by Nikki Ash
Gavin leans down and kisses my cheek. “See ya, Mila… and remember… breathe.”
When he leaves, Mason is the first to speak. “That’s your… ex-husband?”
“Yeah, he drives me insane. He knows I don’t like to owe him money.” I let out a sigh.
“The guy just kissed you.”
“We’re still friends.” I shrug. “He’s a good guy, just not the guy for me.”
My phone buzzes, and it’s a text from Charlie asking me to meet her and Tristan at the gym-slash-art studio.
“Kids,” I yell down the hall. “We’re going to the gym and art studio. Get ready to go.”
“I better go as well,” Mason says. “I need to go home and change and head to the gym to train.” I take a second to check him out. He’s wearing his same clothes from last night, but his hair is tousled from sleep, giving it that just fucked look. His eyes are a bit hooded over from just waking up and his lips are glossy from him licking them. Mason in the morning is hot.
“But it’s Sunday,” I say, trying my best to focus on something else besides his body.
“I like to train on Sundays because it’s quieter,” he points out.
“Okay, well maybe I’ll see you over there.”
“Yeah.”
Mason leaves, and I get dressed, refusing to think about the kiss we shared last night and how it was the first time in years my body felt something. I thought when I finally felt those butterflies it would mean I met my forever. Damn my traitorous body. Doesn’t it know I’m looking for a forever, not a for-now? Apparently, it doesn’t care.
Chapter Ten
Mason
My fists are swinging and connecting perfectly. My feet are shuffling like they’re supposed to. My body is ducking and weaving like I’ve been trained to do. But it’s all robotic, instinctual and routine. My mind isn’t on my training. I’m not visualizing Tristan like he’s my opponent. My moves are completely mechanical and unemotional. Because every time I try to get my head in the game, my brain goes back to last night with Mila. My lips brushing against hers. The way she softly moaned into my mouth. It was only for a brief moment, but it was like nothing I’ve ever felt. When I kiss it’s to connect sexually with a woman. Kissing and fucking come together in one sexually charged package. But last night when I kissed Mila—when my tongue dove into her sweet mouth—it was more than sexual and it scared the ever-loving shit out of me.
Then this morning, I overheard her ex-husband and her talking about Alec signing up for MMA classes. Her ex is nice. I’ve never met two people who are divorced and actually get along. He told her it would be okay and that he would lend her the money if she needed him to. He reminds me a lot of Tristan. But what got me wasn’t their conversation, but his actions—or more importantly, my reaction to his actions. When I saw his lips graze her cheek, everything in me wanted to tell him to back the fuck off. He had his chance to make her happy and he obviously failed. The only thing that kept me from saying a word was the realization that if I was given the chance, I would fail her as well.
Tristan and I continue fighting: he punches, I block. I punch, he blocks. Then, in my peripheral vision I see Mila. Only she isn’t alone. She’s talking to Isaac, another fighter whose ass I kicked a couple months back when his dumbass got pissed over a woman he liked who I ended up hooking up with. Isaac is speaking all animatedly, waving his hands in the air and Mila’s laughing, and then…his fuck-ass lays his hand on her shoulder. She smiles up at him and nods, and I consider breaking his hand so he’s incapable of touching her again.
I don’t even see it coming because my head is all fucked up—Mila has me all fucked up—Tristan bends down, grabs the backs of my knees, and throws me to the ground. He’s on me before I can even make my move, straddling my waist and pulling my arm back into an arm bar. I’m tapping the fuck out before I can even comprehend what just happened.
“Where the hell are you?” He stands up and glares at me. “You have a fight in a few months and I’m taking you down?”
“Let me have a go at him!” Isaac laughs and walks toward me. Mother fucker wants to show off… sounds good to me. I’ll whoop his ass for a second time.
“Nope! Not happening.” Tristan steps between us. “I can see the look on your face,” he says to me. “Go, walk it off.”
“I’m good. I need the practice and Isaac is offering.” I shrug, but Tristan is shaking his head. Asshole knows me too damn well.
