Page 127 of Perfect Rhythm

But now, its tiny music notes were broken and dripping with blood.

50

SHADE

How the fuck did I allow this to happen?I thought as I leaned forward in the stiff ER chair, elbows on my knees.

“Do you want some coffee? Some food?” Nyx asked, her hand tracing a gentle line across my shoulders.

“No, I’m good.”

“You sure? It’s been hours, and you haven’t eaten anything.”

“I said I’m fine.” I pushed up from my chair and moved toward the window.

The sunlight poured in, shining like my world hadn’t just fallen apart. But it had, and I wanted the entire night to be erased.

I looked over my shoulder to see if Nyx had followed me. But she hadn’t. She was still in her seat, consoling Xandie, who hadn’t stopped crying since we’d left the club.

I’m sure it probably didn’t seem like it right now, but I was truly grateful to have her by my side. We’d been at the hospital for more hours than I could count, and she’d been by my side for every last one, only stepping away to use the bathroom or grab a snack in hopes that I would eat it too.

I felt a squeeze on my shoulder. “Hey, man, you good?”

“Hell no,” I shot back at Trace. “It’s been hours since they took Jassi back to surgery. What the fuck is taking so long?”

“Shit, the doctor did say the damage was pretty severe. Broken ribs, a fractured pelvis, head trauma. Getting hit by that car really did a number on her.”

“Yeah, I know. But still...” I froze, fear washing over me. “Yo, what if something’s gone wrong? What if they can’t fix this shit, and?—”

“Aye, chill with all that. I’m sure they’re back there doing everything possible to make sure she’s good.”

“What if that shit ain’t good enough? What if?—”

“Don’t,” Nyx said, her arms circling me. She pulled me close and rested her head on my chest. I could feel my insides start to unravel. There was so much pain. So much regret for the part I played in all of this. “You can’t allow yourself to think the worst.”

“Oh my God, Shade,” my mother said as she rushed into the emergency room, my father right behind her. “How is she? How’s my baby?”

I shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know? You’ve been here for hours. You haven’t heard anything?”

“No. Not since they took her back to surgery.”

I could see the fire building behind her eyes.

“Excuse me,” she said, tightening her grip on her purse and storming toward the front desk.

I turned my attention to my father. “Hey, Pops.”

“Hey, son. How are you holding up?”

“Not good. Not good at all.”

“Everything’s going to be okay,” he said. “Your mother and I prayed the whole flight here. God isn’t going to let us down.”

I nodded, hoping my father was right. Although I had a strong belief in God and his ability to perform miracles, I also knew that when he said our time was up, it was up.

What if that was the case with Jassi? What if she’d fulfilled her purpose in life?