Page 12 of Perfect Rhythm

SHADE

“I still don’t understand why you decided to stay on campus instead of just staying with me,” I told Jassi as I pulled a box from the back of the moving truck.

“Because I don’t want to live with you. You’ll be all up in my business and trying to control everything.

” She glanced over her shoulder at the guys who were carrying boxes into her apartment.

“The fact that you brought your two goons to help us move is a perfect example. I could’ve hired movers, you know? ”

“Relax, bestie,” Xandie said as she squeezed my sister’s shoulder. “I have no complaints about the help. I love watching fine men lift shit.”

“Calm your hormones,” Jassi muttered.

“I’m just saying, let’s not complain about the eye candy.

” She smirked, eyes trailing over the guys before shifting to the small crowd that was forming on the sidewalk.

“Also, having your brother here is perfect. Do you know how popular we’re about to be on this campus?

Not only are people going to be sucking up to us because they know we’ve got connections.

But our connections are going to get us into all the parties.

” She winked at a boy who was aiming his phone in our direction.

When he caught her looking, he winked back and mumbled something.

“Oh, damn, he’s kind of cute, and I think he just asked me for my number. I’ll be back.”

I glared at Jassi. “Please don’t let her horny ass get you in trouble.”

“Relax. I’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, okay.” We stepped into the apartment, and I placed the box down on the floor. “How about you start unpacking. I know you. All this shit will end up sitting in your living room for weeks.”

“Whatever. I got this,” she scoffed. “You know you not fooling anybody, right? You’re just doing all this so you can scope out the scene and give me a list of things you don’t want me to do while I’m here.”

“That’s not the only reason. I also wanted to make sure your apartment was up to living standards. I can’t have you out here living crazy. I reached into my back pocket and pulled out a wad of cash. “Here, this is for you to get whatever you need and?—”

She pushed my hand away. “I’m fine. I have money in my account.”

“Yeah, I know,” I shot back. “I’m the one who put it there.” I counted the large bills, then slammed them into her hand. “You should always have some cash. You never know when you might need it.”

She rolled her eyes and stuffed the money into her back pocket. The soft jingle of her silver charm bracelet caught my attention.

It was still shiny as hell with tiny sparkling music notes, stars, and a polished treble clef charm. I remembered how big she smiled when I surprised her with it on her birthday last year. It was one of the only times she didn’t flip out over me spending a large amount of money on her.

Jassi was the only woman I knew who could make a gift feel like an insult. Flash a little cash or drop something expensive in her lap, and she’d look at you like you slapped her. But I knew the deal. She just wanted to prove she could stand on her own, which is why I didn’t take it personal.

“Also, I had Trace do a sweep of the place and hook you up with a new security system. That old shit they had in here wasn’t going to cut it.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you serious? You changed these people’s stuff?”

“Hell yeah,” I said. “But don’t worry, I talked to them about it first. I also offered to pay for the same service for the other apartment buildings.”

She shook her head. “I swear, you stay doing the most. Please let me live my life while I’m here.”

I lifted my hands and smiled. “I promise, I’m not going to be on you like that.”

“Thank you.”

“But—”

Her head fell back. “What now?”

“I do need to let you know what to steer clear of.”

“Of course you do.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Go ahead.”

“Okay, for starters, I know you and your busy body ass friend are going to want to hang out. That’s cool and all, but try not to get too caught up in the industry parties.

There’s a lot of wild shit that can go down at those things, especially if you hang around in the same place for too long.

” I looked her over to make sure she was listening to what I was saying.

When she finally nodded, I continued. “Also, I know you guys have seen the glamorous shit on social media, but that’s not how it is all the time.

After a certain time of night, the city can get dangerous.

If you’re not careful, you’ll get caught up in some shit that you weren’t trying to get caught up in. ”

“Noted.”

“I’m serious, Jassi. This shit is real.”

“Okay, okay,” she replied. “I hear you.”

“Also, if you can help it, just try to stick to your little college parties and hangouts. They’re usually a lot more chill.”

“And how would you know? You out here messing around with college girls?”

“Hell no!” I shot back. “Don’t even play with me like that. I’ve done shows for the school to help out with fundraisers and shit. Plus, a few young artists that I’m familiar with like to kick it on campus from time to time.”

“Mmhmm,” she said, giving me a suspicious look.

“You can chill with all that. Trust me, the women I get down with are fully grown. They can’t fuck with me any other way.”

“Oh, speaking of which,” she said with a huge grin. “I saw your little video with my favorite dancer. Y’all looked mighty cozy on the dance floor. Is there something going on that you forgot to tell me about?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Her smile dropped, and I almost burst out laughing.

My sister practically worshipped Nyx. She followed her every move on social media and had no shame in begging me for backstage access just to meet her after one of my shows.

“Shade, quit playing. I know what I saw. Now, tell me…are you messing around with Nyx Fenton?”

“Look, we’re just?—”

“Oh my God, I knew it! The internet has been buzzing nonstop about the chemistry between you two. I’ve always said it was just acting,” she ranted. “But baby, that little lap dance did not give acting. It definitely gave... my man, my man, my man.”

I shook my head.

“I’m just saying. Y’all are fire together.” She paused, then tilted her head to the side. “Oh, but wait, isn’t she still dating that soap opera guy, E?—

I slammed my hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face the stack of boxes. “Focus less on the shit that doesn’t concern you.”

“Wow, so you’re really going to do me like that? Pull me into what may be the greatest love story ever told, and just leave me hanging?”

I laughed. “You’re so damn dramatic.”

“I’m serious, Shade. I need to know if you guys become a thing.” She squealed in excitement. “Do you know what it would be like for me to have Nyx Fenton in my space every day?”

“Every day? You do know she’ll be with me, right? That means I’ll be around every day too.”

“Trust me, if you have Nyx on your arm, you can hang around all you want.”

“You’re something else,” I mumbled.

“Mmhmm. But don’t forget. I need to know if?—”

Stopping her before she continued, I nodded. “I promise, you’ll be the first to know when I get the girl.”

And I’ll definitely get the girl.