Believe

by Natalie Gayle

  My guts were in knots…had I been set up?

  “I would never have taken the fight to him if I didn’t think he could do it. Yes, I think he can take Cummins, but he needs to be 100% committed. No more of this can’t bullshit.”

  Reed really thought I could do it!

  I’d been wondering for a while now.

  There was a long silence and I was just about to make my presence known.

  “Right, then we’re in agreement because I’ve known for years he’s had it in him. He just needed to decide he wanted to fight professional. You need to back off him, Reed. I’m home now. I’ll make sure he’s in the right headspace to take down the “Wildman”. You focus on the fight strategy. Are we in agreement?”

  My heart squeezed and I felt all funny. Xander was my best mate. I’d do anything for him and I knew he’d do the same for me, but to hear him say what he said. That he believed I could do it…I had no words, just a funny feeling in my gut.

  Once again, there was a long pause and I could only imagine the stare down happening right now between Xander and Reed.

  “Yeah, you’re probably right. I have gone a bit insane on his arse. He never seems to tire and I just want to make sure he’s the best he can be.”

  “You didn’t want him to know just how fucking amazing he was looking in training.”

  “Yeah…”

  I’d had enough of this…I couldn’t take it much longer.

  I took a couple of steps back and slammed the door between the hall and the office rather than close it quietly, as I’d done the first time.

  Reed and Xander both looked up from Xan’s big desk as if they were going over training sessions.

  “Good news, mate. You’ve got tomorrow off.” Xan smiled at me. “In fact, today was the last crazy arse hard day. You’re on a taper in the lead into the cut.”

  I looked to Reed to see if he agreed. He cleared his throat and looked a little uncomfortable. “We’ve gone over the program and your stats. Take tomorrow off, then a couple of lighter days over the weekend. Xander’s volunteered to train with you those days. Then we’ll head to Melbourne on Sunday night, rather than later in the week. That way you can do the cut in Melbourne and not have to worry about flying and shit like that.”

  “I thought we’d planned to head down there on Wednesday?” That’s when I’d told Ari I was leaving. She still hadn’t told me one way or another if she was coming and that had been playing on my mind. I figured she would, but I didn’t really know for sure.

  “Yeah, that was until we just revamped the program. Now with the changes, it’ll be Sunday night. I want you settled in the hotel by eleven at the latest.”

  “Okay,” I mumbled. What choice did I have?

  Reed got to his feet. “Right then, that’s settled. I’m heading home early for a change. I’ll see you boys back here on Saturday at ten.”

  “We’ll be here,” Xander assured him. I slumped into the seat that Reed had vacated. The front door to the dojo opened and closed as Reed departed.

  “I can’t believe you fucking punched him.” Xander half scoffed and shrugged as if it was nothing. It was anything, but.

  “He’s had it coming for a while. He forgets we’re not fifteen anymore. He walked the tight rope with me in the lead up to my fight. He and I got into it over Eden a couple of times. I thought we’d sorted that shit. Eden thought so, too.” Xander sighed. “I think he just gets so worked up over these fights his mouth runs off before his brain thinks about what he says. Regardless, today was one time too many and he knew it. That’s why he didn’t come back at me.”

  I nodded my head in understanding. “You really meant every word of what you said to him, didn’t you?”

  “Fucking oath. I’ve had enough of him playing fast and easy with the respect card. Respect is a two way street. He just needed a reminder.” It wasn’t quite what I’d meant. That was okay. I’d heard it first-hand. I didn’t need to hear it directly; did I?

  I nodded my agreement. “So a day off. Shit I won’t know what to do with myself.”

  “Rest moron,” Xander came back quicker than one of his jabs.

  “Yeah, good idea. What are you two up to? Want to catch up for dinner or something? Ari’s keen to meet you.”

  “Sounds good. You want to come over to our joint? Eden will feel more comfortable at home. Plus, I don’t want to fend off fans all night.” He made a good point.

  I hesitated for a moment. “Um, we’ll have Isaac with us. Will that be a problem?”

