Page 57 of Love's Free Will

“Not buts Babe,” she added gently, “And if you really care about him, you have to be strong enough to love him from a distance. Give him grace. Give him time. Be his safe space—but also be okay with not being needed right now.”

I was quiet for a long moment, just staring at her through the screen. “How’d you do it? With Creed?”

Her smile was sad. “Some days, I wanted to leave. But I stayed. I held space. I prayed with him, for him and over him. And when he was ready… he came to me.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “I want to be that for Royal. I do. But I feel so fuckin’ rejected right now.”

“I know, Averi. I know.” She nodded. “And you have every right to feel hurt. But don’t let your hurt stop you from showing up the way he needs, even if that means not showing up at all. That’s what love is.”

I nodded again, finally understanding what I needed to do. “I think I’m gonna head home tomorrow,” I whispered.

“You sure?”

“Yeah, this meeting sounds important, and it can’t get pushed again, Besides, I told Egypt I would be in LA to work on her music. But I just need to see him one more time. I don’t wanna leave things like this.”

“I get it,” she said. “Just… don’t expect anything. And don’t let this break you.”

“I won’t.” I wiped my face. “Thank you, Serenity. I didn’t even know how bad I needed to hear that.”

“That’s what I’m here for. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

As soon as the call ended, I dialed my assistant and had her book me on the next evening flight back to L.A. But first, I had to try one last time. Even if it hurt, even if it broke me. I had to say goodbye to the man I loved… just in case he never came back.

The Next DayI texted Zay knowing he would be with Royal, knowing that if I texted Royal he was likely not going to answer me.

Me: Hey, you with him?

Zay: What’s up Sis, yeah we together.

Me: Where?

It took him a few minutes to respond. Multiple times I saw the three dots pop up indicating he was texting and then they would disappear.

Me: Zay, where y’all at? I’m leaving tonight and I just want to say bye before I go

He replied within minutes.

Zay: Grindhouse. He recording.

I didn’t overthink it. I got dressed, grabbed my bag, and took a car to Grindhouse Studios. As I walked down the hall, I heard it; one of my tracks. A bassline I’d sent him weeks ago; one he’d dismissed and called “too soft.”

I frowned, wondering why he’d use it now… and why he didn’t call me since I literally produced the track. When I opened the door to Studio C, I understood why.

The scene inside hit me like a fuckin’ slap. The smell and smoke from the weed fogged the air. There were bottles littering the tables. Laughter echoed off the walls. Half-naked women were dancing, grinding, leaning all over his crew like they belonged there. And in the booth stood Royal with headphones covering his ear and a bitch at his side. He was standing in front of the mic and letting her kiss his neck while he smirked like the whole world was a joke.

I froze looking around at the scene. Neither Zay nor Malachi would meet my eyes, only the women did; each one sneering at me like I was lost. As I stood in front of the console, my arms crossed, Royal looked up and saw me. His expression sobered and he gently pushed the girl off of him. She looked confused and I looked pissed.

“Malachi,” I said. “Kill the fuckin’ track.” The music stopped and I pressed the button for the intercom into the booth. “Royal come out. We need to talk.”

Royal rubbed his hand down his face and the girl leaned toward the mic. “Who the fuck is she?”

I blinked slowly, my patience wearing thin.

“Aye, you,” I snapped, pointing through the glass. “And all your lil thirsty ass friends? OUT.”

“Who the fuck she think she is?” I heard one of her friends ask and I turned around ready for a fight, but Zay and Malachi didn’t hesitate. They knew my mouth and knew things could quickly escalate. I didn’t play that shit with nobody. Within seconds, they were clearing the studio.

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