Page 57 of Beyond the Cage

“Ooh! Can I?” she asks with wide eyes.

“Sure. We’re done here.”

“Way to get a girl’s hopes up for nothing, Carter,” she says, deflated.

“I’m about to make up for it. Get your freakum dress out the closet…we’re getting our Beyoncé on tonight.”

With an excited grin, she jumps into bed with us. It quickly fades and she narrows her eyes, scrutinizing my face.

“Wait…have you been crying?” She turns angrily toward Cameron. “What the fuck did you do to her, Jackson?”

I smile fondly at her bravado and how protective she is. I know I would have done the same for her.

“I’m okay, Chels. Just a little emotional.”And PMSing like a bitch, it seems.

“Are you sure? ’Cause I’ll kick his ass.”

I chuckle right along with Cameron. That would be quite a fight. “Positive. A night out is just what I need.”

“Where we going?”

“The promoter tonight invited us to his club…Nick Hollis.”

“Nick Hollis?” she shrieks.

“You know him?”

“He isthefight promoter in Chicago. That means we’re going to Rebel!”

As Cameron climbs out of bed, I look to him for confirmation. He nods.

“I guess so.”

“It’s new, but it’s already one of the hottest clubs in town. Hard to get in…this is gonna beepic!” She bounces up and down.

Cameron drags his shirt over his head, points to his watch, then shows me two fingers.

“Two hours…got it. Oh, what are we going to do with Sparty? It’s too late to leave him with Josie.”

Cameron takes him from Chelsea’s arms and walks out.

“Come on, Carter…let’s plan our outfits.”

While she rummages through my closet, I head to the bathroom to dry shampoo my hair and blow it out. After my shower, I’ll straighten it with my flat iron.

“So…tell me about this Tony guy.”

“Ugh…waste of my time. He couldn’t even have a decent conversation. Maybe all guys should be like Cameron…just shut up and look pretty.”

“Be careful what you wish for, honey,” I warn.

As she bounces off to her room, she smiles. “Let’s hope there are better prospects at the club tonight.”

***

Exactly two hours later, there’s a knock at the door.

“Coming!” I shout as Chels and I look each other over.