Page 103 of Perfect Rhythm

“So, what’s up?” I asked. “What you about to get into?”

“Absolutely nothing. I just finished making some shrimp alfredo, and now I’m about to cuddle up on my couch and listen to this audiobook that I’ve been trying to finish for a week.”

“Damn, for real? Is it boring? You usually finish those things in a couple of days.”

“Nah, it’s not boring. It’s just long as hell. It literally has two parts to it, and they go on for hours.”

“Yeah, see, I don’t know how you do it. I would lose interest so fast.”

“Shade, you would lose interest because you don’t read.”

“What? I do read. Just the other day, I read a paragraph from one of those nasty ass books you be reading.”

“Wow, a whole paragraph. Aren’t you just the little scholar?” She giggled.

“Whatever. Don’t try to play me. I read, and if we’re keeping it real, the only reason you read the way you do is because you lowkey be reading porn.”

“What?” she gasped between laughs. “I do not.”

“Yes, the hell you do. Every time I snatch a book out of your hands, the main characters are either fucking or getting ready to fuck.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes, it is. But it’s cool. I ain’t even gonna lie, I almost bought a couple of books just for that reason. Them niggas be giving it to them females, and they take that shit like a champ. My ass might need to take notes.”

“Take notes for what? Who you planning to fuck like a porn star?”

“None of your business.”

“Bullshit! Who is it? Is it that model the bloggers keep catching you with?”

I laughed inwardly. “Aye, I’m going to let you go. I’ll see your crazy ass tomorrow.”

“Nah, Shade, don’t try to get off the phone now. Is it her?”

I shook my head but tried not to make it known just how amused I was. For weeks, Nyx and I had been sticking to our agreement to just be friends. But we spent a lot of time together. Whenever I wasn’t in the studio, I was at her place, or she was at mine. It wasn’t easy to give her what she wanted, but it had become clear that I had no choice, which meant I had to figure out a way to keep her off my mind. No better way to do that than to fuck my problems away with someone else. Hell, a few someone else’s. But Ashlin Murphy was the only one Ifelt comfortable being seen in public with, and the blogs made it a point to catch us every time. Mainly because she was a well-known social media model, and her entire brand revolved around her luxurious lifestyle.

I’d seen Nyx read the blogs a few times while we were together, and I knew she wanted to ask me about what was being said, but her pride got in the way.

What she didn’t realize was that I wasn’t fucked up about any woman the cameras caught me with. My feelings for her hadn’t changed. I was just trying to cope with the way things were between us.

“Shade, answer the question.”

“Nyx, chill. I promise you it isn’t like that.”

“Mmhmm.”

“I’m for real.”

There was a knock on Jassi’s door. “Oh, I think ol’ boy is here. I’ll call you later.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“Come on now. I know you’re not trying to act jealous.”

“I’m not jealous,” she blurted. “You know what? Bye. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Laughing, I said, “Okay. Oh, and make sure you wear some old lady pajamas. No booty shorts and shit.”