Page 135 of Love U Down II

“I don’t think I remember a single time you’ve complimented one of my songs,” I admitted.

“What?” A look of confusion crossed his face and slowly turned into realization. “I haven’t?”

“Nope. You’ve never even seen me perform live.”

“I’ve definitely seen you perform, Myome.”

“On a stage? As an adult?”

He paused while he thought about it.

“Fuck. Have I not seen you perform?”

“Nope.” I reached forward and cut the music before it looped.

“Fuck,” he repeated. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not,” he corrected. “But I do listen to your music. I have a physical CD of Radiant Reverie’s debut.”

“Do you actually?”

“Yeah. I got it online then took it to work and told all the guys about my daughter who was an artist.”

“So you bragged about me?”

“Yeah. I did.” My father licked his lips and adjusted in his seat. “Myome, I love you and I want you to know I’m proud of you and everything that you’re doing. I’ve always been proud of you. I’ve just also been… nervous for you and terrified of what could happen in this industry and maybe a little bit jealous too.”

“Well I appreciate you admitting that.” I swallowed nervously. “Look, I want to move forward with some kind of relationship with you and maybe we’ll end up being close but maybe we won’t and I don’t know. I want to take that risk and give it a try because I don’t think I can make up with my momanytime soon, if ever, and I don’t know.” I exhaled. “I want to have you in my life.”

“And I want to be in your life, in any capacity you’d like me to be.”

“Okay. Well, maybe we can start with a dinner with me, you, and Drix and go from there.”

“Alright. I’d love that.”

“Good.”

He smiled, reached over, and squeezed my shoulder.

“That truly does mean a lot to me, Myome, and I promise to do my best to not make you regret that.”

“Okay.”

“But in the meantime, let's get this contract signed.”

“Okay. Let’s do it.”

CHAPTER 31

DRIX

Itilted my head back to finish my shot of whiskey and set the glass back on the bar. Shade coughed as his shot slid down and Dashawn shook his head before he chased his shot with a beer.

“Don’t be a baby, Rome.” I hit him on the back.

“Yeah, yeah.”