The Fight

by t. h. snyder

  I can barely hear what they’re saying, but can see that they’ve moved Hank off of Mike and are now inspecting Mike’s elbow.

  “Oh my God, what just happened?” I ask no one in particular.

  “Taryn, I think it’s best if you head back to your office. If I think what just happened, really happened, you won’t want to see what they’re about to do…go, girl. We’ll come find you in a bit and let you know he’s okay,” Traci says trying to push me off of the stool.

  Wait what…he’s okay? What the hell just happened?

  It’s my fault, I made Mike lose focus and Hank knew it. My stomach becomes queasy and I feel as if I’m going to be sick. Quickly hopping off the stool, I make my way from the front desk to Marta’s office.

  I can’t help the tears that prick the back of my eye lids. I can’t be here, I need some air.

  Walking past the offices, I find my way through the back door to the parking lot. As soon as the sun hits my face, a cool breeze whips past me and I allow the tears to fall from my eyes.

  I don’t know what just happened in there, but I can’t help but feel it’s my fault. Had I not stood up, hell if I wasn’t in the warehouse watching, this wouldn’t have taken place. With my chest heaving and feeling like I need to sit before I fall over, I walk toward my car and slide into the driver’s seat.

  Not knowing what’s going on inside the Cage, I allow the regret of my actions to get the best of me. I continue to sob into my hands until a knock on the window pulls me from my trance. I can’t bear to look and see who it is. Continuing to cry into my hands, my body trembling, I keep my position within the car.

  The sound of my door opening pulls my attention to my side, letting my hands fall from my face as I see those dark entrancing eyes staring back to me.

  Trenton…

  Chapter 10

  Oh. My. God. What have I done?

  With wide eyes, I stare down to my best friend as he sits on the mat of the cage. I can’t believe I allowed myself to push the fight passed our limits, it’s only fucking practice. Typically we’ll challenge one another to a few new moves, but we know exactly what not to do. It’s the whole reason the trainers allow us to spar with one another. We know and understand each other’s limits without going overboard.

  Today, I screwed up big time.

  I lost focus, I wasn’t myself. Knowing Mike as well as I do in the cage, I was able to predict exactly what he was going to do. In some ways I can say we share a brain, especially when in fight mode. His quick moves may start off as a challenge, but my skill and strength over power him in the end. Once I saw his moment of weakness staring out to Taryn, my mind left the cage and allowed my heart to take over my being. Jealousy took over and I pushed myself further than I should have. I could have seriously hurt him. Mike and I have fought in this cage for years and we’ve never let it get to an extreme we couldn’t handle, but today…I took it too far.

  Watching the scene play out in front of me, all of our coaches hover over Mike. I wait with regret in my chest to hear the verdict of my strength. I didn’t want to hurt him; I’ve never gone to that extreme before in a practice fight. The thoughts of her looking back to him took over my mind, I lost control in a moment I should have remained focused.

  God damn distraction!

  I’m so angry with myself, with her, that I can’t even look in her direction. This is too much, I could have really hurt him, injured him to the point that he’ll not be ready to fight. Ugh…I need to think positive, he’ll be okay and we’ll be right back here sprawling together again in no time.

  Looking around the back portion of the gym, I try to settle my nerves and talk myself down from the ledge. The image of Trenton passes by the cage as he runs past us and toward the back hallway.

  Where the hell does he think he’s going?

  After a long day at the Cage and the prognosis of Mike’s elbow from the ER, he and I decide to head home and relax for the night. Trenton has been missing in action since earlier today and I haven’t a clue where the hell he went. He’s not my problem to deal with, but at the same time, I’m not used to not knowing his whereabouts.

  I need a vacation away from life, some time to remember what my plan of action is and to remove any obstacles that stand in my way. Thankfully, I’m not due into work until Saturday and I can take a few days to let my mind unwind without having to work nights for a bit.

