Page 58 of Perfect Rhythm

NYX

“I think it’s fucked up that you’re running around holding another niggas hand knowing damn well it’s going to get back to me.”

“Yeah, well, I think it’s fucked up that other bitches are sending me cryptic messages about your ass. I guess we’re even.”

“I don’t know anything about that shit. I swear.”

I rolled my eyes. “Eli, please stop lying in my face and just tell me what’s going on.”

“I’m not telling you anything until you tell me why you’re running around the city holding hands with your boss. And where the fuck is your phone?”

I shoved my hands in my pockets again, wondering if somehow I’d missed it the first time.

But still, nothing.

Shit, I probably dropped it in Shade’s car.

“Eli, my phone is irrelevant. Explain the message.”

“Explain you being with Shade.”

Frustrated, I tossed my hands in the air. “Really? You’re going to stand here and bethischildish?”

“You’ve got a lot of nerve calling me childish. Are you fucking that nigga?”

“What? No,” I fired back.

Thankfully, that was still the truth.

“I don’t believe you. Even Nimah can tell something is going on between you two.”

I arched a brow and tilted my head. “Nimah? Why the fuck would the two of you be having a conversation about me and Shade?” I looked him over, waiting for his answer.

No words left his mouth.

His eyes dropped, his shoulders stiffened, and guilt took over his face.

It took me a second, but when the pieces fully connected in my mind, my brows shot up. “Hold up! Is that who sent me that message? Did you screw her?”

“Nyx—”

“Answer the fucking question, Eli!”

Trying to hear what was going on between us, the dancers made their way outside.

That should’ve been my cue to take the conversation elsewhere. Especially since I knew our business would be all over the internet by morning. But I didn’t give a damn. I just wanted the truth.

Eli cleared his throat, then stepped toward me. “Okay, let me explain.”

Oh, wow, this nigga is really about to tell me he fucked Nimah Watts.

I held my tongue, my frown deepening as he tried to put his words together.

“What happened between Nimah and I was a mistake.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, and I’m fully aware of that now,” he said. “But before you go and start thinking the worst, it wasn’t like that.”