Breaking the Limits

by Nichole, Stephanie

  I heard the first few cords of Crazy Train by Black Sabbath, which was our indicator that someone had just entered. Walking back up to the front I saw Connor standing with his hands in his pockets. “Hey man it’s good to see you,” I tell him as I approach.

  “You too.”

  “You ready to start these sleeves?” I ask him, and I lead him toward the back room.

  He nods, “Are you sure you don’t want me to pay you anything?”

  “Hell, no man! This is exactly what I need,” I tell him.

  About half the way through Connor’s session he starts talking. The thing about Connor Hart was that he was a man of few words. He doesn’t say much except to my older brother Jagger who has always been his best friend. However, I guess he finally feels like talking. “So how have you been Ace? You excited for Jagger to be coming back?”

  “Hell yeah. It’ll be great to have him back. About damn time too.”

  He nods his head slightly, “Your business seems to be doing well.”

  I let out a low whistle. “Yeah, it is but that’s all because of Kynlee. She’s relentless. She’s always coming up with some new way to advertise for the shop and she’s always recommending the shop to people.”

  “She seems pretty great,” Connor mentions.

  I shake my head because it still shocks me that I get to call her mine sometimes. “She’s the best, man.”

  “You must really love her.”

  I stop tattooing his arm for a moment afraid that I might mess up. Why is it just hearing that damn word messes me up? “I don’t know…we don’t say that.”

  Connor gives me a surprised look that quickly turns into a studying one. “You mean you never say it?” I just shake my head no. “Does Kynlee say it?” Again, my response is just to shake my head, “And she’s okay with that?”

  After a few moments I shrug. “Neither of us wants or needs a label. Besides we both know what we feel for one another.”

  “I guess that makes sense, it’s just most girls eventually want more.” Trying to change the subject I ask Connor about Farrah. “Dude, I don’t know. I keep waiting for her to figure out she’s out of my league but she hasn’t yet. She’s unlike any other girl I know. I love her free spirit and determination to be independent.”

  “That’s good. Is she going to be at Kynlee’s party tonight?” I ask him, but I already figured she would be since she worked at JamesTown where I had arranged for Kynlee’s birthday bash to be held. I know she’ll love the burlesque themed party once she sees it. I had another special surprise for her after the party was over. It was a surprise she’ll never guess.

  “Yeah, she’s working actually, but she’ll be there none-the-less. Her sister Londynn is coming back to town too,” Connor tells me.

  “Cool, seems like everyone is getting their siblings back.”

  *****

  A few hours and half an arm later we call it a day. I have two more appointments but I make a few phone calls in between to make sure everything will be set for Kynlee’s birthday tonight. I just want her to have the best day possible because if anyone deserves that, it’s Kynlee.

  Chapter 12

  Kynlee

  By the time Ace got home from the shop I was dressed and ready to go with whatever he had planned. I was in the bathroom just making sure I liked the way my hair had curled when Ace walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. “Hello baby doll,” he whispers in my ear. The sound of his voice sends shivers down my spine. I meet his blue eyes in the mirror, he looks tired but I can still see that look of mischief behind his eyes; but there was something else I haven’t noticed before. I can’t put my finger on it but I see it while he studies me. “Let me shower really quick then I’ll be ready to go.”

  I turn around in his arms and wrap mine around his neck. “Are you sure you don’t just want to stay home tonight?”

  “As tempting as that sounds,” he says with the sexy smirk coming to play on his face, “I’m sure. We need to celebrate this day, it’s your day Kynlee and it’s definitely a day worth celebrating.” He leans forward and presses a soft kiss to my lips. I groan when he pulls away “Do you always have to smell and taste so damn good?”

  I laugh, “Just part of the package.” I sit on the couch waiting for Ace, but when he appears, I’m left a little breathless. Ace knows how to dress, he has on a pair of dark wash denim jeans with his black lace up combat boots, a yellow t-shirt that matches my dress and his signature black leather jacket over it. A couple of chains hang on the left side of his pants. Ace never takes out his left side lip piercing or gages but I’m glad he doesn’t. I love them and they work so well with his style and tattoos. Ace is exactly the guy I want.

  “You keep staring at me like that and we might never make it to your party and that’d be a shame baby doll,” he says, as he extends his hand out to me and helps me up off the couch, “By the way you look absolutely gorgeous.”

  “Thank you, but I could say the same about you,” I tease him as I run a hand over his chest, “I like the yellow.”

  “I thought you might. I have to say it’s the brightest shirt I own now but it’s worth it.” He presses a kiss to my forehead before slipping his hand in mine and leading us out of his apartment and down to his royal blue Dodge Challenger Hellcat. After he helps me in the car, I watch him walk back around to the driver side. I feel like I’m in a dream, almost like I should pinch myself.

