“That’ll work. See you then.”
Army walked out to the parking lot feeling better than he had for a while. There wasn’t a chance in hell he’d admit it was because he’d be seeing Stiletto soon. No fuckin’ way. It’s about having some time with Dad. And if he just ended up with Stiletto pinned to the wall, her sexy legs wrapped around him while he pummeled into her, then all the better.
He sped down the back road to Alina with the sun to his back and the scent of crisp apples and cinnamon in the air.
Chapter Four
Mia groaned in frustration as Kat held her down in a submission she couldn’t get out of.
“What the fuck’s wrong with you, Stiletto?” Rick yelled. “This is an easy move to get away from. Focus!”
Kat pulled away and tapped Mia on the back. “We can go another round if you want to.”
“She’s not doing anything but laps and the speed bag.” Rick narrowed his eyes at Mia. “Now!”
She leapt to her feet and went over to the water station to grab a cold bottle. From her peripheral vision she saw Goliath approaching, and her stomach twisted. I should’ve stayed home tonight.
“Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” Goliath asked, his burning gaze scanned her face.
She ran the cool bottle over her face and neck then gave a half shrug. “I don’t know. I guess the stuff with my family is interfering.” She took a deep gulp, the cold water refreshing her dry throat.
“We all got shit to deal with. You’ve had it before. I don’t approve of this hiatus you’re taking, but just because you won’t be fighting for a while doesn’t mean you still don’t give it your all during practice and training. Rick’s in demand, and I’ve got a waiting list a mile long for people who want to join Champion. If you can’t focus, then maybe you should move on.”
Her chest tightened. Is Goliath saying what I think he is? “Are you kicking me out?” she blurted. She rubbed the back of her neck as her stomach churned.
For several seconds, the silence between them was deafening. Mia bounced from one foot to another in an attempt to quell her fear. If Goliath kicked her out of the gym, a huge part of her would shrivel up. The gym she’d trained at in Tucson had nothing of the camaraderie of Champion, and she’d made some really good friends at the training center. Goliath, the owner, was a retired three-time MMA heavyweight titleholder, and he was phenomenal as a coach. Rick Rodriguez was one of the most sought-after trainers in Durango, and she’d been pleasantly shocked when he’d agreed to work with her the year before. I can’t lose everything I’ve worked so hard for. I can’t lose Champion. It was the beacon that forced away the darkness which threatened to invade her psyche at every opportunity. After she’d been beaten and date-raped, her sense of security had evaporated. That night, she hadn’t been able to fight off Gavin no matter how hard she tried. She’d been powerless, and it was the worse feeling in the world.
“You need to step up your game. We’re not fucking psychologists … we’re trainers. If you need a break, you’ll have a spot if you decide to come back.” Goliath’s gruff voice pulled her back from the past.
“I don’t want a break. I’m back in.” Mia let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.
“Make sure you are. None of us wants to waste our fucking time with a fighter who doesn’t give it her all. Got it?” Mia nodded. “I heard Rick tell you to do laps. Get your ass running.” Goliath stalked away, and she threw the bottle into the recycle bin, warmed up, then began running.
A couple of hours later, Mia dried off after a welcoming shower. Pushing her body and focusing on her breathing was just what she needed to take her outside her head. For the past couple of weeks, all that had been swirling around in her mind was Army and the mess her younger brother was in. Mia’s mother had called the week before to tell her that Finn had been arrested for armed robbery in Phoenix. It seemed that during the course of one night, he’d robbed five convenience stores at gunpoint. Her mother had cried and kept saying that “my baby’s gone,” and it’d really grated on her nerves because for most of their growing years, her mother hadn’t given much of a shit about any of them, especially Mia and her two brothers, Finn and Tucker. The only one her mom seemed to kind of give a damn about was Mia’s oldest brother, Vic. All her mom really cared about back then—and now—was partying and having a man.
“You want to join us at Berriegood?” Kat asked, breaking through her thoughts.
“Not tonight. I’m pretty beat.”
“Goliath and Rick were pretty hard on you. We all have off days.”
Mia slipped on her high-heeled pumps. “But not bad weeks. I’ve been off my game for too long. I don’t blame them for being pissed at me.”
“They’re always pissed at someone.” Kat chuckled. “I still don’t know how you can wear those damn heels all the time.”
