Page 18 of Rush
“She’s going through a hard time,” I replied. “I’m helping her out.”
“Helping her out, you say?”
“I’m not helping her on my cock, so shut it.”
Cole snorted. “If you say so. I’m guessing you’ve seen her little waist, round ass, and perfect palm-sized tits?”
“This isn’t about sex,” I said irritably. “That was a long time ago, and she never knew, and she still doesn’t, so keep your fucking mouth shut.”
“Or what? You’ll shut it for me?” He laughed like he was a comedian, and I pushed down a flare of anger.
“For once in your life, just leave it alone, Cole.”Speaking about people who never changed.
Guys like him would always be rattling cages, but some of us grew out of it after we’d left adolescence behind. Any feelings I’d had toward Jade had faded years ago. We weren’t the same people anymore, and this—her staying at my place—was just me doing someone a good turn. Nothing more.
“Watch that one,” Cole said, shaking his head.
Turning, I scowled, not liking his judgmental tone. “What do you mean?”
“You fell down that hole once before, is all I’m sayin’.” He pointed a finger at me as he walked off. “Now she’s on the rebound. Watch out for the trapdoor, man.”
Rolling my eyes, I swallowed my pride and joined the other fighters doing their morning weight sessions. Hamish was on one end, the Irish cage fighter who was dating Lori. Josh Caplin was behind us. He was another guy who’d gotten his start cage fighting, but after a nasty turn of events that had seen him land in the hospital, he’d begun a new career in the Victorian Police Force.
Cole was with them and had obviously been winding them up about Jade while I was absent. It was just like the little asshole.
“Who’s the girl?” Hamish asked.
“Just a friend,” I replied, glancing at Cole and narrowing my eyes in warning.
Ignoring them, I set up my dumbbells and positioned myself on the bench. I was here to train, not have my lack of relationship status debated by a bunch of fighters. Anyone would’ve thought they were here to gossip over a cup of tea, not maintain their physiques.
The whole hour the yoga class was in session, I couldn’t help using it as the focal point for my concentration as I lifted. My muscles burned, my mind wandered, and I was glad the windows weren’t floor to ceiling in that particular room.
“Look out,” Cole said, baiting the others. “Here she comes.”
Jade approached, her gaze flicking between the assembled men before falling onto me. She’d showered and changed, looking a million bucks in her heels, slinky green dress, and red lips. Her gym bag was in one hand, her yoga mat tied between the handles, and her handbag was slung over her opposite arm. A waft of some flowery perfume smacked me in the face, and I stared up at her.
“Hey,” she said, standing in front of me. “I’ve got to get to work.”
“Sure.” I was dazed.
“I won’t be back until six thirtyish,” she went on. “I don’t know if you have plans or not…”
“I’ll be home. I’ll get a key for you today.”
“Oh. Cool.” She smiled and glanced at Cole. “Alphonso.”
Spinning on her heel, she floated across the gym and disappeared out the door, the scent of her perfume leaving an imprint on my brain.
“Alphonso?” Hamish said, fighting back tears of laughter.
“Holy shit man!” Josh said. “Your name is Alphonso?For real?”
“Wait until Ren hears this,” Hamish added.
“Shut it,” Cole said, snarling.
“I’m glad to see Jade’s still handing you your ass in one word or less,” I said, lifting the dumbbells. “I was beginning to think she’d lost her edge.”
