Page 22 of Breaking the Limits

Jagger pulls him in for a hug but as soon as he pulls away he tells Jovi, “I never want to see you smoke anything ever again, am I clear?” Jagger’s tone has an authoritative note to it so you know he means business.

Glancing off to the side I see Kynlee approaching us. Her tiny black dress and over the knee black boots makes me groan inwardly. She looks amazing. I hear Jovi tell Jagger, “Yeah, I just figured since Ace does…”

Jagger looks me over. I’ve changed a lot since the last time he saw me. The piercings, tattoos, and eyeliner might take some getting used to for him. I study him back and notice he’s gotten even more muscle on his 6’4” frame than before and his no bull shit attitude could come across as intimidating. His chocolate brown hair is cut similar to mine. His amber eyes and square jaw make him look older that his twenty-five years though. I noticed a few new tattoos as well. “Yeah, well Ace was always a rebel without a cause," Jagger says, pulling me into a hug while yanking the cigarette from his mouth too.

“Never without a cause, all for the ladies. Ladies love rebels,” I tell him with a wink. I don’t know why I feel the need to act like this right now. I only have one lady or at least I think I do. In the last moment I lean back over and whisper, “Good to see you. Welcome home.”

Jagger tells me, “Thanks man.” Just as Kynlee comes sauntering up to us, I lean forward and kiss her cheek, but Ican feel the unease coming off Kynlee. I motion toward Jagger, “Kynlee, this is my older brother Jagger. Jagger this is my…friend Kynlee.”

I know the instant I call Kynlee my friend I’ve messed up. I feel her tense and I see the look in Jagger’s eye. He’s about to call me out on it. “Nice to meet you Kynlee, although I’m not sure what you see in this brother of mine. Clearly, you can do better.”

I knew it. I knew he was going to call me on it. Kynlee relaxes almost instantly so it makes being called out not as bad. At least she seems more comfortable now. Kynlee tosses her hair over her shoulder. It’s kind of a signature move for her. “I like you already,” she tells Jagger with that megawatt smile.

I’m about to say something when Ryce Whitten pulls up in his canary yellow Porsche 911, but no one is looking at him or the car; it’s because the volume of his music is ridiculous. I drive with my music a little too loud too, but nothing like this. As Ryce gets out he smirks in Jagger’s direction because that’s just who Ryce is. He’s a trust fund baby with a cocky attitude because he knows no matter what he does his money will save his rich privileged ass. Instantly, my hand that’s not on Kynlee’s back balls into a fist. I’d like nothing more than to punch his perfect teeth for Jagger.

The only reason Ryce has an issue with Jagger is because of Harlyn. It was common knowledge that Ryce had a thing for Harlyn, but she never had eyes for anyone besides Jagger. Add that to the fact that Jagger beat Ryce every time they raced…well there was a lot of bad blood there. It wasn’t really anyone’s fault but his own though. None of us can help it that he can’t race.

I had seen Londynn earlier when she arrived with Farrah I was just waiting to see when Jagger would notice her. I had crossed paths with Londynn multiple times in the past because we were close to the same age. I had even kissed her once to try to pull Ryce’s head out of his ass and make him see what he hadin front of him. Londynn was a beautiful, quiet girl, she was tall and lean from being a dancer for years. Her honey colored hair hung a little past her shoulders which only made her deep, hazel eyes stand out more. Londynn had been gone for the past three months and I knew for a fact that Ryce hadn’t been lonely. I had seen him filling his time with plenty of girls. Jagger notices Londynn just like I knew he would. Something about her makes it seem like she could use someone like Jagger in her life. Ryce grabs one of his fill ins, Regina something or other before he realizes that Londynn is here. I watch as the scene unfolds. Instinctively, I push Kynlee behind me a bit. Not sure what I’m protecting her from but just in case.

Ryce speaks first when he notices Londynn. “Londynn, I didn't know you were back."

Londynn crosses her arms over her chest and raises her nose in the air while she meets his eyes. “Well, I don't suppose you would since we haven't spoken in three months. You've clearly been...busy."

Ryce takes a step toward her but she matches it by taking a step back. “Come on sweetie it's not like that."

Londynn throws her hand up to stop him. “Save it Ryce. I used to believe you but not anymore."

