Page 45 of Love U Down II

“And if he isn’t?”

“It’s a never ending industry. This shit ebbs and flows. Even if this album flops, as long as he’s got air in his lungs, he can put out another hit.” Drix glanced at me and his eyes searched mine. I could tell when the question he wanted to ask settled in his mind but he didn’t ask it. “You only fail out here when you stop releasing music,” he said instead and faced the soundboard again. “Y’all ready?”

“Yep.” Charm nodded once.

“Let’s go then.” Drix saved Shade’s recordings and went to his saved file. “I’ll play the whole thing with my verse and Shade’s verse so you can see where you are. Then we’ll go through and have y’all plug some shit in that y’all like and clean it up and adjust from there. That’s cool?”

“Yep.”

“A’ight.” He nudged his head toward the booth and Charm and I climbed up and headed inside.

It took the two of us about two hours to finish with something that Drix thought was perfect and I walked out of the booth feeling on a high.

“That was fucking perfect, ladies. Thank you.” Drix reached for my hand, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me closer.

I leaned down to kiss him.

“How busy is your day today?” I asked.

“Not too busy. We’re almost done rerecording Shade’s first album, so after I get him in here to knock down these last two songs, I’m done for the day. What’s up?”

“Nothing, just wondering.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

“Alright. Call me if you need me though.”

“Of course.” I kissed him again. “Do you want me to grab you something to eat or something?”

“Nah. I’m good.”

“Okay. I’ll see you when you get home.”

“A’ight. Love you.”

“Love you.”

I grabbed my bag and walked out with Charm.

The door had barely closed behind us before I was turning to Charm and grabbing her arm. She lifted an eyebrow immediately.

“What’s up?”

“Can I ask for a huge favor?”

“Sure,” she said immediately. “What’s going on?”

“I’m ready to start recording for my first solo album and I have a session in a few hours. If you have time, would you be down to come with me?”

“Yeah, sure. I can do that.”

“Thank you.” I exhaled. “I owe you.”

“Girl, the label doesn’t exactly have me and Retta booked and busy right now. I’d rather hang out with you than do nothing any day.” She shifted her purse to her other arm. “Want to get lunch then circle back around?”

“Yeah. Let’s do it.”