Page 4 of Dangerous Curves

“Well, I thought you understood that this movie was a huge opportunity for me, but you seem to have already marked that off your list of important things.”

“Why do you always have to be so difficult?” Ronin sighs in exasperation, and grates on my last nerves.

“Difficult? You think I’m being difficult?” My voice rises as does my temper.

“Well, if the shoe fits.” I can practically hear his ridiculously broad shoulders shrugging with nonchalance.

The little growl of frustration causes him to chuckle again. “I’ve been anything but difficult. I’m constantly rearranging my schedule to suit your ever-changing needs. You never take into consideration that I have a career and a life as well.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is! I’m always flying where you want me to. I literally just took off to a remote island with you for two weeks.” I fall back onto the pile of pillows and blankets as tears of frustration fight their way to the back of my eyes.

Ronin scoffs. “You mean, where you worked the entire time?”

“Yes, because you took off for long periods of time with no explanation. I’m a pretty easy-going girlfriend most of the time, but I do start to question where in the hell you are when we're on vacation together and you just up and disappear.” Inwardly, I cringe because I’m not sure I want to know where he was, or what he was doing or who he was doing it with. I may not be the same overly insecure girl I used to be, but there is still a part of me that wonders if I’m good enough. I haven’t figured out how to completely silence that nasty little voice.

“You know what, I don’t have time for this. I’ll just talk to you later.” The line goes dead, and I’m left lying on top of the pillows and blankets with the phone to my ear trying to figure out what in the hell just happened. Ronin and I rarely argue, but I’m tired of my career and schedule always having to come in second to his. He’s never met me halfway and it’s starting to frustrate me. I toss the phone onto the other side of the bed and close my eyes while trying to find a comfortable spot.

Sometime later, I wake up with a kink in my neck from the position I fell asleep in. The sun is attempting to peek through my blinds. A muffled sound comes from under the blankets and I realize it’s my alarm on the cell phone. Groaning, I manage to sit up and find the phone to silence it. After a few minutes, I get out of bed and make my way to the bathroom where I draw a hot bubble bath and slide in. I turn on Erick Baker on the surround sound speakers before sliding into the water.

I listen to the hauntingly beautiful voice as his melodies and lyrics cause my mind to start wondering, building characters and plot lines. This is always the best place for me to come and think through the thoughts in my brain. My goal wasn’t to work this morning, I had just wanted a moment to relax after the argument with Ronin, but my mind is always in work mode I guess.

Once my skin starts to turn prune-like, I climb out of the tub and grab some clothes from my closet. I slip them on quickly, before grabbing my laptop and plotting out the new idea that came to me. I get lost in the characters and world and when I check the time again, I realize it’s almost lunch time. Shutting down the laptop, I jump up and rush back to the bathroom where I throw on some mascara and eyeliner, before releasing my hair from the messy bun. There’s no time for me to actually do my hair, so it’s natural state of messy waves is going to have to work for today.

I rush out the door after grabbing my purse, phone and double checking for my keys. Once I reach the Los Angeles traffic, I call Kynlee through the hands free hookup in my car to let her know I’m on my way. Luckily, Willow was being difficult, so she’s just now heading that way. We hang up with one another just as another call comes through. One that can mean nothing good.

Four

Jaxx

This day has already gone to shit. I don’t know why Poppy can’t just try to get along with Kosi, or at least not verbally attack her with some backhanded comment every chance she gets. As I make my way to my three-car garage, I grab the keys for my Porsche, but then toss them back into the dish sitting on the table in the mudroom. The urge to slide onto my bike is overwhelming. To feel the freedom of the wind as it barrels past me. Taking curves at a speed no one should, my body so close to the asphalt that I can feel the heat of it through my clothes. The vibration as the engine rumbles making its way through every muscle and bone in my body.

I slide onto the bike while pushing the button to open the door of the garage. The Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird is my new favorite toy. It tops out at 190 miles per hour from the factory, but I plan to push those limits even more once I get it to JamesTown and start to have it modified. It’s sleek, solid black body is eye-catching under the Los Angeles sun. It demands attention and it deserves it. I start the bike and listen to the purr. Once I get the bike out of the garage, I close the door back and set the house alarm before pulling out onto my street. As soon as I get out of the residential area, I let the bike rip and my soul finally finds some peace which is necessary after the morning I’ve had.

I weave in and out of traffic, cutting it close a few times, riding the line between the vehicles. Horns blare as I pass some of them at a speed that would easily get me a speeding ticket-- if the cop could catch me. I love the feeling of freedom that comes from being on the back of a bike. I reach downtown Los Angeles in record time. I circle the block of my agent’s sky high offices before pulling into the nearest parking garage. Once I reach the sidewalk, my peace is gone. I’m shuffled along with the rest of the pedestrians as I make my way back towards my agent’s building.

As I enter, I head for the elevator bank and wait until I can grab one up to the floor that belongs to the agency that represents me. Star Elite recruited me randomly after seeing me and some of my buddies stunting our bikes on the freeway at one in the morning. Was it the smartest thing to be doing? Absolutely not. Would I do it again? Every damn day of my life. I like to push myself to the edge. Speed, stunts, unnecessary risks...that adrenaline breathes life into my veins. Nothing else can compare. I quickly signed on with that agency after that night. Shortly after, I got my first stuntman gig and it’s been the best decision of my life ever since. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Riding in a stuffy elevator with a bunch of uptight suits isn’t my idea of fun. They all give me sideways glances, probably because my distressed jeans, biker boots, and white t-shirt don’t exactly fit into their perfectly molded world and how they see things. Finally, we reach the agency’s floor and I gladly leave the awkward and stuffy elevator behind. Laura, the main secretary for Star Elite, greets me. “Good morning, Mr. Scott.”

I give her a smile. She’s a pretty girl with her honey blonde hair, dark brown eyes, and tanned skin, but she’s far too thin for my liking. “Good morning, Laura. How many times do I have to remind you to call me Jaxx?”

Her cheeks blush. “I’m sorry, Mr.--Jaxx. It’s a habit.”

“I understand. It just makes me feel old and I’m not there yet.” I wink at her.

Laura giggles. “No one would ever accuse you of being old Jaxx.”

“Is Gary in yet?” I ask.

“Yes, he is. So is your manager, Reba,” she informs me.

I nod and thank her as I head back towards Gary’s office. Star Elite is one of the biggest stunt agencies in the movie and TV industry. They manage over half of the industry's stunt men and women as well as the stunt coordinators. I got lucky to be recruited by one of the biggest and best right out of the gate. Gary’s door is cracked and I can hear the hushed whispers coming from the other side. I knock on the door. “Come in.” Gary is sitting behind his large wood and glass desk with the city of Los Angeles looking picture perfect behind him. He’s a retired Marine, but the word retired could be used loosely. The man still looks to be in the same shape he was thirty years ago when he enlisted. To be honest, I’m pretty sure the guy could run circles around most of us on his payroll. He stands up and comes around the desk to greet me. His British accent is loud and clear. “Jaxx, it’s so good to see you. “

“You, too. Have you been working out?” I joke with him. He holds up his arm to show off his muscle. I grab it and act thoroughly impressed. It’s what we always do when we see one another.

Gary laughs and winks. “I’ve got to keep you young ones on your toes.” I laugh. I’m sure he’s not completely wrong, but he also has to keep his much younger wife happy, and I highly doubt Miss Malibu Barbie would be happy if her husband looked like her grandfather. “Have a seat.” Gary motions to one of the two chairs positioned in front of his desk.

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