Page 33 of Love U Down II

“Let’s do it.” I hopped out and clicked my own safety off as Rome and I crossed the street and headed to the entrance.

“Ten dollar cover charge,” the man standing by the door stated.

I nudged Rome. “Pay the man.”

He shook his head but pulled out his wallet and handed the man a fifty.

“Keep the change.”

“Fuck that. Give me his thirty dollars.” I held my hand out.

“You got too much fucking money to act like this,” Rome muttered.

I waited patiently for the change anyway. He nudged me after we made it through the door and I looked him up and down when he stuck his hand out.

“Nah. You weren’t worried about it, so don’t worry about it.”

He chuckled while I looked around the small club. I scanned the scene three times before my eyes landed on Genie. She was standing behind the bar talking to a small group of men. I made a beeline for her. Her eyes landed on me when I was only halfway to her, and by the time I made it to the bar, all of the men with her were looking at me.

“What’s up?” I nodded my head in her direction.

“What’s up?” She lifted an eyebrow.

“I was hoping I could holla at you.”

“About?” The dude next to me tilted his head as he looked at me.

I didn’t acknowledge him or pull my eyes from Genie.

“Ain’t that Drix?” another of them asked.

“He’s a lil far from his side of the tracks, huh?”

“Ay, you lost?” Ol’ dude nudged me lightly.

“If you touch me again, you gon’ be eating that mothafuckin’ shot glass, bitch.” I spoke without turning to look at him. “I’m being cool because I’m here to talk business, but I’ll turn this club upside fucking down in a minute,” I warned.

She looked from me to the man and back. Then the corners of her mouth tilted up.

“What can I do for you?”

“I saw you rapping the other night at that underground battle.”

“Oh?” She snickered. “I don’t do rematches. You’ll have to sign up for the next one, hop in the ring, and hope the cards fall that way. Sorry.”

“You didn’t knock me off the bracket, but thanks for letting me know.”

“Oh.” Her eyebrows knitted together. “Then what do you want to talk to me about?”

“Getting you signed to my label.”

“Like a record label?”

“That’s right.” I dug into my pocket and produced a card. “I manage a few artists, nothing too crazy, but I don’t know, I feel like you can be a good fit.”

“Hold that thought.” She turned around and said something to the other bartender then waved me over while she walked the length of the bar.

I followed her and Rome followed me. She led us out of the back door. The door hadn’t even closed behind us all the way before she pulled a small preroll from her cleavage and lit it up.