His voice vibrated against my bottom lip, causing goosebumps to form on my arm. My eyes fluttered halfway closed with a sigh. “If you’re not careful, I may take you up on that bathroom offer.”
“Nah, even I have to veto that idea.”
The music grew louder and the restless crowd began to gather around the dance floor. I looked for Claudia, who definitely looked like a fish out of water. “I better get back to Claud. She looks scared out of her mind.”
“I recall that same look on you a couple months ago.”
“But now I date a b-boy, so that look has long gone.”
His grin grew wider. “And I certainly love the new look you’re sporting.”
“And what look is that?”
“The one where you’re meant to be by my side.”
“Okay, now that was corny.” Chuckling along with him, I punched him in the back of the arm. “I guess this is about the time I tell you good luck. I’d say break a leg, but I already have that covered for us.” I tapped against the black material strapped onto my shin.
“And it’s the time I have to remind you that I don’t need any, because you’re here with me.”
Chapter 41
Asher
“Hollywood! Hollywood!” Scottie’s crew yelled as I stepped out on the floor. What started as an insult for me, a way to make me feel bad about following my dreams, had morphed into a reminder that I had finally made it in some shape or form. No longer was I that ragtag boy who fumbled on the dance floor; I was the b-boy who was able to take each dance step and make it my own. I was the b-boy who made it. Hellhound was my past and Hollywood was my present and future.
Hollywood was a name I earned.
I cracked my neck and tapped at my cast, which served as another reminder of something else I earned. I glanced into the audience and spotted Mallory throwing me a thumbs-up sign.
Throughout this whole journey only she mattered, and I certainly was neither Hellhound nor Hollywood in her eyes.
I was just Asher.
The music boomed as my competitor, some guy named Kickwit, busted into his moves. He was better than good, and was actually pretty great, but he didn’t have the same mission to prove himself like I did.
“Hollywood!” The cackling laughter drew me forward, and before I knew it, I was hopping on my non-dominant hand.
No one was as surprised as I was that I’d actually risk b-boying with a broken arm. But Mallory was right—I had a whole other arm to use.
It also helped that Gerald had helped me practice for five nights straight, giving me advice on the proper way to hold my body up to save myself from crashing should that hand give out. All those lessons had certainly worked because now I was killing it.
Top Rock to Turtles to Swipe to Dark Hammers, I was taking no prisoners. Once again the music controlled me, only this time the music was the piano keys I was imagining in my head.
Never again did I have to choose between a girlfriend and b-boying. They were one and the same, each pieces forming one whole.
It helped me be better.
At the end of my run I could have sworn I heard the collective chirp of crickets surrounding me. The only voice was the MC, who announced that I was moving on in competition.
“I did it,” I whispered to myself, brimming with pride. “I actually fucking won.”
I glanced down at Scottie and his crew and noticed that none of them would even look my way. I’d shut up those haters once and for all, but none of that mattered anymore.
Excitedly, I jumped off the stage and ran straight toward Mallory, who looked as confused as ever.
“Did you win?” she demanded. “How do these things work?”
I laughed. “I won this round, but there’s about eight more to go.”
“Oh.” Her head crinkled for a moment before it smoothed out as she smiled. “Well, you’ll win those too.”
“It doesn’t matter if I do or don’t.”
“It doesn’t?”
“The fact I won this one is more than enough for me.” I pulled her against me and inhaled her sweet scent. “Besides, I’ve already got you.”
“Gag,” Claudia and Gerald said at the same time. Surprised, they glanced at each other and blushed.
Mallory and I shared knowing looks as I leaned into her ear and whispered, “Looks like we have some introductions to do.”
Mallory giggled, pushing her hands through my sweaty hair. “Hopefully she has a rabbit’s foot ready. Gotta make sure she won’t jinx Gerald.”
“Take it from me; a jinx might be the luckiest thing that could ever happen to him.”
“Take it from you, huh?”
“Yeah…you’re my lucky charm.”
Epilogue
The sirens blared as Asher and I rushed toward the side door, attempting to keep dry from the pouring rain. Despite having a huge umbrella, the harsh wind blew huge raindrops toward our bodies, drenching us from head to toe.
I rushed forward and yanked the door open, jumping straight into the hallway. Asher quickly followed and immediately closed the umbrella the moment he set foot inside.
“Seriously? Still on that superstition kick? You know you have a rabbit’s foot to combat that shit, right?”
