I know my mouth was hanging open in shock from hearing this information. I knew I felt horrible but I had no idea I had done all of that. The blush of embarrassment creeps up my neck and floods my cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’m mortified.”
Ace seems distant for some reason. He stands up and holds out his hand to me. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” I slip my hand in his, thankful once I try to stand and find that my ankle can barely handle any weight on it. Once we were in the bathroom Ace sits me on top of the counter and grabs the medicine box we keep under the cabinet. He starts to clean up my scrapes but his silence makes me uncomfortable. I’m starting to worry I had said something last night. When he’s done he stands up and helps me down. “I’ll let you shower then if you feel like it you can try some toast.” Ace turns around and leaves. Not once have his eyes met mine and the rigid set of his jaw tells me that he’s upset over something.
I shower quickly then join Ace on the couch. He’s busy reading some mystery book and once again he doesn’t meet my eyes. Finally, I give in and ask. “Did I do something to you last night that I don’t remember?”
His baby blue eyes meet mine finally. “No, not to me but your own reckless abandon for yourself and your own life was quite the show.”
“You’re mad about that?”
He glares at me. “You’re damn right I’m mad about that. Actually, I’m down right pissed off over that. You could have gotten killed in the blink of an eye and it was like it didn’t even matter to you, Kynlee. What the hell were you thinking? Do you have any idea what that would have done to me?”
I study him and I realize that he isn’t actually mad, he’s scared and hurt. I do know how he feels though. Every time he gets behind the wheel to race I feel what he felt last night. The only difference is that I had known about the danger he put himself in before we got together. Ace didn’t know about mine and had never seen mine until last night. “Ace, I don’t know what to tell you. I wasn’t thinking. It had been one of the worst days and I wanted some sort of release. I acted stupid and reckless and I’m sorry for that. I’m sorry you had to see me like that, but let’s face it I’m human. I make mistakes but you have me on some pedestal and it makes it difficult for me to live up to your expectations, but I can understand how you feel.”
“What made your day so bad that you resorted to getting wasted and nearly killed?” he asks.
I sigh thinking about how my life had flipped upside down yesterday. “When I got to work I found out the Wild Wild Wes’ is going to be restructuring in order to increase profits which technically got me laid off. I finish out this week then I’m without a job.” I can’t bring myself to tell him about losing my agent.
I see the sympathetic look in Ace’s eyes, his hand reaches for mine and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “Baby doll, don’t worry. You’ll find another job and in the mean time I have more than enough money to take care of both of us. Okay? So, don’t worry too much about that.” I nod but I know he can see the worry on my face. He pulls me into him and I rest my head on his shoulder.
“How was your day yesterday?” I ask.
I feel his body tense up with my question and for a moment I don’t think he’s going to answer then he says, “It was interesting but nothing too important.”
I don’t believe him but I know better than to push him for more information. He places a quick kiss on the top of my head. “I have to get ready. I have two booked days at Inkredible so it’s going to be some late nights.”
“Don’t worry about me. Between the promotional tour for Wicked Little Things and looking for another regular job I doubt I’ll be here much,” I tell him.
He stands up but when he’s half way back to the bedroom he turns around and looks at me. “No more drinking like last night. No more recklessness. Promise me.”
I get up and walk over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I promise that won’t ever happen again Ace. I’m so sorry, I really truly am.”
His baby blue eyes stare into mine for a very long time and I pray he can see the sincerity in my eyes. His lips meet mine for a moment and when he pulls back there are so many emotions in his eyes. I don’t know how to decipher them all but they’re overwhelming me. He pulls away and goes to get ready for work.
****
The past couple of weeks have been so hectic that Ace and I have barely seen one another or talked for that matter. Ace has pulled away from me. I can understand that my antics had frightened him but I missed him desperately. I had just finished up the ad campaign and promotional tour for Wicked Little Things when I landed back in L.A. I heard about a job opening at Red Hott for a cocktail waitress. It wasn’t my ideal job, but I did know that a lot of the big shots in Hollywood showed at the strip club from time to time.
I sit in the parking lot debating on whether or not I should actually go inside and apply. Finally, I come to the conclusion that I have nothing else on my horizon, so I might as well give it a try because let’s face it, I need a job. I won’t be one of those girls that lives off her boyfriend. It’s just not who I am.
As I make my way up to the strip club, I have to keep reminding myself it’s just temporary and that’s if I even get the job. I take a deep breath before opening the door. The smell of alcohol, cigarette smoke, and overused cologne hits my nose. My stomach rolls but I try to keep my face impassive. I walk over to the bar and ask the bartender who I would talk to about the job. He directs me to an office in the back.
I cringe as I near the door hearing the sex noises coming from behind it. I lean against the wall and try to busy myself on my phone and block the sounds from my hearing. Fifteen minutes later the door opens, a busty blonde exits the office. Mr. Dixon appears in the doorway. His beady eyes roam over my body and I have to bite my tongue to keep from making a smart remark. “What can I do for you sweetie?” he finally asks.
I plaster on my smile. “I heard you might be looking for a cocktail waitress.”
“I am, among other things,” he tells me.
