Page 5 of Perfect Rhythm

NYX

“Home sweet home,” I said, flopping onto the bed like I hadn’t slept in days.

I rolled over on my side and stared out the massive window. Lights blinked across the city, and just like that, I was reminded of why this view would always be my favorite.

As much as I loved staying in lavish hotels and kicking it with my dance mates, there was nothing like being at home and sleeping in my own bed.

“God, I love the quiet,” I whispered. “It’s so peaceful.”

I smiled as I sat up, thinking about how all I wanted was a long, hot shower and a bowl of dry cereal.

Thankfully, my grandmother loved me enough to stock my pantry with fresh food whenever I was headed back from touring. She would also clean my place from top to bottom.

I could smell the disinfectant spray and fresh scent plugins she’d inserted throughout my apartment.

It didn’t matter how many times I’d told her that I was a grown woman, and I was fully capable of picking up after myself, Nani still made it her business to come over once a week and scrub away the smallest speck of dirt.

But I guess I shouldn’t complain. Not everyone was able to say that they had a family that looked after them the way that mine did.

I stepped out of my bedroom and strolled downstairs to the kitchen.

As soon as I opened my pantry, I smiled.

As expected, it was fully stocked, and there was a heart-shaped sticky note on the box of cereal.

I pulled it off slowly and read it out aloud.

“I know how much you love these little cinnamon squares, so I got you the family size box. I figured the regular one wouldn’t survive the week.

Oh, and I got those little nasty hot chips you like too.

I don’t know how you eat those things. Anyway, I love you and see you soon. Nani.”

My phone buzzed, and instantly my smile faded. Please be anyone but Eli .

I glanced at my screen and sighed in relief when I realized it was Skye. “Hey, girl. What’s up?”

“Nothing. I’m just making sure you’re dressed and ready.”

“Dressed and ready for what?”

“Damn, girl, you forgot that quick? I told you we were pulling up on Mecca as soon as we got back to the city.”

“Yeah, but I figured you had changed your mind since you didn’t say anything about it when we got off the plane.”

“Hell no! I was just focused on getting home so I could shower and get cute. I can’t be going over there looking busted and disgusted. When I show up, he needs to be reminded that any bitch that ain’t me shouldn’t be in his face.”

I shook my head. “This is ridiculous, you know that, right?”

“Mmhmm, just get ready. I’ll be there in ten minutes,” she said. “I just checked his cameras. They’re knocked the fuck out. Neither of them is going anywhere anytime soon.”

I sighed. “Okay.”

“Oh, and the dress code is all black, hair in a ponytail, and wear a baseball cap.”

I paused, waiting for her to laugh. But she never did.

My girl was dead ass serious. And because she was my best friend, I was already mentally putting on the outfit.

Did I want to go? Hell no. But if I wasn’t there to keep her in check, I knew she would end up in jail, and I couldn’t let that happen.

“Alright, girl, I’ll be ready when you get here.”

“Great. I’ll see you in a few.”

“Yeah.” I ended the call, letting out a loud groan as I shoved the box of cereal back in the pantry. “I just can’t win.”

I turned to head upstairs, but the sound of a key turning in the front door stopped me in my tracks.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

This was the last thing I needed right now.

As soon as the door swung open, I saw Eli standing in the doorway like a work of art. His muscular build and smooth, dark skin drawing me in like it always did. But the calm I usually saw on his face was absent, replaced by a frustration that made his presence feel heavier.

“Oh, so you are home?” he snapped.

“Yeah, I just made it in.”

“And you didn’t think to call me? Or better yet, answer the damn phone.”

I frowned. “Didn’t you just hear what I said? I haven’t been here that long.”

“I did. But that doesn’t change the fact?—”

“Look, if your shitty attitude is because of the video?—”

“You’re damn right it’s because of the video? What the fuck, Nyx? Is there something you need to tell me?”

“No, there isn’t.”

“You sure about that?” He held up his phone, the screen displaying me rotating my hips on Shade’s lap.

I could feel the heat coming from his device...or was it from between my legs?

I clenched my thighs together and kept my gaze on Eli. “That was me doing my job,” I spat.

“Doing your job? I don’t see a stage anywhere. I see a dance floor in the middle of a nightclub.”

I shrugged. “Okay? And? It was the last night of a damn good show. The fans were still locked in, and I wanted to make sure they had a memorable experience.”