  Xander looked at me a bit funny. “Of course not. Do I not have every male’s dream man cave downstairs?”

  I shrugged. “Well you do, but I just didn’t know how kid friendly you two were? He’s a great kid and all…”

  “Stop worrying, would you. It’ll be fine,” he assured me.

  “Don’t go to any trouble. I’ll bring some steaks over for Ari and Isaac and I’ll prep a meal for me.”

  “Just take the fucking night off, would you? It’s not like I don’t know what a fighter on a prep can eat. I’ll cook. Eden’s still a bit timid in the kitchen.”

  “As long as you’re sure it’s not any trouble.”

  Xander got up. “For fuck’s sake, get out of here before I hit my trainer and my best friend in the same day for being idiots.” He shook his head in mock irritation. “What is it? I’m not around for a couple of weeks and everyone’s acting crazy weird and doing and saying stupid shit. Can’t leave you guys alone for five seconds, it seems.”

  As tired as I was, I chuckled at that. He did have a point. “Yeah, you’re right. I’ve been crashing at your place for twenty odd years and you’ve done the same with me.”

  “Exactly. Just because we have women, doesn’t mean that will change, man.”

  Then something occurred to me. “Fuck—I hope they get along.”

  “Would you quit it? Eden gets along with everyone, shit she even puts up with dad and Reed. I can’t see you hooking up with a bitch.”

  “You’re right. Ari’s not a bitch, but she could use a friend.”

  Xander just nodded. “Eden, too.” Then motioned to the door.

  “Okay, I’m going. It takes a lot to move my exhausted arse today.”

  “That’s why you’re resting tomorrow.”

  “Got it!” I called as I walked out the door.

  Rest sure did sound good.

  Arianne

  It was crazy how nervous I felt on the drive over to Xander and Eden’s place. They were Dane’s friends; it would be fine.

  “Does Xander have that belt he had on You Tube?” Isaac called from the back seat. “I want to have a look at it.”

  “Not sure, little mate. We’ll ask him and find out. He normally keeps most of them at Onigashima.”

  “When am I going to get to go to Onigashima? I really want to train there.”

  He was really starting to get on my nerves. Ever since he’d arrived home and found out we were going out, he’d been at us. “Isaac enough. Best behaviour tonight.”

  “But Mum, you said I could start at Onigashima when I was good enough to join the classes. I’m good enough, aren’t I, Dane?”

  “Isaac—I’m not going to say it again. Behave. We’ll discuss it later. It’s rude to try and manipulate situations like you’re trying to. Dane and I’ll discuss it, and then we’ll let you know.”

  Dane shot me a sideways glance and I knew he thought I was being tough on Isaac. Maybe, I was too tough at times. Kids didn’t come with a handbook, particularly not special needs kids and I was nervous.

  I wanted tonight to go well, for all our sakes. Xander was such a big part of Dane’s life I wanted us to get along.

  Dane pulled into the driveway and came to a halt at the gate. Xander and Eden lived a little way out in a rural area. I could appreciate the quiet already. I realised that the gate needed to be manually opened to let us through and I reached for the door. Dane’s hand caught my wrist.

  “Isaac
mate, can you get out and open the gate, please? You’ll need to unlatch it then push it right back and close it again after I drive though.”

  “Okay, Dane.” His door opened and Isaac hopped out and headed to the gate.

  “Do you think he can manage?” I asked worriedly.

  “He’ll be fine. You need to let him do more. Give him some responsibility. Boys need it.” I wanted to argue, even though I knew he was right. The fact that he gave me a playful wink, didn’t hurt his case either.

  It was one of only a handful of times I’d seen him even the least bit light-hearted over the last couple of weeks. The prep was really taking its toll on him. There’d even been nights when he’d not been interested in making love to me and I know that played on him.

  I totally understood it. For Dane though, it was as if he’d let me down. It was the exhaustion. Some days he’d come home and crash on the sofa and I knew he didn’t have anything left.

  I hated seeing him like that.