“I don’t know how you can’t.” Mia smiled, stuffing her workout clothes in her gym bag.
Mia’s love affair with high heels started when she was a freshman in high school and saw Abby Boothe’s elegant four-inch strappy heels. Never mind that they were Jimmy Choo and had cost more than her family’s monthly assistance check; they were magical, and from that day on, she’d been hooked.
When she’d first come to Champion, Goliath and the other trainers tried to come up with a good fighter name for her and they soon landed on “Stiletto.”
“Are you coming in tomorrow?” Kat slipped a T-shirt over her head.
“I don’t think so. My last appointment at the salon is at seven thirty. I’m just going to chill at home and enjoy a rare evening off. I’ll see you on Friday. Maybe you’ll want to join me and my friends for a drink on Saturday?”
“I’d love to. Thanks.” Kat slammed her locker shut, and the two women walked outside.
A golden harvest moon hung low, occasionally obscured by ribbons of black clouds scudding across the sky. The scent of burning firewood permeated the air, and fallen leaves scattered across the road as the cool breeze gently stung Mia’s cheeks.
“Winter’s in the air,” Kat said, wrapping her sweater tighter around herself.
“I hope it doesn’t come too soon. I love the fall.” Mia dug her keys out of her purse. “See you.” She walked to the parking lot and hit the Unlock button on her fob. The headlights from her navy blue Chevy Cruze blinked on, illuminating a figure standing to the left of her car. Instantly, her muscles tensed, and she dropped her gym bag. A figure came toward her, and for a split second she thought it was Army. Tingles skipped over her skin but quickly stopped when her ex-boyfriend came into full view.
“What’re you doing here, Jorge?” Mia picked up her gym bag and slung it over her shoulder.
“I was in the area and wanted to talk to you,” he answered in a low voice.
“Why didn’t you wait outside the gym instead of lurking in the parking lot?” She opened the car door. “I’m really beat tonight. What did you want to talk about?” A small frown furrowed her brow. She’d broken up with Jorge over five months ago, and he didn’t want to admit it was over.
“My mom wanted me to ask you to come over on Saturday for my parents’ anniversary party. They’re celebrating twenty-five years.”
“That’s a long time. Good for them.” A wide smile cracked Jorge’s face. Mia meant it. If a married couple made it past five years, that was amazing, but twenty-five years? That was a miracle.
“Can you go? My parents would love it if you came.” The plea in Jorge’s voice reminded her why she dumped him.
She threw her gym bag on the passenger seat. “I’ve already got plans for Saturday.” The way he hung his head down made her feel guilty even though she had no reason to. Jorge was famous for making her feel bad about things she shouldn’t. Just like good old Mom. Turning to him, she sighed. “Look, we’re broken up.”
“But we can be friends,” he said.
“We can’t. I mean, I can’t. I’m not the type to be friendly with
my exes. I just move on. It eliminates a lot of drama down the road, you know? You’re a great guy who deserves a woman who is into setting up house, making babies, and playing wife-of-the-year. I’m so not that person. You know that.” Jorge just stared at her, his mouth turned downward. “I have to go. Tell your parents thanks for the invite. Bye, Jorge.” She slipped into the car, started the engine, and drove out of the parking lot. In her rearview mirror, she saw him standing on the sidewalk, watching her, until she turned the corner.
Mia pounded the steering wheel. “Why can’t Jorge move the fuck on? Men are a major pain in the ass,” she said aloud. Army’s face pushed into her mind. “And he’s the biggest one of all.” She turned on the radio and cranked it all the way up as she drove to her townhouse.
* * *
“Will you please call Peyton back? She’s bugging the crap out of me,” Ronica said as she sat in the salon chair at Mia’s booth.
Mia, checking the timer she’d set for her client, shook her head. “I’ll call her when I have a minute to breathe. I’ve had back-to-back clients all day. My last one is at seven thirty. What does she want anyway?”
Ronica picked up one of Mia’s hairstyling magazines and thumbed through it. “Something stupid. She’s drooling and desperate over that guy. I can’t remember his name. Something military sounding.”
Mia froze, her insides clenching. “Army?” she said in a small voice.
