Page 71 of The Naughty List

She gives me a pointed stare. “Do you have erectile dysfunction, Jonah? Is there someone who could, you know, take care of her physical needs better than you?”

“Fuck no.”

“Then stop whatever self-deprecating bullshit you got going on here. So you’re a foster kid with a past. So is practically half the damn city. Hollis doesn’t care about that. She cares about you.”

“I don’t even have a last name to give her, Addison.”

She breaths heavily “Pick one then. Did you know pretty much anyone can change their name to whatever they want?” Before I respond, her eyes widen. “Wait a minute. Back the truck up. Why does that even matter? Are you wanting to give Hollis your last name? BecauseIthought we were talking about dating here.”

I tilt my head to one side. “You know her. You think anyone could date Hollis and not want to put their name on it?”

She laughs lightly. “Aww, Jonah. You love her so much you want to get the government involved.”

I contemplate this. I want her to be mine, I want everyone to know she’s mine, and I never want another man to touch what’s mine.

So yeah. I’ll probably have to get the government involved. Get some official paperwork and all.

We sit in silence until Addison’s phone dings. She glances down at the screen, then up at me.

“She’s here, Jonah. Mikey has his badge and the VIP passes you sent us. They’re on their way back here now.”

My heart freezes and stutters in my chest as if it forgot how to function properly.

I nod. “I need to talk to her. Alone.”

Addison stands and touches my shoulder gently. “Okay, oh, uh you’re covered in slime.”

I laugh. “It’s petroleum jelly. Keeps my skin from splitting open every time he lands a punch.”

She wipes her hand on a nearby towel. “Well, gross. And also, good luck, Jonah.”

“With Hollis or with the fight?”

She tosses me a hopeful smile as she opens the door to leave. “Both. You’ll need it.”

22

HOLLIS

DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS

I’ve never seen anything like the crowd at The Garden tonight. Mikey and a few other security guys rush me through a back entrance and toward a dimly lit hallway. Feels like we’re underground.

“He says he’s not doing this without you,” Mikey tells me after reading Addi’s latest text message. “And I’ve got money on the fight, so, uh, if you could talk him into going through with it, that would be great.”

I shake my head at my brother. “Nice.”

“Hey, my money is on him at least. I could’ve bet against him.”

“Why didn’t you? The odds aren’t exactly in his favor.”

We reach a door with two more security guys blocking it. “Because that would’ve been like betting against you, little sister. And we both know I’d never do that.”

“Thanks, Mikey. For coming to get me.”

“You’re welcome. Our seats are on the front row. Come sit with me and Addi when you’re done in there.”

Addi walks toward us from the other end of the hallway.