Page 16 of Dangerous Curves

“She is freaking gorgeous. Literally, so damn pretty it’s like staring at the sun, it’ll hurt if you stare too long.” My mind instantly flashes memories of Kenndrix through my head, the old with the new. Rome is quiet and when I turn around to look at him after retrieving the bag of Kenndrix’s stuff I bought, ice cream beyond melted at this point. Rome’s face is one of shock. “What?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Nothing, I just haven’t heard you talk about a girl like that since…”

“Kenndrix,” I finish for him. Rome was never sure how to bring up the topic of her so I doubt he would know now. He nods his head. “It’s still her. She’s the girl.”

“Wow, didn’t expect that.” Rome runs a hand through this longer hair.

I chuckle, but it’s sarcastic. “That makes two of us.” I lead us towards the house. Once we're inside Rome heads for the bar that is rarely used. He pours us both a drink and joins me in the backyard after I’ve stashed the ice cream in my freezer. “So, fill me in on all things Kenndrix and Poppy unless she’s been kicked to the curb.”

“No, Poppy and I are still…well, whatever we are. We’re not a couple which you know but she’s been out of town on a modeling gig and then she was going to see her family in Brazil. I haven’t really spoken to her this week and now Kenndrix is back in my life.” I continue to fill him in on the current situation. By the time I’m done, he’s got a brotherly look on his face and I know I’m about to get some words of wisdom.

Rome sighs. “You still love her don’t you?”

“I mean, yeah I do, but all we do when we're around each other now is argue.”

He chuckles. “I’m sure, but I think that’s normal. Look, the two of you ended abruptly and I’m sure you both thought it wasn’t so permanent at the time. Now, here the two of you are, with no closure. You left trying to make her realize how much you cared. Neither of you have really dealt with how you’re feeling. If I had to guess though you’re both feeling overwhelmed.”

I shake my head and stare out over the pool in my yard. “She has a boyfriend.”

“But he’s not you, is he?” Silence falls between us. We sit in the quiet of the evening, sipping our drinks for a while. I look over at him. He’s only older by four years, but sometimes it feels like a lifetime. He’s always been the quiet, strong type where I often made the mistake of wearing my heart on my sleeve. I’m curious just where his wisdom comes from and what obstacles he’s faced in his life.

“What about you?” Rome meets my stare and raises his eyebrows in question. “Any special ladies?”

“Isn’t there always.” We share a laugh but I can see the story in his eyes, but I know he won’t share it right now.

Fifteen

Kenndrix

Being in the airplane is not going to help this migraine that just won’t seem to let go, but staying in Los Angeles, going to set every day this week and having to face Jaxx also wasn’t an option for me. I know that I’m being a coward and running away but facing him…ugh! I just can’t do it another day. All we do is go around in this silly circle over and over. We keep rehashing the past and what for? It won’t change the outcome.

I’ve worked so hard to become the person I am today. I’ve tried to let go of my insecurities and ignore those nagging feelings or thoughts that lurk in my mind and make me feel like I’m not good enough, but when I’m put face to face with Jaxx they come back out to play. It’s annoying and frustrating. I don’t know what it is about him that makes me insecure.

By the time my plane lands in New York City, the migraine is almost triple as bad as it was. I would like nothing more than to go crawl into a bed in a dark room but since I flew in just to see Ronin for a couple of days while he’s working I know that’s not possible. Once I’ve made it to collect my baggage I grab a cab outside. “Where to?” He looks over his shoulder while asking.

I open the text in my phone and tell him the address. The taxi moves at a snail's pace for a while, something I’m all too accustomed to, thanks to the Los Angeles traffic. I text Ronin to let him know I’m on my way. By the time we reach the photography studio where the campaign Ronin is working at, he still hasn’t replied. The taxi driver hops out and grabs my luggage. I pay him and collect my things before heading inside.

The inside of the building is full of dark and rich colors, very masculine. Wood covered walls with black and white photographs cover the walls. All the furniture is dark leather or dark wood. The reception desk covers half the wall, it’s shined to perfection, so much so that the dark wood shines under the recess lighting above. A young girl with large oversized glasses, lip ring and hot pink hair greets me. “You must be Kenndrix.”

Shock runs through me. “Yes.”

“Ronin told me you’d be coming. If you’ll have a seat in the waiting area I’ll get someone to come grab you. Would you like to leave your luggage behind the desk?” she offers, while blowing a bubble in bright pink bubble gum.

I nod my head. “Yes, that’d be great. Thank you.” Once my luggage is situated, the young girl disappears down a hallway. I make my way to the lobby area. A large black and brown rug covers the majority of the charcoal gray tiled floor. The rug is so plush I’m tempted to take off my shoes and sink my toes into it. The large chocolate brown leather sectional is also inviting with the geometric patterned throw pillows in matching colors. There’s a TV hanging in the corner with a slideshow of photographs. They’re beautiful. The photographer is definitely talented.

“Kenndrix, you can come back now,” the girl who I’m not referring to as bubble gum tells me.

I follow her down the hallways to the door at the very end. She opens it and I head inside. A solid white backdrop is covering the wall at the back with a large king size bed and solid white bedding with a large black iron headboard in the middle. The sheets are a mess and in the bed lies Ronin with some topless model.

As I stand there and take everything in, I notice that I don’t have a single itch of jealousy or insecurity. I should consider Ronin is my boyfriend, cheating rumors are the cover of every magazine in the world twenty-four seven, and he’s currently staring at the model like she might be his next meal. However, I’m not bothered at all, it’s almost as if I don’t care at all. My lungs constrict tightly with that thought. Is it possible that I don’t care the same way I do for Jaxx. I mean did, I did care for Jaxx. Is that why nothing seems to bother me where Ronin is concerned?

My mind is racing trying to decipher why my reaction is so different. I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t even notice when Ronin notices my arrival. “Kenndrix?” I look up as his voice raises. He’s climbing out of the bed, completely nude. I’m shocked to say the least. I’m not sure why he would need to be nude for this photo shoot but I know that this isn’t the time or place for that discussion. An assistant rushes over, offering him a robe which he waves off. “So unnecessary. This is my body and it shall be seen. Some of us don’t mind. Others, like my girlfriend here,” he tells the room of people, as he points towards me. “Would rather you never see her body.” Ronin laughs as embarrassment courses through my veins. If he had any idea how far I had come, he wouldn’t make a comment like that. He reaches for me once he’s close enough, but I step back. His eyes narrow into tiny slits. “Don’t embarrass me in front of my audience.”

I scoff. “Oh, but it’s okay to embarrass me?”

“You’re being bloody ridiculous. I didn’t embarrass you.” Ronin rolls his eyes with an annoyed look on his face.

“Don’t you dare try to tell me how I feel right now. I’m embarrassed and you caused it,” I tell him, jabbing my finger into his chest.

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