Page 46 of Fight for Forever

“We’re talking about moving in, not his appendage.”

“Oh my God,” Jenna bursts out laughing and slaps Brooke’s forearm.

“Think of the added benefit of rolling over every morning and hopping on that thing to your heart’s content. You should count yourself lucky.”

Jenna rolls her eyes. “Convenient dick aside, it’s a big step.”

“You know I’m all for independence and not needing a man and all that jazz,” Brooke waves a hand. “But he moved to New York for you. And, I’ll admit, that is sweet and shit. You know, he’s okay, even if he is overbearing, and he’s alwaysthere. But that is nice for you… Right?”

“Don’t strain yourself,” Jenna deadpans and Brooke just shrugs.

I’ve not known her long, but she’s never been in a relationship all that time. She dates a lot. Which I think is great. She’s young, beautiful, a successful woman in her own right. Plus, she has a thing for winding Adam up about how much more Jenna loves her than him. We all know she likes Adam for Jenna. All she wants is for her best friend to be happy. It’s as plain as the nose on Jenna’s face that Adam makes her happy.

“How about this? You move some stuff in, spend more time there, but hold on to your place?”

“That won’t upset him?” I ask.

“Why should it, it’s insurance?”

“It comes across like I’m not ready to move in," Jenna frowns.

“And?”

“Brooke…”

“Girl, I don’t even know why you’re asking us. You want to move in with his annoying ass? Just admit it, be a big girl.”

“Shut up,” she laughs. Then her face sobers. “I do. I mean. Who would have thought that a world famous rockstar would want me?”

“Bullshit, he should be so lucky you want him.”

“That aside,” Jenna goes on as if Brooke didn’t interrupt. “I love him. So much. And it would be amazing to take that next step.”

“Sounds to me like you want to.”

Jenna looks my way. I reach over and squeeze her hand. She’s never lived with a guy and I get that it’s scary. I still remember how scared but excited I was when I moved in with Michael.

He owned his house, so it made sense for me to move in with him. I know now it was another way for him to take control of me. Without him and the security of his home, I would have nowhere to go.

My grandparents had moved into a much smaller place after I moved out. There wasn’t anywhere for me to stay, short of sleeping on their couch. Michael knew that all along.

Adam isn’t like that. He wants Jenna to move in so he can be close to her, not because he wants to take away her independence.

“I do,” she smiles. “But maybe it is a good idea to hold on to my place. The lease isn’t up for another six months. I can afford to keep paying the rent.”

“Or you could sub-let it,” Brooke suggests.

They talk some more about the logistics of that, plus the pros of moving into Adam’s mega mansion apartment on Park Avenue. By the end of it, Jenna is excited to let him know she wants to move in. He’ll be ecstatic.

I offer to go to the bar and grab more drinks for us. Lou makes sure we’re kept supplied, but the bar is surprisingly busy. As I wait to be served, I glance up at the TV on the wall behind the bar. I’m shocked to see Joey’s face. It’s not live. It’s an old fight that they’re showing a clip of.

My heart pounds as I watch him fighting. His face is so different from how I’m used to seeing it. It’s not rage though, it’s determination, focus. He wants to win. I’m surprised by my reaction. I would have thought it would freak me out, that I’d shy away from watching something like this, but I’m mesmerized by the way he moves.

For such a violent sport, he moves with grace but immense power. It’s obvious he is getting the better of his opponent, and I find myself wanting to see him win.

There is no sound, but when the referee steps in it's clearly the end of the round. The camera pans to Joey’s opponent and I suck in a breath. It’s Kelvin Marris. The man from the charity event we went to. My blood runs cold as the news report switches from the fight footage to Kelvin standing with microphones in his face.

He’s grinning around at everyone, not because he’s happy, because of the attention. It’s written all over his face that he wants to be adored. I don’t know what he is saying, but another picture of Joey flashes up on the screen and information about the upcoming fight.

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