by Claire Adams
“You're not sneaking out again, are you?”
“No, I was planning on waking you. I was just getting dressed. I need to be in class very soon.”
“Now that's a shame.” He reached over and pulled me into the bed, wrapping his arms around me. He bent down and kissed me, and it was exactly as I had remembered it. The kiss continued until my tongue was in his mouth and he moaned softly. That was probably my cue to get out of there before things got out of hand.
I sat up. “I really have to go, Jet. I don't want to be late.”
“Alright, I'll let you go, but only under one condition.”
“Oh? And what's that?”
“Be my girlfriend. For real; no fooling around, no more talks about how we need to be friends. I want you to be mine and only mine.”
Stunned, I smiled at him. I had not expected that at all. Even though I knew that Jet liked me all along, he had never used the term girlfriend, or even suggested that he wanted that from me. It certainly changed my opinion about whether he was just trying to use me for sex or not. But just because I was his girlfriend, it didn't protect me from getting hurt. If anything, it made the possibility more likely. After all, look what Tom had done, and we had been together long enough to be married. Maybe I wasn't making the right decision, but for once I was going to go for it. I would hope for the best and see where that took me.
“Yes, I will be your girlfriend.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Seriously?”
I nodded.
“Finally! Man, what does it take to get a girl to say yes! What's it going to be like if I ever propose? Will I have to literally bring you the moon first?”
“Whoa, cowboy, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s make sure we don't kill each other first.”
“Okay, deal. Have a good class; I'll see you soon.”
I nodded. “I also need to do the next drawing of you, so figure out a day that works for you.”
I bent down, kissed him, and headed out the door.
Chapter Two
Jet
I lay in bed for some time after Natalie left, pretty much lying in my own bliss. Man, it had taken quite some time to get that firecracker to agree to be mine. Definitely a first-time experience for me. Usually I didn't even have to ask; it was just assumed the girl wanted to be with me. I had never fought so hard to be with one girl before; for a while there it had seemed like Natalie could either take it or leave it. I didn’t think it mattered to her either way if I was her boyfriend. That was definitely a hit to the ego for a guy like me. I was used to girls falling all over me, and Natalie wasn't that kind of girl. She chose the men she wanted. She didn't chase money, popularity, or looks. A guy could have all those things and she would just turn him down. Trust me; I knew that much.
It made me wonder what would have happened if Natalie had not shown up at the bar―would I still have had to chase her longer? And what was the deal with this ex? I would have to discuss that with her at some point, even if I didn't want to. As far as I knew, things were over between the two of them, but she had been very upset that he had contacted her. Given what Julie had told me, it sort of sounded like he wanted to rekindle their relationship. So the question was, was there a part of Natalie, however small, that wished she was back with her ex?
But she had shown up at the bar, and I made my move before the beautiful thing could get any alcohol in her system. Sad but true―I just wanted to make sure that if she kissed me that night, it was because she wanted to, and not because she was drunk. It had been nice waking up for once without seeing an empty bed, although the girl had come darn close, and I wasn't sure I believed her when she had said she had planned on waking me up before she left. She was a sneaky little vixen, and I almost had to tie her down to get her to stick around. Hmm ... tie her down...
I shook my head; there was no point in getting my head in the gutter right now. The lady was gone for the time being. I had to get up out of bed and attempt to be productive for the day. As I rolled over, I realized just how sore I was after the fight. I would need a very hot bath that day, for sure. Now that Natalie was my girlfriend, I would try to get a massage out of her as well. Those were the sort of treats a guy was supposed to get from a girlfriend. But in the meantime, I would need to consider acupuncture, and my brother was just the person to do it. He had studied up on it many years ago when we had first started fighting amateur fights. It had become invaluable to both of us.
There was a knock on my door, which would have been a first from Kyle, but maybe he was finally learning.
“Yeah?”
“Can I come in?”
“Yup.”
Kyle peeked his head in and looked around. “Did she slink out on you again?”
I laughed. “No, she just had a class to get to.”
“Your brother is here, man.”
“Perfect, just the guy I was looking for.” I slipped into some flannel pajama pants, and headed to the living room. I hoped my brother had his acupuncture kit with him, as that would be a lifesaver. I had not spoken to him since the dinner disaster, so I could just imagine what the visit was all about. It would be nice if he had come to visit me for once, without any ulterior motive. But chances were that he was there on my father’s behalf.
I walked out into the living room where he was sitting on the couch. Kyle was putting a pot of coffee on, which I thought was a brilliant idea.
“Hey, Jet, congrats on the fight last night. I'm sorry I couldn't have been there. I had to work.”
“No problem; Mom was there, but still no Dad.”
“Yeah, he's not going to let it go easily, Jet, you know that.”
“Well, one day he will realize that fighting is what I was meant to do, and nothing else. But by then he will have lost a son.”
Craig frowned at me. “Well, I hope it never comes to that.”
I shrugged. “I don’t suppose you have your kit here with you, ‘cause my body is pretty broken right now.”