“First of all, that rabbit’s foot is fake,” he said solemnly, eliciting a laugh from me. “And second of all, you can’t be too careful.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” I snorted, bypassing our broken elevator and heading straight for the stairs. I gripped the railing as we climbed up, nearly slipping on one of the wet steps.
“Watch it, Carmichael. You don’t want another broken leg again, do you?” Asher warned, catching me before I fell about five steps down.
“Nah, but you’re here to save me, aren’t you?”
“Always.”
Shooting him a grin, I stomped my way up the remaining steps filled with pure disbelief we had about three more flights to go. “When the heck are they going to fix that stupid elevator? It’s been months!” I wailed.
“Eh, it’s New York. You can’t be too picky about these things. At least our apartment is fairly huge. Do you remember that place we looked at in the East Village? It would have been like living in a closet.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I reached the door to our floor and stepped into the hallway, only to find myself standing under a ladder. I groaned once I realized what I had done and threw my head back in exasperation as I walked out from underneath it. “You’re never going to let me hear the end of this, are you?”
He nudged me forward, following my path underneath. I lifted an eyebrow as I watched him do a little dance between the metal rungs, nearly knocking it over with his tall frame.
“Whoa, I can’t believe you did that. Color me shocked.” I turned the corners of my lips down and nodded. “And impressed. You’re really growing up, Asher.”
Beaming, he took one huge step forward until he was by my side. “Baby steps, Carmichael. All baby steps to get me off this superstition kick.”
“Walking under a ladder is a pretty big deal. What’s next? Breaking a mirror?”
“That’s an adult step, Mal. Don’t even try it.”
A naughty thought flashed through my mind. Shooting him a teasing grin, I asked, “Wanna know what else is adult?”
His eyebrows rose. “You certainly have my attention.”
“What do you say we get back to our place and I jinx you again?”
“I say, you better get those oils and chickens ready, because what I’m about to do to you is very, very bad.”
A pleasurable shudder coursed through me while we ran down the hall and toward our apartment. We screeched to a stop at our door, where I waited impatiently for Asher to unlock it. As he fumbled with the keys, I wrapped my arm around his neck and placed my cheek against his back, listening to the strong beat of his heart. Its pounding reminded me of a drum—no, a metronome―guiding me in his own special way.
Who would h
ave thought that one hookup could have led to all this?
If anyone would have asked me where I’d be after I graduated from SDU, I certainly wouldn’t have guessed playing piano for an off-Broadway production my boyfriend would be dancing in, but hey, I guess if you’re lucky like that, then things will just fall right into place.
“You ready?” Asher and I asked in unison as he finally opened the door. We broke out into conspiratorial giggles as we stumbled inside, neither one of us bothering to turn on the lights.
Throwing me a wink, he shut the door and said, “I guess this is the time we both say—”
“Jinx!” I yelled, pulling him toward our couch. “Now why don’t you get your clothes off so we both can get lucky tonight?”
The End
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Acknowledgements
After a few months of drowning in the waters of writer’s block, I’ve been reminded that my stories—the inspiration and the muses behind them—are things I am truly grateful for. I can’t just expect the plots and characters to spill out in the way I was used to. I am truly, truly thankful for all my stories—past and present.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank God. He is good all the time.
I’d like to thank my family, my husband, all my closest friends and my dogs for their countless support throughout the years. Your love and excitement are what keeps me powering through despite creativity’s rough waters.
Huge thanks to my publishing family at Limitless—thank you for all you do for me!
Finally, I’d like to thank my readers for being patient with me as I tried to battle the monster called ‘Writer’s Block.’ You all are a dream squad!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thanks to her Mom’s unwavering devotion to read a childhood bedtime story to her every single night, S. BRIONES LIM’s love for books began before she could even speak.
Raised in Southern California, Lim initially dreamt of becoming an artist. After a Psychology Degree (Summa cum Laude), a stint in Art School, and a career in Advertising/Media she is finally diving back into her first love–books. As a self-renowned bookworm, Lim’s love for reading has inspired her to pen her own novels and hopes her readers will fall in love with her stories as much as she enjoys writing them.
Her obsessions include time with family, Cherry Coke, popcorn with jalapeños, watching movies and her dogs, Tobi and Roscoe. She currently lives in Virginia with her husband.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SBrionesLim
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/sbrioneslim
Website:
http://www.sbrioneslim.com/
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7155647.S_Briones_Lim
Breaking Hearts (B-boy #3) Page 24
