Page 11 of Dangerous Curves

“I think that much is obvious,” he tells me.

An awkward silence falls between us. We were never awkward before, another thing to rip at the wound. “So, are you working on this lot?” I ask. Silently, I’m praying he’s not working on this particular sound stage. Surely, fate or karma or whatever else is out there won’t be that cruel to me.

“Something like that.” Jaxx smirks. It’s the smirk used to make all the girls blush and secretly ignite every insecurity I harbored within my mind. “I’m working on this movie, your movie. I’m going to be Bram’s stunt double.”

My heart sinks, just like in those old movies when the mobsters cement a person’s feet and drop them into the water, they sink so fast it’s not even funny. That’s my heart right now, it’s covered in cement and sinking without any hope of coming back up. “Oh, I didn’t realize.”

“Yeah, it was short notice. I’m basically the replacement.”

Grant had told me about the stuntman problem yesterday, but I had no idea that Jaxx had been hired as the replacement. I knew this could happen someday, but I didn’t think it would be today. “That’s great,” I tell him, but my voice gives me away. I haven’t heard it sound this uncertain in a couple of years. I don’t like that the old me is trying to resurface.

Jaxx runs a hand through his hair. “Look, if this is too much for you, I can see if I can get out of it.”

I shake my head. I’ll never admit that seeing him again, being around him, is definitely too much for me. I’d also never have him give up an opportunity like this because of me. This is huge for his career and it would be unfair to ask that of him. “No, it’s completely fine. It’s great actually. Now, we can catch up sometime.”

Jaxx looks confused but nods his head. The door to the sound stage opens and Grant appears. “Drix, you’re being summoned by the high and mighty himself.” I can’t help but laugh. Jaxx does too and the sound shoots through my body like a lightning bolt.

“I guess I should get back in there, but it seems like I’ll be seeing you around,” I tell him, forcing a smile on my face.

“Yeah, seems that way,” he tells me. His smile doesn’t seem forced this time. I step around him and head for the sound stage. Jaxx’s scent invades me and a lump instantly forms in my throat. I’ve avoided the smell of his cologne like it’s a plague. Now, it’s slapping me in the face and I’m not ready...for any of this.

Ten

Jaxx

I’ve thought of this moment a million times over the years. What would it be like to come face to face with Kenndrix again? What would it feel like? What would I say and how would she react? I always figured it would be difficult, painful even but nothing could have prepared me for how this feels right now. The pain is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. How could I still want to pull her into my arms, breathe her in, after so long? I don’t even know her anymore, yet I do. I can still see my Kenndrix lurking in those pools of green.

Kenndrix was always good at acting indifferent. Indifference had become her shield long before I knew her. She once told me it was because she learned that if she acted like things didn’t bother her, then they bothered her less. I never truly believed that because Kenndrix’s heart was so large she just kept it hidden behind a wall of stone, a hundred feet high. Today she acted indifferent which means I still had an effect on her. That fact shouldn’t make me so happy, but it does.

When she moves past me, her floral scent consumes me. My heart races, and my lungs pull in more air than necessary just to memorize that smell. For years I’ve looked for that smell but no matter the perfume, body spray, bubble bath or anything else I could find ever smelled like I remembered her. I commit the scent to memory before I turn around and begin to walk across the lot.

Overwhelmed doesn’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling right now. As I start to walk, knowing I’m needed on the set right now memories fill my mind. A time when things seemed much simpler and our dreams were just dreams.

****

It was the first day of freshman year of high school. Ace, Pierce, and I were going to rule the school, or at least that’s what we liked to say. That’s what we wanted to do, but in reality, we were just freshmen who would be lucky to not get bullied. Ace came from a rough side of town so there was a good chance some dumbass will try to mess with him. At least, until they realize he’s a James boy. Pierce and I both come from a higher tax bracket but I’d do anything to protect Ace if necessary.

The three of us meet in the parking lot. Pierce’s mom dropped him and me off so we’re just waiting for Ace’s bus. We got lucky though. Up until a couple of years ago, Ace would have been at a different high school, but they rezoned the districts, so we get to stay together. The three of us have been friends since we were just babies, our parents had been friends since before any of us were born. Everyone was a part of the race scene it seemed.

Bus ninety-three rolls up and I can already spot Ace sitting against the window towards the back of the bus. Another bus pulls in behind his. The two buses start to unload. Ace joins us, but my eyes are pulled to the right where the most beautiful girl in the world steps off the bus. Her long golden brown hair shines under the morning sunlight. Perfect long curls down to her waist. She’s medium height and has curves for days. I know most teenage boys are all about the thin body, but I appreciate a whole lot of curves on a girl. I come from a family of curvy women and I’ve always had a thing for the Marilyn Monroe body type. This girl has it all. Her medium wash distressed jeans hug her perfectly. Her red lace shirt and matching red Converse make her stand out against the crowd.

I’m mentally begging for her to turn around, so I can see the face that goes with the body of my dreams. Luck seems to be on my side when she glances back at her friend who is just now getting off the bus. She’s shorter with long dark brown hair and burgundy highlights in it. They could almost pass for sisters except the one I have my eyes on is so beautiful I can’t look away. Her eyes are jade green with lashes that are so long, that I’m not sure they aren’t fake. High cheekbones compliment her round cheeks. Pouty lips form the perfect smile as she laughs at whatever her friend says.

Perfection is the only thought that comes to mind. I watch as she walks away towards the gym where freshman orientation will be held. Please, tell me she’s a freshman, I pray to whatever higher being there is. Please, let her be in one of my classes. Something knocks into me, nearly knocking me over. “Earth to Jaxx! Come in Jaxx! Are you there?” Ace asks. He waves his hand in front of my face.

I push it away. “Right here, dude.”

“Are you sure? You seemed a little preoccupied by something,” Pierce says, with a smirk. His dirty blonde, bordering brown hair, sticking in every direction.

My eyes roll and the denial is on the tip of my tongue when Ace says, “Don’t even tell me you weren’t just drooling over that curvy girl with the long hair.”

“Fine,” I say, tossing my hands up in the air as we start to move towards the gym. “So, what if I was?”

Pierce and Ace exchange a look before they laugh. “Damn, dude. I thought you were going to flood the bus line with all the drool,” Pierce teases me.

Ace pats me on the shoulder. “We don’t have a chance in hell with girls like that, but they are sure damn nice to daydream about.”

****

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