Page 49 of Broken Rules
I’M DRUNK OFF THIS MAN
If the captain didn’t land the plane when he did, I don’t know what would’ve happened in that bathroom. Lennox—damn him and those fingers of his. It only took him two seconds before breaking the rule. I huff a laugh and shake my head, already knowing the rule never stood a chance. Maybe it was wishful thinking, hoping to have a barrier between our magnetic pull to make it easier to stay away when all I want to do is draw him near.
But I can’t—I shouldn’t.Lennox deserves someone better than me, someone, less flawed.
Striding as far away from him as possible, I search for Enzo through the bustling crowd. As I reach the escalators, he’s there, smiling, wearing a plain black t-shirt and jeans, his short dark hair styled in hisI just woke up from a nap, but finger combed my hair for the publicway, holding a small sign sayingLooking for Bratface.
I snort, shaking my head, then cover my mouth with the back of my hand as my face scrunches, tears building, and I run, jumping into his arms. “Fuck, I missed you.” Holding him tighter, I whisper, “So much.”
“Back at ya, Brat.” Smacking his shoulder, I laugh as he places me on the floor, using his shirt to wipe under my eyes. “Don’t start with the tears, or you’re gonna get me going.”
“You better. It’s been like, what, eight years since we met up from the last fight and even longer since I’ve been to Cali.”
His brows push together. “Wow, has it been that long?”
I nod, hugging him again around the waist, finding Lennox in the distance with our bags, who’s watching the exchange between Enzo and me. He runs his fingers through his hair, looking at the floor while strolling toward us, and I back away from Enzo’s hold.
“I thought I lost you,” he says, placing his hands in his pockets. “I’m guessing you don’t need me here after all.”
Is he jealous?
Well, I was embracing a man, one I never mentioned we were meeting here. As I look into his heavy gaze, I take my bottom lip between my teeth to mask my smile.
“Lex, this is Enzo.”
Holding out his hand, Enzo gives Lennox a firm handshake and says in a fatherly voice, “Nice to meet you, Son. I hope you’re treating my daughter well.”
Lennox raises his brows, looking between us, and I roll my eyes, smacking Enzo in the back of his head, both of us bursting out in laughter. “Stop it. You’re ridiculous. He knows you’re my cousin.”
“That’s it, time out for you, young lady!” He chuckles, rubbing his scalp while running away from my second attempt to whack him.
I shake my head, then walk closer to Lennox. “Enzo’s the one who got me in the fight.”
He nods, his shoulders visibly relaxing, though him being jealous is oddly heartwarming.
“We should get going,” Enzo yells, riding the escalator to the bottom floor. “The fight starts at 5:00, and traffic is a bitch around this time.”
“Okay, we’re coming.”
“Didn’t need to know that!”
* * *
The crowd tonight surrounding the octagon is outrageous. Here to see two of the top contenders in the medium weight division for the biggest fight of the year, and my stomach is full of knots. I’ve become accustomed to the crowd at Vivid, and anything exceeding the limit allowed in the building rattles my nerves even after getting in some practice time.
Several girls are getting ready in the dressing room, smiling and greeting me as I enter, and I wave back, heading for an empty station to doll myself up.
A guy with neon pink and black spiked hair comes striding into the room, talking on a cell phone between his ear and shoulder. He’s carrying a few packaged outfits, passing them around, and giving me mine last.
“Excuse me,” I say, and he looks at me as I hold up a tiny red halter bikini top with matching boy shorts that’ll barely cover my cheeks. “Do you have a large? There’s no way I’ll fit a size small.”
“That’s the last one, sweetheart. Make it work, or the next girl will.”
My eyes widen, and I blink a few times as he leaves the room as quickly as he came.
Great.
One of the girls with straight dark brown hair holds out her outfit. “Here, you can have this one. I’m not working tonight. Just came to watch my man fight.”
