Page 36 of Love U Down II

“Chan, I don’t think I want to do anything with you,” I admitted.

“Women don’t bond getting brunch and manicures anymore?” Hazel wheezed as she walked off the court and over to where we’d set our bags down.

“I mean, I’m down for that too, but typically me and Lee come out and play a few matches of tennis over the weekend. So it’s just where my mind went.”

“So, we’re the backup friends?” Hazel asked. “Now ’cause your man has the flu you want us to be miserable.”

“And to think, I thought she loved me.” I shook my head while we joined Hazel at the bench.

“I do love you, and if anything, you and Charm should have some of the best endurance with as much performing as y’all have to do.”

“Dancing choreo and diving for a tennis ball is not the same thing,” Charm said.

“At all.”

I grabbed my water bottle and took a long gulp.

Charm and I took seats on the ground while Chandler sat beside Hazel on the bench.

“All jokes aside, how are you really handling everything with your entire household being sick?”

“It’s ghetto,” Chandler admitted. “I mean, we’re making it work and Berlin is keeping me busy enough to not feel disappointed and lonely that Lee and the kiddos are quarantining together. But I hear the girls screaming and laughing randomly and I can’t help but feel like I’m missing out.”

“That’s valid.” Hazel gave her a sympathetic smile.

“They’ll be better before you know it though,” Charm added.

“Yeah.” She exhaled. “You’re right.” Chandler took a drink from her water bottle. “How are y’all holding up?”

“I’m good. Drix got Dashawn back in the studio and I’m kind of excited about it,” Hazel admitted. “Dashawn’s always been talented but it’s nice that he’s giving himself a chance to fall back into something he used to be passionate about.”

“If him rapping at that battle is any indication of how he is in the booth, he has a promising career ahead of him,” I said.

“Let’s hope.”

“And speaking of promising careers?” I looked at Charm and wagged my eyebrows.

“Girl, there may not be a future for me.” She rolled her eyes. “That video of me and Retta fighting went somewhat viral, andthat on top of all the rumors floating around that she’s hard to work with, we don’t exactly have women running to join our girl group.”

“What’s the label saying?”

“Nothing really. Poor Allison is trying to run interference, but after you left and this drama between us, I’m pretty sure she’s on the chopping block right beside us.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah and I feel bad about it, but also, Retta is definitely the kind of bitch you have to put hands on to get your point across.”

“Now that’s valid.” I pointed at her and she scoffed.

“I have faith everything will work out for me though and that’s all I’ve got at this point.” Charm shrugged. “What about you, little miss CEO?” She wagged her eyebrows. “How’s the new label coming?”

“Drix is pouring all of his blood, sweat, tears, and money into it and I’m making dinner and cheering for him.” I shrugged. “This label is his baby and passion project but I’m supporting him and the building is supposed to be done any day now, which is exciting.”

Chandler laughed. “I feel that. When he gets something in his head, it’s impossible to stop him.”

“And I’m not going to try. My man is the happiest when he’s doing something related to music, so let my baby focus on his label.”

“And what about you?” Charm asked. “Do you have any music coming out soon?”