15. Myome
MYOME
Itilted my head back and squeezed water into my mouth while Charm danced beside me.
We were killing the choreography and I was getting more excited with each new combination we learned.
At the pushing of Drix, I’d taken three whole days off instead of just one and had come back feeling better than ever and easily caught the choreo I’d missed.
He’d made it a habit to have me call him when I ate lunch so we could take our first three bites together and it was a great idea. Looking forward to calling him pushed me to make sure I ate halfway through the day.
“Do y’all want to run it one more time before we call it a day?” the choreographer asked.
“Yes, please.” I nodded immediately.
Retta exhaled and rolled her eyes.
“Well, I feel like I’ve got it.”
“There’s no ‘I’ in team,” Charm reminded her. “And it’s one more run through. It’s not going to hurt anything, Retta.”
“Well ain’t nobody told Myome to be skipping practices.”
“Bitch, I was literally in the hospital,” I snapped.
“Well—”
“Look, if you want to leave, then leave. If you weren’t arguing your case we could have been halfway through the first song by now. Damn.” Charm sucked her teeth as she set her water bottle down and walked to the middle of the room to get back in formation.
I did a double take when I saw my phone ringing and it was Drix calling. I plucked it up immediately.
“Give me three minutes,” I said quickly.
“Of course.” Retta sucked her teeth and crossed her arms over her chest.
I answered the call anyway.
“Hello?”
“What’s up? Radiant Reverie busy tonight?”
“Uhm, no? I don’t think so? Why?”
“I got a little plus three for this shit Bino got going on if y’all want to pop out and network. What’s the move?”
“Give me one second.”
“A’ight.”
I turned to three sets of eyes on me.
“Drix was able to secure us an invite to an event Bino is having tonight if y’all are interested. It could be good promo for the group.”
“Bino the singer?” Retta asked excitedly. “Hell yeah we want to go!”
“We want to go,” I told Drix.
“A’ight. It’s supposed to kick off at nine but I’m not popping out till ten. That’s cool?”
“Yeah.” I looked back at the group. “That’s cool.”
“Hit me when you’re ready and I’ll grab you from wherever you are.”
“Sounds good. I’ve got to go now though. I’m holding up rehearsal.”
“You ate?”
“Bye, Drix.”
“Myome, if you hang up this phone I’m gon’ show up and show the fuck out.”
At this point, arguing with him would take longer than answering his question.
“I haven’t had lunch yet but I’ll call you after rehearsal and we can eat while I do my makeup.”
“I’ll hold you to that. Stay hydrated, alright?”
“I will. I promise.”
“A’ight. Have a good rehearsal then.”
“Thank you. Have a good session,” I countered.
“Thank you.”
I hung up with a stupid grin on my face, climbed up, and quickly rushed into formation.
Retta didn’t give me any shit about my call since it ended up being beneficial to the entire group thankfully.
Now that I knew I had a big industry party to attend tonight, I got my second wind.
I floated through the next full run through, and when we finished ,we agreed to meet at Charm’s spot to do our makeup and get dressed.
Of course by the time it was time for us to actually meet, Retta switched up and told us she’d meet us at the event.
I wasn’t mad about it honestly. I understood Charm thought hanging out would be helpful in creating a successful working relationship but I was good with just seeing Retta at mandatory outings.
I picked up Chinese food and video called Drix so we could talk and I could eat. He was in the studio working on something but told everyone to take a twenty-minute break to give me his undivided attention.
After we hung up, I got ready for the night and Charm and I each took three shots before Drix and Rome rolled up in Rome’s car.
Drix hopped out when he saw us walking out of the front door and left the door open. He gestured toward it.
“You can hop in the front, Charm.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I’ll ride in the backseat with wifey.” He whistled as I got closer. “Fine ass.”
I rolled my eyes but a grin took over my face as he yanked the backseat door open for me.
“You like it?” I did a slow little spin for him to fully see the form-fitting dress I’d picked out.
“I like it.” He licked his lips as I closed the space between us.
He grabbed my waist before I could climb into the car and kissed me, gesturing for me to hop in. He followed me inside and had a hand on my knee before we even pulled off.
When we got to the building, Retta was already waiting outside.
“If you want your coworker in here, you better get her because I’m not,” Drix deadpanned.
I hit him in the arm lightly, turned toward Retta and waved her over.
“Excuse me!” she said loudly and pushed her way between two women to walk over to me and Drix. “Hey, Drix. Hey, Rome.” She grinned and patted her dress down.
“What’s up?” Rome gave her his dazzling smile.
Drix didn’t say a word. He grabbed my hand in his and led me straight to the front of the line.
“Drix,” he told security. “And I should be set up for a plus four.”
“Yes, sir. We have it right here.”
“Cool. This me.” He nudged his head toward me and we walked past security to the side so he could verify Rome, Charm, and Retta as well.
“Well, I’m going to meet people,” Retta said immediately.
“What about you? You good?” Drix looked at Charm who nodded.
“Yeah. Rome will introduce me.”
“I got her,” Rome verified.
“A’ight. Come on, Twin. Let’s get you a snack and me liquor.” Drix announced.
“I don’t have to eat every time we’re together, Drix,” I reminded him.
“I said a snack, not a three course meal. Don’t start tripping.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue. I looked around the event, from the decorations to how the different tables were set up like a nice dinner with several tables with large centerpieces but rap music played and there was a lot of smoke in the air and drunk people talking loudly.
Drix led me straight to the snack table and I realized a lot of it looked good, from the actual food to the desserts.
“What looks good to you?”
“A little bit of everything,” I admitted. “If I put snacks on a plate, can you put desserts on one so I can get a little of everything without looking like I’m greedy as hell?”
“Yeah. Just let me know what you want me to grab.”
