Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Finally, my phone connects to the speaker and the calm, dulcet sounds of Deva Premal play softly throughout the room. This sound system has been so finicky, I haven’t been able to get it connected fast enough for music to be playing while people enter the studio.
Today, I came in early to be sure I would be able to do that. I’ve been in such a good mood since venting to Ezra, and having lunch with him Sunday. After we finished at the deli, we went back to my place and shared the chocolate cake he bought while watching Cinderella.
It was…
Amazing.
I can’t remember the last time I felt so comfortable and at ease around someone other than Dakota. I surely never felt that way around Jace. He never would have indulged in something as childish as watching a cartoon on a Sunday night.
Yesterday and today were so busy with practice and work, I haven’t had a chance to ask him if he’s coming to class tonight.
Try as I might, I can’t push down the hope that he will.
I ignore the disappointment in my chest when it’s three minutes until class starts and there’s no sign of my rugby playing neighbor.
Why would he come again?
Why did he even come in the first place? I never did get an answer.
Oh well.
As everyone settles on their mats I get up to close the door, but before I can hear the click, a familiar head of dark brown hair and flirtatious smile appear in front of me.
“Aw, don’t shut us out, Ms. Brady. It’s my fault we’re late. You can spank me for it after,” Kendall says, winking at me.
Ezra peeks out from behind him with a scowl on his face. It turns into an apologetic smile when he meets my eyes. “I’m sorry Sutton. This jackass wouldn’t leave until he found the perfect outfit. We understand if it’s too late. I promise I’ll come alone next week.”
“If I let you in, will you behave?” I direct the question at Kendall. I know Ezra is respectful, and I want him to be here.
The hooker holds up three fingers. “Scout’s honor, I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“You better be.”
“You won’t even notice I’m here.”
I let them squeeze past me while I shut the door.
As they grab their mats and make their way to the back, every single woman in the room watches with blatant interest. Jane and Carrie wiggle their fingers at Ezra, whispering to each other as the guys pass them.
Ezra gives a polite head nod, but Kendall soaks up the attention like a sponge.
This might just be a disaster.
Turns out, having two hot rugby players in class wasn’t as much of a distraction as I’d thought. Kendall behaved himself for the most part, and the women looking to impress them were laser focused on their form, holding poses better than they have in the past.
I didn’t know it was possible for someone to be less bendy than Ezra, but Kendall was struggling. I could tell it was frustrating him not to be able to do everything perfectly on the first try, and I had to stop myself from making jokes about Mr. Perfection having a flaw.
He tried his best, and that’s all I ask from my students. Besides, he’s definitely getting an unnecessary ego boost from the four women crowded around him, praising him for his abilities.
As I pack up my yoga mat and the sound system, Ezra comes over and sits on the floor next to me.
“Any chance you’re looking for some company tonight? Kendall’s taking one of those women back to our place, and I don’t particularly want to listen to them tonight. I’ll even make it worth your while and take you to dinner.”
“You have a roommate? Wait, Kendall is your roommate?” My brain short circuits. “How did I not know that?”
That means….
If Kendall is Ezra’s roommate… is he the one I’ve been hearing? If he is, I can’t decide if that makes it worse, or better.
It doesn't make it anything at all, because you shouldn’t be listening anyway.
“He’s rarely there. His brother has an apartment he stays in when he wants to be closer to his family. He usually only uses his room to…you know.”
“Ah. Well, I already have some soup in the crockpot if you’d like to come over. I always make too much, anyway.”
“You sure? I feel bad. You keep cooking for me, and all I’ve done is bake cookies.”
“Guess you can make me dinner next week after class then,” I say, my tone coming out more flirtatious than I intend.
Ezra holds his hand out. “Deal.”
I place my hand in his and we shake to seal our deal. I must be staticky from the mat because a shock sparks between us.
Why does that keep happening?
We look at our joined hands at the same time, then pull apart when Kendall’s shadow looms over us.
“I’m taking Misty and Carla back to our place, so if you want a ride we should leave now. I hope your headphones are charged. It might be a long night.”
“You’re kinda gross, you know that?” Ezra says, his voice laced with teasing affection. “Anyways, no need. I’m going to help Sutton clean up here, then hang out at her place.”
“Well, if either of you want to join, my door will be unlocked.” With a salacious wink, Kendall walks away, wrapping his arms around the two women.
When they’re out the door, I finally murmur, “Either of us, huh?”
“Not like that. Though he tried… a few times because, in his words, ‘it’s a damn shame I have to deprive an entire gender the chance to get some of this.’ But Ken Doll is definitely straight. Come on, let’s get these mats cleaned.”
Just like last time, we clean the mats in relative silence in record time.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m leading Ezra out of the back door of the studio.
The sun is just starting to set, casting the sky in cotton candy colors, but I can’t admire the beauty for long because there’s a figure leaning against the side of my car.
Fear barrels through me, until I recognize the perfectly coiffed blonde hair and slender frame. He’s wearing his signature khaki pants and black polo, looking at something on his phone.
Hearing the door shut, he turns in our direction, his brow furrowing when he sees Ezra.
“Who is that?” Ezra whispers.
“My ex,” I sigh, striding toward him. Better to just get this over with. “What do you want, Jace?”