“That’s a negative. Isaac, go run or something.” Tristan waves him off. Isaac puts his palms up in surrender, but when he turns to walk away, he doesn’t leave. Instead, he heads back toward Mila.
As I head toward the two of them, Tristan steps in my way. “Don’t even think about it.”
“The guy is a player! Mila deserves better than him.” I point at Isaac, and Tristan chuckles.
“And who does she deserve, exactly? You?” Tristan raises a brow, and I know he’s got me there.
“Whatever…When she gets her heart broken by him, I won’t say I told you so.” I stalk off the main floor and over to the treadmill. I turn the speed up until I’m jogging, and stick my ear buds in my ears, focusing my attention on the hanging televisions and not on the two people to the right of me still talking and flirting. I mean, what the fuck! This is a gym, not a social club.
Alec comes over and joins me, so I take my earbud out of one ear. “Hey Bruiser, what’s up?”
“My mom is signing me up for classes.”
“Nice!” I fist bump him. “Evan teaches your class, and he’s awesome.”
“Yeah.” Alec shrugs. “But can I still train with you sometimes?”
“Of course!”
“Alec,” Mila calls. “We need to go! I have someone coming by to look at the house.”
“Coming!” he yells to his mom before he says to me, “I hope the guy that moves in likes to play video games. Georgia likes to play with dolls.” He scrunches his nose up in disgust. “Bye, Mason!” he calls out, running toward his mom.
I watch them both leave before I yell for Tristan to come over here. “Mila’s having a guy move into her house?”
“I’m not sure. I know she put an ad online, but I don’t know the specifics. Charlie feels bad because Mila can’t afford the house on her own and live comfortably. I’m hoping she finds someone soon, otherwise Charlie might not move out because she doesn’t want to leave her friend hanging.”
“Hmm…” I think about this for a moment, considering the fact that I need to find a place to live, but quickly disregard that idea. Mila and I living together would be the equivalent of two semis coming at each other full speed with broken brakes. Inevitable destruction for everybody involved.
Jake walks in and gives me a head nod, and that’s when I remember about the upcoming fight some of the fighters from this gym, including Jake, are in. “Oh! Hey, I was thinking of asking Mila if I can bring Alec to the UFC fight that’s happening next month since it’s only a couple hours away in San Diego. Do we have extra tickets?”
Tristan smiles. “Sure. I’ll be away on my honeymoon with my girls, so there will be extra tickets. We’re all going to have dinner at Mila’s tomorrow night. Why don’t you join and ask her then?”
“All right.”
“Damn, Mila! You can cook.” Tristan sits back in his chair and pats his non-existent stomach dramatically.
“Thanks! I love cooking; I just never had the time to before. Now that I’m working a normal schedule I feel like I’ve added hours to my day. Plus, having weekends off. It’s amazing.”
“Can we go play?” Georgia asks, and Charlie nods.
“Go ahead, but only for an hour and then it’s time for a bath and bed. Lexi and Alec have school tomorrow.”
“Can I go to school too?” Georgia asks excitedly.
“We’ll see. I would miss you like crazy.” Charlie grabs her daughter and pulls her in for a quick hug before Georgia wriggles outs and runs away giggling, following the othe
r two kids down the hall.
“I’m going to have to sign her up for preschool soon.” Charlie frowns. “I know I can’t keep her with me forever, but I feel like I just got her back.”
“Sign her up once we get back from our honeymoon,” Tristan suggests. “That will give you some more time with her.” He leans over and kisses his fiancée, and when I look at Mila, I can practically see the hearts shooting out of her eyes from watching their interaction.
Not able to watch the lovefest another minute, I stand to clear the table, but Mila stands as well and tries to stop me. “You don’t need to do that.” She reaches to take the dirty dishes from my hands. “You’re a guest.”
“You cook, I clean,” I insist.
“Okay, thanks. So, while you’re all here, we should discuss the bachelor-slash-bachelorette party.” Mila follows me into the kitchen, Tristan and Charlie following behind.
“I don’t want one,” Tristan says.
