Page 25 of Perfect Rhythm

NYX

“Girl, you sure you don’t want to see this video?” Skye asked, gliding into her kitchen in her teddy bear slippers. “Whoever sent this video to FDL got all the best angles. I mean, we were there, but watching it play out in full HD? Whole different vibe.”

“No, thanks. I saw enough last night.” I had zero interest in reliving the ego war between Shade and Eli. As much as I appreciated Shade for having my back, I really wished he would’ve thought about what his actions would do to my image. “I still can’t believe it even went that far.”

“Yeah, me either. But at least they didn’t fight. Eli was smart enough to walk away after we left.”

“Thank God.”

“Mmhmm, he knew what was good for him. Too bad he didn’t figure it out sooner. He should’ve kept his hands and his dick to himself.”

I silently agreed, then shoved another spoonful of cereal in my mouth.

Last night was a disaster. I didn’t know what was worse, learning that my boyfriend had cheated, or everyone knowing about it. Not being able to process my relationship bullshit in private was a blow to the gut, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle it.

I felt Skye’s arm slide around my shoulders, then her head rested against mine. “I’m so sorry you had to find out about Eli the way you did. Him screwing Nimah Watts is fucked up.”

“Yeah, tell me about it.” I rolled my eyes. “I wish you could’ve seen him. He really tried to make me think they’d only kissed. Then he tried to make it seem like it was just acting.”

“God, not that bullshit again. What is wrong with him?”

“I don’t know. But I’m done with his ass. I’m not about to let no nigga play in my face. That’s for silly hoes.”

Suddenly, the silence became loud. I looked at Skye, realizing that I’d probably struck a nerve. “Damn, my bad, girl. I’m just?—”

“No, it’s fine. You have every right to say what you want and do what you feel. This is your situation, not mine.”

But it was her situation. Hell, hers was much worse. But how was I going to tell her that? My mind couldn’t even fathom what her reaction would be once she found out that Mecca had a baby on the way.

Maybe now isn’t the right time.

But would there ever be a right time?

Dropping my shoulders, I cleared my throat, trying to prepare myself for what I was about to say. “You should sit down. I have something I need to tell you.”

I avoided her gaze, not wanting to witness the anxiety that was slowly taking over her face.

“What’s going on?” She sat down across from me.

“So...okay, while I was at Groove District last night...” I trailed off, biting my lip. I didn’t want to tell her. But what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t? “I...I ran into Brookia.”

“Okay...and?”

I swallowed hard, the torturous look in her eyes making me feel like I was the one who had wronged her.

“Nyx, what is it? You’re scaring me.”

“I don’t know how to tell you this.”

“Just tell me.”

Fuck it. There was only one way to get this shit out, and it was all at once. “Apparently, Brookia and Mecca messed around at some point, and now she’s pregnant with his kid.”

She leaned forward, her lips parting slightly.

I waited for her to say something, but nothing came out.

I was nervous. A silent Skye felt much worse than a loud one.

“Where did you hear this?” she finally spoke.

“I overheard the two of them arguing on the phone when Brookia stepped away from the class.”

“And you’re sure it was him?”

“I mean, I couldn’t hear his voice. But she called him by name and made it pretty clear that he was in the industry.”

“What all did she say?”

I exhaled sharply, not wanting to go into too much detail. “Skye, you don’t need to know?—”

“What the fuck did she say, Nyx?”

I dragged my hand down my face. “That he needed to move on with his life, and act like the baby didn’t exist,” I replied. “From the sound of things, he wants her to have an abortion, and she’s refusing. She wants to pretend like the baby is King’s.”

“What the fuck? You can’t be serious.”

I shrugged. “That’s what she said.”

“Wow, I always knew Brookia was a grimy bitch when it came down to some dick, but I never expected her to do this.”

“Yeah, me either.”

Granted, Skye and Brookia weren’t best friends. But they’d crossed paths enough to have some kind of respect for each other. And she was one of the few that new that Skye and Mecca had something going on behind closed doors.

Silence filled the room as Skye stood, her palms pressed firmly against the table. I could tell it was taking everything in her to hold it together.

I walked over to her and reached for her hand. “It’s okay. You can cry. I know it hurts.”

She pulled away, shaking her head like she was trying to shake him off, too. “No! I’m done with the tears. If he doesn’t give a fuck about me?—”

Her phone rang.

Instantly, I knew who it was. The way her nose flared when she looked at the screen said it all.

“Don’t answer it,” I whispered.

Like I’d said nothing, she slammed her finger into the screen and put the call on speaker. “Hello.”

My brows shot up, surprised by the level of calm that was present in her voice.

“Hey, beautiful. What you got up for the day?” Mecca said.

“Nothing much. What about you?”

“Shit, nothing. Just trying to come and see you.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Hell yeah,” he said emphatically. “I know you were feeling some kind of way about the strip club shit, but you didn’t go crazy on me. You handled it like a real woman, and I’m proud of you.”

“Hmph.” Skye cracked a smile.

I didn’t even have to see his face to know that he was confused as hell by her response.

“Babe…you good? You don’t sound like yourself.

” He waited patiently for her to say something back, but Skye said nothing.

Instead, she stared at the phone, her chest rising and falling heavily.

“Wait, is this about that shit that’s going on with Nyx and Eli?

Or should I say, Nyx, Shade, and Eli?” He laughed.

“It’s all over the internet. Apparently, they got some kind of love triangle going on.

I didn’t know your girl got down like that. ”

Now, I was heated, and it took everything in me not to go off. But I didn’t want to add anything more to what was already a fucked up situation.

“We’re done,” Skye said quietly. But the bite in her tone made it hit like a scream.

“What?”

“I said we’re done.”

“Baby, what are you talking about?” Mecca pressed. “Done with what?”

“Everything. You and I are done, and I don’t ever want to see you again.”

I could hear the stutter in his voice. “Wait...wait...what is this about?”

“It’s about you not giving a fuck about me, and me finally realizing it.”

“Skye—”

“No, Mecca, there’s not shit you can say to me. Not when you got another bitch pregnant.”

“What?”

“You heard what the fuck I said. How could you do this to me? How could you do this to us?”

“I...I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sorry too. That was the last fucking straw. I can forgive you for a lot of things. But a baby? That’s not one of them.”

“Okay…just let me explain.”

She hung up, tossed her phone on the table, and stood there.

No words. No tears. Just silence.

Then...she broke.