Page 35 of Call and Response

“Dude, that's aterribleexample. You should use something else.”

“How is it a terrible example?”

“Becausehell yeah,me and Holly be fucking.” He cackled. “Duh.That's the love of my life.”

Shit.

I guess he had a point there.

Holly was another artist out of the Heights—another one who worked with Audra, actually—and she and Dean had been making music together—andbeen together—for years.

So yeah.

Poor example.

“Well, I don’t need an example. I just don’t think we were giving off those vibes. Weweren’tgiving off those vibes,” I insisted. “How about that?”

“What you niggas in here lying about today?” Royal called as he came through the door, not bothering to knock. “I don't hear any music being made. I passed Audra coming out, did I miss all the magic?” he asked.

“Not completely,” I told him, getting up to give him a quick greeting. “I’ve still got to put down a few more background vocals, but after that, we’re outta here.”

“My bad, I couldn't get away from the coffeehouse as soon as I thought.”

“Ain’t a problem,” I told him.

“You ain't missed nothing,” Dean said as he moved to greet Royal, too. “Just Audra and Noble in here caking undercover.”

Royal's eyes went wide. “Word? Ithoughtsomething was up with that. Y'all was on stage last week looking like you wanted to fuck, and you’ve beenrealdifferent lately.”

“Okay, y'all are dragging it.” I shook my head.

“Nah, you’re just transparent.” Royal laughed. “You ain't even been surly this week. Iknewsomething was up. Pussy got your mood right together, huh? I'm happy for you!”

“Man, get the fuck off me with that,” I demanded, shrugging off the shoulder pat he was trying to give me, even though I couldn't help chuckling over his antics. “Why does everybody keep accusing me of being a grouch, damn.”

“Because you’ve been a grouch,” Dean answered. “But damn… you and Audra in that booth… straight fire. Never seen your moody ass happier.”

“Oh, so you’re out here finding your soulmate and shit?” Royal asked, and my eyes got wide asfuckabout that.

“What?! Who said all that?”

“I’m asking.” He shrugged.

“Okay, well, I’m telling you—it ain’t that.”

“Based on what?”

“Based on, I’ve literally known her a week,” I argued, even though it felt disingenuous coming out of my mouth.

Did I think Audra was my “soulmate” after a week of fucking and writing songs?

Nah.

But the argument against it felt… hollow.

It might not bethat, no… but it wassomething.

Something I didn’t have the bandwidth to figure out.

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