Page 102 of Perfect Rhythm
“Well, maybe that’s a sign. What exactly do you know about this kid?”
“I know that he’s a gentleman.”
“Mmhmm, we’re all gentlemen until we get what we want.”
“Trust me, he isn’t like that. He’s a nerd. Like, for real.” She giggled, her relaxed demeanor proving that she really felt comfortable about him. For the most part, I trusted my little sister’s judgment, and seeing as I was supposed to be playing things cool, I decided to accept what she was saying. “He reads a lot of books. It’s one of the things we do a lot together.”
“What kind of books?”
“Mostly fantasy. He loves to read about dragon shifters and things like that.”
“Hmm...okay. You not bullshitting me, right?”
“No.” She giggled again.
“Damn, you really like this kid, huh?”
“Like?” Xandie said as she entered the room and handed Jassi a tube of lipstick, which I was pretty sure was mase. I’d seen those little tubes enough to know what they looked like. I nodded and smiled inwardly. “She is literally obsessed with this guy, and I love it for her. I mean, he’s not my type at all, but?—”
“Really? Why? Because he can read?” I teased.
Xandie rolled her eyes. “Ha, very funny.”
“What? I’m just asking a question. We all know the kind of guys you like usually can’t form a full sentence.”
“Whatever. I really don’t appreciate your judgment.”
“I’m sure you don’t. But I’m just speaking the facts.”
I reached into my pants pocket and pulled out my ringing cell. “Hey, Nyx, what’s up?”
“Nothing, I was just calling to see if you were free to come by and put up my bookshelf tomorrow. It was delivered today.”
“Yeah. I’ve got to meet up with my publicist in the morning, which should only take about an hour. I can come through after that.”
“Okay, great.”
“Cool.”
“What are you doing?” She asked, a hint a laughter in her voice. “I hope you’re not giving your sister a hard time before her date.”
“You know I am. You should see what she’s wearing.”
“I’m sure you’re probably making it a bigger deal than it really is.”
“Nah, you should see the holes in her jeans. They’re kind of like the ones you wear on stage with the ass out.”
She broke into laughter. “No, they aren’t. You’re just being extra. I know you.”
“No the fuck I’m not. I’m serious, Nyx. I’m about to go make her put some leggings on underneath.”
“Shade, leave her alone. Your sister is capable of taking care of herself. She doesn’t need her big brother policing her clothes. Just be supportive and show her that you trust her to make good choices.”
I sighed, knowing I should be taking Nyx’s advice. But it was hard. It was my first time seeing my baby sister go out with a boy, and like always, I just wanted to protect her.
“Alright, fine. I’m going to keep it together.”
“Good.”