“What? You have to have one,” Charlie insists. “It’s like a rite of passage or something.” Tristan shakes his head as he pulls her into his arms. “I’m not going out with this fool”—he nods toward me—“to some strip club when I could be home with you. Not happening.”
“What if we did a joint one?” Mila suggests. “We could do a spa day and then we all go out together.”
“I like it!” Charlie grins.
“All right,” Tristan concedes, grabbing the dishes from the counter to start washing them.
“Good! Mason and I can plan it.” There’s a knock on the door. “Oh! That must be Albert. He’s here to see the place. Hopefully he’s better than the guy yesterday.” She scurries to the front door, and I follow her like a moth to a flame. When she swings open the door, standing there is what looks like a flashback to the ‘70s. The guy is wearing an AC/DC shirt that looks like it was literally made over forty years ago when the band was first formed. He’s sporting some thick black-rimmed glasses and is wearing corduroy pants. The guy looks like the poster boy for That ‘70s Show, and I’m not talking Ashton Kutcher here.
“Hi! My name is Mila. You must be Albert.” She puts her hand out, and he reluctantly takes it while kind of glaring at her.
“I am.” He nods and glances my way.
“Come in.” She ushers him inside and makes introductions. She starts explaining to him about the place, the neighborhood, how many bedrooms and bathrooms the home has, and then she says, “I’m a single mom, so it’s just me and my son living here.”
“I don’t babysit.”
“What?” She looks at him, shocked.
“I don’t babysit kids. Don’t ever ask me to watch him.”
“Oh, no. I would never ask that.” She guides him up the stairs, and I trail behind, keeping my distance. “This would be your room.” The townhome is designed with the master bedroom—and attached bathroom—on the first floor along with a second bedroom, which is Alec’s. There’s a guest bathroom Alec and anyone visiting uses. Upstairs is the third bathroom and bedroom.
“Can I put a deadbolt on it…to ensure nobody comes in?”
“Um…sure. I don’t see why not.” I can’t see Mila’s face, but I can hear the tightness in her voice. They come back down and she shows him the rest of the house. When they get back out to the living room, she says, “What do you think?”
“I think this place could work.” He nods absently, looking around.
“You know what? We actually have someone else coming to take a look at the place,” I jump in. Mila glares at me, but I ignore her. “We’ll get back to you.” I practically push him out the door before closing and locking it. Then I turn toward Mila. “Are you insane? Where did you find that guy?”
“Craigslist. I can’t believe you just kicked him out. Do you know how hard it is to find a roommate?” She stalks toward me, and I throw my hands up in the air.
“Have you never heard of the Craigslist killer? They made the movie for a reason.”
“Oh my God, Mason! You can’t be serious,” she yells, right in my face. She’s so close, if I leaned down I could place my lips right on hers…Fuck! Focus Mason!
“That guy was fucking weird!”
“Don’t curse! There are kids around here,” she fires back.
“Cursing will be the least of your concerns when he kills you in your sleep!” I bark. “Or worse, when you lose your house because he’s using his deadbolt locked room to make and sell drugs!”
“You’ve been watching too many movies! This is LA, not Mexico!”
“You are so naïve, just like my mother! Put your damn son first!” I shout, and when Mila’s mouth closes, I realize what I said. “Whatever,” I say, trying to backtrack. “It’s not my business.”
“Are you saying I’m not putting my son first?” Mila glares at me but it’s tampered down by the glossiness in her eyes—the glossiness from the tears building.
“No, I’m just saying…” I take a deep breath. “I’m just saying, you shouldn’t move some stranger in here with only you and Alec living here.” I notice Charlie and Tristan, who must’ve been standing in the dining room, join us in the living room. I hate talking about my past, but if I don’t explain where I’m coming from, she’s not going to understand why I’m acting this way. “My mom allowed a man to run a meth lab in our basement when I was growing up,” I admit. “It’s one of the reasons she went to jail, and I went into foster care. I just don’t want to see that happen to you…to Alec.”