  Opening the door to our apartment, I let Mike walk through the entry way first. My eyes watch his stance as he walks ahead of me, his arm in a sling. I’m grateful his elbow wasn’t injured worse than it was; he has a minor sprain, but nothing that will prevent him from training in time for the next few months. I feel guilty as hell for what I did and that he’ll have to baby his arm for the next couple of weeks. He’s not making a big deal about it, “it happens,” he said, but still I feel like shit.

  This guy is my best friend, has been all of my life. I need to erase anything that will harm our friendship, namely Taryn from my thoughts, remove the jealousy that is lurking through my veins, and move on. In this case I need a distraction to pull me away from her…for good. I have an idea and want the guys in on it; it’s been forever since the three of us went out and enjoyed some time together.

  “Hey, man, you feel up to heading down to Benny’s tomorrow night?”

  He turns his body toward mine and lifts his arm to his slide.

  “I have a sprained elbow, I’m not in a coma,” he remarks in a cocky tone.

  “Alright then, let’s see if Trenton is up to it and we’ll make a night of it. I need to get out and start living life. Working too many hours and being at the Cage is starting to make me go crazy.”

  He looks to me as if I’ve grown an extra appendage.

  “You okay, bro? After what happened today and now the way you’re talking, something seems off.”

  Taking a moment to think how I want to respond, I can’t really tell him the reason I want to go to Benny’s. I don’t think it would make matters any better if he knew I needed a distraction from Taryn…yeah no, not such a good idea.

  “What the fuck, man, what’s wrong with me wanting to go out?”

  Shaking his head, he sits along the kitchen bar on a stool intently watching me.

  “Hell, I don’t know. When’s the last time you actually left the apartment other than to go to work or the gym. It’s not a big deal; I’m just making an observation.”

  “I’m fine and just thought it would be something different to do than sit around here and stare at the walls. If you’re not up for it I’ll just go alone,” I bark in response.

  His eyes look to mine in shock. I’m allowing my emotions to take over. Now feeling pissed off, I need to calm my shit down. What the fuck is the deal if I want to go out for a night, it’s not like I’ve never gone to a bar looking for a good time.

  “Just forget I said anything, Hank, I’m up for whatever you wanna do. I’ll be off work the next few days too, so let’s make the most of it.”

  Stealing a glance in his direction, I release a heavy sigh and nod.

  As the cool air picks up, I make my way toward the bar, flanked by Trenton and Mike. After the past twenty-four hours, I’ll be glad to sit down and let some stress roll off my shoulders with a few beers.

  Mike was a punk ass and told Birch of my idea to head out for a night. I get that he knows how hard I train, but one night and a couple of drinks won’t kill me. Hearing a lecture from my mentor was the last thing I wanted this morning. Instead of causing more of an argument and enhancing the edge I know they’re both feeling toward me, I agree to be careful and work extra hard Thursday morning in addition to my typical training schedule.

  Brushing it all off, I plan on having a good time tonight and enjoying the company of my boys. Tonight is Benny’s special Ladies Night Happy Hour and my eyes will surely be roaming in hopes of finding someone…my distraction.

  We enter the old brick building, the lights dim, and music playing
throughout the walls. Tonight Benny has brought in a new band from out of town and, from the sounds of it, they’re pretty damn good. Making my way to the bar, I let my eyes scope out the scene.

  On the small stage, the guys have their equipment in place, the drummer banging away like his life depends on it. In the front of his bass drum, the words Raging Urge are marked in large white font with wings stemming from the script. My feet begin to tap along the hard wood floors to his rhythm, it’s a good beat. Hmm, I’ll have to pay close attention to this group. I could totally get into fight mode with some of these tracks.

  A tap on my shoulder pulls my attention back to the bar. Mike stands next to my side nodding toward the bartender.

  “Hey, man, what can I get ya,” he asks leaning forward onto the bar.

  “I’ll take a Bud Lite,” I shout back to him over the sounds of the music.

