He then took lead roles in the direct-to-DVD movie Save the Last Dance 2 (2006) alongside Izabella Miko and Stomp the Yard (2007).

He has also appeared twice in the Disney Channel Original Series That's So Raven as Trey, a member of the fictional boy band "Boyz n' Motion."

In 2008, Short appeared in the movie Quarantine, co-starring Jay Hernandez and Jennifer Carpenter, and played the part of musician Little Walter in Cadillac Records (2008), with Jeffrey Wright, Beyoncé Knowles, and Oscar-winner Adrien Brody.

[8] In 2014, as part of a no-jail plea agreement, Short pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence and performed 30 hours of community service.

[9] Short also avoided jail by pleading no contest to a felony assault charge after throwing "a running punch" at his in-law during a family gathering at a bar.

[10] In an interview with Access Hollywood Live, Short said that substance abuse, both alcoholism and cocaine use due to the stress of family issues and personal loss, led to his departure from Scandal.