Star: Tyler, The Creator

16. Sorry

Two Weeks Later

"What's wrong?"

"Abel hasn't been calling for the past two days."

"No texts either? Frank asked.

"He just replies with ok or something. He's never like this. He's supposed to be busy with the whole album shit that's going on though, the interviews, performing...I don't wanna blame him."

Solange nodded.

"He should have time for you though. No matter how busy it gets, you always make time."

Rose sighed. She didn't wanna think about it. Things had been going so smooth for the past couple of weeks, but this week just seemed out of place.

"I'll call him again later."

They finished up a small writing session. Mostly Frank, he was still songwriting for the biggest in the industry. Rihanna, Bey—that's how he got his start in the beginning.

He told her the stories of how they first contacted him; how he struggled to come up with anything, which reassured Rose it was fine to feel defeated.

"You gotten Abel's royalty checks yet?" Frank asked.

Rose smirked.

"They're heavy."

They both laughed.

"It's crazy huh? I remember my first royalty check. I was like fuck." Frank spoke.

"I'm getting so many fucking emails after that album though. Like from labels and
magazines—I keep pushing it to the back of my mind."

"You deserve it though." Solange replied softly.

Their session was interrupted by a call from Tyler. She picked it up.

"Yo, you busy right now?" he spoke.

"I'm at Frank's."

"I finished that beat I was telling you about. I got my verses on it and everything just need your vocals again."

"Yeah, lemme finish up and I'll meet you there."

"Aight, bye."

"Tyler?" Frank asked.

"Yeah."

"He's been talking about your vocals on I Think. He wouldn't stop playing it yesterday," Frank chuckled.

"Really?" Rose laughed.

There was silence before Solange spoke again.

"Y'all make a good duo."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rose chuckled.

"All I'm saying." She grinned.

Frank agreed.

...

"Hey—,"

Rose stopped in her tracks as Destiny got up from Tyler's lap, both wiping their mouths.

"Fuck,"

"Am I interrupting something? I'll leave," Rose began to turn.

"I was literally just saying goodbye. I'll go," Destiny grabbed her stuff.

She made her way back to Tyler as they kissed one last time.

"See you at home?" Destiny bit her lip.

"Text me when you get there," T smiled.

Destiny made her way past Rose.

"Sorry you had to see that."

"It's cool." Rose faked a smile.

Destiny left, leaving Rose and Tyler alone.

"What the fuck was all that?" Rose took her jacket off.

Tyler laughed.

"Get in the booth."

Rose recorded some harmonies; both talking it over and trying to figure out what worked and what didn't for an hour straight.

"Let me see that." She bent over Tyler's workspace to get a look at the way he had set up the production on his Mac.

Her necklace dangled from her chest.

"I never noticed that." He spoke.

"What?" Rose backed up. She looked at his eyes as they trailed the chain Abel had given her.

"You got that nigga name on you like he owns you."

"That's not what it is."

"Oh forreal? Does he have one around his neck with your name on it?"

Rose stopped for a minute, being taken aback.

"Fuck you."

"What?"

"He's not cheating."

"I never said he was."

"Then why would you—whatever. Forget it."

"I didn't even—,"

"It's okay. Just drop it." Rose put the chain inside her shirt so it wasn't visible.

It was silent for a moment.

"You think he's cheating?"

Rose sighed. It was no getting around T.

"We just haven't talked in like, a few days."

"So? that's normal."

"No like, all my texts are left on seen. He doesn't even call me back. He could at least send a text letting me know he's fucking alive. That's all I'm asking for."

Tyler nodded, understanding.

"Am I crazy?"

T let out a laugh.

"Nah, you make time for the people you care about no matter what."

"That's what Solange said..." Rose was in deep thought.

"Don't do nothing stupid though," Tyler replied.

Rose grabbed her stuff.

"We can finish up later right?"

"Yeah—,"

"Aight, I'll call you," Rose opened the door.

"Don't do anything stupid Rose." He shouted as she left.