  Isaac wrangled with the chain on the gate, but figured it out after a few seconds. Isaac followed Dane’s instructions to the letter. He opened the gate and moved it back, then closed it after we were through. As soon as he climbed back in, Dane was quick to praise him.

  “Good job, man. Saved me from doing it. A man always opens the door and the gates for his woman. Remember that.”

  “Is Mum your woman?” he asked curiously.

  “She sure is mate.” Dane reached out and squeezed my thigh to emphasis his words.

  “So what does that make me?” Oh no! I should have predicted where this was going to go.

  “Ah..” I started.

  “It makes you my best little mate, Isaac,” Dane explained easily.

  “Xander’s your best big mate, right?” Isaac enquired as we pulled up.

  “Yep, has been since we were younger than you.”

  “And I’m you’re best little mate. Is that because I’m only nine?”

  “You got it. Bit hard for you to fill the role of my best big mate, you being nine and all.”

  “Cool.” That seemed to satisfy him and he opened the door and was out before I could warn him once again to be on his best behaviour.

  A guy that I recognised as Xander came out from the side door of the barn? I was curious why Dane had pulled up here and not beside the house. A tall, willowy blonde appeared a couple of seconds later.

  I knew immediately she was Eden. There was no mistaking her striking natural beauty, regardless of the scars.

  “Come on, I’ll introduce you.” Dane motioned for me to hop out.

  He’d got out and was around my side before I even had the door open. He took my hand and helped me down. “Don’t be nervous. You’ll love them and they’ll love you.”

  Isaac was standing at the front of the truck, which surprised me a bit and was looking at Xander warily.

  Xander stepped forward to greet us, Eden in tow.

  “You look better today, man.” Dane and Xander did some strange looking handshake that had Isaac’s eyes popping out. Eden stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Dane giving him a hug as well.

  “Hey Eden, he treating you well? I’ll kick his arse if he isn’t.” She laughed and it was the most musical sound I’d ever heard.

  “He treats me like a queen.”

  “That’s because you are a queen. My queen.” Xander popped a kiss to the scarred side of her face. It wasn’t possible to miss the easy affection and connection between them.

  “What happened to your face?” Isaac popped in from beside me, looking at Eden curiously. I braced and cursed myself for not speaking to him about this beforehand.

  God! What a start to meeting new people. Have your kid insult the hostess!

  Eden stepped forward as if to give him a better look. “I was in a house fire a few years ago. My sister got trapped and I got burned trying to find her and get her out.”

  Isaac nodded intently. “Did it hurt?”

  “Yes it did, a lot. I was in hospital for a very long time.” Eden didn’t seem to have a problem answering his questions.

  “How did the fire start?”

  “Isaac…” I gritted out.

  Eden gave me an understanding smile. “There was an electrical fault in the house we lived in. I woke up and the house was filled with fire.”

  “Wow. Were you scared?”

  She nodded. “Terrified, but I had to find my sisters.”

  Isaac nodded his understanding and had that little frown on his face where he was concentrating and deciding what to do next. “Can I touch it?”

  “Isaac…” I went to grab him.

  “He’s just curious aren’t you, Isaac.” She bent down in front of Isaac and he gently touched the burn.

  “It feels weird,” he said and I held my breath. Way to make an introduction Isaac.

  “It does, doesn’t it?” Eden agreed.

  Dane slipped an arm around my middle.

  “It’s fine.” He whispered in my ear.

  “You sure are pretty on the other side. Like a princess in those Disney stories” Isaac said earnestly, his face a picture of seriousness.

  “Well, that’s very kind of you to think so. How would you like to come in and check out Xander’s toy room?”

  Isaac eyed Eden, then Xander. “Really, he’s got a toy room? You think he’d let me see it?”

  “Well probably big boys’ toys would better describe it. I’m sure he’d be happy for you to look around.” She took his hand and threw a smile over at me. “I’m Eden by the way.”

  “Arianne.” I raised my hands in helplessness.

