Page 44 of Love U Down II

“Okay. Send it over.”

I took the chorus I’d written and sent it over to Charm who read it immediately. We leaned into each other over the message and adjusted some of the words. Charm had some helpful suggestions that we went with and we toyed around with a few harmonies while Shade and Drix finished. When he came out of the booth, we were ready to hop in.

“What’s up, Charm?” Shade dapped her.

“What’s up?”

He popped the top off his water bottle and took a long drink.

“You want to play it back or I’m good to go?”

“You’re good to go. Go do what you need to do but make sure you’re back for our second session in four hours.”

“A’ight. I’ll be back. I just have to make a quick run.”

“A quick run, huh?” Drix asked. Shade grinned and shrugged. Drix shook his head and waved him off. “Be on time.”

“Yeah. I got you.” He dapped Drix and gave me a quick wave. “I’ll see y’all.” He yanked the door open then took a step back out of the way as one of the ladies who worked reception walked in with an arm full of flowers.

I looked from the flowers to Drix, back and forth.

“These are for Myome,” she announced.

“Thank you?”

Shade accepted the flowers and walked them toward me. I snatched the card out of the center. My eyes scanned the card and a smile crossed my face.

Thank you for being on my album, Mrs. King.

-BINO

“They’re from Bino,” I announced. “His album must be coming out soon.” I took the flowers. “Thank you.”

“You’re good.” Shade took a step back then spun and headed out.

“Yeah. I think it’s coming out in three days,” Drix offered.

“Three days?” I repeated and grimaced.

“Yep.”

“Isn’t Rome and Merch’s album coming out in three days?”

“Yeah.”

“That sucks.”

Drix shrugged. “It is what it is. May the best album win.”

I set the flowers on a small table in the corner of the room.

“Competing with a friend for chart space has got to suck though.” Charm whistled.

“Probably, but I mean, this shit is a job and people can listen to more than one album in a day. I think this is good for Rome’s ass though. That fucking album has been ready for release for months and he fucked around so…” Drix shrugged. “Plus, a lil friendly competition might light a fire under his ass.He works better under pressure. Depending on how those first week numbers look, Rome may be back in the booth dropping a song a day.”

“You’re talking shit but you know you’re worried about how Rome’s album is going to do.” Charm snickered.

“Nah. I’m really not. Just because it doesn’t chart out the gate doesn’t mean he won’t make decent money. It only takes one random post or quote to get something popping, so the potential for the song to take off is good for the rest of the time it’s available. He gon’ be alright.”