Page 15 of Dangerous Curves

Fourteen

Jaxx

When I pull up to the convenience store gas pumps, my bike is nearly empty. After I left Ace and Kynlee’s, I just drove around. I ended up on this little side road we used to frequent back when we street raced. It was the road we used when we needed to lay low. So many memories were attached to that strip of asphalt. Kenndrix was a part of so many of them. Breaking up is never an easy thing to do, but sometimes it’s harder than the rest. Losing Kenndrix was like losing a limb for me. She was such a part of me, ingrained into my soul. My body knew her the instant she was around.

As I climb off the bike, that same sensation that had become second nature to me sparks to life. I’ve felt it every day this week on set and again just earlier at the party. Now, though, doesn’t make sense. I turn around and see her standing inside the store. She’s standing in front of the ice cream freezer. That can’t be good. Kenndrix only goes for ice cream when she’s emotionally overloaded.

I should just use my card, fill up the tank and leave. I don’t need to go inside but something about Kenndrix will always call me to her. It’s been like that since the moment I laid eyes on her and I’m sure I’ll go to my grave with that same feeling. Against my better judgement, I head towards the entrance of the store. I bypass the clerk at the counter and walk to Kenndrix. My chest to her back, her muscles tense slightly so she’s aware someone is behind her. The heat from her body seeps through my shirt and wraps around my torso. “Has it been such a bad day that you need to drown your sorrows in some Pistachio Almond?” I ask.

Goosebumps instantly form over her skin. A sharp intake of breath before she looks over her shoulder. Her jade green eyes find mine. “You remember that?”

I smirk. “I think you’d be shocked to see just how much I remember.”

Pink fills her cheeks and she looks away. “It’s been a long week,” she admits quietly.

“Yes, it has. Definitely more than I thought it would be.” I knew from the moment Gary told me about this job, there was no way in hell I could turn it down but at the same time I don’t think I was at all prepared for how raw and vulnerable it would leave me feeling. If I’m feeling like this I can only imagine how Kenndrix is feeling? She’s an emotionally driven individual as is.

“That makes two of us,” she replies. She opens the door but I quickly reach around and grab the ice cream for her. Kenndrix is always cold so no point in making that worse by letting her stick her arm in the freezer. I hand her the pint of ice cream and she gives me a small smile. “Thanks.”

“Yeah, no problem. Looks like you just need some Dr. Pepper now.” Kenndrix sighs and looks away. She’s in that pretty little head of hers and I don’t think it’s a good place to be. I grab the ice cream from her hand and head for the soda fridge and grab her favorite. She’s hot on my heels as I head for the counter. I hand the clerk the items and tell her how much to put on pump two. It doesn’t go unnoticed how she sneers at Kenndrix standing behind me. My temper rises but I manage to keep my words to myself however when I turn around and notice how Kenndrix has shrunk in on herself I can’t resist the urge. I grab her hand in mine and pull her into me, pressing a kiss to forehead. “Let’s go, baby.”

Kenndrix sinks into me for a few moments until we are out of the store and halfway through the parking lot. She pulls away and I stop and turn to face her. “What was that?”

I smirk. “Showing her who was more wanted.”

She rolls her eyes. “It’s always been like that. Do you think this is any different or that I can’t handle it?”

“Honestly, I know you can handle it, but you don’t handle it in a good way. You fall into those dark little corners of your mind, the ones that tell you that you aren’t good enough, the ones that lie to you. I saw the way you looked when I turned around so don’t even bother denying it,” I tell her.

“What do you expect? It’s always been ‘what’s that hot guy doing with that fat chick’,” she tells me.

I step forward, the distance between us gone. “Not for me it wasn’t. I’d fight the world for you.”

“But you shouldn’t have to. You should just be able to be with the person you love.” Her voice is quiet.

My back stiffens. “If only it were that damn easy, right?” I turn around and start to head for my bike.

I hear her following behind me. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what it means.” My tone is harsh and instantly, I feel guilty for using the tone with her. If she’s anything like she used to be she’ll end up lost in her head and blaming herself for my harshness.

Her footsteps stop. After taking a deep breath, I turn around to face her. She glares at me from where she stands, her arms crossed over her chest. However, the glare is just a mask because I can see the hurt swimming in her eyes. “You left me. You walked out on us Jaxx. Yes, I’ll admit I drove you to it and I even deserved it, but don’t act like you didn’t have any choice in the matter.” Kenndrix gives me one last look before she turns around and walks away. I stand there, like a statue in the middle of the parking lot and watch as her taillights disappear into the night.

Eventually, I get honked at and move on to my bike. After I fill up the tank, I look down and see the sack of Kenndrix’ stuff in my hands. I sigh heavily as I stow it away and climb back on my bike. The ride to my home isn’t a fast one but I definitely did it blind. It’s a good thing I know this route like the back of my hand. When I pull into my driveway, I notice my brother’s truck.

As I park my bike and climb off, my brother’s truck door opens and I see him hop down. If my brother wasn’t tall and a wall of muscle I would think he was suffering from ‘little man syndrome’ that so many guys talk about. His truck is so jacked up I often wonder how he gets in and out of it. I’m also not one hundred percent sure that it’s even legal. Rome Scott, is slightly taller than me at 6’3” with dark brown eyes and golden brown hair. He takes after our father where Kosi and I take after our mom. Rome lets out a low whistle. “Damn, I didn’t think I’d see the day where you would have dark hair.”

“I’ve had dark hair before you just haven’t been around.” Rome and I are close but he doesn’t live in Los Angeles. He took a job in Napa Valley right after his high school graduation to work on vineyard there. He’s been there ever since. Occasionally, he comes back to visit but not often. He loves what he does.

“Well, next time take some pictures for me. I need to know these things,” he tells me, with a chuckle as he approaches. He pulls me in for a hug. “Are you okay?” The concern in his eyes makes me uncomfortable. I nod my head. “You know there’s a reason you’re a stuntman and not an actor. You’re a shitty liar plus your muscles are so damn tense.”

I sigh. “It’s a long story.”

Rome’s face lights up with amusement. “There must be a girl involved.”

“Isn’t there always?”

Rome chuckles. “Damn, is she hot?”

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