Xavier Cold (Hard Knocks #2)(41)

I grimace. “You can’t? I really don’t plan on being in the ring much.”

She lifts one eyebrow. “That’s not the word that has been passed down from the top of the Tension chain. From what I hear, you’ll be making an appearance on every show for the next three months, maybe longer, on Rex’s arm.”

I rub my forehead and squeeze my eyes shut. “Oh no.”

She pats my shoulder. “X is gonna have to get over it, honey. If he wants you to keep this job, he knows better than anyone that you’ll have to play along with whatever the big boss wants. Mr. Silverman has really been pushing the idea of a huge rivalry over you between X and Rex.”

“Any idea what they want me to do when I’m out in the ring?”

“You’re asking the wrong person for that. I only make the clothes for the storyline. They don’t divulge more than minor information to me when it comes to the plot so I can make sure the outfits are correct. I’ve been asked to prepare a costume for you that goes along with Rex’s.”

The idea of matching Rex makes my stomach turn a bit. “This is going to end so badly.”

“Maybe it won’t. X is a smart guy. He’ll get over it if he wants to keep you.”

“Thank you.” I sigh. “I guess we’d better get to work then.”

Pearl takes a few minutes to measure every inch of my body, and then she sits on the side of her bed and begins sketching on a pad. Within a few moments, the vision she sees in her head for the outfit she wants to make for me comes to fruition on paper. It’s basically the same as jeans and a T-shirt I usually wear. This time though, the outfit consists of tight pink leather pants and a white blouse with bright pink sequins that say Anna Sweets on top of a frosted cupcake.

I laugh. “Cute.”

“Thanks.” She smiles widely at her own artwork. “I think it plays up the whole sweet thing pretty well.” She hands me the pad, so I can take a closer inspection. “You like it?”

I nod. “It’s really great.”

She smiles. “Good. Then, I’ll get to work and have this ready for your appearance tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow?” My stomach flips again. The idea of being out in front of that crowd without Xavier terrifies me. “That soon?”

“You’ll be great,” Pearl encourages. She glances down at her watch. “Okay, it’s almost time for my next appointment. I’ll find you backstage to give you this outfit before you go live.”

“Sounds good.”

We exchange cell phone numbers, so she can text me when the costume is ready, and then I head back to my room.

While I wait on the elevator, I check my cell. I haven’t had a chance to read messages since I texted Quinn and Xavier to tell them I’d safely landed in Seattle and got checked into my room. I have four missed texts.

I click on the message icon and chuckle. Quinn was the last person to text me, and without even clicking on the full message, I can see she’s waiting on me to call her.

Quinn: Hello?

Quinn: Call me every day while you’re on the road. Does this ring a bell?

I shake my head as I type my reply.

Anna: Sorry. Busy schedule since I landed. Heading to bed now. Will call in the morning.

Even though it’s only eight in the evening here on the West Coast, I’m still on Detroit time. I yawn as I click the next message. It causes me to bite my lip with anticipation since Xavier and I didn’t exactly part on a happy note.

Xavier: Glad you’re safe. Hope Liv found you okay.

Xavier: Going to bed. Totally beat. I know the time change sucks for you, but if you need to talk, call anytime. Love you.

His words make me smile. Even when we fight, he’s still sweet, making me miss him even more. If I were back in Detroit, I would have him cornered by now, forcing him to spill whatever it is that he’s been hiding from me, the thing that’s caused this weird rift between us. Once whatever it is comes to light, I know we’ll be able to fix it together.

I shoot a reply to him, wanting to let him know I’m thinking about him.

Anna: I’ll call you tomorrow. Get some rest. You looked beat today. Miss you like crazy and love you.

I stuff my phone into my back pocket as the elevator stops on my floor. I’m exhausted myself and can’t wait to lay down. I fish my room card out of pocket, and when my eyes snap up to read the numbers on the doors, they lock on Rex’s dark eyes.

My back stiffens when I see the one man I’ve been dreading to face ever since I discovered I would have to come on the road without Xavier. Rex’s long dark hair is pulled back into a low ponytail. A yellow hue tints the underside of his eyes, a remnant of Xavier breaking his nose, and several small bruises are on his chin and arms. Other than that, he appears to be in pretty good shape. Rex should be thankful Tension’s bouncer, Freddie, was there to pull Xavier off of him before Xavier could inflict a lot more damage.

His eyes twinkle as an evil smile dances across his lips. “There’s my girl.”

“Stop it,” I order. “I’m not your girl.”

His smile widens. “Of course you are. For the next three months while Xavier is gone, you’ll be on my arm while on camera...and off camera, too, if you play your cards right.”

I roll my eyes as I attempt to step around him in the hall. “You disgust me.”