Page 78 of Movers and Fakers

“You’re right, maybe not jealous … possessive is a better word,” he says with a smirk.

“Is that a problem?” I ask, with a touch of sass.

“Not at all, Princess.” He brings my hand up to his lips and kisses. “Not. At. All.”

Chapter thirty-nine

Above and Beyond

Aurora Driscoll

Entering a building under Hayes’s arm is what I imagine walking the red carpet must feel like. People shout his name from across the gym and wave to him; a few even ask about me.

He replies with some version of “This is my girlfriend, Aurora” each time. And every time he says it, this fluttery, light feeling like leaves blowing in the wind sweeps through me. I find myself barely containing girlish giggles.

We stop off at the locker area, where a guy probably around my brother’s age grins at us.

“Looks like you managed to do something right for once,” the kid says.

Hayes lets go of me to ruffle the teenager’s messy black hair.

Hayes introduces us. “Aurora, this is Forrest. He specializes in being a pain in my neck and spending too much money on video games.”

I smile as Forrest slaps Hayes’s hand away and shoves him playfully.

“And now a real introduction?” I prod.

Hayes smirks. “That was the real one. Anything that comes next is surely to be exaggerated to impress you.”

Forrest pushes past Hayes and sticks a hand out.

“Nice to meet you. I train with Hayes so he doesn’t get old and out of shape. I also give him dating advice.” He winks. “You’re welcome.”

I roll my lips in to keep from laughing. Hayes smacks Forrest on the back of the head as he passes him again.

“Get in the ring, kid, before I cancel to spend time with my beautiful girlfriend,” Hayes grouses, the closest I’ve heard to him being stern—aside from that time he threatened the guy in the Shadow Ring.

“All right, you don’t have to get violent just ’cause I told your secret.” Forrest smirks at me and grabs his gloves off the bench.

I shake my head at their banter, not able to hold back a smile.

“Let me know if you need anything or if you get bored and want to go. I usually drive Forrest home, but I can have a car come get him.”

My nose scrunches at how casually he talks about having a car sent over, but I nod.

“When are you going to get me a car, Mr. Moneybags?” Forrest asks as they head toward the ring.

I follow behind them, my skin heating when I recall the last time we were here. Hayes glances over his shoulder, smiling like he’s having similar thoughts.

“If you make it onto the leadership wall, I’ll think about it,” Hayes says as he ducks in between the ropes.

“No way!” Forrest practically shouts. “You’re joking, right? Don’t mess with me like that, man.”

Hayes chuckles and starts to put his gloves on. It’s clear the two of them have a brotherly relationship and that Hayes cares a lot for the kid.

“I’m not messing with you. If you get on the wall, I’ll consider it.” Hayes smacks his gloves together. “Enough talking. Let's get to work.”

I look around as Forrest puts on his gloves and notice a display beside an office window that I didn’t pay attention to last time I was here. There are framed pictures with plaques underneath each one. I walk over to see if this is the wall Hayes was talking about.