Page 29

ROYAL

S aying I love you to someone who don't say it back? That shit hit harder than any bullet I ever ducked. It wasn’t even the silence that cut—it was what came after. The tears. The way she looked at me like I was the one who broke us . Like I hadn’t been broken first.

It had been a few weeks since that shit happened and each time I thought about what happened, it felt like the knife dug deeper into my chest.

I sat at the edge of my bed, elbows on my knees, staring at the same black hoodie she loved so much. I hadn’t even realized I packed it for this damn trip. But after going into the closet to find something to wear, I spotted it.

That off-guard picture—the one I’d set as my lock screen—still sat on my phone like some twisted reminder of what I fucked up. Her eyes closed, her lips parted, hair wrapped and skin glowing under the TV light. It was peace. She looked safe with me; until I made her feel otherwise.

I told her I was in love with her. Said it plain. No games. No smoke. And she walked away. Didn’t say it back. Didn’t even hesitate—just left.

I been through some shit. Gutted by grief, watched homies get bagged, went through my brother taking his last breath without me even there. But nothin'— nothin’ —prepared me for that moment in Sevyn’s backyard.

I was embarrassed as fuck when she just walked away from me like that. Wasn’t shit else I could do afterwards but bounce myself. I said a rushed goodbye to her people and hit it, grateful my driver had stayed outside waiting for me.

So yeah. I tried. Now, I was done chasin'.

The city glared bright through the windows of the T arms crossed. “Ain’t much to talk about. I did what I could.”

“She’s the one?” I didn’t answer, just rubbed a hand down my face, slow. “I get it,” Kylei said after a pause. “You’re grieving, and relationships get messy when you haven’t healed. But you gotta remember, Royal… this ”—she tapped the folder—“this is your future. You gotta stay locked in.”

“I am,” I said, sitting up. “Trust me. I’m not letting nothin and nobody get in the way of this. If I gotta bury the soft shit to make this album what it needs to be, so be it.”

She nodded. “Good. Cause we got Beats by Dre and Hennessy in the mix now.”

That got my attention. “What?”

“Beats wants you for two events. One private influencer dinner—press, industry folks, and some curated creators who actually know music. Then a live performance-slash-interview session, where you break down your creative process.”

I nodded. “I can do that.”

“Henny’s doing a ‘Block to Boardroom’ campaign—they want you front and center. You’ll have full creative control. Real visuals. Grit. Your story.”

“And the tour?” I asked asking about the one thing I really cared about. A tour was going to be a much needed distraction for everything.

She grinned. “Twenty cities. Starting late spring. You’re headlining, but we’ll round it out with some fire openers—up-and-coming artists, women in hip hop, the next generation. We’re putting you in a leadership position, not just a stage.”

I flipped open the folder, scanned the timeline. Every inch of me wanted to be hyped—but something still felt hollow. “I’m in,” I said quietly.

Kylei stood and extended her hand. “Then let’s get to work.”

I stood too and shook it. “And Kylei?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for believing in me—even when I’m a fuckin’’ mess.”

She smirked. “I never doubted the music. Just the man. Don’t prove me wrong.”

On the way home the Escalade glided down Sunset, tinted windows filtering the afternoon glare, while our driver—Andy drove like we weren’t in a hundred-thousand-dollar whip and two lanes over from a paparazzi hotspot.

I had one arm slung across the back seat, head leaned against the rest, mind still rolling through everything Kylei laid out in the meeting.

Endorsement deals, tour dates, press runs and promo.

She was already operating ten steps ahead, and I could see why Lux trusted her with his whole brand. She moved like a boss.

My phone buzzed in my lap displaying my mama’s name and picture. I picked it up, already knowing the energy she was bringing before I even hit accept .

“Yeah, Ma.”

“You alive?” Queenie’s voice rang warm and laced with attitude. “I got one child in the grave and another one that don’t return phone calls. You tryin’ to join King or what?”

“Damn, Ma,” I muttered, rubbing a hand down my face. “That’s how we startin’ the call?”

“That’s how I continue to be your mama. You didn’t answer my text, and Princess told me you was actin’ stank again.”

“Actin’ stank?” I laughed dryly. “I been workin’. Just left a meeting with my new manager, Kylei.”

“Oh good,” she said, tone shifting slightly. “That woman sound like she got some sense. How’s everything goin’ out there in Hollywood?”

“It’s… fine,” I said, letting my eyes drift to the blur of palm trees outside. “Gettin’ shit in order. Focused.”

“You mean finally focused, huh?” I didn’t respond, she didn’t need me to. Then came the part I was bracing for. “I saw the Tea And Honey post,” she said, voice casual but not casual. “You and Averi. Princess showed me.”

I exhaled through my nose and closed my eyes. “It’s old, Ma. That ain’t even a thing anymore.”

“Oh, it was a thing now?”

“I mean yeah… I tried. Saw her a few weeks back at a party I got invited to and talked to her. Told her how I felt but she shut it down.” Queenie went quiet.

“She didn’t say nothin’ back,” I added, bitterness creeping in my throat.

“I told her I was in love with her, and she walked away from me. Cryin’, yeah… but she still walked away.”

“She probably walked away cause she was hurt, Royal,” my mother said gently. “And maybe scared. You don’t know what that girl’s feelin’.”

“I know what she said,” I snapped, harsher than I meant to. “She said she wasn’t ready. She told me she needed distance. That’s enough closure for me.”

“Mmhmm,” Queenie hummed like she didn’t believe a word I was sayin’. “So that’s it? You done?”

“I am done, Ma. I ain’t about to keep chasin’ somebody who don’t want me. I said what I needed to say to her ass. If that ain’t enough, then I don’t got shit left.”

A pause stretched across the line. Then, her voice dropped, soft and certain. “When you really love somebody, Royal… you never stop tryin’. Not really. Not if it’s real.”

I clenched my jaw. “Well, maybe it wasn’t as real as I thought.”

Queenie sighed, disappointment heavy in her tone. “Or maybe you’re just scared. Same way she is.”

“Please don’t bring this shit up again,” I said, voice quieter. “I’m tryin to move on. For real.”

“Alright Royal,” she said finally. “I’ll drop it. For now.”

I nodded, guilt curling in my chest so, I changed the subject. “Listen—I’m havin’ a listening party out here. Album drop’s comin’ fast and I want y’all here. You and Princess.”

Her tone shifted instantly, a smile in her voice. “You do?”

“Of course I do. Ya’ll been at the other listening parties, this one ain’t no different because it’s in another city this time. Cory gon’ send you the flight details. Y’all can stay at the spot with me, I got room. The place nice, too. Quiet. Up in the Hills.”

“Ooooh, baby, I knew you was stayin’ in the good zip code,” she teased. “I gotta go shoppin’. Maybe hit Rodeo. I need somethin’ fly for this lil event of yours.”

I groaned, laughing. “Ma, don’t go runnin’ my card up.”

“You rich, boy. Shut up,” she said. “Let me be cute.”

“Aight. Cory will hit you tomorrow with everything.”

She paused again. “I’m proud of you, Royal. Despite the heartbreak and the dumb decisions… you still pushin’. You still showin’ up.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’m tryin’, Ma.”

“One more thing.”

“Hmm?”