Page 137 of Perfect Rhythm

“Still no change.”

I sighed. Somewhat relieved while also disappointed.

A part of me wanted to believe that today would be different. Today would be the day she opened her eyes.

Wishful thinking.

“Don’t worry,” Nyx said as she slid her hand down my cheek. “Something’s going to change soon. Jassi’s a fighter. I can guarantee you she’s fighting to get back here. She just needs a little more time.”

I nodded, trusting that Nyx was right. “You know, my Mama really likes you?”

“Does she?” She beamed. “I really like her too. She’s so sweet and kind.”

“Yeah, she is.”

I wasn’t sure if now was the right time to bring up us. But I just didn’t see the need to keep holding off on the conversation. It was clear that neither of us was willing to keep our hands off each other. It was also clear that this wasn’t just some sexual thing. She was feeling me, and I was feeling the fuck out of her. Not to mention, she kept alluding to shit that let me know that she was ready for more. But there was also a hell of a lot going on.

“What’s on your mind?” she whispered as she rested her head on my chest. “I can see the wheels turning in your head. You got something to say, just say it.”

“I don’t know if I should.”

“Why not?”

I took a deep breath. My eyes lingered on her finger as she drew imaginary circles on my chest. It was a mindless act, but it felt so intimate. All this shit did.

“I meant what I said last night...about us not stopping this.”

“Okay,” she replied.

I wasn’t sure if that was her agreeing, or if it was a lingering question.

I opened my mouth to continue, but was interrupted by her phone.

“Hold up a sec,” she said as she reached over me and grabbed it. “Hey, Skye, what’s up?” Her soft expression changed. “Okay, do you know what’s going on?” She frowned, and I sat up. “Okay, okay...we’ll be right there.” She ended the call and jumped up from the bed. “We need to go.”

“What’s going on? Is it Jassi?”

“Yes.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. Skye said she left to grab something from her car, and when she returned, there was a lot of commotion near Jassi’s room, but she wasn’t allowed to go in.

“Fuck!” I hurried to put on clothes while trying to call my mother at the same time, but she didn’t answer. “What the fuck?”

Rushing out to the car, I tried to call Ocean and my pops. But they didn’t answer either.

Every terrible scenario flooded my mind, and all I could think about was how I’d abandoned Jassi again.

If this is the end, I’ll never forgive myself.

55

NYX

I prayed as hard as I could as the elevator crept to Jassi’s floor.

Shade needed to be there. If he wasn’t, and something happened before we made it, it would break him forever.