

“Okay… Would it be okay if I invited him over for like dinner or something?”

“Of course.”

“Okay.”

“You sure you good to go alone? You’re looking a lil shaky, Twin.”

“I’m good. I promise. I’ll be right back.” I walked to the door, froze, and spun back. “Actually, can we have the studio? I think I want to play the song for him.”

“Yeah.”

Drix and Charm grabbed their things, and when they yanked the door open, he was already on the other side with his fist lifted to knock.

“Oh shit!” He chuckled. “Sorry.”

“You’re good. We were just leaving.” Charm slipped past him. “I’ll see you later, My-My!”

“Bye, love.” I waved after her and Drix dapped my father.

“Good to see you, Ralph.”

“Nice to see you too.”

Drix hit him on the back, looked back, and winked at me. I gestured for my father to walk further inside. He joined me at the soundboard once we were alone, sitting on the edge of his seat and with his hands awkwardly holding his phone.

“Thank you for coming.”

“Of course. I told you if you called I’d come.”

“Yeah, well, I appreciate it.” I looked from him to the soundboard and back. “Do you want to hear the song?”

He lit up.

“For real?”

“Yeah. I think it’s practically ready.”

“Well, yeah. I’d love to hear it.”

“Okay.”

I shook my hands out then restarted my song. My father clasped his hands together, leaned forward, and closed his eyes. I sat back in my seat and watched him experience my song for the first time. I felt less nervous as each note went by.

I felt good about the song. It sounded more like me than anything I’d put out while being part of Radiant Reverie.

When it ended, my dad raised his head, opened his eyes, and clapped.

“Well, fuck.” He scoffed. “That’s one hell of a song, Myome.”

“Are you just saying that?” I cut my eyes at him.

“No. No. I mean it. You did more than I could have with it. I’m proud of you.”

I blinked a few times and a weird, awkward laugh forced its way out of me while tears welled in my eyes.