  He turns his back to us and reaches into a large cooler behind the bar. Digging into my back pocket, I pull out my wallet and toss a twenty on the bar. That should do us for a round or two. As the bartender places our beers down on the bar top, we each grab one and turn to find a seat within the room.

  For the next hour or so, Mike, Trenton, and I listen to the band and talk shit about absolute nonsense. Even though our conversation is dull, it feels good to be out with the two of them. So much time has passed that we barely get to hang out like we used to…shit, being an adult can suck at times.

  My eyes continue to watch as more patrons come in and out of the bar. Nothing has caught my attention yet, but I’m not giving up hope. Needing to get up and take a leak, I stand from my chair and make my way back to the restroom.

  While washing my hands, I splash some cool water onto my face. I’m feeling a good buzz, but need a few more beers to really take away the stress from the past few days. A few guys come in behind me and I hear them chatting about some girls that have just come into Benny’s. Excitement bursts through me as I quickly dry off my hands and head back out to the bar room.

  Trying to find who exactly it was that they were referring to; I stop by our table to see if the guys need a refill. They both nod in agreement and I make my way to the bar.

  My eyes stop on a figure standing before me. Her blonde hair is pulled up on top of her head, with loose waves cascading along the sides of her face. I can’t see her too well from the front, but from behind…holy fuck!

  She’s wearing too damn high heels that I’m sure would bring us eye to eye with my six foot two inch stature. Her toned legs are covered in tight; I mean tight ass dark skinny jeans with a black leather top, her back pretty much exposed and begging me to touch it.

  I attempt to slide in between her and the girl next to her when I realize she’s with Traci from the Cage. My arm touches Traci’s and she giggles with excitement to see me. Guess this chick has had way too much to drink already. Hmm, interesting…or maybe not. Letting out a grunt of frustration, I allow her to wrap her arms around me in a tight hug.

  “Hank,” she screams over the music.

  “Hey, Traci, what brings you out tonight?” I ask not really caring about her response.

  My eyes take her in as she blabs on about the night she and her girls have had so far. Her brown hair is long and in smooth waves surrounding her face, blue eyes popping out with the tinge of makeup she’s wearing. Her large tits are screaming for space in a tight black top and the curves of her hips and legs are drawn into a pair of faded skinny jeans. Being the girl from the gym, she’s not looking half bad. But I can’t make a play for her, can’t mix business with pleasure…that would be a no no.

  Turning to face the rest of her party, my eyes set into deep pits of despair. Giant black, beautiful orbs stare back at me as my jaw falls to the floor.

  Fucking hell…why me?

  Chapter 11

  My heart is like a magnet to him, as I feel his presence next to me.

  His back is against my side talking away to Traci. My stomach begins to churn and I can’t seem to grasp a coherent thought knowing he’s this close to me.

  Swirling around the straw in my drink, I attempt to pull my thoughts together. I can totally do this, be this close to him, talk to him and act as if we’re complete strangers.

  No worries at all…yeah right!

  I feel his body begin to shift and I turn in his direction. Our dark eyes meet and I’m lost in a trance. He has such a power over me and I can’t resist it….ahhhh!!!

  This is going to be so much harder than I thought. I know he doesn’t want anything more from me and I get that. In time I’ll move on and play the field. Hell, maybe I should try and make things work with Trenton. It’s worth a go…right?!?

  I just need him to make me stop feeling this way for him, it’s impossible not to want him. Even after all that he’s done. Having Hank tell me that our kiss was a mistake should have been enough reason for me to walk away but it’s not. I need to talk some things through with him, clear the air, and see if there’s any way that we can at least be cordial with one another. I mean, come on, we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other now that I’m working and training at the Cage.

  There has to be a way for us to make this work, no matter how hard I’ll have to work to keep all my inappropriate thoughts at bay. Something has to give and once we’re on the right track, I’ll be ready and willing to move on with my life once and for all.

