Page 19 of Love U Down II

“And you’ll play nice?”

“For as long as they do.”

“Deal.”

“Deal,” he repeated.

“Okay. I’m going to send the message and get ready for the show tonight. Have a good session, baby.”

“Thanks, Yo. I’ll be done in a few and at the venue before you wrap up for the night.”

“Okay.”

“A’ight. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I hung up the call and hopped up to start prepping my things and headed to Charm’s room so we could hang out before heading to the venue for hair and makeup.

Having Drix on tour already had me feeling better and more motivated and that feeling stayed throughout the rest of the tour dates.

While I rehearsed and performed, Drix worked on adding people to his label and recording music for his album. I loved seeing him in his element and he apparently loved watching me grow as a performer.

Being on tour together made me feel like we were closer than ever.

CHAPTER 5

DRIX

Iglanced at Allison then at Myome who was performing her heart out and back at Allison. I took a step closer to her and she glanced at me. Her eyebrows knitted together.

“Let me holla at you,” I said.

“Okay.” She took one more quick look at Radiant Reverie then back at me. “What’s going on? Is everything okay with Myome?”

“Yeah but I appreciate that was the first question you asked.”

“Yeah well whether she’s leaving or not, I do care about her, Drix.”

“You want to leave with her?”

“What?”

“I’m trying to poach you,” I deadpanned. “Myome adores you and I’m willing to pay whatever they’re paying you. It won’t be a jump in pay or no shit like that, but I can promise you’ll get a raise in a year and you’ll be making at least a hundred and twenty-five percent of what you’re making now by the fifth birthday of my label.”

“So you want me to abandon Radiant Reverie?”

“I want you to abandon Retta. The goal is to bring Charm with us.”

“You think the label is going to let Charm go as easily as they let Myome go?” She lifted an eyebrow. “If you walk in there asking for another member of the group, they’re going to think you’re trying to remake it, which means they’ll think you see dollar signs when you look at the girls. They’re going to dig their claws into her and not let go.”

“Which is why I’m poaching you. You’re the only thing keeping Retta and Charm together. They’re going to fall apart without you, and after they crash and burn, they’ll be a liability. They’re going to sell Charm’s contract to me because she’s going to cost more than she’s worth to them.”

“Unless they just shelve her.”

“Why would they do that when the money I’m offering them is guaranteed?”

“Some people don’t want money, Drix. They want power.”