Page 132 of Perfect Rhythm

“Where are we going?”

“Home. I’ve been kicked out for the evening.”

“He sure has,” my mother chimed in. “The two of you need to sleep in a bed. Not those uncomfortable chairs they keep in the waiting area, and certainly not the ones they have in this room. Also, once you guys get back, we need to discuss doing shifts or something. That way, all of us can get an adequate amount of rest.”

I nodded in understanding. “Where’s Pops? Is he still in the bathroom?”

“He sure is,” she replied.

My nose scrunched as I stared at the bathroom door. “Do we need to check on him? He’s been in there for a while.”

“Son, I’m not going anywhere near that bathroom, and for your own safety, I suggest you don’t either.” She shook her head. “I told his hardheaded butt not to get that butter pecan ice cream from the gift shop. But no, he just had to have it. Now look at him. He probably can’t even get his butt off the toilet seat.”

Trying to hold back a laugh, I walked to the door and gave it a gentle tap. “Hey, Pops, you good?”

He cleared his throat. “Yeah, son, I’m fine.” I could tell his voice was a little strained, which meant he was far from fine. ButI wasn’t going to stick around and ask him to go into detail. That was between him and the toilet.

“Poor toilet,” Ocean muttered. “Might need a moment of silence once he’s done.”

Skye’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”

“Yes! Growing up, we all knew better than to go in the bathroom after Pops. Not unless we wanted to be floating around in?—”

“Ocean!” Pops called out. “I can hear you.”

We laughed.

“My bad.”

“Mmhmm. Stop telling all my business.”

Shaking my head, I looked at my mother. “I’m about to head out. I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”

“Sounds good. Love you, son.”

“Love you too.” I moved closer to the bathroom door. “Try not to clog these folks’ pipes.”

“Get out of here!”

Laughing, I said my goodbyes to Ocean and Skye, then motioned for Nyx to follow Trace out.

“Well, that was an interesting fact to learn about your father,” Nyx said.

“Yeah. Stick around and you’ll definitely learn a lot more.”

53

NYX

I was barely able to walk off the elevator and into Shade’s penthouse. I was so full from the food we’d eaten on the way, and I’d already nodded off three or four times while we were in the car. But I had to come alive and get Shade settled in. Then, once I knew that he was comfortable enough to fall asleep, I would get myself cleaned up and relax as well.

“Come on,” I said as I pulled him off to his room and into the bathroom. “Get out of those clothes. I’ll get the water going.”

He hadn’t said much since we’d left the hospital, and rightfully so. I knew he had a lot on his mind, and ever since Jassi’s accident, the rides back and forth from the hospital had pretty much been the same. He would hold my hand while staring out the window, pondering his thoughts. I didn’t dare ask what he was thinking because I already knew.

I wish I could do something more to alleviate the guilt that lingered inside of him. But I knew I couldn’t. The only thing that could chip away at that was Jassi. He needed her to wake up and tell him that everything was okay.

I prayed that moment would come soon.