His eyes roam again and I think I’m going to be sick. “I’m only interested in the waitress position.”
“Well, step into my office and we’ll get you set up,” he says, stepping away from the doorway to motion me inside. I send a quick text to Kenndrix just as a safety precaution.
****
Ace
Things between Kynlee and I have been different since the night she got drunk and almost got herself killed. Our…relationship…if that’s what you call it is strained. She had to go out of town to promote the Wicked Little Things line and in her absence, I was a total ass, spending my free time with other girls which Jagger called me out on. He told me it wasn’t every day that girls like Kynlee came around and I know he’s right, but I can feel the distance between us. I can see it in Kynlee’s eyes. I try to tell myself I’m just imagining it but I’m not. She muttered she loved me in her sleep and I’ve tried to convince myself that it was just her dreaming but was it? When I catch her staring at me now I feel like she’s trying to decipher me and any emotion on my face. She’s searching for more, wanting more and that’s not something I can give her. She knew going into this that I couldn’t.
It’s been a couple of weeks since Kynlee and I have actually spent any real time together. We’ve had short conversations via telephone or text but nothing of real importance has been said. Instead, we mumble basic questions and answers. It’s awkward and I hate it but how can I fix it? I can’t give her something I don’t have, something that I don’t believe in. I can’t take away the fact that she recklessly risked her life for a night of distraction. I realized that night that I had allowed myself to care too much. I had to pull back, I had to get my head back on straight. Especially, if her life meant so little to herself. I wouldn’t be able to handle losing another person I cared so much for.
Distance was the only answer. Kynlee and I were just supposed to be friends with benefits anyways when had we bec
ome such a…couple? I didn’t do the couple thing, there were too many expectations attached, too many needs and wants of things I couldn’t give. I had forgotten all about those because of Kynlee, something about her made things different, made the lines blur, made me forget who I really was. The only way to fix everything was to create some distance. I got lucky and her job had taken her on a promotional tour just when I needed it.
****
Kynlee had been gone for a couple of weeks but she got back today. I knew she was already back in L.A. she had sent me a quick text to let me know. The relief I felt flooded through me from reading her simple text told me that no matter how much distance I had tried to put between us that it hadn’t worked.
Frustration courses through my veins. This damn car of Enzo’s is taking over my life. Between getting things settled at Inkredible and being here working on this damn car I haven’t had much time to do a whole lot else. I did manage to get Brody settled in at Inkredible before having to disappear for an unlimited amount of time. I know my family could use the money this car will bring us, but I hate that it’s Enzo’s. I also hate that I could almost bet money on the fact that he set this whole thing up just to keep me away from Kynlee.
Okay, maybe now I’m just being paranoid but I don’t trust Enzo. I wouldn’t put it past his punk ass. Deciding its time to take a break I wash up then head out for some fresh air. I check my phone and see I have a text form Kynlee.
Kynlee: Is there any way you can be here for dinner tonight?
Ace: Yeah, I can make that work.
Kynlee: Yay! We’re celebrating. I got a job! I’ll see you later, is 8 good?
Ace: Yeah, 8 will work.
Kynlee: Great! See you then lover boy ;) xoxo
Wow, I wonder where she got a job. I couldn’t wait to celebrate with her. I scrubbed my hands over my face, no matter how hard I try to keep my lines firmly drawn she managed to blur them. Eight was a little early to call it quits for the timeline I had this car on, but I could always make it up. I’d just come in super early tomorrow. Spending time with Kynlee was something I needed right now. I’d get the car back on timeline in a couple of days.
****
I left the shop a little before eight. As I pull into that parking lot I let my excitement run wild. It’s almost the feeling I get right before a big race. The anticipation of seeing Kynlee, of celebrating with her was just what I need even if I don’t want to admit it. I take the stairs two at a time and when I open the door I’m more than a little shocked to see the dining room table set for two.
The apartment is candle lit with Pierce the Veil playing softly. A plate of pasta and glasses of wine sit at the table. I enter the house and my nose is greeted with the scent that is uniquely Kynlee. She appears in the bedroom doorway in a sexy little black piece of lingerie. Kynlee tosses her hair over her shoulder giving me her sexy smirk then struts toward me in her heels.
My eyes eat her up. Damn, I’ve missed her. She stops and extends her hand to me. “You’re a little early but lucky for you everything is ready to go.” I raise my eyebrow in question. She grabs my hand and leads me to the table where she pushes me down into the chair. Grabbing a napkin, she slowly rests in my lap. I’m tempted to pull her into my lap and kiss her senseless.
As if she can read my mind she backs away and wags a finger at me. “No, no, no…good things come to those that wait.” She tortures me as she prances around to the other side of the table.
I lean forward. “Good things or naughty things?”
Kynlee raises her eyebrows in question. “Is there a difference?” she asks innocently.
I chuckle. “I guess not baby doll.” We’re half way through our meal when I finally ask Kynlee “So, where’s the new job?”
She seems hesitant to answer but finally gives in. “Red Hott.”
My head snaps back up and I study her to see if it’s some kind of joke. She doesn’t laugh, hell she doesn’t even crack a smile. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I got a job as a cocktail waitress at Red Hott,” she replies.