“And why are you waiting by her car after work to ambush her like a creep?” I’ve never heard Ezra’s voice sound so… lethal. Hell, even though he plays rugby, I’ve barely ever seen him mad. I can feel the anger radiating from his body.
Jace straightens his spine, his jaw ticking.
My ex may be roughly the same height as Ezra, but I know from firsthand experience any muscles he has are purely superficial.
Ezra’s though, they’re muscles from hours of hard work.
They’re the real deal, and he could crush my ex’s head like a watermelon if he wanted to.
“That’s none of your business,” Jace barks, turning toward me. “Sutton, who is this?”
“This is Ezra, and not that it’s any of your business, but he’s—”
“Her boyfriend,” Ezra says, wrapping his arm around my waist, settling a heavy hand on my hip.
My head swings in his direction so fast, I swear I get a little bit of whiplash.
He squeezes my hip as if to say ‘play along’, and god help me, but I think I will. I’ll take it to my grave that I like the protective edge in Ezra’s voice. The sure way he claimed me, even if it’s fake, makes me feel more desired than Jace ever did.
Maybe for just a few minutes, I can pretend Ezra does want me.
Playing along, I bring the hand holding my keys up and rest it on his abs. They clench under my touch, like I’ve burned him, and I almost pull back. I’ll apologize later.
“Boyfriend? You expect me to believe you moved on so quickly? We only broke up six weeks ago! There’s no way you were able to find someone else to date that fast, I mean, look at you.”
I rear back as if I’ve been slapped, and Ezra growls. “What the fuck did you just say to her?”
Jace ignores Ezra and continues talking to me like he didn’t just horribly insult me. “Sutton, come on. We were together for two years. I know how particular and high maintenance you are. There’s no way you’re with someone like him.”
“You mother—” I hold my hand up to stop Ezra, feeling an unfamiliar rush of protectiveness.
“First of all, you don’t know anything about him, or me, for that matter, and the only high maintenance thing about me was my desire for you to try something new, and you refused. Now either tell me why you’re here, or move so we can go home.”
Jace’s nostrils flare, the way they used to when he was disappointed in me, and despite the hurt I still carry from the way I was treated, I no longer feel the shame I used to when he would give me that look.
I know I’m not the problem now. It is, and always was, him.
Having Ezra’s steady presence next to me helps me feel confident enough to stand up to him, too.
“I want to get back together. Breaking up threw off my life plan, and I would really like to get it back on track as quickly as possible.”
“That isn’t her problem, is it?” Ezra bites out.
Jace glares at him. “I could make it so she doesn’t have to work another day in her life. She’d be comfortable with me. What is it you do for work? From the looks of it, nothing of importance.”
The barb hits Ezra’s insecurity right on the head, which has more anger rising in my chest.
“Oh fuck you, Jace.” I snap, surprising not only myself but Jace too, and I’m just getting started.
“First of all, I enjoy my job on the team. I told you so many times I don’t want to stay home and have your babies, Jace, and the fact you still can’t seem to remember that is one of the many reasons I won’t even think about getting back together.
Secondly, Ezra works harder than you ever have.
He’s busted his ass and earned his spot on the rugby team and—”
“Wait, you’re dating one of the players?” Jace interrupts.
Shit.
“My career is none of your business, jackass. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to get home. We have our first pottery class tomorrow, and Sutton needs a good night’s rest.”
“How did she rope you into doing that?” Jace laughs.
“I didn’t have to be roped into doing it.
When you actually appreciate someone, you’re willing to do anything to spend more time with them.
In fact, it was my idea. I can’t seem to get enough of her.
” Ezra should consider acting, because the way he gazes at me, I can almost believe he has real romantic feelings for me.
“When she’s done with this little phase she’s in, she’ll come crawling back to me, just you wait.
She’s not going to want to be with someone whose career could end with one wrong move.
” His sharp gaze meets mine, so cold compared to the endless warm pools of blue of Ezra’s.
“Think about what you want your future to look like, Sutton. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again. ”
With that, he crosses to his pristine white, Ford F-250. I always hated that truck.When the loud rumble of the engine disappears around the building, Ezra turns us so I’m facing him, cupping my cheeks in his hands as he scans my face. “Are you okay?”
“Boyfriend, huh?”
“I figured a guy like him would only back off if he thought you were with someone else. Guess that didn’t work out like I thought. I’m sorry, Sutton. I probably caused more problems.”
I shake my head. “You didn’t. I think you’re right, but I wish I hadn’t let it slip that you play on the team. What if he goes to HR or something?”
“Then we tell them what happened. Melanie, Coach, and Dr. Kipp know us. I think they’d take our word over his. Besides, no one on staff would believe you’re with me anyway.” I don’t like the self-deprication in his tone. I don’t like that my ex was able to get to him and make him question things.
“He’s wrong, you know,” I whisper.
“About what?
“About you. About what I want—who I’d want to end up with.”
Ezra swallows harshly as he nods, his thumb idly stroking across my cheek. Something heavy and electric passes between us. Something forbidden and exciting, and terrifying.
Because the truth is, not only could I see myself with someone like Ezra.
I could see myself with Ezra.