Page 118 of Perfect Rhythm

“Well, no, but she knows about Mecca attacking you. I’m sure she understands why you wouldn’t want to be out right now, and why, as your best friend, I should be here to support you.”

“It’s not about that. She doesn’t feel like I should be allowing Mecca to control how I live my life.”

I nodded slowly, understanding where Noni was coming from. But I also saw Skye’s side of things. It had been four days since Mecca’s attack, and Skye was still trying to make sense of it all. Going out in public meant she would have to come face to face with questions that she didn’t have the answers to. She wasn’t ready for that.

“I get that,” I said. “But she has to understand that you need time. That was a pretty traumatic experience for you.”

“Yeah, it was, and his ability to hide from the cops for days didn’t make it any better. Until last night, I was literally having nightmares that he was going to show up at any moment and try to kill me.”

With a weighted sigh, I eased down beside her and slipped my arm around her shoulder. “I’m so sorry you went through that. But at least now, with him locked up, maybe you’ll finally get some rest.”

“Thank God.” She looked at me, eyes quietly closing the door on the Mecca conversation. Tilting her head, she placed her hand on my thigh. “So, what’s your game plan when you pull up with your boo tonight. You know the bloggers are going to lose their minds.”

“First of all, Shade is not my boo. He’s my friend, and I don’t need a game plan to show up anywhere with a friend.”

Groaning, Skye rolled her eyes. “Enough of this shit already. Please give that man what he deserves.”

“Skye, I’m not sleeping with him. That only complicates things.”

“I’m not talking about sleeping with him. I’m talking about your heart. He deserves that shit one hundred percent. Not only has he made sure you were good, but he’s made sureIwas good after this Mecca shit. A man who looks out for the people that’s close to the woman he loves is a keeper.”

Frowning, I grabbed a jacket from my closet and slipped it on.

“You’re reaching big time.”

“How am I reaching?”

“You’re out here talking about Shade loving me like that’s a fact. That man doesn’t even really know me. At least not enough to feel something that deep.”

“Bullshit! He knows you in every way that counts. I bet if he walked through the door right now, and I asked him if he loved you, he would say yes.”

“No, he wouldn’t.”

“Yes the fuck he would.”

I froze for a second.

Would he?

I shook my head, refusing to allow Skye to get me all in my feelings. “We’re done with this conversation. Shade understands where I stand with things, and he’s been good about respecting that.”

“Mmhmm, that’s sweet and all, but I call bullshit.You’rethe one allowing a man to control your life.”

“What? How?”

“You’ve convinced yourself that Shade is just as bad as Eli, which is crazy as hell since they’re nothing alike. Shade has your back, and he’s always putting you first. He shows up for you in ways that Eli never could, and most importantly, he’s never lied to you. He doesn’t want to hurt you, Nyx, and honestly, I don’t think he ever will.”

I dropped my shoulders and sighed. “But what if he does?”

“He won’t.”

“How do you know that?”

“I just do. He’s one of the good ones. I can just feel it.”

I hated to admit it, but Skye was right. I was allowing Eli to control my relationship with Shade, and it wasn’t fair. Not to me, and definitely not to Shade. There was so much chemistry between us, and not just sexually. We had a bond so strong that even when we weren’t together, we found a way to end up together. I loved having him in my space. I loved hearing the sound of his voice.

“Yo, why the hell is the front door unlocked?” Shade said as he walked into my bedroom.