Xavier Cold (Hard Knocks #2)(64)

Deena’s throaty laugh floats through the curtain just before her and Rex waltz through it. The moment they make eye contact with me, they both smirk.

My instinct is to launch into Rex and tear him a new *, but I promised Anna I would learn to control my temper, and I’m going to do my best to keep that promise.

I roll my eyes. “You two are pathetic.”

Rex touches his bottom lip gingerly. “Her lips were so soft. No wonder that * of hers had you ready to throw away your career. I bet it’s just as smooth and silky.”

I lunge forward, but Freddy grabs me from behind. “Don’t, X. He’s baiting you, trying to get you to f*ck up again.”

My jaw muscle flexes as my mind runs through how this scenario played out last time and I was the loser in the situation. I won’t allow him to f*ck this up for me.

Rex smirks and adjusts the belt on his shoulders. “See you in the ring, *.”

“Count on it, motherf*cker.” My nostrils flare and I take a deep breath in an attempt to calm myself down.

This learning to control my temper thing is a lot of f*cking work. It’s way harder than simply punching the object of your rage square in the motherf*cking face.

A sarcastic laugh bubbles out of Rex as he turns and walks away from me.

Once he’s out of sight, Freddy slowly releases me. “When is that * going to learn to stop poking the bear? One of these days I won’t be around to save his ungrateful ass.”

“He needs to back the f*ck off me.” I smooth my hair back out of my face. “I’m really trying to turn things around and keep my shit in check.”

“That’s good because you’re about to be champ—the rightful one. Don’t f*ck shit up again and allow him to come between you and that belt. It’s yours for the taking. All you have to do is keep your head in the game and your ass out of trouble.”

“I’m working on it, Freddy. Believe me.”

The last thing I want to do is f*ck up my livelihood again, especially now with a baby on the way.

I will be the champ.

I will make my dream come true.

Tonight I will remain in control.

.





Chapter 31


Anna


Xavier’s head hangs down, his long hair falling around his face like a curtain as he stares absently at his hands. He flexes his fingers in and out causing the toned muscle of his arms to work beneath his tattooed skin.

This match is the biggest of his life, both in the professional career and his personal struggle to reinvent himself by controlling his temper.

He walked away from Rex’s taunts, which was a huge deal for him. Xavier has never been known for turning the other cheek when he’s angry.

The biggest question on his mind has to be whether he will be able to continue to harness that anger he feels and still be able to pull this match off.

The last thing he needs right now is for a repeat of what went on in Atlanta. If he loses it, it will probably be the end of his wrestling career with the largest company in the world. This job means a lot to him, and now with a baby on the way, he feels even more pressure to keep it.

I sit beside him and then lean my chin on his shoulder. The scent of soap and something distinctly Xavier wraps around me as I quietly sit with him, wanting him to know just like always I’m here for him.

Xavier blows a rush of air out of his nose and then whispers, “What if I f*ck up again? What happens to us?”

“Nothing,” I say and he turns to look at me with those crystal blue eyes of his and I repeat. “Nothing, because you will be in control this time.”

“What if I don’t?” The question he’s really asking is if he doesn’t change will I leave him.

I need to keep reassuring him. It’s the small part I need to play in his role to Xavier being in a better mental health state and knowing he doesn’t have to lash out to express his fears—that talking to me is always a better choice.

“I believe in you.” I touch his cheek with the tips of my fingers. “I love you, Xavier. Nothing is going to tear us apart. You’re well on your way to showing the rest of the world the good man you’ve kept locked up all these years, that I knew was in there all along.”

He cradles my face in his hands. “I love you, beautiful. Thank you for being my angel in the dark.”

He presses his lips to mine, but before our kiss gets too heated, Al’s voice cuts into the empty room. “X, you’re up.”

Xavier pulls back and stares into my eyes. “I want you in my corner. You belong there.”

I smile. “Then lead the way.”

Pandemonium erupts as Xavier’s entrance music starts. The fans have been waiting anxiously for his return and now they are about to get what they want. Tonight’s sold-out crowd is insane, faces are everywhere I look as I stand back and watch Xavier do his thing. My eyes rake over him as he stands there staring out at the crowd, his chiseled arms are on full display, and the fabric of the black tank top he’s wearing straining against his toned chest.

His face shows no emotion, and it’s intimidating. Rex better be on his A-game because Xavier is all business.

Xavier crouches down, and then jumps up in perfect time as fireworks shoot up from the stage. He throws his shoulders and head back as his signature howl erupts from his throat.