Page 55 of Beyond the Cage

“And who are you supposed to be?” Chit asks.

I blink innocently at her and extend my hand. “Jasmine. Cameron’s girlfriend.”

Her eyes widen in shock and she looks from me to him and back. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in to his side.Oh…nowyou choose to do something?She looks down at my hand with a sneer, flips her hair, and marches off in a huff. I shrug him off and turn to him with an accusatory look.

“Who was that?”

He reaches for me but I step out of his reach. “Just take me home. I need to pick up Sparty.”

I walk away, not even checking to see if he’s behind me. Josie, a teenager in my building, agreed to watch Sparty whenever I need her. It’s costing me $10 an hour, but at least I know he’s safe.

“Jas!” Chels shouts after me.

“Come on, Chels, we’re leaving.”

“Hold up!”

I stop walking and turn to her.

She smiles and bites her bottom lip. “I’m getting a ride home.”

“From who?”

Cameron appears behind her, but I ignore him completely.

“Tony.”

“The trainer?”

I look to Cameron, hoping he can at least vouch for Tony, but he’s busy looking around the room.

“Are you sure about this?” I ask Chels.

“Jas, he’s hot!”

Cameron clenches his jaw and storms off. We watch as he makes his way over to Tony. We can’t hear what the other man is saying, but he looks petrified.

“I’ll be fine. I think Cameron just put the fear of God into him.”

“I still don’t like it but…okay. I’ll see you at home.”

I watch her walk away. When my eyes meet Cameron’s, I turn and head for the exit. He and Jared catch up to me at the Cayenne. He opens the door and I hop in, sliding to the far side. Without looking at him, I express my gratitude for what he did for Chelsea.

“Thank you. Can she trust this Tony guy?”

Begrudgingly, I turn to him to see his answer. He nods and I return to ignoring him. I cross my arms over my chest and look out the window the entire ride. He sits at the other end, doing the same. He wasn’t doing anything. Why am I so angry? Why do I feel so…jealous? I mean…look at him. Women are bound to throw themselves at him. It’shisreaction that really counts.Is Chels right? Am I overreacting?

As soon as the car stops, I jump out, and head for Josie’s apartment. Her mother answers when I knock. He walks up behind me just as Josie is handing Sparty over to me.

“Thanks, Josie. He wasn’t any trouble, was he?”

“He’s an angel, Jas.”

I check the time to figure out how much I need to pay her. “Let’s just call it five hours, so $50. Thanks again.”

“No problem.”

“Pay her,” I tell him, my voice clipped. I leave them and head upstairs, stroking Sparty’s head. “Youwon’t cheat on me, will you, Sparty?” He whines and licks my hand. “I know.”