Page 1 of Perfect Rhythm
1
NYX
I hate the fucking internet.
I stared at my phone, trying to act unbothered by how close someone’s zoomed in video made it look like I was to my boss’s dick.
“Is someone getting hot and bothered over there?” Skye said with a grin as she peeked over her shoulder.
“What? No.” I closed out the video and dropped my phone on the table. “Why would I be bothered by something I’ve done damn near every night for the last three months?”
“Girl, bye. You may have danced on Shade’s fine ass every night, but not like you did tonight.” She returned her attention to the mirror that was mounted on the hotel door. “I don’t know if you decided to show out because it’s your birthday or because it was the last night of the tour. Either way, you worked the hell out of that stage, and you definitely worked the hell out of him.”
Leaning back, I slid my fingers through my sleek ponytail. “I just wanted to make sure the last show was great for the fans.”
“And for him too, huh?”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t start, Skye.”
“What? I’m just stating the facts. You should have seen the way he was looking at you tonight. He was definitely giving you theI want to fuck youeyes.”
“Yeah, me and every other dancer on the stage. That’s the whole point.”
“Nah, girl. Trust me, Shade’s not looking at any other dancer the way he looks at you.”
Laughing, I shook my head.
Like always, my best friend was conjuring up an imaginary love story about me and our boss. It didn’t matter how many times I told her she was delusional. In her mind, she was convinced that the chemistry Shade and I had on stage was meant to be explored off stage too. But that wasn’t happening. I took my job as a professional dancer seriously, which meant I couldn’t afford to mess around with any artist I was working for. I’d spent the last eight years making a name for myself, and it came with a lot of respect. No man in the music industry could say he’d been close to me outside of the dance floor, and I intended to keep it that way. I didn’t give a damn how fine he was…andShade wasdefinitelyfine.
“Let’s go before we get left,” I told Skye as I met her in front of the mirror. “I’m trying to have a good time and get drunk as hell tonight.”
“Mmhmm, I hear you.”
“Whatever.” I stepped forward, assessing my birthday outfit.
My black fitted t-shirt was hugging me just right, along with my matching biker shorts.
“Girl, when are you going to let me borrow those boots?” Skye asked as she poked me in the thigh.
“Never. You know damn well you can’t fit these. These babies are meant for big thighs only,” I teased.
“Shit, my thighs are big too.” She twirled around, showing off her slim thick frame.
I couldn’t lie, my girl was gorgeous from head to toe. But, unlike me, she was tall with long legs, and skin that glowed like honey. Without even trying, she gave off model vibes. But she hated the comparison since she knew several, and most of them were snobs.
“Yeah, but not like mine. One wrong move, and these things will be rolling down to your ankles.”
She laughed. “Whatever. Let’s get out of here.”
I grabbed my purse from the dresser, slid the chained strap over my shoulder, and followed her out of the room.
It didn’t take long for us to make it downstairs and onto the luxury bus with the other dancers. Well, some of them. Not every dancer was into hanging out after a show. Some would rather order food and just chill for the night, which was exactly what I would’ve been doing if it wasn’t my birthday.
“Shake that ass,” Skye shouted with the music as I twerked in the middle of the bus. “You better clown tonight. You only turn twenty-six once.”
I laughed. “You only turn any age once, crazy.”
“Yeah, well, twenty-six is special.”
