Page 165 of The Breaking Pointe
“You know, that guy…I’d bet that he’s really proud of you. The guy you’re dating?” I say in a deeper voice than normal. She doesn’t turn around just yet, but responds as sweetly as possible. “That’s a strong bet. I would love to agree, but I wouldn’t know.It’s my first time speaking at this thing, and he’s not even here.” She sighs heavily, finally turning aroundandalmostspillinghercoffeeatthesightofme.
“Oh…”
I curl my lips to one side, my hands connected and resting behind my back. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here before, but I can make it up by being here from now on,” I confidently admit. Shestaresatme,slowlysettinghercupdown,then reachinguptograbholdofmyfaceandattacksmewith a full throttle kiss, accepting my apology with her soft touch to my skin and flavorful lips.Herkiss is enough to weather
any storm—possibly the apocalypse.
That’s how I know she’s the one.Cause even on thedullest, darkest day, she makes sure she has a shield,ready to protect
me from the rain.And if I had to choose her or life before her, I would do everything all over again, a million times. Because I don’t need to question if she’s real or a figment anymore.
I know it’s gonna be us, for better or for worse.
* * *
That’s all the reassurance I need for months.I have the woman, and I have the dream life, and there’s nothing more that I could want. She came to me like a blessing in disguise, and my only job now is to nurture the relationship we’ve created between each other. I have to lock in, and that goes further than romance.That goes for my career, as well.I have more than Steven to live for. It’s almost like my very own small, but put together family.Beyond them, I now have an abundance of kids who think I created a cereal brand.
That said—my life has had an extrememakeover.
After finishing the big move to my mother’s house, with Noelle, I fixed my mind on only moving on upward. I attend meetings with Noelle every other week, and therapy every week. That leaves time for training on all of the other days, and wherever there’s free time, it goes to my one and only ginger angel.Those moments are still the moments whereI feel the most myself, and the most calm.Though I’ve pushed myself to these higher elevations, and I have the overwhelming urge to want to provide, I find myself feeling inklings of nervousness in front of crowds and cameras like nothing has changed.Rather, I’m just better at hiding it now, and Trey has given me superior public relations tips.
Forawhile,IwassodistractedbymyprogressthatI’d
nearly forgotten who I’m training to fight. It’s seems like I will never escape the fucker, no matter how hard I try. I’m undecided on whether that part truly bothers me compared to the part where I have to wait to put my hands on him. Only three more weeks. The hardest part about it all is that we’re starting to promote and create hype for it, and that means public interviews and seeing each other for the first time since the incident. I don’t think it’ll disrupt my stride much, but it isn’t me that I’m concerned for.It’s Noelle. With expired Protection of Abuse forms, we’re in a pretty fucked position.I can only be her bodyguard to so many extents until a real court hearing. Which isn’t until after the fight. Our incident was one thing, but he managed to get into even more trouble with his drug use on his own occasion, resulting in a few charges that have nothing to do with us. With everything on paper, it doesn’t look like he’s winning that case.
So all I have to do is protect our peace until then. I can do that.
The first interview on the press tour is today.The only one for me, but one of many for Daniel. This isn’t a big deal, so it shouldn’t feel like it, but it does.I don’t mean to, but I’m mute the entire car ride there—steadily thinking about what to say and how it should be said. Now, we’re here and I’m getting that washing machine feeling in my gut. I’ll be fine once I’m sitting in my spot, but all that’s on my mind is getting through the greeting of my nemesis.
“Don’t say anything crazy, okay? Remember to just keep civilized,” Noelle says, picking at the curls on my head to fix them in place to her liking.
“No promises.”I form a smile, watching her finalize my
hair primping.
Her eyes darken, connecting mine with an equally menac- ing glare. “I mean it, Cole. You have this in your favor, and everyone loves you right now.”
I soften my face and kiss her cheekbone.“You’re worrying too much.”
Her tense aura fades after my lips touch her skin.
“I’m worried because this is your first time doing some- thing so major since you were in a darker place. I want it to go well,” she says.
“And it will.I don’t have any fears, and neither should you,” I assure her, tapping her nose softly.
She succumbs to a huge grin, tightly wrapping her arms around my torso.
With a hint of aggression, Steven comes into the room, tossing the curtain close behind him before heading to the couch and plopping down while eating a small finger sandwich from the catering staff.
“That man is even more vindictive looking in person than I thought,” he says in between chews.
“I know.I finally match him in size and it looks like it’s still not enough,” I counter his commentary.
Trey then walks in, swinging the curtain closed behind him with a morose expression. “Elle and Steven, you both stay here and watch from the television. Cole, let’s go.”
I sigh, kissing Noelle’s head before letting her go. “Trou- ble awaits,” I intone, following Trey as he turns right around and walks back out from the curtained room, down the hall to the stage entrance.
From the second we turn the corner to walk onto the stage,IcanseeDanielalreadywaitingtomeetmeinthe
