Pride Cost Me You

***_

_bike engine fade + lighter "click" + minor piano_

_exhale + muttered:_ "fuck... I'm so stupid"

*[Verse 1]*

You’d come home late, I’d give you silence

Act busy with my game, but I was waiting on your text

You’d ask "babe you mad?" I’d say "nah"

But I was mad... just too proud to ask for attention

I thought you’d never leave

Figured you needed me

Turns out you’re human too

You can get tired of being played

*[Pre-Chorus]*

My boys said "dump her bro, there’s plenty fish"

Yeah there’s plenty... but none of ‘em you

None of ‘em text "did you eat yet"

None of ‘em get mad when I’m out in the rain

None of ‘em stayed by my side

When I had nothing but talk and a big ass ego

Now I got everything

But I’m broke... broke without you

_**_

_My pride was expensive_

_So expensive I traded you for it_

_For an ego that ain’t worth shit_

_My pride was expensive_

_But the price was you_

_Now I’m poor... poor without you_

_I laugh with my boys_

_But inside I’m screaming_

_"Come back... I miss you"_

_But pride... still expensive_

*[Verse 2]*

I saw your story with him

He opens the car door for you

Small shit I never did for you

‘Cause I thought "that’s corny"

Now I get it

Girls don’t need a rich guy

Girls need a guy who shows up

And I... I wasn’t there when you needed me

I was there when I needed you

I’m a piece of shit for that

*[Pre-Chorus]*

You used to cry, I’d say "stop being dramatic"

Now I’m the one crying... no one’s listening

You asked for my time, I said "I’m busy"

Now I’m free... and you’re busy with someone else

Karma’s fast

No shipping delay

_**_

_My pride was expensive_

_Acting cool, acting tough, acting like I didn’t need you_

_Turns out I’m the one who needed you most_

_My pride was expensive_

_Thought I won_

_But I lost bad_

_To a guy who’s willing to_

_Drop his ego for you_

_While I..._

_Pushed you away with mine_

_**_

_beat cuts. Just piano + distant traffic_

_spoken, voice raspy from cigarettes:_

Bro... if you hear this

I’m not asking you to come back

I know I don’t deserve that

I just wanna say...

Sorry I loved you too late

Sorry I protected you too late

Sorry I became a man too late

For a woman as strong as you

I hope... he’s not as dumb as me

Alright... I’ma finish this smoke

Work tomorrow... gotta act like I’m okay again

*[Final Chorus - quieter, tired, done fighting]*

_My pride was expensive_

_And now I’m bankrupt_

_Paying with silence every night_

_With your pics I still haven’t deleted_

_With your last text to me_

_That said "take care"_

_When I’m the one who couldn’t take care_

_Of us_

_Without you_

_**_

_bike engine starts + drives away_

_one piano note + empty air_

_whisper:* "...I’m tired, man. Tired of my pride."