  ****

  When we first enter JamesTown I can’t believe how different it looks. The walls had been covered in artwork that I’m sure Ace had done, of burlesque like poses. All the tables had been covered in red material and dusted with glitter. White, silver and gold balloons fill the ceiling. In the center of all the tables sit martini glasses filled with red pop rocks and feathers covering the brim of the glass with a feathered boa wrapped around the bottom of it. JamesTown has been made over from the hometown bar to a burlesque inspired party. I can’t believe my eyes.

  Turning to Ace I wrap my arms around his waist. “Thank you. I can’t believe you did all this.”

  His hands draw circles around my back as he presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Anything for you baby doll.”

  As soon as I step away from Ace I am pulled into a warm embrace by Kenndrix who looks smoking hot might I add. She has gone way out of her comfort zone and chose a red and black corset dress with black wedges. I know it was more for me than her, but she is rocking this outfit with her curvy figure. “Can you believe how awesome this turned out?”

  “I knew Ace and y’all were working on a party but I had no idea it was anything like this,” I tell Kenndrix.

  For the first hour I walk around mingling with everyone that has got to come to the party. About half way through the night I’m snagged around the waist by Ace. He buries his face in my hair and whispers into my ear, “Dance with me.” I nod as he leads us to the dance floor. World in Flames by In This Moment comes on over the speakers, our song. I look up at Ace and know he is my future, as we dance around the floor to our song I can’t help but fall even more in love with him. I rest my head against his chest and listen to the beating of his heart. For the first time ever, I’m not so afraid to be in love with Ace James.

  At the end of the song Kenndrix calls everyone’s attention as a cake with sparkling candles is brought forward. It’s a red and black corset shaped cake. I stand there while everyone sings happy birthday and snaps pictures then I lean forward and blow out the candles. When I stand back up Ace aims his phone at our faces and tells me to smile, that was the easiest thing to do.

  ****

  It was getting pretty late by the time we finally left JamesTown. On the way home Ace takes a turn toward the beach which was the opposite direction of the apartment. I look at him with a questioning look. “One last surprise for my birthday angel,” he says. When we finally come to a stop he tells me to hold on. He goes to the trunk of the car then comes to my
door. Opening it he leans in and hands me a pair of leggings and flip flops. “You may want these.”

  I don’t ask why, I just slip them on under my dress and get out of the car. Ace takes my hand and leads me out to the beach, then I see them. Two beautiful horses standing over to the side with a guy holding their reins. I come to a stop because I can’t believe Ace remembered. It had been shortly after we got together, he’d suffered from another nightmare. We were lying in bed together trying to fall back asleep when he had asked me when I felt the freest. I had answered with the only answer I had. When we had moved to Texas my grandmother had a lot of horses and I loved them. I would go riding every chance I got. I explained to him how being on a horse held a sort of freedom to me. I remember him mumbling about how my description of horseback riding reminded him of how he felt when he was racing. He had said it so quietly and was asleep on his next breath that I figured he didn’t even remember the conversation but apparently, he did.

  I tug on his hand, “You remembered?”

  He looks at me like I was crazy for a moment “Of course. I remember it all. Come on,” he says, pulling me toward the horses.

  Once we were both on the horses we take off down the shore. It’s the best feeling in the world to be back on a horse with Ace beside me even though he looks like a fish out of water. He’s suffering through it without complaining just for me. Nothing means more to me than that right there. The love I feel for him in that moment is overwhelming.

  ****

  Ace

  Watching Kynlee tonight has made me feel very content. I have been on edge the last few weeks trying to pull together all of her birthday surprises. I had wanted this day to be one of the best she ever had. She truly deserves it. Kynlee has helped so much over the last few months that I just wanted some way to repay her. This night wasn’t nearly enough, but it’s a start.

  I watch as her horse gallops down the shore with her long brown hair flying behind her, shimmering in the moonlight, her laugh along with the sound of the horses, are the only sounds along the beach. Watching her in the moment I know that my mom had been right. I have found my angel in Kynlee.

  Talking to Connor about saying the “L” word had set me on edge more than I realized until just now. However, this night solidified that Kynlee and I were exactly where we need to be. We didn’t expect things from one another that we knew the other couldn’t give. We didn’t expect labels and words because our actions and eyes said it all. I never needed to hear her say she loved me because I knew it. I could feel it with every part of who I am and yeah it scares the hell out of me but I know she does. I just hope that she knows I feel the same way about her.

  After an hour of riding the horses up and down the beach we call it a night. I help Kynlee off the horse even though she doesn’t need it. Taking her hand, I lead her back to the car. I haven’t been able to give her the birthday gift I had bought her yet and I figure now was a great time. I had wanted it to be just the two of us when I handed her the gift. I wanted to be able to watch her face, to see her reaction to it. I wanted no distractions in this moment.

