Page 37 of Love U Down II

I’d been ready to get in the booth for a while now but honestly wasn’t sure where I wanted my sound to go now that I wasn’t part of a group. I wasn’t sure how I wanted to brand or what I wanted to write and sing about. I was somewhat stuck in limbo.

I appreciated my husband and everything he did for my career but I’d thought I would be under contract for a while longer and hadn’t given any serious thoughts to those things.

I’d had a few producers reach out, asking about working together, but I’d held off on accepting or declining anything just yet.

“I don’t know about releasing music but I’m definitely ready to get back in the studio and at least start recording again. I’ve taken this time off but I’m getting bored to be honest. Like I said, I’m supporting Drix, but now that I’m indie and there isn’t a whole bunch of rehearsals and stuff, there’s really not much for me to do.”

“Problems I wish I had,” Hazel groaned.

“I mean if Dashawn’s album hits big you could be retired in a year,” Chandler said.

“A girl can dream.” Hazel chuckled.

“I’m not rushing you, Myome, but if it’s possible to ride this wave you’ve been on, I’d probably lock in and do it,” Chandler offered.

“That’s real,” Charm agreed. “And if you need someone to hang out with you in the studio or give you opinions, I’m down to do that for you.”

“I know. You’re right. I’m procrastinating a little bit but I don’t know, y’all… This solo shit is scary. Before, I always had someone to talk to or fall back on. I mean, Retta wasn’t shit but Charm was beside me for any press or studio session. Being solo is a completely different beast.”

“That you’re ready for,” Charm added.

“And we’ve all got your back,” Chandler said.

“Yeah. I know.” I forced a smile and Chan nodded.

“Alright.” She stretched. “Y’all want to do one more round?”

“Nope,” I said immediately. “But thanks for offering.”

“So badminton next week?” she tested.

“I’ll give it a try.”

“Me too.”

“Me too.”

“Perfect.” Chandler clapped her hands together. “Same time and same place.”

“Sure.”

We all climbed to our feet, said our goodbyes, and headed in our own directions.

My mind drifted as I drove. I hadn’t been lying. I felt stuck. I was bored and felt like I was being turned into a trophy wife before my eyes but I was also terrified of moving forward. I had no idea how to do that, and with everything Drix had going on, I wasn’t going to worry him about it.

I made a quick decision to play some of the beats I’d gotten sent to me as I drove and ended up picking one I liked. I sent a quick email saying I was interested while at a red light and played it on a loop as I drove to see if lyrics started to form.

I was halfway home when a call from Drix popped up. I answered it immediately.

“Yes, daddy?” I teased.

He chuckled lowly.

“What’s up, baby?”

“Just leaving tennis with Chandler and the girls. What’s up?”

“Just got Genie signed,” he said. “You still down for this lunch shit with your parents?”