“And you thought fucking another man on the dance floor was the way to do that?”

I tried not to laugh. “Calm down. It was just an act, and apparently I did a damn good job if you believed it.” I smiled before sarcastically replying, “You know, that’s kind of a compliment coming from you. You are the acting genius and all.”

“Don’t play with me, Nyx. That shit wasn’t cool. Do you know how that makes me look?”

I tilted my head. “No, Eli, enlighten me.”

“It makes me look like a fool,” he snapped. “It’s one thing to be on stage doing the shit that you do, but doing it in a setting like that...that’s a different story. You’re making people think something is going on between you two, and I don’t like it.”

“Really? That’s interesting coming from someone who does the most with their co-stars at any red carpet event. Oh, or whenever you think paparazzi might be watching.”

He scoffed, tossing his head back. “Seriously, Nyx? You know that’s not the same.

I’m an actor. It’s my job to stay in character and make shit believable even when the cameras aren’t rolling.

You’re just a dancer. Your job is to get on stage, move to the music and go the fuck home.

That’s it. No one is expecting anything major from you. ”

My jaw dropped.

I know damn well he didn’t just try and minimize what I do.

Pissed, I closed the space between us and slammed my finger into his chest. “First of all, I’m not just a dancer.

I set the tone, pull people in, and make them feel something.

I am the fantasy.” I narrowed my eyes, voice low and sharp.

“But unlike you, I don’t need to go around being extra with the people I work with just so people will sit down and watch my shit. ”

He cleared his throat and ran a hand over his bald head. His veins stood out, pulsing beneath his skin. It was obvious that I’d struck a nerve. But I didn’t care. Maybe now he’d think twice before saying dumb shit.

“Look, let’s not do this,” he said as he rested his forehead against mine.

“I haven’t seen you in months, and I’ve missed you like crazy.

” He took a deep breath, his eyes still focused on me.

“Seeing that shit just got the best of me. That’s one of the reasons I don’t come to your shows.

I can’t handle seeing you on another man like that. ”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. It was the same tired ass excuse, and it annoyed the hell out of me.

Especially since I’d sat through every movie and show that he’d been in.

Even when he was butt-ass naked and fake pounding some bitch on screen.

I was right there next to him, watching like it was no big deal.

Pulling me from my thoughts, Eli wrapped his arms around me and kissed me softly. “I meant what I said, baby. I missed you like crazy.”

“I missed you too.”

We held each other’s gaze, allowing the silence to linger between us. No apology came from his lips. But his eyes...they almost said it. Or maybe I was just desperate to see what I wanted.

“Let’s get something to eat,” he whispered.

“Oh...um...can I get a raincheck?” I nibbled on my bottom lip. “I’ve got to go handle something with Skye.”

“With Skye? But didn’t you two just leave each other?”

“Yeah. But she needs me for something, and I promised I would help her out.”

His shoulders dropped. “Fine. How about we do dinner this evening?”

“Sounds perfect,” I replied before kissing him on the cheek. “You can pick the food. We can order in and watch a movie?”

He frowned. “Order in? You don’t want to go out and eat?”

“Not really. I’ve been out nonstop. I just want to sit home and relax.”

“Yeah, but it’s your first night back. Don’t you think after all of the nightclub shit, we should be seen together? You know, just so it’s clear that all of that other stuff wasn’t real.”

And just like that, we were back to the same bullshit.

Not wanting to ramp things up again, I forced out a smile. “Wherever you want to go is fine with me. Just let me know the time, and I’ll make sure I’m ready.”

“Perfect.” Grinning, he pulled me into a hug.

My phone vibrated in my hand, and I stared at it for a second, surprised to see the text that was on the screen.

Shade: I hope you enjoyed your birthday.

I tucked my bottom lip between my teeth, my insides tingling in a way that they shouldn’t.

I wanted to respond, but I knew doing it in front of Eli wasn’t the smartest idea.

“Um, I’m going to go get changed,” I said as I slid out of his embrace. “I’m sure Skye will be here soon.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Yeah, see you tonight.” I waved him off without a second thought and rushed upstairs to my bedroom.

As soon as I was inside, I shut the door behind me and plopped down on the edge of the bed.

Nyx: I definitely enjoyed my birthday. I hope you did too.