Page 88 of Perfect Rhythm

I placed my phone next to the flowers before checking to see who was outside of my apartment.

“What the hell?” I whispered as I lowered my eyes from the peephole and opened the door. “Mecca, what are you doing here?”

He stormed in like he’d been invited. “Nyx, you've got to do something. You got to fix this shit between me and Skye.”

I tried not to laugh in his face. “I don’t have to do a damn thing. You’re the one who made this bed. I warned you to get your shit together a long time ago.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” His eyes were bloodshot red, and it looked like he hadn’t slept in days. “I just need you to talk to her. She’ll listen to you.”

“And tell her what, Mecca?”

He frowned. “And tell her to give me another chance. Tell her that I’m going to do right by her this time.”

“I’m not telling her shit. We both know your ass is lying.”

“I’m not lying, Nyx.”

“Yes, you are. That’s what the fuck you do, and you’ve been doing it from day one, making her believe you’re going to give her what she wants, meanwhile you’ve been out here fucking bitches raw. There’s no telling how many random ass babies you got out there.”

“I don’t have any other kids.”

“Oh...right...you were probably able to convince the rest of them to have an abortion.” I sucked my teeth. “How many other hoes have you paid to kill your seeds?”

He turned away from me. “Fuck you, Nyx.”

“What? I’m just asking a question. You played my girl, and now she finally sees how much of a piece of shit you truly are. She’s not looking back. I can promise you that.”

I saw fury flash in his eyes as he moved toward me.

Snatching the paperweight from the shelf, I gave him a cold glare. “One more step, and I’m going to knock your ass out.”

He froze, his nostrils flaring. “I don’t have time for this shit. I’ll just get through to Skye some other way.”

“Mmhmm, good luck with that.”

“Whatever. I know she still loves me. She just needs some time to cool off.”

“I doubt she’s ever going to cool off from you getting another bitch pregnant, especially after begging you to let her be the only one.”

“Okay, well, tell her that sheisthe only one. Tell her that I want to get married, have a baby...all that shit.”

“Nigga are you crazy? You think she still wants that from you after everything you’ve done?” I rolled my eyes. “What is it with you dumb ass men? You don’t want to give us what we desirewhen we ask for it, but when you fuck up, you want to give us that and the whole fucking world.” I looked at him like the disgusting trash that he was. “It just shows how easy it is for y’all to disrespect us and then expect us to accept your apology. Nah, fuck y’all apology! Go give that shit to the bitches that don’t have any morals or self-respect. We’re good over here.” I folded my arms over my chest and nodded toward the door. “You can leave now.”

He made it halfway before turning back. “Say what you want, but I’m getting Skye back. You’ll see.”

“Mmhmm. Don’t hold your breath. Bye!”

He scowled, yanked the door open, and stormed out.

Clown.

35

SHADE

“What’s up? I feel like I haven’t seen you in a minute.” I leaned back in my chair, looking at my big brother as he slipped a cigar into his mouth. “Where your ass been hiding?”

“Shit, I ain’t been hiding.” He kicked his feet up on the desk and crossed one foot over the other. “I’ve been working. I finally got a decent manager to help me run the club back home, so now I can move back and forth like I normally do.”