“Yeah, I do, but it's in my truck. Let me run and get it.”
“Cool; I'll get you some coffee.”
Kyle pulled out a bunch of mugs and poured coffee into them. He took care of his own cup while I added cream in mine, and cream and sugar into Craig's mug.
I sat down at the kitchen table and considered my breakfast options. I was in so much pain that it was really hard to care about food at that point.
“Hey, I'm making sandwiches,” Kyle said. “Do you want me to just make a bunch?”
“That's cool, man, thanks. I was just trying to figure out what I wanted to eat.”
Kyle took a sip of coffee and stared at me. Confused, I stared back until a smile formed on his face.
“What the heck happened last night, Jet? I've really been trying to figure you out for a while now, and I just don't get it.”
I laughed. “That sounds pretty heavy, Kyle. What's to figure out?”
“You and Katie.”
“What about me and Katie? In fact, there is no me and Katie, so what's the issue?”
“That's just it. All night the two of you are hot and heavy on the dance floor, and the next thing I see is you making out with Natalie. Now normally I'm all for threesomes, but I don't think that was what you were really going for.”
I just stared at him, growing annoyed.
“Katie is like every fighter’s wet dream. She's ridiculously hot, like fire with breasts. Her body is insane, and if all that wasn’t enough, she's one of the coolest chicks we know, by far. She can outtalk most guys about fighting, never mind the fact that she kills it every time she's in the cage. Most guys would kill to fuck that girl and claim her, and you barely seem interested. Our teammates are dying to date her, and you get the chance to go home with her, but instead you start making out for the hundredth time with a girl who flakes on you all the time.”
“Are you done? Why do you care who I sleep with?”
“I don't know. Katie was pretty upset last night wh
en you left with Natalie. Do you care about that?”
“No, I don't. There has never been a thing between Katie and me. Maybe she always had some hope, but the girl had already asked me out, and I told her I was interested in Natalie. So if she continues to pursue me, how is it my fault if she gets hurt? I was just dancing with her last night, that's it. I had no intention of taking her home, whether Natalie showed up or not.”
Craig had walked back into the apartment in the middle of the conversation, but decided to stay quiet. He began to set up his kit while I pulled off my shirt. I got the mug of coffee I had made for him and passed it to him. He just smiled as he waited for our conversation to continue.
“It's Katie!” Kyle protested.
“So you date her.”
“Oh, I would if I could, but she's hot and bothered for you.”
“So you're really more annoyed that you can't have her.”
“No. Look, if you and Natalie would have started things off, that would have been one thing. But she's been dragging you around on a dog leash, and then fucks you and runs off like a guy.”
“She happens to be my girlfriend now.”
“Really? Since when?”
“Since today.”
Craig interjected himself into the conversation. “What's wrong with Natalie? I met her; she seemed really cool.”
Kyle threw his hands up in the air. “I think Jet can do better, and better has been stalking him, but he's just ignoring her.”
I just shook my head.
“After the stunt you pulled on Natalie at dinner that night, I'm surprised she is still talking to you. So she must really like you. Who cares about this other girl?”
“I don't, which has been my whole point here.”
“Just forget I said anything,” Kyle said.
“Look, I want you to back off of Natalie. She's my girlfriend now and I want you to start treating her with some respect. She's never done a thing to you ever, and you’re lobbying against her and trying to get me together with Katie.”
“I just think that Natalie is a bit flaky, that’s was all I was saying, Jet. She hasn't exactly been warm and fuzzy when it comes to you.”
“She's just been through a lot. Things are different now. I want you to know that.”
I lay down on the couch, and Craig went to work on me. I felt the little pricks as he inserted needles into my body. It felt weird at first, but that went away soon enough. I felt my muscles begin to relax as the acupuncture did its work. I planned on taking a hot bath right afterward, so I hoped this would do the trick.
“Well I hope you're right, Jet, and the girl is gonna stick around.”
“Oh, she's staying put, don't make any mistake about that. Why don't you go after Katie since you seem so interested in her?”
Kyle snorted. “Whatever, man.”
“So you and Natalie are official now?” Craig asked.
“Yes. Thank God. It took me forever to get her to trust me.”
“Well just don't blow it, because the girl seems like a keeper to me.”
I sat up with the needles still in my body. I felt good, really good at that moment.
“So what brought you here, Craig, or dare I ask?”
“Easy, Jet. I really just came to hang. I miss you, and we haven't talked since the dinner. I don't blame you for walking out. Dad was a jerk that night. I just wish that you guys could find some common ground, ya know?”
“Don't even bother to ask me to go to another dinner. It's pointless, and I'm not into being badgered when I'm trying to enjoy myself.”
“Don't worry; I'm not going to do that. Not anytime soon, anyway. Dad screwed up, and I know there is no talking you into going there.”
“Good. If you ever want to have dinner with Natalie and me, you can bring your girl and that would be a much better night, I think.”
