Page 81 of Love U Down II

“Yeah. I’m good, but since I’ve got you, I’m with Merch and he wants to holla at you about signing with Trill Loyalty.”

“Merch?” I repeated.

“Yeah. I mean, it makes sense, Berlin. We’re a duo and you’ve already signed me.”

“And?”

Rome chuckled. “Why you acting like that?”

“You forgot I had to hem Merch’s stupid ass up?” I asked seriously.

“Youpicked his ass up and shookhimside to side. If he ain’t mad, then you damn sure shouldn’t be mad. Stop being a bitch and get this money, bro.”

“After the week I’m having, I’ll beat both of y’all the fuck up.”

“Are you going to sign me after?” Merch checked.

I chuckled. “I’ll think about it and let you know when I’m back in the office.”

“Okay.”

“A’ight. Bye.” I hung up before either of them could respond, climbed to my feet, and went back to my pops’ room.

Pops was sitting up in bed and grinned when I walked in.

“You got everything settled?”

“Yeah. We’re good.”

“So you’re here to talk about the music then?”

“I’m here to talk about whatever you want to talk about,” I offered.

“Alright.” My father muted the television and looked at me. “Let’s talk about the album then.”

“What do you want to know?”

“How long has it been finished?”

“A while,” I confessed.

“And why haven’t you put it out?”

“I don’t know.” I walked further inside and took a seat beside his bed.

“You don’t know or you don’t want to tell me?”

I exhaled. “Shit just keeps happening. Every time I think I’m ready to push the button, something happens in the industry or my personal life, and I’m not putting out some shit I’ve spent years perfecting just for me to not give it the love it deserves.”

“I think you should release it right now.”

“Right now? With all this shit going on?”

“There’s nothing going on.” He chuckled. “I’m doing physical therapy for two more days then going home. I’ve been in a wheelchair for over a decade. I can take care of myself from my chair. Nothing is changing and there’s nothing to be stressed about.”

“I hear you.”

He sighed. “Did your sister finally go home?”