Page 36 of Broken Rules
She prevents me from dipping closer, and I grin, smoothing my thumb along her bottom lip. “Just say the word.”
Her mouth opens then closes before she inches away from me and whispers, “You make me nervous, Lex.”
“Nervous?”
She nods. “I don’t date. I’ve been fooled before, so I made a rule long ago not to.”
The thought of anyone lying and using this beautiful woman for their selfish needs makes my blood boil. “Are you afraid I’ll be one of those guys?”
Her eyes gloss over, and I want to take away her pain. “I’m sorry, Lex if I’ve led you on. For wasting your time—”
“Hey, no.” I take her cheek in my palm and brush my thumb along a falling tear. “You could never waste my time. I’ve enjoyed every second spent with you.”
She closes her eyes and turns away from me. “That’s what they all say before dropping their pants.”
“I believe you and understand your hesitation. That you need time. I’ve got plenty of that, and best believe I won’t stop showing you I’m not one of those guys.”
All it takes to ease any thought of never seeing her again from my mind is the radiant smile Evie displays. “Good to know.” She leans forward, and I hold still as she presses her lips to my cheek. “Goodnight, Lex.”
“See you soon.”
Evie smirks, leaving my car, and walks toward the back exit, quickening her step when someone comes outside. The woman doesn’t hold the door. Evie barely catches it, and that Anna girl waves as she glances back, then rolls her eyes while counting a few bills. She enters a white Audi, and my stomach drops, recognizing that car parked in Kylo’s driveway many times—belonging to a regular—one who broke the rules.
THIRTEEN
MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS
“Breathe in, four, three, two, one…and release.” I exhale, coming out of my bridge, and finish my yoga session with lotus pose. “Beautiful. Great class, everyone. Quick reminder for those who come once a week, we are closed next week from Christmas Eve until after the new year,” the instructor Amy says as everyone prepares to leave except three other girls and me. “Evie, it’s been a while since you came to one of my Wednesday classes.”
I smile, resting on my hands as Amy unbraids the white silks for me. “I know. I need to come more often. Work takes up most of my time.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here.”
She takes down a few more, and I walk over to mine, running my fingers through the smooth fabric. I’ve been silk training since sixteen, falling in love with the art in this very studio, so this place holds a special place in my heart. As Amy teaches a class, I stay in the back, working on next Wednesday’s Christmas special routine I’ve been practicing at home. I don’t have the twenty-five feet height here, but the calming atmosphere is what I need most—to get out of my head and flow.
When I’m back on the floor, I grab a sip of water and find a few eyes on me, young girls who are rush-talking to each other before one is ushered out of their circle, hesitantly walking toward me. I give her a small smile as she wrings her hands together and stops in my area.
“Hello,” I say, and her stance lightens as she smiles back.
“Hi,” she replies, stretching her arms and her friends give her the ‘talk to her’ look, which I chew on my bottom lip to keep from giggling. “I’m sorry to bother you. My friends and I were wondering if you could maybe show us how you did that trick when you were in a hip lock and then rolled upward more.”
“Sure. Come see me after your class, and I’ll explain—if it’s okay with your parents, of course.”
Her smile widens. “Okay! I’ll go ask.”
I continue to practice until the class ends, and the girls come rushing toward me, parents watching in the distance, which makes my heart race a bit. My skills are on the advanced side, but I show them a tutorial, giving tips on how to propel upward, some hands-on, and what core strengthening exercises to do to achieve the trick over time. When we’re done, the girls are on their silks with mats underneath them, using the tips, and one of them gets into a hip key on the third attempt, and her excitement makes me grin, clapping along with everyone.
Amy watches me pack my gym bag and strolls over. “I’m impressed with your teaching technique. You must’ve had a good instructor,” she says with a smirk, and I bump her shoulder with mine.
“Sure did.” We both laugh, and I place the strap of my bag over my shoulder, feeling good. “I forgot how much I enjoyed being here.”
“I hope to see you more often, and if you ever want to unwind, maybe teach a class or two, I could use a helping hand. The classes have gotten much larger over the years.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
She rubs my arm, then cleans the studio as I leave, walking the short distance to my car. The drive isn’t far from my childhood home. Since moving here, I’ve lived in Portland and walked almost everywhere. I was supposed to go to work today, but I’m taking a personal day. I bet Jared’s thinking of ways to make my life more miserable since I left Monday, too. My dislike for him grows more each second I have to endure him.
When I pull into my driveway, Gin’s car is there, and I slowly put the car into park and get out. She doesn’t waste time waiting for me to reach my door before she’s standing next to me, smoking a cigarette.