“That’s a joke, right?” Kynlee shakes her head. “Why the hell would you want to work at a strip club?”
“I need a job, Ace.”
I raise my eyebrows at her and let my fork fall from my hand. “I don’t think you need a job that badly. You don’t need a job so badly that you have to take a job at a strip club. You just want a job there.”
Kynlee rubs her forehead with her hands. “Ace, it’s not like that.”
“Really? It sure as hell seems like it,” I snap at her. I know I’m handling this all wrong but the idea of Kynlee working in a place like that makes my skin crawl. She is so much better than this and I can’t figure out why she can’t see that. I could understand her taking the job if she were in desperate need of one, but she still has some in her savings account, all of her bills are current and I can help her until she finds something better, there is no excuse for this choice.
“What do you want me to do Ace? I need a new agent and Red Hott is notorious for having some of Hollywood’s heavy hitters in it. This could help my career,” she says calmly.
A harsh laugh comes from my mouth. “I know what Red Hott is notorious for but baby doll let me tell you one thing. Hollywood heavy hitter or not they’re only in there for one thing. To get off on some naked girl or to get a piece of ass, it ain’t going to help your career one damn bit.” Kynlee glares at me and the fact that she’s mad at me right now pisses me off even more. “Is that what all this was about tonight? Practice for your new job,” I say sarcastically.
“Screw you Ace!” she says, as she gets up and storms to the bedroom.
“You’re going for employee of the month now baby doll,” I bite out while getting up from the table and pacing the length of the living room back and forth. Kynlee reappears dressed a few minutes later with her purse in her hands. Her brown eyes glare at me. “Where are you going?”
“To formally accept my new job. I wasn’t sure I was going to take it but now I am.” She steps around me and I grab her upper arm. “Let. Me. Go,” she says, through clenched teeth.
“Kynlee, you’re better than this. You have to know that. You’ll get another agent in time. This isn’t the only option,” I plead with her for a minute.
“Let go of me Ace.” I release her and watch as she opens the front door. My heart is pounding in my chest, words on the tip of my tongue when she turns back around and looks at me. “You know I thought you would be happy for me, maybe support me this time but obviously I was wrong. You’re still the same asshole as before. I’m done Ace, stay out of my life.” Kynlee turns around and leaves, slamming the door behind her. I stand in the middle of the apartment while her words leave me chilled to the bone.
Chapter 24
Kynlee
I was so upset by Ace that my hands were shaking. I could barely get my key in the Jeep door. How could he act like that? Once I was in the car I turned up the music on the radio to drown out my screaming thoughts. I want to stay mad but a part of me feels like Ace is just trying to protect me. The two pieces of myself are pissing me off, conflicting me in what I feel for Ace. I pull into the parking lot of Red Hott and throw my Jeep into park, but I can’t make myself get out of the car.
Sitting there staring at the customers coming and going from Red Hott I feel the first ashamed thread in my body. Why did I want to work here? Ace had a point; I didn’t have to take this job. I was trying to justify it but really there was no justification. I want the attention, crave it, need it. I was taking this job because it would give me what I believed I needed. Ace is just trying to protect me. Yes, he’d gone about it the wrong way but I believe his heart is in the right place.
Sitting in the parking lot I let my tears come freely. I never get out of the Jeep instead once my eyes are dry I pull out of the parking lot heading toward the beach. I just need to clear my head then I’ll go back and
talk to Ace. We could both use the time to calm down and get our thoughts together.
The beach is vacant as I walk out and take a seat in the sand. I bury my toes in it. I don’t know what it is about a beach but it somehow always calms me down. It can settle my mind and soul which is exactly what I need right now. My mind is running a thousand thoughts a minute.
I’m sitting here thinking about how Ace seems to have two completely different sides when my phone starts ringing. I look at it and see its Enzo. Inwardly, I groan because he’s the last thing I want to deal with right now. He’s part of the reason I’m in this whole mess. He’s relentless though because as soon as the phone call disconnects it starts ringing again. Finally, I answer the phone call. “Hello.”
“Good evening beautiful. Welcome back,” Enzo says.
I sigh heavily, “Stalk much?”
“Only a little,” he says with a chuckle.
“Look, I’m not really in the mood so why don’t you get to the point of why you’re stalking me,” I tell him, my tone much harsher than I had anticipated.
“Well, someone is in a mood that’s for sure. Why don’t you come join me, I’m sure we can…work that mood right out of you,” Enzo says, dropping his tone a couple of notches. His voice doesn’t do anything for me though, not like Ace’s.
“Enzo, cut the shit. You’ve already messed up enough stuff in my life I don’t need any more right now.”
“Noted. I was actually calling concerning the shit I messed up. I think I have someone who is interested in being your new agent,” he explains.
I sit there stunned for a moment. “How did you know I lost my agent?”
“Remember, I’m stalking you.” A small laugh escapes Enzo but when I stay silent he goes on to explain. “When I called to tell Mr. Sobolak that I wanted to replace you he mentioned that letting you go from the video would also result in him releasing you,” Enzo explains.
Breaking the Limits Page 14