“Cookies for sure and the chocolate cake with chocolate icing too please.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright.”
I got snacks and Drix got a bottle from the bar.
Then, we headed to a table. People glanced in our direction and I realized I loved the way people parted for him.
There was no sliding between people or elbowing necessary.
He didn’t even utter a word, and when we got to our chosen table, he set the bottle down and pulled a chair out for me.
“You good?”
“Yep.” I nodded and popped a chip into my mouth. “I’m good.”
“Good.” He sat in the chair beside me and I watched him while he took in the room.
My eyebrows knitted together at the sight of his gun tucked into the back of his pants.
“They let you bring your gun in here?” I asked.
“Who the fuck was gon’ take from me?” Drix’s eyebrows drew together in genuine confusion. “They didn’t want those mothafuckin’ problems.” He reached over, grabbed one of my chips and popped it into his mouth.
“That’s insane, Drix. The fact that people think you’ll go crazy on them for following policy is wild.”
“They don’t think. They know. The only way somebody is touching my gun is if it’s against their head,” he deadpanned. “Now eat your little chips and salsa.”
I laughed at that. “How’d you get four plus ones anyway?”
“Bino has been trying to get me on a track for years now, so he usually does what I want within reason.”
“Bino? Bino, Bino?” I turned toward him.
“Yeah. The nigga whose party this,” he reiterated.
“And you’ve been passing on getting on a track with him?”
“When’s the last time I rapped on a track?” Drix smirked. “I don’t have anything against dude. I just ain’t running to hop in the booth for bruh.”
“That’s insane, Drix. People would kill for a Bino feature and you’ve been brushing one off for years.”
“You want one?”
“One what?”
“A Bino feature.”
“Are you serious?” I adjusted how I was sitting. “Do you think he’d do that?”
“Let’s find out.” Drix whistled and several people looked back at us. “Bino!” he barked. “Come here, man!” He yelled damn near across the room and I nudged him roughly with my elbow but he ignored me.
Bino did a double take then excused himself from the two people he was talking to and made his way over.
“What’s up?” He dapped Drix.
“What’s up?” Drix nodded. “This is my wife, Myome.”
“Nice to meet you, Myome.” He offered me his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Bino.” I shook it.
“My baby is part of a girl group. It’s called Radiant Reverie. They have some good shit. They haven’t popped off like I think they can but they have potential.”
“Oh shit. For real?” Bino grinned.
“Yeah. She’s trying to act coy but she’s a huge fan of your work,” Drix said. “So, what’s up with a feature?”
“A feature?” Bino repeated. “Come on, Drix. I’m getting ready to release—”
Drix cut him off. “You want me on your shit or not?”
“Now you know I’ve been wanting to get on a track with you but—”
“This is a one-time offer. Hop on a track with my wife and I’ll hop on one with you. Shit. I may even produce it.” He grabbed his bottle and popped it open.
“You serious?”
“Dead ass.”
“Shit. That’s a deal then.”
“Bet.” Drix filled his glass halfway and set the bottle down. “Her people will reach out. And once you cut her track, I’ll cut yours.”
“For real?”
“Yeah, man. How many more times do you want me to verify?”
“I’m just trying to make sure.” A huge smile took over Bino’s face. He plucked a card out of his pocket and offered it to me. “Have your team reach out and I’ll send you ladies something I’ve been working on.”
“Oh my… Thank you.” I took the card. “Thank you,” I repeated.
“Thank you,” Bino countered. “And thanks for coming out to support me.” Bino looked back as someone called his name. “I’ll be in touch, Drix.”
He nodded once as he lifted his glass and took a small sip. “I’ll respond.”
“Finally,” Bino joked but gave me a quick smile. “Nice meeting you, Myome, and I can’t wait to work with you.”
“Likewise.”
They called Bino’s name again and he turned and headed toward them.
I danced in my seat a little.
“We’re getting a Bino feature.” I danced as I sang. “I can’t believe this.” I stopped and looked at the card he’d given me. “I can’t believe this,” I repeated.
“Believe it. Y’all got a Bino feature.” Drix lifted his glass and took another sip.
“And Bino got a Drix feature?”
“That’s right.”
“You’re going to rap on someone else’s song for me?” I stuck my lip out and Drix snickered.
“Yeah, man. You know I make shit shake behind you.” He set his hand on the back of my chair and leaned into me.
I grabbed his face to kiss him deeply.
“The girls are going to lose their mind.”
“Probably.” He nudged his head toward the table. “Now, eat them damn snacks you asked for so I can take you around and introduce you to people.” He kissed me again then settled in his seat.
And I got right to eating because if he was going to move the way he was, I was going to listen… sometimes.
He plucked a few of my snacks off my plate while we sat together and I fangirled about different artists and producers. Every once in a while, they’d come over to speak to Drix and each time he’d dap them and introduce me.
By the time I was done eating, he was two drinks in.
“Are you still up for networking?” I asked.
“Sure.” He tilted his head back to finish his glass, pushed up, and offered me a hand to help me to my feet.
He kept my hand in his and grabbed his bottle with the other before nudging his head in the direction he wanted me to go. I followed him and was impressed when I saw Rome and Charm in a small group of singers talking and laughing.
“How’d you see them from where we were?”
“I’ve got a built-in location system when it comes to Rome. I can find him anywhere.”
“There’s the man, the myth, the legend!” one of the singers drunkenly cheered.
Drix chucked.
“What’s up?” He nodded in his direction and held his bottle out to Rome. “Finish this.”
He grabbed it, lifted it, and looked at the label. “Thank you.”
“Welcome.” Drix settled his hand on the small of my back while he did introductions and shook each singers’ hand then excused us.
“Alright.” Drix looked around the room. “Pick who you want to meet and let’s do this, Twin. Let me show you off.”