23
The next day, Isis spent most of her time with Cyrus and Wraith. She instructed Jacob to tell Gage she needed time with her family because they meant so much to her. They had spent their day off work at the movies and found a nice outdoor bistro for lunch.
“Isis, I’m going to kick his ass! I warned him.” Wraith was fuming.
“Now just relax. That’s why I needed to talk to you both. Let me deal with Gage. I also have something else I need to talk about.” Isis gave a fake half-smile, hoping to get on their good side.
She wanted to let them in on the development of her and Gage and thought what they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. The more private things she would keep to herself.
“Don’t you dare say you’re still into him,” Wraith grumbled.
“What? You what? Ice Queen! No way!” Cyrus scolded.
“Shhhh! Lower your voice. Cyrus, you’re not my dad, but you are the closest thing to it. I know you have always watched out for me since we were kids. I need to tell you this, and I need you both to listen. Yes. Wraith is right. I have feelings for Gage. I have for years. Sometimes I feel like a fool feeling this way, but I can’t help it. Wraith once told me you can’t help who you love, and I agree.”
“Love? So, you love this jackass. He used to be a good guy, but this prick is not the Gage he used to be. Hell, I don’t even know who this jerk is most of the time,” Cyrus snarled.
“Cyrus, I love you. You know that. Let me grow up. I’m a woman now, not the goofy kid you had to always beat up local bullies for picking on me.”
“I know. I just don’t like this,” he said, shoving food around his plate.
“I get it. I may screw things up by letting myself fall for him again. I have to find out if he feels anything for me. You suspected I liked him years ago, and you were right. I’m finally telling you the truth. Trust me, it’s not how I wished I were telling you. Things may get worse before they are better with him. I need to see if Gage could ever love me. I have to know.” Isis hugged Cyrus from the side, hoping he understood. “Just trust that you both raised me to make the right decisions on my own.”
“All right. But if he pretends to be into you just for sex, or hurts you, I’ll put him six feet under,” Cyrus said, and Wraith agreed he would help.
“Fair enough. Nothing is going on with us right now. I just want to test the water and see where I stand. I didn’t feel good about lying to you. Wraith, promise me, no more punching Gage. If he gets out of line, I’ll knock him out myself. Clear the air with him. He is your friend. This tension around him doesn’t help matters. Please talk to him and work it out. And keep this conversation between us.”
Wraith sat back in the chair, drinking his iced tea. “All right but be careful. We will be watching.”
“I don’t expect any different.”
***
The next day, Isis was up and ready before she knew Gage would stir. She ordered room service and ate while watching reruns of reality shows. When she heard his door close in the next hotel room, she jumped up, grabbing her purse.
Shoving the rest of her banana in her mouth, she rushed out of the room.
Gage could hear someone rushing up behind him. As he got in the elevator and turned to see Isis fast on his heels. Gage was still mad that she walked out on him. He tried to talk to her about his feelings, and she dismissed them. No amount of apology could fix how much it hurt him.
“Morning,” Isis smiled, rocking back and forth on her heels. “How was your day yesterday?”
He grumbled, “Fine,” and pushed the button for the ground floor, ignoring her.
“Where are we going?” She perked up.
“I’m going to meet with Davis about the show. You’re not going anywhere.” He stared forward, watching the numbers on the elevator drop, trying to keep his temper at bay.
“You said to stay by you at all times. I just thought maybe I could be more agreeable is all. I could help you with things today. I know you’re busy with other work besides being in the ring. The stuff behind the scenes I can help with. I’m smart and learn fast. I always wanted to help backstage, anyway. I’d like to learn or even just get coffee, run errands. Whatever you need.” She tried to stay positive, but his surly demeanor was annoying.
“Don’t you have Wraith and Cyrus to run to? Did you have some more things to tell them I did wrong?”
Gage stepped out of the elevator, and she tried to keep pace with the tall man.
“Oh, that. No. We just had fun yesterday. I missed them. I don’t see them much since we are all so busy. We went to a movie and Cyrus got soda dumped in his lap by some little kid,” she said with a giggle.
He tried to keep his smile back, loving her sweet laugh. He didn’t hear it much because of his past behavior. And at the very least, she seemed to be making amends. “Fine. Just stay out of the way. When I tell you to do something, no bitching about it.”
“Okay. Whatever you want.” She gritted her teeth at the thought of doing his bidding all day. But he wanted this and had to suck it up if she wanted answers to what she was seeking.
This wouldn’t be easy.
________
Author Note: Do you think they will ever come to an agreement? If you like this story please like and comment and help me boost my rating. All your support means a lot.
