Xavier Cold (Hard Knocks #2)(40)

She smirks and then throws her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Am I not allowed to make small talk with you?”

I shake my head. “I’d prefer if you didn’t.”

She lifts an eyebrow. “Well, we don’t always get what we want in life, do we?”

It’s not hard to tell that she’s still hung up on Xavier blowing her off, but I refuse to argue with her.

When she sees that I’m ignoring her, she folds her arms over her chest and continues to talk without invitation, “What does X think about your upcoming storyline with Rex? I bet he’s dying to watch you make out with another man on television.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Of course it is,” she says as she pretends to be occupied with her perfectly manicured nails.

“You heard Mr. Silverman the other night. It’s going to be weeks before Rex is back in the ring.”

“To wrestle,” she corrects. “He said it would be weeks before Rex returns in the ring for a match. It doesn’t mean that they can’t put the two of you into the show. Rex has excellent mic skills, and that pumps the crowd up nearly as much as the high-flying maneuvers he does.”

My brow furrows. “Are you telling me that Rex is here this weekend?”

Deena nods. “Of course he is, and I believe he requested a room right next to yours.”

If I could see my own face, I’m sure I’d see that all the color has completely drained from my face. My plan was to ignore Rex as best as I could when he returned from his injuries. I thought that would be a few weeks from now. I never dreamed he would be around so soon.

Xavier and I aren’t on the best of terms right now. Things are still so rocky between us. How is he going to handle knowing that Rex is back so soon and staying in the room right next to mine?

My panic must greatly amuse Deena. A catty witchlike laugh bubbles up from her throat as she turns and walks away, no doubt feeling like she accomplished her mission at getting me frazzled.

“Next? I can take the next person in line, please.”

My attention snaps to the lady at the front desk, wearing a required smile.

“Hi. Sorry. Anna Cortez.” I hand over my debit card and driver’s license.

The dark-haired lady types my information into the computer. “Okay, found you. Seems you were added on to the reservation originally in Mr. Cold’s name.”

“Yes. Is there any way you can confirm if my room is next to someone else’s?”

“Yes, ma’am. Name?”

“Rex Risen.”

She types in a few more things and then nods her head. “Yes, ma’am. He’s right next door.”

I sigh. “I hate to be a pain, but can I be moved?”

“Let me check.” Her eyes scan the screen. “Not at the price range you are currently in. Those rooms have all been checked in, but we can upgrade you to a suite for an extra four hundred per night.”

I grimace, knowing that I need to be careful with what I spend. “That’s okay. I’ll stay where I am.”

“Very well.” The lady finishes checking me in and then hands me a room key along with my other two cards. “Enjoy your stay.”

I make my way over to the elevator, and when the door slides open, a familiar face comes into view.

“Oh, good. Just who I am looking for,” Jimmy says as he steps off the elevator. “I’ve got something for you.” He opens the manila folder in his hands. “Here’s your itinerary.”

I take the paper, and there’s a list of times and places written on it. “Mine?”

He nods and adjusts the white plastic sunglasses sitting on top of his mullet. “X texted me and asked that I show you the ropes while he’s not here.”

“That’s kind of you, Jimmy.”

He shrugs. “He’s paying me, so don’t think too highly of me.” He glances down at my bag. “Well, I’ll let you get settled in. As usual, dinner in the hotel restaurant is on Tension. Come down when you’re ready.”

“Okay.”

Jimmy begins to walk away.

I throw out another, “Thank you,” which only results in him raising his hand into the air in a weird wave while his back is still to me.

I sigh as I get on the next open elevator. This experience is so different from when I travel with Xavier. I can’t wait for him to get back on the road with me.





Chapter 18


Anna


After dinner, the next thing on the agenda was a meeting with the wardrobe department. I knock on room 507, and a little black lady with short-cropped hair and glasses answers the door.

She smiles, making her appear warm and inviting. “Anna Sweets, it’s lovely to finally meet you. I’m Pearl, the entire wardrobe department. Come on in.”

“A one woman show?”

“Exactly,” she says.

I laugh as I step into the hotel room and notice that her it’s packed with suitcases full of fabric. A compact sewing machine sits on the desk with a wrestler’s costume.

“You weren’t kidding. You really are a one-man band. You make everyone’s costumes by hand?”

She nods. “I do. Every outfit you’ve ever seen on Tension over the last fifteen years has been one of my designs. That brings me to you. I can’t have you out there, on the air, wearing just a plain old T-shirt and jeans.”