Page 18 of Breaking the Limits

Kenndrix starts to jump with me. “Oh my gosh, Kyn! This is so awesome! I knew it was going to happen. Forget yoga let’s go get you ready.”

****

As I walk through the glass front doors of the expensive looking building in downtown L.A. I sent a quick text to Ace to let him know how my plans for the day have changed. I stop by the reception desk to get directions to the office I need. Once I’m in the elevator my phone vibrates with an incoming text looking down, I see Ace’s name on the screen.

Ace:Knock them dead baby doll.

That simple text gives me the extra boost of confidence I needed. He knows just what I need, as always. With him on mymind I step off the elevator onto a floor full of bleach blonde girls with overly blew up racks. I can do this.

After the audition for Wicked Little Things lingerie line I head over to a major record label’s building. Apparently, this music video was for a pretty popular artist otherwise I wouldn’t be walking intothisbuilding. My confidence is high because my first audition had gone so well but the experience that this band and the record label would probably want makes me a little nervous.

I take a deep breath and plaster on the ‘I’ve got this smile’ and strut into the room like I own the place. My strut falters though when I recognize some of the faces behind the table. Enzo is sitting in the middle leaning over talking to Danny, the lead guitarist. As if he can sense me, he turns his gaze toward me. I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat. This is bad, very bad.

****

Ace

It’s late by the time I pull into the parking lot of my apartment complex. I notice that Kynlee is already home. I figured she’d be working pretty late after she switched shifts, so I decided to go back over to my family’s shop and help out with what I could after I had closed up at Inkredible. It’s possible I was avoiding the inevitable conversation that is coming, the one where Kynlee tells me about her auditions and I have to keep my opinions and jealousy to myself. Over the past year I have learned that letting either of those two things get in the way of Kynlee’s determination just makes things worse.

Even though I still hate the idea of her strutting around in lingerie for anyone but me to see or risqué pictures of her being taken and seen by anyone still eats at me, still bugs the hell out of me, still unburies the burning jealousy in my veins, I havelearned to keep my mouth shut. I have come to understand that Kynlee craves attention, spotlight, those all eyes on me moments and I understand that my attention isn’t nearly enough to keep her satisfied. I have tried so hard to make it enough but at the end of the day it just isn’t. For some reason Kynlee doesn’t see herself the way the rest of us do. She still sees that outcast girl but the truth is that the moment she walks into a room all eyes are instantly drawn to her. There are multiple reasons why both men and women turn their heads toward her when she enters, it could be those warm brown eyes or that ridiculously long dark hair that frames her pale face or that full set of lips that most girls pay thousands of dollars for. For whatever reason Kynlee is an attention getter, but she just can’t seem to see that.

The other reason I have learned to keep my mouth shut whenever she brings up her dream career choice is because if I voice my opinions or let my emotions get the best of me, she feels as if I’m trying to hold her back or own her. That isn’t the case; not at all. Truth is, I can’t put into words what I feel for Kynlee, I sure can’t voice how strongly I feel for her but because of those feelings I wanted nothing more than to protect her, to take care of her. I want her to be mine,allmine and no one else’s. I have never been good at sharing and Kynlee is no exception for me but since I can’t really explain any of this I can’t make her understand where I’m coming from.

Finally, I give in and get out of the car. I feel the dread fill my stomach as I climb the stairs. I‘m trying my best to prepare myself for what is on the other side of the door. When I open the door, the apartment is dark with the exception of the TV screen lighting up the small living room area. I close the door quietly behind me and make my way over to the couch where I see Kynlee curled up in a ball under a blanket. Her hair is still damp from her shower and her face is clean of makeup. I love seeingher in moments like this. This is the Kynlee thatno onegets to see but me but I still wish they wouldn’t see the rest too.

Looking for the remote I turn off the TV then scoop Kynlee up in my arms. She stirs slightly and mumbles something I can’t quite make out but I’m pretty sure it’s my name. “I gotcha baby doll,” I whisper as I lower her into the bed and pull the comforter on top of her. She has the tendency to get cold at night. I smooth her hair away from her face before pressing a light kiss to her cheek.

