Page 72 of Pulse
When Josie shook her head, I turned back to Ash.
“We’re a team, Maverick,” I murmured. “You of all people understand how much I need this.”
He looked conflicted. “Ren…”
“Please don’t take it away from me.”
“Ren-”
“It’s us together and that means what’s mine is yours and yours better be fucking mine, too.”
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“I don’t want to seeyouget hurt,” I said sullenly. “But it’s going to happen to both of us.”
“I should never have let you go there in the first place.”
I shook my head, wanting to beat my fists against his chest. “I want to help you create a life for us both. I want to help Violet and Beat too.Let me.”
Ash’s expression began to crumble and I knew he was coming around.
“We just don’t want to see you get hurt,” Josie said, her anger softening. “I understand why you want to go back, but I’ll never stop worrying.”
I glanced at the Twins and Dean shrugged. “I never thought I’d agree with Fuller. You know my stance on this Ren. Shit, I went there and saw how brutal it was. I saw you fight.”
“And what?” I asked. “You still want me to stay away? You saw me, I’m good.”
“Maybe he’s right, Ren,” Lincoln added.
I shook my head. “I’m going back.”
“I don’t agree with it Ren,” Ash said, winding his arm around my waist. “But I know you’re just going to ignore us, no matter what we say.”
“You’re giving in?” I breathed.
His green eyes searched mine. “Reluctantly.”
“You better look after her Fuller,” Dean said, jabbing a finger at him in warning.
“You’re the one fighting Hammer,” I said to Ash, ignoring Dean. “I’m going to give them the middle finger and to show them that I won’t be intimidated.”
“Well,” Josie declared. “You better hand that asshole his ass, Ash Fuller, or I’m coming for yours.”
Despite the frustration I felt towards everyone for trying to keep me wrapped up in cotton wool, I began to laugh. Josie always had this flair for the dramatic, but the image of her wedging her six-inch heel up my hulk of a boyfriend’s ass had me in fits.
Josie’s face began to crumple and then she started laughing with me. “You’re thinking the exact same thing as I am, aren’t you?”
“Yep.”
“Women,” Dean exclaimed, turning on his heel and striding across the mats.
“You better get out of here before I decide to lock you in your room,” Josie said, waving her hand at the door.
Ash grabbed my hand and began dragging me across the studio. “Good fuckin’ idea,” he muttered.
Knowing that I was on tenterhooks with everyone myself, I let him be all caveman superhero and drag me away from Beat. There was nothing left to say, so it was about time for some separation. We could come back and train tonight. I told Ash as much, as we stepped out onto the street.
He grunted in approval and I slapped him on the ass.
“The work starts tonight Maverick,” I declared. “Prepare for total domination.”
He chased after me, slapping my ass in return. “That’s my line.”
