Page 15 of Perfect Rhythm

NYX

I let out a lazy sigh and stretched, arms reaching toward my bedroom ceiling as the calm of the morning settled over me.

“That was one hell of a night,” Eli whispered, pulling me closer.

I rested my head on his shoulder. “Yeah, makeup sex always hits different.”

“Definitely. I’m glad we talked it out.”

“You mean, you’re glad we fucked it out.” I giggled. “We didn’t talk about much of anything.”

“I beg to differ. We both screamed sorry while I was stroking you from the back. If that’s not talking, I don’t know what is.” He buried his face in my neck, kissing me soft and slow.

It felt good, us being on the same page again. We hadn’t hashed everything out, but the tension was gone. And for the first time in a while, I felt solid about where we were headed.

“So, what do you have planned for the day?” he asked.

“Absolutely nothing. I just want to relax.”

“Really? You’re just going to sit around the house and do nothing all day?”

“Yes.” I pulled his arms tighter around me. “Don’t you want to just lay around and do nothing with me?”

“Not really. Sounds kind of lazy to me.”

“Okay? And?” I shot back. “It’s good to have a lazy day every once in a while.”

“Not necessarily. Being productive should always be important.”

I rolled my eyes. “Eli, I spent months being productive. A day or two of relaxing isn’t going to kill me.” Irritated, I scooted away from him and slid out of bed.

I couldn’t believe how quickly the vibe between us had changed. More and more, I was starting to realize that our little back and forth might be the new norm for us. It was like we couldn’t truly enjoy each other for more than five minutes. Well, unless we were having sex.

Hopping out of bed, Eli rushed over to me. “You know what? I’m tripping. We had a good night. I’m not about to ruin it.” He kissed my cheek. “How about I order us some breakfast?”

How about you get the fuck out of my apartment ?

That was what I wanted to say, but I quickly decided against it. “Sounds good. I’m going to go get cleaned up.” Forcing out a grin, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and walked to the bathroom.

As soon as I closed the door, my phone rang.

It was Skye.

“Hey, girl, what’s up?”

“I’m so sick of this nigga’s shit,” she shouted.

“Who? What happened?”

“Oh, you haven’t been online, huh? Let me send you the latest. The shit is all over FDL.”

Barely a second passed before I felt my phone buzz in my hand.

As soon as I tapped the link, a video came up of Mecca. He had his tongue stuck between the ass of some stripper.

“That’s the bitch from the other day,” Skye said.

“The one that was at his house?”

“Yes! I’m so fucking pissed right now.” Without seeing her, I could tell she was pacing the floor. “We agreed that he was done with that bitch,” she shouted.

Clearly, he didn’t get the memo.

“Okay, try to calm down. Where are you?”

“I’m in my living room, but I’m about to put on some clothes and go fuck this nigga up.

I’m sick of him embarrassing me with these bitches.

Just yesterday, he told me that he was going to chill out and start getting himself together to be the man that I want him to be.

Does that look like the man I want him to be? ”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“Exactly! And knowing him, his dumb ass is probably somewhere passed out drunk. I’ve already checked the cameras at his house.

He’s not there.” She sucked her teeth. “I knew I should’ve turned his location on the last time I went through his phone.

I swear to God, the next time I see his ass, that’s the first thing I’m doing. ”

I frowned. “Skye, you need to just leave that nigga alone. He’s not going to change for you. I keep trying to tell you that.”

“I’m going to go find his ass,” she blurted, completely ignoring what I said. “Are you dressed?”

I scoffed. “I’m not going with you.”

“What?”

“I said, I’m not going with you. I have better things to do today.”

“Seriously? So you’re just going to leave me hanging?”

“For my sanity, yes,” I told her. “You like running up and down the street chasing after that nigga. I don’t.”

“Look, Nyx, I know you don’t agree with what Mecca and I have going on, but you’re my girl. I need you?—”

“No, Skye,” I said firmly.

I knew that wasn’t the response she was used to getting from me. But I wasn’t in the mood. I had my own shit to deal with.

“Okay, fine. But if my ass ends up in jail?—”

“It would be your fucking fault,” I spat. “Because you shouldn’t be chasing after him in the first place.”

She huffed. “Fine, then what should I do?”

“Do nothing,” I replied. “For once, do absolutely nothing. Let him do what he’s doing, and you go on about your day.

Take a break from all the craziness that comes along with him.

Shit, I would’ve thought the time we spent on the road would’ve helped you do that.

You were free of him the entire time we were gone. ”

Silence filled the air.

“Well...I wouldn’t say I was free of him the entire time.”

My shoulders dropped. I knew damn well my silly ass friend wasn’t about to tell me what I thought she was about to tell me.

I sighed. “What do you mean, Skye?”

“So, there might have been a few times that he got on a flight and came to see me while we were on the road.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, but?—”

“You know what? Forget it. I don’t even care about what happened back then. I’m focused on what’s going on right now, and right now, you need to take a break from his ass. At least for today. Sit this situation out. Don’t give him a reaction.”

There was a long pause.

I knew getting Skye to agree with what I was asking was a long shot. She was so used to all of the toxic shit that Mecca put her through, responding to his craziness was like second nature to her. But I wanted her to try.

“Fine. I won’t,” she finally replied.

“Thank you.”

“Mmhmm.”

“Try to keep yourself busy. Go to the gym or something,” I said. “I’ll call and check on you later. Love you, girl.”

“Love you too.”

Relieved, I ended the call and set my phone on the bathroom counter.

Catching my reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t help but notice the glow that was taking over my face. Despite the bullshit that had tried to get an early start on ruining my day, I was feeling pretty good.

I dipped my head to splash some water on my face, but Shade’s face slipped into my thoughts before I could shake it.

That look he gave me...it was almost hypnotic. And those lips…I could still feel the memory of them pressed against me in the most intimate way.

My night with Eli had been great, no doubt. But it still couldn’t touch what I shared with Shade. And that was the wild part…we hadn’t even had sex. Still, the way he touched me, kissed me...it just hit different. Like he’d discovered a part of me that no one else even knew how to reach.

“Babe, you good in there?” Eli called out from the other side of the door.

“Um...yeah...I’ll be out in a sec. I’m about to brush my teeth.”

“Okay. The food should be here in about twenty minutes.”

“Great.” I took a deep breath and stared at my phone.

Nope, don’t even think about it. Texting that man is not an option.

I shook my head and reached for the toothpaste.

A notification popped up on my phone.

It was a DM.

velvet_404: Your man can’t be trusted. If you want to know more, message me and we can meet up.

My stomach dropped.

What the fuck?