  Closure, I need closure.

  His hand extends outward toward me and rest on my arm.

  “Taryn,” he clips out.

  “Hank,” I whisper in response.

  “We need to talk…” he says, but I cut him off.

  Grabbing his arm, I pull him through the crowded bar and out the front doors. With a bit of a buzz and adrenaline coursing through my blood, I’m going to get this over and done with right now. Hell, if he wants to talk and I want to talk, we’re going to fucking hear each other without the bass and sounds of the band drowning out our voices.

  “Whoa, killer, slow down before you fall in those heels and I have to carry you back in the bar.”

  I turn on my heels and snap my head around to face him with a glare.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t want to put you out like that. I know how much I disgust you,” I spit back to him.

  The venom in my voice is poisonous. I’m so enraged by the way he’s treated me all these years, then kisses me back and then treats me like shit again. It all ends right now, right here.

  I turn once again on my heels and walk back out toward the parking lot dragging him behind me. It’s quiet here and the lights along the streets are casting a dim shadow between us. Stepping closer to the brick wall, I stand waiting for him to look at me.

  Once he’s close enough that I don’t have to shout to him, I decide it’s as good a time as any to go off on my rant.

  “I don’t like you, Hank, I despise you. All this time you’ve hidden from me and now that I’ve finally found out why, all you want to do is run away again. I’m tired of it. I have a heart ya know and you’re slowly crushing it. I’ve only been back in town for a few weeks and I’ve felt more defeated with you than I have ever felt in my entire life. There’s no way you can tell me you felt nothing the other night. Your fucking body didn’t tell me you felt nothing. So please explain to me why you’re such a fucking asshole.”

  Wow, that felt pretty damn good, but now the street is spinning. I take a step back, placing my hand on the brick wall to catch my bearings.

  Hank grabs me with one arm, holding me upright.

  “How much have you had to drink tonight, little firecracker?” he asks with a laugh.

  “What?” I respond in a snarky tone.

  “You, how much did you drink already? From the looks of it you’re pretty lit up already.”

  “Why the hell do you even care….and don’t avoid my questions.”

  He lets out another laugh and I can’t help but fall in closer to his body. He’s right, I have had a bit too much to drink and everything
around me right now is moving in different directions. I’m usually pretty good about holding my liquor; maybe it’s the fact that I’m so angry with him right now. My mind and body are playing tricks on me because my emotions are all over the place.

  He leans me up against the brick wall for support, my back flush against the rough surface. Standing mere inches from my face, I want so badly to grab onto his lips with my own.

  “I do care, Taryn, I care more than you know. I told you how I felt and why I’ve done what I’ve done all these years. If things were different, if my brother and best friend weren’t in love with you…maybe things with us could work. But right now us, it can’t happen.”

  Closing my eyes I try to take in his statement, it sucks and doesn’t make any sense at all. Opening my lids I look up to him, the lights fixing a glow around his body.

  “So you’re saying that you’d rather be miserable and lose someone you care about because you’d rather another man have me. I don’t buy it, Hank. What are you so afraid of? I made myself very clear to both Mike and Trenton that I don’t want a relationship with them. Hank, I don’t want them, I want you.”

  “You do?” he asks, his voice filled with uncertainty.

  Pulling his face to look into my eyes, I nod.

  “I do,” I whisper.

  With that, his lips crash against mine, urgency flowing from his body into mine. Biting down on my lower lip, I release a moan and his tongue meets mine. My eyes squeeze shut, my hands moving into his hair as I pull him down closer to me.

  His hands pull me away from the brick wall and begin to run up and down the exposed skin of my back. I lightly tug onto the strands of his hair as he pushes his body into mine, his rock hard erection growing against my belly. Sucking his tongue into my mouth, I move my hands down his back, around his waist and toward his lower abdomen, lingering my fingertips just above the waist band of his pants.