Page 16 of Lies Like Love

I’ve kissed my fair share of frogs over the years. This can’t be any worse than the guys in college who were incapable of properly working their tongues. If this is what it’s going to take to maintain my independence, I’ll do it.

“Here you go, sweetheart.” The guy with the clipboard hands me a sign with the number one on it. “Go look pretty.”

He pushes the door open, and I’m met with a rowdy room of drunk men.

When I walked in here, it seemed less intimidating. But by now—with alcohol flowing and in half my clothing—anxiety creeps through me.

Deep breaths. I can do this.

I’ve done worse and survived.

A few men holler at me as I pass, and I try my best to ignore them. Focusing on the ring, the circle, the sign—nothing more.

I look good.

I feel good.

I’m free.

This is my decision, and I’m going to own it if it means building an empire that will take me far away from my past and my family.

But as I climb the steps to the ring and the fighters come into view, the room is quieted by my heartbeat pounding between my temples. Because Jude is in one of the corners of the ring staring back at me, and he looks pissed.

5

Fel

Howisitpossiblefor someone who disappeared from your life for eleven years to suddenly be everywhere?

I escaped him.

It was over.

Jude’s eyes narrow as his gaze drags my body, pausing on my chest as he takes in the tiny green bikini top. His jaw clenches as he continues trailing down further, traveling every inch of exposed skin. Smothering me with the rage that radiates out of him.

Like he has the right to be upset or care what I do with myself after all this time.

Afterhewalked away. Afterhewas an asshole to me at his tattoo parlor last night.

Fuck him.

I climb the final step, and roll my shoulders back, gathering every last ounce of confidence I can muster. Jude’s rage fuels me as we lock gazes, and I test what a decade has done to the two of us.

Eyes locked. Cold, focused, issuing a threat.

He expects me to retreat—to be the girl who always listened to what he said. A girl dumb enough to trust him once.

Never again.

Gripping my fingers on the sign, I flip it up and overhead, daring to smirk before turning my back on him.

While I was nervous to walk out here, I feed on the energy he’s emitting from across the ring to slowly make my way around it. Jude might think of me as the scrawny sixteen-year-old girl he left covered in blood in the foyer, but I’m ready to prove him wrong.

I’ll walk this stage; I’ll make them all want me.

And I’ll root for the other guy to win just so Jude has to watch me kiss him.

Slowly, I circle, his inescapable pull drawing my attention with each step. A palpable energy that’s nearly intoxicating as he sucks every ounce of oxygen from the room with his presence.

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