"Londynn, we need to talk," Ryce says, but his tone is a little ass like, almost as if she’s his child and he’s annoyed with her.

Londynn shakes her head. “I think your tongue needs some rest." I almost want to clap for that line. Kynlee is gripping the back of my t-shirt. Londynn makes her way toward Farrah, Connor, Bowie, Axell, and Sadie to where they are standing, just a few steps away from where Kynlee, Jovi and I are now.

Ryce quickly closes the distance between them and yanks her arm, pulling her back toward him. “Don't walk away from me Londynn!" he yells at her and I see her flinch. That’s a big no in my book, hell in all of our books. My dad drilled us on how torespect a lady. I don’t care who the hell Ryce thinks he is, you don’t treat a female that way. The movement from the corner of my eye catches my attention and I see Jagger moving towards them.

Turning around I look at Kynlee. “Stay here and make sure Jovi stays with you,” I tell her before pressing a kiss to the top of her head. I quickly fall into step behind Jagger with Bowie right behind me. I don’t just fight for the sake of fighting anymore but to defend a girl or back up one of my brother’s…well let’s just say I’m always down for that. Plus, I’d love to put this rich ass in his place.

Ryce glares at Jagger over Londynn's head and I can hear her whispering she's sorry and to please let her go. Hearing Londynn's voice did it for Jagger, he clears his throat and says, “Let her go."

"Keep your ass out of it Jagger or I'll hand it to you," he says, trying to sound threatening.

Jagger chuckles. “That's funny Ryce because I can't remember you ever handing me my ass, but if you think you can then come on." Jagger motions for Ryce to come at him. “Let her go and show me what you got."

"Forget this!" he says, pushing Londynn back with enough force to send her tall, lean body falling into Jagger’s chest. Luckily, my brother has quick reflexes and catches her just as Bowie steps around me and Jagger to punch Ryce square in the jaw knocking Ryce a few steps back. Instantly, Ryce's friends are around him ready to try to take us on but I hear footsteps behind us and I see Axell and Connor have also joined us. This could get bloody really quick but I notice Jagger whispering in Londynn’s ear. I notice Londynn nods and then Jagger guides her behind him. The minute she sees Farrah she quickly closes the distance between them

Bowie and I are ready for a fight, but Jagger has a better idea apparently. Jagger steps forward, in front of Bowie which is dangerous in itself. Bowie is the one with the hottest temper out of us James brothers. He used to be so calm but after Hollis left something inside him snapped. “I have a better idea. Instead of busting up that face of yours and your buddies, how about we settle this on the road. Pedal to the metal?" Jagger asks.

Ryce spits out a mouthful of blood and glares back at us. “Pedal to the metal," he confirms, then turns to head back to his car.

I turn around and head back toward Kynlee, slightly relieved that I’m not going to fight tonight with the exception of racing. With as raw as my emotions are right now I’m afraid I could do some major damage without even realizing it. As I head over to place my buy in for the race I catch Kynlee’s eyes. I see the worry and hurt there. She knows something is wrong, but I can also see her pleading, almost as if she’s asking if were okay and for the first time since we’ve been together I honestly don’t know.

Chapter 16

Kynlee

I sent Kenndrix home shortly before the time that I figured Ace would get back, but he never showed up. I took as long as I could getting ready for work. I feel like there are weights on my feet. I’m slowly moving through the motions of the day without actually feeling anything. Anything but guilt that is. I still can’t figure out why I lied to Ace and I hate that. I want to see him to know that we’re okay. I send another text message to him as I lock up the apartment and head for my Jeep.

Three calls, ten texts, and one voicemail and still no reply. I have a sinking feeling in my stomach that something is wrong. Something that I’m not sure I’ll be able to fix. I drive to work even though I don’t really remember the drive over. I must look as bad as I feel because every co-worker I pass asks me if I’m feeling okay.

I wish I could say the day had gotten better from there but sadly it didn’t. This day was just one big mess. I pull my phone out of my pocket so many times that I ended up dropping my phone and cracking the screen. I messed up on a ton of orders and even dropped a set of those, sending food and pieces of broken plates across the floor. My manager called me in and while she could have written me up for all my mistakes, she was nice and just gave me a verbal warning and sent me home.

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