After a quick shower I pull on a pair of boxer briefs and crawl into bed. Kynlee rolls over resting her hand on my upper arm. This is how we sleep most nights, me on my back with her hand resting on my bicep and my hand resting on top of her thigh. I can feel her slow and even breathing on my skin, smell the vanilla scent of her shampoo, the warmth coming off my skin keeping her warm as well. As I lie there I can’t help but think back to one of our first official dates.

I can’t remember ever being this nervous before especially when it comes to a girl. I have stood in front of my closet debating over what to wear which is ridiculous since I pretty much own all the same stuff. My closet consists of the same type of jeans (just different colors), simple t-shirts (just different colors) and band t-shirts, not a whole lot to pick from. Mentally, I curse myself as I try to figure out what is wrong with me. Giving up I call Pierce for a few reasons. Pierce is one of my best friends, always has been and always will be. Pierce is also pretty good when dressing to impress and even though I know he has a date tonight I also know he’ll come help me out first.

Sure, enough he walks through my front door a few minutes after we hang up the phone. I’m still standing in front of my closet with my hair done, but nothing on but my boxer briefs.Pierce comes in and takes one look at me and laughs, “Dude, you’ve got it bad.”

“Shut the hell up and help me out before you’re late for your own date,” Pierce raises his eyebrows. I respect the fact that Pierce tries to keep his personal preferences quiet, but I really didn’t see any reason for it. Pierce is gay but I don’t care and neither does our other best friend Jaxx. To us he is just Pierce, “Rocky right?”

He nods his head, “I hadn’t realized you guys knew.”

I look him in the eye while I squeeze his shoulder, “We know, we just don’t care. I’m still trying to figure out why you thought we would to begin with.”

Pierce shrugs his shoulders, “A lot of people would.”

“Well, those people freaking suck and don’t belong in your life anyways. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my brother from another mother that knows how to dress to impress, so help this brother out,” I tell him which causes a laugh and I see the normal light return to Pierce’s eyes.

Fifteen minutes later I’m dressed and heading down the stairs with Pierce. He has taken my simple closet and manages to make me look like I had gone shopping for my date with Kynlee. Pierce wishes me good luck on my date and I do the same to him. As I get in the car I have to remind myself to breathe.

When I arrive at Kynlee’s apartment I give myself a quick pep talk but nothing prepares me for seeing Kynlee open the front door. I had told her it would be a casual date and she has dressed for it. Her simple yellow sundress and white wedges are simple, but only make her beauty shine brighter. Her hair hangs in lose waves with one side of it pinned back.

I took her out to eat then down to the boardwalk where we do a little shopping, ate some more junk food, and dance out on the pier to some local music. I have never really datedbefore but I’m pretty sure nothing can compare to this one. To holding Kynlee in my arms while we sway to the music, her hair dancing with the breeze and shining in the moonlight, the vanilla honey scent of her skin mixed with the salty scent in the air. When I lean in and kiss her, the lemon flavor of her lip gloss has just been another thing to add to the list of things to remember.

Chapter 14

Kynlee

I wake up the next morning curled up next to Ace. I search my memory but can only vaguely remember being carried to the bedroom. The last thing I can really remember is watching some movie on TV and I must have fallen asleep on the couch before Ace got home. I stretch my stiff muscles then decide to surprise Ace with breakfast. Quietly, I get out of the bed and make my way to the kitchen. I think breakfast in bed would soften the blow of the telling him about the Royal Eternity music video.

I make Ace’s favorite, French toast with maple syrup while the coffee brews. After fixing the plate I make my way back to the room. I sit the food on the nightstand then crawl back into the bed next to Ace. I lean over and press a kiss to his lips. Slowly his blue eyes become visible. “Morning hot stuff,” I tell him with a wink.

He chuckles, “Morning baby doll, something smells amazing.”

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