Page 82 of Love U Down II

“Yeah. She looked tired so I told her to go home and get some rest.”

“Because I’m so sure that you’re resting, right?”

I waved him off and looked away. “We aren’t the same.”

“And why is that, Berlin?”

“Well, she has a husband and kids on top of everything else going on.”

“And you have a wife and brand new company,” he countered. “What about that?”

I glanced at him.

“Neither of those things are draining or stressing me.”

“Because you’re neglecting them both.”

My forehead scrunched while I looked at my dad like he’d lost his damn mind.

“The fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“Just because your label hasn’t gone bankrupt doesn’t mean it isn’t failing and just because your wife hasn’t said anything doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel neglected.”

“Myome knows I love her.”

“Yeah, well, I’m here to tell you several decades and three children later that love ain’t enough to sustain a relationship; let alone a marriage and partnership.”

“I rebuke that.” I reached over and hit his leg. “Don’t speak that negative ass shit over my marriage.”

“You know I still can’t feel my legs, right?”

I paused and blinked at my father for a moment before we both laughed.

“Shut up, man.”

“All I’m saying is I can take care of myself and I have my own damn wife to help take care of me. If you’re needed, one of us can reach out, but in the meantime the best thing you can do for me is release your album and check in with your wife.”

“I hear you.” I paused and pulled my phone from my pocket when it started ringing.

I was confused when I saw it was Shade but I picked it up immediately.

I hadn’t heard from him since my father had ended up in the hospital, so him calling randomly was definitely a red flag to me.

“What’s up? You good?” I checked and ignored the way my father looked at me and stared.

“Yeah. Look, I know what the first lady said, aight? And I appreciate her and everything she does for me and the label, but I needyou, man. Alan is good but I need something specific and I think you’re the only one that can help me.”

“Ay, what you mentioning my wife for?” I asked genuinely. “And who put yo’ ass in the studio with Alan?”

“Myome? She, uh, she told the label not to reach out about you being out of office and shit and set us up with Alan to get our intro songs done for the EP. But my shit’s not flowing with him and I’m about to be up for my week of promo, so I need my shit right as soon as possible.”

“Your week of promo?”

“Yeah, nigga. Myome has everybody on the label doing podcasts and shit. Look, can you make time for this or what?”

I glanced at my pops, then at the door. I sighed.

“Yeah. I can help you out. Meet me at the label’s studio in thirty minutes.”