Chapter Six, Part Three - Show Time

                                    

                                          
To celebrate another sold-out concert, Tyler and A'keem threw an all-night bash at the Boom Boom Room. The guest list was platinum -  VIP only; it was your lucky night if you made it past those velvet ropes to the mecca beyond.
                          
Inside, golden balls were suspended likes suns from the dappled red ceiling. The columns, walls, and mirrors were red as a dying star, boasting a flare-like glow that took you to another world. Surrounded by an impenetrable layer of groupies, Tyler and A'keem took shots at the bar, commemorating the occasion with their own music. Everyone was celebrating. Champagne, cocaine, and models in plenty - a celebrity's pastimes all available in the same room.
                          
Too shy to do a circuit of my favorite musical artists and YouTubers, knowing Cody was nearby and watching, I ordered drinks I never heard of from the open bar and danced with strangers. One PLT couldn't seem to stay away. Glitter on her chocolate skin, blue nails shimmering in her dark spiral curls, she dropped it low and picked it up slow for me. In her little back dress and fuck me heels, her body moved in waves mesmerizing as the sea
                          
She was good, but I wasn't disappointed when a handsome player took her place. Drip Too Hard had the perfect beat; A'keem had the right moves. My pupil showed off and took advantage, sampling my curves with his dangerous hands. He couldn't look away from my Nirvana t-shirt dress, or the way I danced in those thigh-high boots. Denim jacket slipping from my shoulders, he gripped the lapels to keep me near, bodies in sync to the music.
                          
Bouncing side-to-side, my gaze only broke from his when A'keem pressed his head forehead to mine, lips so close I tasted Swishers and vodka.
                          
The song ended; a slower track began. Guiding one hand to his shoulder, A'keem placed the other inside his.
                          
"Fancy footwork." I smiled. "Someone's getting good at this."
                          
"Y'know, in Romeo and Juliet, there's a scene with a ball," said A'keem, giving me a twirl.
                          
"So this is practice." But I couldn't have been disappointed if I tried.
                          
"It's wishful thinking." A'keem glanced at his high-tops. "Tyler told everyone about the routine. You saved his set tonight."
                          
"I did what I had to."
                          
"Did what you had to?" he repeated. Akeem's brows, artfully nicked, raised high. "Liyah... Did you give Tyler the routine or did he take it?"
                          
"Both? I guess." I rubbed my face with both hands. "Tyler has too much going on to worry about this too. Please don't mention this, Akeem."
                          
"I won't," he said, cuffing my chin with his hand. "But Liyah--you're way too talented to just be giving away routines. Even to your man. You can say no to him." 
                          
Speak of the devil and he will appear.

                          
Catching sight of Tyler over his shoulder, I immediately stepped back. A'keem's surprise morphed to bittersweet amusement as he turned to see what had changed.
                          
"Are you coming with me or are you staying with him?" Hands jammed in the front pockets of his jeans, Tyler waited patiently awaited my decision.
                          
I sighed. "Let's go." Shooting A'keem an apologetic glance over my shoulder, I accepted Tyler's hand, letting him pull to the bar.