Page 27 of Love U Down II

“Okay, okay.”

I slipped out of bed, texted Charm, and got ready for the night.

When we finished, we headed out, Drix holding my hand the entire drive. Dashawn and Hazel were already there and the four of us stood together while we waited for Charm, Alan, and Rome to show up.

Drix looked Dashawn up and down.

“You got the fucking uniform on?” He chuckled. “You rapping tonight?”

Dashawn shrugged. “We’ll see.”

“Yeah, a’ight. I’m proud of you.”

Drix hit him on the back then turned back to me, gripping me by my white hoodie and pulling me in. We were both wearing gray sweatpants and white hoodies and Drix had his hood on his head.

I checked my phone while I leaned against him. He spoke to Dashawn about their schedules and when they could get into the studio together.

I scrolled aimlessly and found myself passing a video then immediately going back.

It was a video of the same group Drix and I had seen perform for our anniversary.

“Did you ever reach out to Sundaze?” I asked.

“Who?” Drix’s eyebrows furrowed.

“That group we saw performing on our anniversary. One of the members came out and gave me their card.”

“Nah. I never reached out.”

“Are you going to?”

“Do you want me to?” he countered.

“I mean, I think they sounded good. Didn’t you?”

“They were cool. You want them?”

“Do I want them?” I repeated.

“Yeah. If you think they’ll be good on the label, I’m down for grabbing ’em up, but you’ll be their middle man.”

“You trust my ear that much?”

“I trust you that much.” His hand sprawled across my midsection. “I believe in you, so if you believe in them, then cool.”

“I’m not telling you whether you should sign them or not because I don’t need that kind of pressure, but I am saying I liked their voices and lyrics and there may be something there.”

“Send me their info and I’ll look into them.”

“Deal.”

I tiptoed and we kissed quickly just as headlights shone on us. We both looked over at Rome as he whipped into a parking spot.

Charm, Alan, and Rome hopped out and walked over and we all greeted each other before we started our trek toward thebuilding where the battle would be held. It looked abandoned from the outside, but music leaked from inside. Rome yanked the door open and gestured for the group to walk inside. Dashawn entered first. Drix and I entered last.

When we reached the end of the hallway, it opened into a huge room. It was packed with people talking, laughing, drinking, and smoking. There was a bar all along the far side of the wall and in the center of the room was a boxing ring.

Dashawn led us to a large group of people all wearing some variation of deep purple.