Page 64 of Love U Down II

Shade laughed and shook his head. I couldn’t help but laugh with him.

“I beat his ass,” Shade admitted.

“Good. I ain’t wasting money to bail out losers.” I exhaled. “Look, Dashawn is cool with the gang and never switched up. Nobody is asking you to tuck tail, but there’s ways to prove you’re still down that don’t involve looking like a fucking idiot.”

“I just joined,” Shade said. “I can’t just turn my back on them after they just welcomed me into the fold. I’m still earning my stripes for real and I wouldn’t even have this opportunity if it wasn’t for the gang.”

“Would putting some money in their pockets help you out?”

Shade lifted an eyebrow. “Maybe?”

“Cool. I need security for the label and my upcoming tour. Get me twenty men and I’ll get them trained and employed.”

“You serious?”

“Yeah. Even them two goofy niggas you’re always with. I’ll pay them to chill with you in the studio and at rehearsals. They won’t get rich, but they’ll make the regular security rate and I’ll pay for their travel to go wherever you’re going, but…”—I locked eyes with him—“If you get hemmed up again for bullshit, the deal is off and everybody is fired.”

“You serious?”

“Yeah. Let’s see how you act when it’s more than just your own livelihood on the line.” I took another hit of my blunt then put it out. “Tell them niggas it’s about a week of training, and when they’re on the job, I need them sober and paying attention.”

“I can do that.”

“Good.” I threw my car into reverse. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

CHAPTER 14

MYOME

My eyebrows knitted together as the door to the booth opened and a smile spread across my face when I saw it was Drix. He stuck his head in and gestured me over.

“Come here. I told your producer to take ten.”

“Okay?” I pulled my headset off, slid from my seat, and headed out of the booth. “What’s up?”

“Nothing. I just needed to see you and make sure you were good.” He grabbed my hand, sat down, and pulled me in.

I lowered myself to his knee, wrapped my arms around his neck, and tucked my head beneath his chin. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Checking in on me.”

“Always. You know I got you.”

“Yeah. I do know.” I smiled softly and lifted my head. “I feel like a fucking idiot but I’m fine. I mean, I’m going to be fine. You have a great family who cares about me and makes me feel like I have an actual family and I appreciate that. I’m not trying to imply that they aren’t enough. I just––”

He cut me off. “It’s different. I get it.”

“A little bit.”

“You remember what my pops told you when we first got married?”

“Not to shrink myself for people?”

“Yeah.”

“I know.” I exhaled. “I know.”