Star: Tyler, The Creator

10. The Bet

"I can park here right?" Rose asked, getting out of the car.

"Yeah, you good."

Tyler had invited Rose over to his place after the studio session with Frank and Solange. The sun was beginning to set.

"Did you ever think you'd be living like this?" Rose squinted at the large house as she took a few steps back.

"I guess...I'd be fine living wherever, I don't care about material shit. But it's the icing on the cake." He opened the door as he lead inside.

"Fuck.." She looked around in astonishment. It was gorgeous.

"The studio's up here." he walked up the stairs to the second floor. Rose followed intently behind.

"Why don't you just record here instead?"

"It's more to play with in the studio..." He turned on his Mac and took a seat.

Rose's attention was quickly turned to the shelf full of vinyls in the corner.

"This your vinyl collection?" she walked over to it.

He nodded.

"Shit...how'd you get your hands on this?" she eyed it.

"It was gifted."

"With the original printing on the side—,"

They looked at eachother, grinning as they once again spoke the exact same words at the same time.

"It's so fucking rare. I've been looking for it for so long..." Rose put the D'angelo vinyl back.

She eyed a couple more.

"I'm impressed. It's a good collection."

"What's yours look like?" Tyler spoke.

"Not like yours." Rose lifted a brow. "They're all back home though."

"Damn. Have you talked to them at all?"

"Nah, they don't answer no more." Rose sighed.

"Fuck."

They eyed Rose's phone as it rang, cutting the tension.

"Hey."

"Hey babe," He spoke.

"Babe?" Rose laughed.

"You want me to call you girlfriend?" Abel's voice was tender—a stark contrast from Tyler's.

"Hm. I didn't know I was. You never asked."

"I thought we were on the same page," he chuckled.

"I'll take it." Rose smiled.

"Are you busy?"

Rose looked over at Tyler, who seemed more entertained with his mixing than anything.

"Uh, I'm with a friend. Why?"

"Just wondering if you wanted to chill. But if not we could meet tomorrow at mine?"

"Yeah that sounds good. I think I'm gonna stay in tonight. Tired."

"Aight babe, I'll text you."

"Bye."

She hung up.

"Who was it?" T asked, turning momentarily.

"Abel. He wanted to hang out." She walked over.

"You're not going?"

"Nah. I saw those bikes you got downstairs..." Rose alluded.

He grinned.

"Fuck, I haven't been biking in a minute," he got up, adjusting his shirt.

"Shit, you got extra?" Rose signaled at this earphones.

"Here." He threw his at her as he grabbed an extra pair by a shelf.

"Let's go."

...

"Fuck, how long has it been?!" Rose and Tyler stopped by a park, almost out of breath.

"Six miles," Tyler laid in the grass as she did the same.

"I'm so outta shape." She panted.

"I still won."

"Nigga not even close!"

"Aight, tie." He took out his hand, "Shake on it."

Rose laughed as she took his hand.

They watched the sun for a while as they shared an earbud.

"Isn't it crazy how I was living out of my car last week and now I'm fucking dating The Weeknd? How the fuck?" She chuckled.

He turned over at her.

"That's crazy."

"What about you? you seeing anyone?"

He shook his head.

"Just on and off flings."

"So...distractions?"

"Basically."

"Hmm.." Rose looked over at him, grinning.

"Fuck, don't start." Tyler sighed, looking away.

"You don't even know what I'm about to say!" Rose laughed.

"Nah I know exactly what you about to say. Say it."

"I'm gonna find you someone. Like your wing woman or whatever they call it."

"I knew it. Frank's been trying to set me up too."

"How much you wanna bet I can find you someone by the end of the week?"

"You're fucking stupid."

"Isn't Taco doing that DJ set thing on Friday?"

"So?"

"So we'll go and I'll set you up."

Tyler rolled his eyes lightly.

"If I win I get that D'Angelo vinyl."

"The fuck? what do I get?"

"You get the girl I set you up with."

He bit his lip.

It was a deal.