“Okay,” Mila says, her voice lower than before but now filled with desperation, “but I need a roommate. In order to put Alec first, I have to keep paying my mortgage.”
“I’ll move in with you.” Mila’s eyes widen. “I can afford the rent, and I’m looking for a place to live. I’ve put it off and I only have a couple weeks to find a place.”
“There’s no way you think that would be a good idea,” she scoffs.
“Why not? I don’t touch moms, and you’re a mom. Alec likes me, and I’m almost never home. I’m always training.”
“And how would that work? Bringing women over?” Mila flinches when she says the word women.
“I wouldn’t. I haven’t brought a woman to Tristan’s and my place in months.” I turn to Tristan for him to back me up.
“That’s true,” he admits. “Once Lexi caught one of the women the morning after and drew her a pretty picture of a fish, he stopped.”
“Not helping,” I say under my breath, and Tristan laughs.
“I, for one, think this is a great idea!” Charlie claps her hands together. “And you should totally charge him double! He can afford it.” She giggles, and I shake my head.
Mila’s face contorts into a look of confusion. “I don’t think this is a good idea… but I do need a roommate. Okay, how about we do it temporarily, just until I find a female roommate?”
“Whatever you want.” I shrug.
“Yay!” Charlie screeches. “Tristan! Our two best friends are going to be living together!” She jumps up and down like a crazy person before she hugs us both, appearing to be the most excited for this out of all of us. And then it hits me…I just offered to live with Mila Sterling. I was just supposed to invite her and her son to UFC Fight Night, not invite myself to move in. And then I remember I didn’t even get around to inviting them. Well, I guess I’ll have plenty of time to bring it up since I’ll be living here soon. Fuck.
“Bro, the bill at the steakhouse was a buck twenty, but I’m telling you, it was well worth it. Staring at those fucking tits and dick-sucking lips all night. Fuuuuck!” Isaac groans dramatically, and I roll my eyes at having to listen to this fucker brag about another woman he’s after. I step out of the shower and get dressed.
“Did you even get laid?” Simon, another fighter and Isaac’s friend, asks.
“Not yet. She’s playing hard to get, but we have a date for this weekend. Her ex is taking the kid to a movie or some shit.”
“You know she’s friends with Tristan�
��s fiancée, right?” Simon says, and the pieces all come together. This fucker is talking about Mila. I haven’t seen her in the last couple weeks. I’ve been busy as hell between training and packing. Tristan and Charlie have been busy with the gym and paint studio, and on top of that, planning their wedding. None of us have hung out since I offered to move in with Mila. I’ve seen her in passing when she drops Alec off at class, but we haven’t really spoken.
I have, however, spoken to her through messenger on Plenty of Fish… that is until the other night when she said she had another date. Usually, she will message me during them, but now that I’m thinking about it, she didn’t message me this time.
“She’s a grown woman. Whoever she chooses to fuck… or suck is her business.” Isaac laughs, and I hear the locker slam shut.
Pulling my sweats on, I stalk out of the shower area and into the locker room, making myself known. “She might be a grown woman,” I say, shoving Isaac against the locker, “but if you fuck with her, I will fuck you up.”
Isaac looks shocked at first but quickly composes himself. “What I do with Mila is my business.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I shove him harder against the locker. “In less than a week, I’ll be living with her, which makes her and her son my business. So watch your fucking mouth and watch yourself.” I slam him one last time for good measure before I let him go. Grabbing my shit, I stalk out of the gym to find Mila. When I get to the paint studio next door, Charlie is teaching a painting class to a bunch of little kids, but I don’t spot Mila. I look at my phone and see it’s a few minutes after four. She just got off work.
I go to shoot her a text but realize I don’t know her number. Pulling up the dating app, I send her a message.
GetHooked: How did your date go? No messages during it…is that a good sign?
She responds right away.
Looking4Love: It went good! He took me to dinner and was a complete gentleman. Sorry I haven’t messaged you. My best friend/roommate is moving out this weekend and I have another date with the guy. Plus, I got a new job, better hours, but I’m still learning the ropes. Any luck for you meeting anyone?