Page 69 of Love U Down II

When the song ended, Dashawn and Drix hugged briefly then turned and waved at the crowd.

“Thanks for having us.”

Bino handed his water bottle to the woman beside him, licked his lips, and jogged back out on the stage. He dapped both men as they walked off stage. Hazel immediately hugged Dashawn. I immediately hugged Drix.

“You were fucking amazing.”

“Oh yeah?” He pulled his earpiece out and smirked.

“You looked good out there.”

“Thank you.” He kissed me and tapped my ass.

“You better not be fucking bitches on tour either.”

“What?” He snickered. “That was your first thought after watching me perform?”

“Yeah. After how good you performed and sounded, my next thought was how fine you are and how lucky I am that I get to fuck you for the rest of my life.”

“My life,” he corrected. “Never yo’ shit. You gon’ outlive me,” he said plainly.

I pursed my lips and rolled my eyes.

“You know what I mean, Berlin.”

“And you’re right, only you get to fuck on me until death.”

“Good answer.”

“Thanks. I’ve been practicing.”

I laughed and reached in my pocket for my phone when I felt it vibrating. I immediately noted it wasn’t my phone and it was Chandler calling.

I offered Drix his phone and he answered.

“Hello? Ay, I can’t hear you. Chandler, I can’t hear you!” he yelled, to make sure he could be heard over the music. “Just text me.”

He hung up then stared down at his phone until the message came in.

I knew the second he read it because his entire demeanor changed and his eyes went from his phone to me back and forth several times like he couldn’t find a way to vocalize anything.

“What’s going on?” I closed the space between us and he slid his fingers through mine.

“We need to get to the hospital.” He pulled me along and I jogged slightly to keep up with him. “My pops was just admitted.”

CHAPTER 17

DRIX

Isped to the hospital, and when Myome and I got there and rushed toward the entrance, we found Chandler leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. Her eyes rose to us as we made our way toward her. I grabbed her as soon as she was close enough and yanked her in. She breathed me in and immediately started sniffling.

“Stop,” I said quietly. “I’m serious, Chan. Stop.” I pulled back and looked down at her. “Breathe with me, kid. Come on. You a’ight. Yo’ brother here and he got you. You know that.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. I pulled her back in and ran my hand up and down her back while she soothed herself enough to get her tears under control.

“Thank you.”

“I got you.” We pulled apart slowly. “What’s going on?”