  As we near the passenger side door I stop us and turn her to face me. I slip my hand into my leather jacket and pull out the small velvet box. I hold it out to her and slowly she lifts the box from my hand. “Ace, you already did so much.”

  I shake my head, “No baby doll, all that was just to celebrate you today, this,” I say pointing at the box, “Is your actual gift.”

  She looks up at me with those brown eyes behind those dark lashes. “I already have you Ace which is gift enough for me.”

  Leaning forward I press my lips to hers. “Thank you, angel, but you deserve much more than me in life. Now, open the box.”

  Slowly, she pulls the lid back, her face lights up with surprise and delight. I know by her reaction I have done well. “Ace, it’s beautiful!” Inside the box is a sterling silver necklace, it is a pair of angel wings that form a heart. The wings are encrusted with white and black diamond and in the middle of the heart was the date we met in Roman numerals.

  I pull the necklace from the box and work on fastening it around Kynlee’s neck “Not nearly as beautiful as you are baby doll.”

  Chapter 13

  Kynlee

  I awake to the smell of coffee and violet flowers. Slowly, I open my eyes to see Ace sitting on the side of the bed fully dressed watching me. “Good morning baby doll.”

  “Morning,” I grumble while trying to roll over into the pillow.

  Ace chuckles and stops me from rolling over. “You have to get up sleeping beauty. You have to head into work in a few hours and I believe you said something about a yoga date with Kenndrix, so I fixed you a glass of chocolate milk and there’s a hot bath running with one of those violet flower bath bombs you like. I figured your body could use some soaking time after yesterday.”

  I sit up and take the coffee mug from his hands and lean forward pressing a kiss to his lips, “Thanks baby.”

  “Anything for you,” he says, while standing up. I take a minute to appreciate his presence like I do so many other times. He has on a Circa Survive t-shirt that I had gotten him for a surprise gift a few months ago with his distressed jeans and Converse. He grabs his black aviator sunglasses and keys from the dresser as he makes his way toward the door. “I got to stop by and check on my brother’s then head over to Inkredible for a couple of appointments.”

  “Okay, don’t work too hard and I’ll see you tonight,” I tell him while standing on my incredibly sore feet. Those heels hadn’t been my best choice last night. “Be safe.”

  He winks at me before slipping on his sunglasses, “Always.”

  I soak in the bath tub for a long time before I realize the time. Jumping out, I hurry to get dressed for yoga. I grab my gym bag and yoga mat and jog my way to my Jeep. As I’m pulling into a parking space outside the gym my phone starts going off. Looking at the screen I see it’s was Mr. Sobolak, “Hello.”

  “Kynlee?”

  “Yes sir, how are you?” I ask.

  He clears his throat, “Fantastic and you’re about to be too. I got you two casting calls todays. One’s for a new start up lingerie company called Wicked Little Things and the other is for a music video. Do you have access to your e-mail so I can send the times and addresses?”

  I stop midstride by the shock of getting not one, but two casting calls. It has been months since I had gotten any kind of opportunity, “Yes sir, I can get to my e-mail now.”

  “Okay, I’ll send it over then. Good luck Kynlee,” Mr. Sobolak says, before hanging up the phone. The ping that comes from my phone alerts me of the e-mail and I instantly open it up. However, I deflated when I saw that the call times were during my shift at work. Then an idea hit me.

  Quickly, I scroll through my phone until I find Jessica’s number. She picks up on the third ring. “Hello.”

  “Hey Jess, it’s Kynlee from work.”

  “Oh, hey Kyn, what’s up?” she asks.

  I take a deep breath and say a silent prayer. “You have the evening shift, tonight right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, I know its short notice and I have the lunch shift but I just found out I got two casting calls so I was hoping that you might be willing to switch.”

  Jess laughs, “You have no idea how much I love you right now! It’s actually my anniversary tonight and I wanted to spend it with my man, but I couldn’t get out of working so I’ll gladly switch with you.”

  “Really?” I ask her.

  “Yes, really.”

  I laugh “Oh my goodness, Jess, you have no idea how much I love you! By the way anytime you need to switch just call me I don’t mind switching but I owe you big time!”

  “You owe me nothing! Trust me you just did me a huge favor,” Jessica says, “Good luck on your casting calls, tell me all about them when you get to work. See you later.”

  “Thank you again and I’ll see y
ou later,” I tell her, as I rush towards the front doors of the gym to tell Kenndrix the great news.

  “Kenndrix!” I holler when I spot her.

  She turns around. “Hey! I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it.”

  I grab her upper arms. “I just got a call for not one but two casting calls!”

  Kenndrix squeals, “When?”

  “Today, in a few hours actually,” I say, starting to jump up and down, completely unable to hide my excitement.

  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 my mind 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 into this building. 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.