Page 13 of Perfect Rhythm

NYX

I double-tapped my earbuds to change the song, lowering myself until my butt was just inches from the floor. I was halfway through my third set of squats.

Sweat dripped down the side of my face, then onto my shoulder. I was wearing a black tank with leggings and a waist trainer.

It felt good to be in my father’s gym. I mean, it was cool to try out the different places while on the road, but there was nothing like being in the comfort of my father’s place.

“Hey, baby girl,” I heard a soft voice speak behind me.

Smiling, I pulled the earbuds from my ears and turned around. “Hey, Mama. What are you doing here?”

“Me and your father were on our way to grab some food after church, and he decided to stop in to check on things. I saw your car outside, so I figured I would come in and hug my baby.” She pulled me in for a tight squeeze, not caring that I was drenched in sweat. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

She took a step back and looked me over. “Well, you look good. I see you haven’t missed any meals or any workouts.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Good. I can’t have you out there on that road turning into a skeleton. Speaking of which, why don’t you come with me and your father to eat?”

I looked myself over. “Mommy, do you see how sweaty I am? I stink.”

“Oh, please. You’re fine.”

“No, this is not okay to be sitting down at a restaurant. You’re not about to have folks talking about me.”

She leaned forward and sniffed. “I don’t smell anything but strawberries and whipped cream, and maybe a little salt added in from the sweat.” A giggle escaped her lips. “You don’t smell bad at all.”

“Mmhmm, you say that because you’re my mother.”

“No, I say it because it’s the truth.” She toyed with my ponytail that hung out of the opening of my hat. “I see you’ve been using the products I sent with you. Your hair looks nice and healthy.”

“Of course.”

“Did you run out while on the road?”

“No, Mama. You practically sent me with a six month supply.”

Hair care was important to my mother, and she made sure to pass that along to me.

She’d been a hair stylist since before I was born, and she knew everything there was to know about keeping a black woman’s hair moisturized and healthy.

Although she didn’t work out of the salon anymore, she owned several, and they were doing very well.

“Well, I’ll let you get back to what you’re doing. I guess I’ll head back to the car and wait for your father.”

“Where is he?” I asked.

“Knowing him, he probably stuck his head in one of the classes that’s going on and decided to start teaching it.”

“Oh God, I hope not. His employees are perfectly trained. They don’t need anyone micromanaging them.”

“For your information,” my father cut in as he walked toward us. “I just stopped by my office to pick up some paperwork I left here yesterday.”

A wide smile stretched across my face as I walked over and wrapped my arms around him. “Hey, Daddy.”

“Mmhmm. Don’t let your mother suck you into her nonsense.”

“What?” My mother shrugged. “I’m just telling the truth. You know you can’t come in here without trying to train somebody.”

“Whatever, woman,” he said teasingly, then looked back at me. “So, how are you doing? How was the tour?”

“The tour was great. I feel great.”

“Good, and how’s Eli?”

“Um...he’s fine,” I said, hoping my words sounded convincing.

Although he called before I went to bed last night, I didn’t have the nerve to answer. I was still reeling from what had gone down with Shade, and I was feeling pretty damn guilty.

“You sure?” my mother questioned, concern in her eyes. “You said that with a lot of hesitation.”

I sighed. “Well, we’re not seeing eye to eye right now, so I haven’t talked to him since yesterday.”

“Really? What’s going on?” she asked.

“Nothing we can’t handle,” I said, trying not to elaborate on the subject. “I’m sure we’ll work things out.”

“Hmm...okay. Well, I hope you guys work it out soon. Your father’s birthday is coming up, and I’m throwing him a big dinner party. I want everyone to be there.”

My father sighed. “Baby, I told you I don’t need all that.”

“Oh, hush, James. You know I’m not going to let a year go by without celebrating you.”

Knowing that he was wasting his breath, he simply smiled and kissed my mother on the forehead. “Okay, baby. Do whatever you want.”

“Thank you.”

Her grin widened even more, and it made my heart tingle.

I loved my parents together. Everything about them was beautiful. From the way my mother made him smile, to the way he smothered her with endless hugs and kisses. It was just amazing to see. But it was also a reminder of what I didn’t have with Eli.

Without a doubt, I loved Eli, and I knew he loved me.

But that sense of warmth and peace...that was something that just didn’t exist with us.

I knew that I couldn’t just sit quietly in a room with him.

We couldn’t have those moments where we just loved being in each other’s space, soaking up each other’s air.

With him, it felt like something always had to be going on.

The shit was exhausting, especially since my career required so much of my energy.

After a long day, it would’ve been nice to just cuddle up with the man that I loved and simply enjoy the silence.

“I’ll send you the party details when I get home.”

“Okay, Mama.”

She gave me another hug and kissed me on the cheek. “Alright, babe, I’m starving. Let’s get out of here,” she told my father.

“Okay.”

“Bye, Daddy,” I said while hugging him. “You guys enjoy.”

“Will do. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

“Oh, and don’t be in here working too hard. You already look great.”

I grinned. “Thanks, Daddy.”

He shot me a wink, then followed my mother out of the building.

Getting a compliment from my father was always great.

He’d competed in and won several bodybuilding competitions back in the day.

He had an entire room filled with awards and photos to prove it.

It was inspiring as hell, and if dance wasn’t my first love, I probably would’ve followed in his footsteps.

Just as I was about to head out, my cell phone buzzed.

It was Eli.

Shit.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Nyx, hey. Can we talk?”

“Yeah, sure. What’s up?”

“Not over the phone. Are you home? I can come by your place.”

“No. I’m at the gym. But I’ll be headed home in a bit. If you want to stop by in like an hour, that would be good.”

“Okay, cool. I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Alright, sounds good.”

“Oh, and just to give you an idea of where my head is at, I just want to say that I’m sorry for coming at you like I did. And I’m even sorrier for leaving you at the restaurant. No matter what you said, I should’ve still made sure you got home safely.”

I nodded, appreciative of his apology. “Thank you for that.”

“You’re welcome. Oh, and speaking of which, how did you get home?”

My head fell back. Why the hell did he have to ask that question?

I stood still, pondering how many ways I could answer his question without putting us back into the position that we were working to get out of.

I hated myself for what I was about to do, but I wanted all of this shit to be over. “Skye picked me up,” I lied.

“Oh, okay. Well, I’m glad you’re okay, and I’ll never do no shit like that again.”

“It’s okay. I know last night was a lot,” I said, the guilt from the lie I’d just told quickly starting to eat me alive. “But we’ll talk more when I see you. I’m going to head home and get cleaned up. I’m sweaty as hell.”

“Okay, cool. I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Okay.” I hurried to end the call, then shot Skye a text.

Nyx: Hey, girl. Don’t ask me any questions, just know that you picked me up last night.

Skye: Okay. Should I be worried? Are the cops going to be knocking on my door and asking me about this?

Nyx: Didn’t I say no questions?

Skye: Yeah. But when has saying that shit ever worked on me?

Good point.

Nyx: Okay. Fine. No, the cops won’t be asking you anything, and no I didn’t do anything illegal.

Skye: Alright, cool. That’s all I need to know.

Nyx: Thanks. Love you.

Skye: Love you too girl.