This Is Us But You Still Playing

Chapter 15: Lust or Love?

I knew Camila was right. Everyone was. She usually is always bluntly honest with me about what I'm doing wrong. She says that I changed after my dad died but everyone around me changed as well. No one wanted to hurt my feelings when it came to being honest with me about certain things out of fear I would break because of my father's death.

So, hearing all of this come from her made me grateful that she finally had the balls to tell it to me straight. Yet, with everything that she told me, I felt overwhelmed with information. The main thing pissing me off was that no one on my team had the audacity to tell me that my contract was about to be up and I could actually look into all the other offers record labels have been giving me. But my lawyers would be hearing a mouthful from me once I got done with Paris.

But knowing I had no time to go to the Def Jam and confront Paris about everything without missing my meeting, I decided to go where I haven't been for almost four years instead. As I approached the site, I felt more nervous than I probably should have. I sat with my back leaning against the stone as I played with the strings of grass that were now covering the once overturned soil.

I don't know how long I sat in silence as I caressed the lawn and looked off into the distance. Every couple of minutes I would see someone, or family, come to their respective graves of choice and leave flowers or other things that they felt would bring joy to the deceased.

One of those families stopped a few spots down. I knew the two women saw me and recognized me, but because of the circumstances just smiled and went back to what they were doing. But the three young children with them didn't think twice before running over to me.

The adults followed right after the kids apologizing multiple times trying to tear the kids away from me. I waved them off though, having a quick conversation with the children who were, I found out, 6, 7, and 8.

"Is this your dad?"

The oldest asked making the two parents gasp.

"It's fine."

I said to them before looking back at the kids who were now sitting around me.

"Yeah, it is. I haven't been here because I've been so busy, so I thought I would visit."

"We came here to visit our daddy, too."

The youngest said, then the middle child spoke right after.

"He was our mommies friend. We miss him alot."

I smiled softly at the kids confession.

"Yeah, I miss my dad, too. But guess what?"

They all perked up when they felt I was about to tell them a secret.

"I bet, up in heaven they're best friends."

"That'd be so cool! Then we would be able to see you all the time."

I smiled at the connection they made. My phone's alarm went off letting me know I had to make my way to my meeting. After I dismissed it, I looked back at the kids.

"That's very true. So, in order to make them happy, I think it would only be fair that we all become best friends don't you think?"

They all got really excited and nodded as they gushed about how much fun it would be to be friends with a famous person. I stood up with the children following my lead.

"Do you guys have a phone?"

I said to the parents who were shocked I was serious about being friends with the kids.

"You don't have to do that. They'll still remember this for forever."

"Okay fine. How about this then."