Page 70 of Between the Ropes

I’m heading toward the locker room when I hear it.

That voice. That fucking voice.

“Well, well, well.”

Chrissy.

Her tone is syrupy sweet, fake as hell, and I already know this isn’t going to end well.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” she purrs, stepping into Natalie’s path. I slow my steps, eyes narrowing. “I thought I’d seen the last of you.” She tilts her head, flicking her hair back as she sizes Natalie up, eyes glittering with amusement. “Ryan and I have been getting quite comfortable together with you gone.”

Natalie stiffens. I see the flicker of doubt in her eyes, the way her shoulders tense, and my vision goes red.

Before she can even respond, I’m already moving.

The sound of my boots against the floor is the only warning before I step in, planting myself between them.

“What the fuck did you just say?” My voice is low, lethal.

Chrissy’s eyes widen for a fraction of a second, but she masks it quickly, crossing her arms over her chest. “Oh, come on, Ryan,”she says, her voice a lazy drawl. “Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy having me around.”

I take a slow, deliberate step forward, towering over her. My fists are clenched so tightly at my sides I can feel my pulse pounding in my knuckles. “Stay the hell away from Natalie.” The words are sharp, cutting through the hallway like a knife.

Chrissy’s smug grin wavers, but she’s still pushing. “I don’t know why you’re so defensive,” she muses, tilting her head. “It’s not like we haven’t had our fun before—”

That’s it.

I slam a hand against the wall beside her, and the sound cracks through the hallway.

Chrissy jolts, her eyes flicking up to mine, and for the first time, there’s fear.

“You’re nothing to me, Chrissy,” I growl. Each word is deliberate, unshakable. “You never were.” I lean in slightly, dropping my voice to something deadly. “So do yourself a favor and back the fuck off.”

Silence.

Chrissy takes a slow step back, finally backing down. “Whatever,” she mutters, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder before storming off.

I exhale sharply, shaking off the lingering fury, then turn to Natalie. The anger fades the second I see her.

Her eyes are locked on mine, wide and soft, but there’s something else there too. Not fear. Not hesitation.

Something deeper.

She swallows hard. “Did you mean that?” she asks softly.

I don’t hesitate. “Every damn word.”

A slow breath leaves her lips, and then, she steps closer.

And I pull her in.

My fingers lace through hers again, squeezing tight, and this time, she doesn’t let go.

We walk together down the hall toward Joel’s office, and I swear to God—she’s the only thing in the world that matters.

Joel looks up from his desk, his brows lifting slightly when he sees us standing in the doorway. Surprise flickers in his eyes, but there’s something else too—curiosity. Maybe even amusement.

“Well, well,” he says, leaning back in his chair, arms folding across his chest. “Didn’t think I’d be seeing you again.”

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