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“Ain’t shit to be happy about, Xi. Nyx and I are just cool.”

“If you’re worried enough about her safety to volunteer to escort her home from work, you two are a little more than just cool.”

“Nah, I’m telling you, it’s not like that. I just like talking to her. I feel like she listens.”

“Do you give her something to listen to?” Xi inquired.

Not knowing where she was going with that one, I changed the subject.

“My mama stopped by the crib today. Jude’s snitching ass went and told her all my business, and she hasn’t stopped nagging me since. About Kins or music.”

Ximena giggled. “So basically, she’s being a mother?”

“If that’s what you want to call it. She just needs to chill and let me process what happened with Kinsley the way I want to process it. Not the way she wants me to.”

“I can’t argue with that. You definitely need some time to yourself to deal with the end of your relationship.”

“Weren’t you just pushing me up on Nyx not even five minutes ago?”

“Oh, please. As cute as I think y’all would be, that was a joke. I don’t think either of you would step to the other and you both just got out of drama that I’m sure you don’t want to rush back into.”

“You’re damn right about that.”

“But, I gotta take Mama’s side if she’s on your ass about music. How many times have we talked about the possibilities or the places that path could take you? I don’t know why you sleep on yourself so much or let your dad beat it into your head that music isn’t a real career.”

“I wish y’all would stop giving that nigga credit for my decisions. Not wanting to hear his mouth is part of it, but shit is deeper than that.”

“Well, you know that if you ever decide you want to step into the spotlight Café La Crème is partnering with Hit Factory Trove to host a showcase searching for local talent. You can show the world what you’re made of.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Xi.”

The rest of the ride to her place was quiet. I dropped her off and made sure she got inside safely before heading back to the crib. I wanted to get a quick nap before I had to pick Nyx up, but thoughts of her plagued my mind, keeping me awake.

Imagining how her night could have ended had I not been there to pick Ximena up pissed me off. I wished I could go back and beat that nigga’s ass just for the hell of it.

Her boss needed to be fucked up too, just off the strength of him having women work for him with no protective measures in place. I hadn’t been playing when I told Xi and Nyx that if something didn’t change, I was going to have a problem. If something happened to either of them at The Celtic Grail, the nigga would have to see me.

Being so protective of a woman I barely knew felt foreign. But something about Nyx appealed to me. Be it our dysfunctional-ass love lives, or her mean-ass antics; I wasn’t sure what it was that kept us circling one another. It was as though we had some type of magnetic pull. It was something I wouldn’t question, though. I liked Nyx. Not necessarily in a romantic sense, but in a way where I didn’t mind spending time getting to know her.

Being around her was easy. She didn’t make me feel like I had to be on guard or shield myself from her.

Shit just flowed.

Before long, she texted me to let me know I could leave the house. It didn’t take long for me to be dressed and out of the door. The pub was deserted when I arrived, as she anticipated it would be. The smug look on her face as I entered the bar revealed that she planned to let me know it, too.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Ghostbuster.”

“Don’t start,” I smirked. “Let me get your keys so I can start your car for you.”

“You’re don’t want to check the back seat to ensure no one’s camped out and ready to murder me when I climb in?” Gasping, she brought a hand to her chest.

“You know what, I should have let you get kidnapped. I bet you’d be wishing I’d followed ya ass home if you were laying in some cold ass bushes praying for a rescue.”

Giggling, Nyx handed over her keys, grabbing the rest of her belongings.

“Come on, we can sit in your car so we can keep a lookout.”

Her laughter increased as I mushed the back of her head.