Craig laughed. “You're probably right. So the nationals? That's pretty awesome. I will be cage side for that one, for sure.”
“Yeah, I just need to make sure I can heal properly. I am really sore after that bout, and I don't want to have any injuries. The nationals are insanely important, and I don't want anything screwing them up.”
“You're going to do fine man; no worries.”
He started taking the needles out. I stretched, and felt so much better than I had before. Kyle had finished making the sandwiches, and we all sat down and dug in. The sandwiches were man sandwiches, filled high with meat, cheeses and tomatoes. Just what I needed.
I was looking forward to relaxing in the tub, but better than that, I was looking forward to my MMA future, and Natalie.
Chapter Three
Natalie
Photography class had been awesome. We spent the entire class in the darkroom, which was something most schools didn’t even teach anymore. With the way digital technology had advanced, there was no need to develop film or use a darkroom. Everything was done digitally these days, downloaded onto a computer, and edited through Photoshop.
There were still plenty of old-school photographers out there who had never turned in their SLR for a DSLR. They believed film still provided the best quality photographs out there. Those were the people still using darkrooms and the original methods of editing. My professor was one of those people. Although the class for the most part surrounded the digital world, she believed that we should know where it all originated from. How to turn a negative into a work of art, how to Photoshop something inside a dark room with methods such as dodging and burning; the possibilities were all still there. Great art had been created without the use of digital cameras. I never once considered it important until I went in there, and then I didn't want to leave.
The darkroom was an oasis of darkness where you can lose hours if you weren't careful. I found the whole process fascinating, and to see what you could create within those walls was astounding. I loved the red light that protected the film from exposure, yet allowed you to see in the dark. For others outside of the darkroom, there was a light that alerted them that the darkroom was in use, so they would not enter, bringing in the light with them. That light would destroy photographs, and those could not be retrieved again, as were digital.
I liked the process of developing the negatives. I liked the smell of the chemicals used. It was like being in a science class. Students took for granted just how easy it was to download images and manipulate them. It was truly an art to be able to manipulate photographs in a darkroom.
The professor had shown us images she had done herself, and then one by one she showed us how we could create similar images with different techniques. It was no easy task, but it was fun to learn these methods, and I knew if I took on photography as my life choice, that I would design my own darkroom to use in my career as a photographer.
The class had been stimulating in a variety of ways, and I couldn't wait to tell Jet all about it. It was funny to even think that―to be able to go to him and talk about things I enjoyed in my life. To even want to do that was even more extraordinary; I still couldn't believe I was now Jet's girlfriend. That I had even agreed to it. It was an exciting thing, and yes, even more so knowing that I could now go to him and discuss my day, and what had made the day so wonderful.
When class ended, I collected my things together and put them away in my bag. I packed away my camera and the equipment I had to go along with it.
My phone chirped, and I checked it finding a message from Julie on it. She wanted to meet for coffee before her next class and wondered if I was available. I chuckled to myself; yes, I was definitely available to talk to her. I messaged her back and told her I would meet her at the cafe downtown, and that I was just leaving class. It would take me about 15 minutes to get there.
I put my bags over my shoulder and headed out of the classroom.
When I arrived at the coffee shop I was still buzzing from the class I had just attended, I almost wanted to head back and do it all over again.
Julie was already at a table,
and she had ordered us both coffee. The weather was growing colder so coffee was always a welcome enjoyment. I sat down across from her and smiled. She smiled back as she stirred her coffee.
“What did you order me?”
“Some hazelnut coffee; it's supposed to be fantastic.”
I nodded as I added cream to it. I figured it might already be sweet due to the hazelnut, so I avoided sugar for the time being.
I took a sip of the coffee, and it seared my throat, but it was delicious. I decided to add a bit of sugar, as the hazelnut did not change the bitterness of the coffee.
I looked up at Julie. “So what the heck did you do last night?”
Julie looked to be taken aback, but I knew she wasn't. “Whatever do you mean?”
I laughed. “Oh I don't know, Julie. One minute I'm out trying to have a drink with my friend, and then next thing I know she has disappeared, leaving me alone with a man who has stalked me in more ways than one.”
“I think you were in pretty good hands; otherwise I would not have left you there.”
I smiled softly. “Julie, why did you do it? I know you meant well, but what happened to the girl code? Why would you go to Jet and tell him about Tom? I did not want him to know anything about him.”
Julie frowned, looking sad. “I didn't think you would see it that way. I'm sorry if I did anything that made you feel like you can't trust me. That wasn't my intention.”
“Well, what was your intention?”
“I was trying to get you out of your funk. I didn't really believe you needed another drunken night, another hangover. I knew Jet would protect you, and he did, didn't he?”
“You could have just told him that I was sad. Why did you have to tell him about Tom? I found it embarrassing.”
“I'm sorry.”
“And then you left me there with Jet, whether I wanted to be there or not.”
“You didn't want to be with him?”
“That's not the point Julie; you just left me there.”