  “Xan will get you a glass of wine in just a sec.” She gave Xander a flirtatious little smile and glided away with all the grace of the catwalk model she’d been born to be. Isaac was happily following along.

  “Sorry about that. I think he may have been a little overawed at meeting a real life celebrity and decided Eden was the less intimidating of you two,” I explained to Xander.

  He chuckled and pulled me briefly into a friendly hug. “Nice to meet you, Arianne. I’m Xander and I’d hardly call me a celebrity.”

  Dane scoffed. “Right. That’s not you, all those social media and news sites have trending. Mate, you just about broke the damned internet. You’re right though, Isaac will figure out soon enough that you’re just a bloke.”

  Xander shrugged it off. “It’s all hype and rubbish; you know that. What’s big news today is not even a blip on the tech radar tomorrow. Regardless, nothing’s going to change between us—too much history, mate.” He looked towards the door that Eden and Isaac had entered. “We’d better get in there. I’m not sure Eden’s the full bottle on getting the Xbox and the TV all working together. It hasn’t had a lot of use lately.”

  Dane threw me a look and I knew what he was thinking. “Can’t say I’ve used mine much either lately. Kind of been busy.”

  “Yeah buddy, these women cut into our gaming time,” Xander agreed.

  “Can’t say I mind the types of games I’ve been playing though.” Dane winked at me and I felt my face immediately begin to heat.

  Xander just laughed. “Yeah, no complaints here either.”

  Once we stepped through into the barn, I was stunned. It was nothing like I expected. To start with, it was spotlessly clean. One corner contained a massive sofa and media centre which flowed into a good-sized gym complete with mats, hanging bags and even mirrors. On the other side were all sorts of expensive looking boys’ toys—a jet ski, quad bike and dirt bikes.

  Dane put his arm around my waist. “Xander’s play pen.”

  “I’m not sure what to say other than, wow!”

  Eden had moved over to us with a couple of remote controls in her hand, which she passed to Xander. I didn’t miss the fact that he rose his eyebrows at Dane as if to say I told you so.

  “I think I said something similar, Arianne, when Xander brought me here for the first time.”

  “Actually Gem, I t
hink you were too busy panicking about going upstairs with me.”

  “In my defence, it had been over five years since I’d been on a date and I was terrified of my own shadow, let alone, what someone thought of me. And on that note, I’m going to leave you guys down here to do whatever it is you do down here. Come on, Arianne, I’ll show you the rest of the place and get you that glass of wine. Seeing my husband hasn’t managed it.”

  Dane laughed and held his stomach. “Ooooo—direct hit, mate.”

  Xander just raised his eyebrows and gave Eden an evil grin that was blatantly sexy…they were playing.

  She motioned for me to follow her up the staircase in the corner. I looked across at Dane, and he immediately knew what I was asking.

  “You’ll be fine with me down here, won’t you Isaac?” Dane ruffled his hair.

  He gave me that impish grin I loved so much and I wondered how much longer he’d have it for. “Yep. Us guys will be fine.”

  My son was enjoying having men in his life.

  When Eden opened the door at the top of the staircase and motioned me in. I was shocked. I really didn’t know what I expected. Certainly not this.

  Eden must have noticed the stunned look on my face. “Xander and I live up here. Len, Xander’s father, lives in the house you passed. You should have seen it when I first came here. It was just that bed, dressed in the plainest coverlet, this sofa and a tea chest for a coffee table.”

  Now it looked like something out of a designer magazine. It was beautifully decorated, warm and homey. “That bed terrified me. I was a bit repressed.” She giggled.

  “I’m so sorry for Isaac before. You handled it beautifully, by the way. He has Asperger’s and tends to struggle with social etiquette.”

  She reached out and placed a hand on my forearm. “Please, think nothing more of it. It didn’t bother me. If it had been a few months ago I probably would have freaked or something...what am I talking about! A few months ago, I would have been curled up in my bedroom still living with my parents and sisters because I was too afraid to step outside. Xan helped me reconsider my thinking on that.”