“That’s it. I guess she went by the gym this morning thinking you’d be there and saw him. She wants to know when you’re going so she can get you to ask Taylor if the four of you can go out for a drink or something. I can’t believe the way she’s carrying on about him. He’s good-looking, but he’s not the only handsome man in Durango.”
“Army’s at Champion?” Fierce licks of excitement leapt through her.
Ronica looked up, her gaze fixed on Mia. “Are you glad he’s here?”
Mia turned away and pretended to be engrossed in the hair dye mixing bowls. “You know I’m not interested in him. Oh … I forgot to tell you that Jorge was waiting for me in the gym’s parking lot last night. Why can’t he just move the fuck on?”
“You need to be firmer with him. Tell him …”
Mia smiled knowing Ronica loved giving advice. As her friend rambled on, Mia dwelled on the news that Army was back. Her brain told her body to stop humming with anticipation but it wouldn’t listen. Her phone’s ringtone interrupted Ronica’s monologue, and a startled Mia dropped the bowls on the tile floor. “Crap,” she muttered.
“I’ll get them,” Ronica said, sliding out of the chair. “If it’s Peyton, do me a favor and answer it.”
Peyton’s name flashed across the screen, and Mia put the phone to her ear.
“Finally! I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for the last few hours. Didn’t Ronica tell you?”
“She just now mentioned it. We’ve both been crazy busy today.”
“Did she tell you why I was calling?” Peyton’s voiced pitched higher.
“It’s about Taylor’s brother. He’s at Champion.” Mia took the bowls from Ronica and mouthed “thank you” to her.
“I’m begging you to set up an outing with you, me, and Taylor, and ask him to bring Army along. From what I’ve heard, he’s not seeing anyone.”
“Maybe not just one woman, but I’ll bet my month’s income that he’s seeing a bunch. Do you really want someone like that, Peyton? Can’t you find a nice guy at work?”
“Are you joking? I’m a nail tech. Almost all my customers are women. The rest are gay men or straight and married. Worst job to meet men … ever. I’ve never been this close to meeting a guy like Army. Those kinds of guys just blitz right past me without even giving me a first look. I just want to see how it feels to have all the women envy me. Just for one night.”
The timer went off and Mia glanced at her client who sat with three outer-space-looking heat lamps positioned around her head. She ran her teeth over the bottom corner of her lip.
“If you don’t want to, I understand. Actually, just forget about it. I don’t know what got into me. It’s been too long since I’ve had a date.”
Mia inhaled a deep breath and blew it out, her gaze still on Mrs. Shapiro and the lamps. Against her better judgment, she agreed to talk to Taylor.
“Thank you so much! I’ll do your nails for free for the next six months. Are you going to the gym after work?”
“No. I’m finishing up late tonight. I’ll talk to him tomorrow and let you know. Army may only be in town for one night.”
“I know. Let me know. Thanks. You’re a good friend.”
More like a stupid one. “I better go before my client’s hair turns platinum blonde.” Mia put the phone down and avoided Ronica’s stare.
“You caved in. You know this is going to be a disaster, and for sure Army’s going to think you arranged this because you wanted a date with him. He’s too cocky to think anything else. He’ll never believe the ‘my-friend-wants-to-meet-you’ story.”
Mia walked over to the middle-aged woman and checked a strand of her hair. “It’s time. The color is beautiful. Let’s wash it out.” As she passed Ronica, Mia grimaced. “You’re right. What the hell have I done?” she whispered, her client following her.
“Created a monster with some of the best inked arms I’ve seen.” Ronica’s words fell over Mia as she led Mrs. Shapiro to the sink.
The hours flew by and when Mia pulled into her garage, she was exhausted. The minute she opened the back door, her two cats, Snickers and Pumpkin, meowed and rubbed against her legs.
“How’re you girls doing? Sorry I’m late.” She bent down and scratched them behind their ears. “I’m starving, what about you?”
Mia went over to the cupboard and took down two cans of food. As she open them, Snickers jumped up on the counter and rubbed her face against Mia’s shirt while Pumpkin sat patiently on the floor, looking up at her with luminous green eyes. She set their dishes on the floor, and they ran over and began to eat. Mia watched them and smiled.
She’d rescued both, the tabby and the tricolored feline, at a Tucson shelter a few months after her attack. Her therapist had recommended that she consider getting a pet, so Mia went into the shelter that night with the intention of adopting a cat. But after she’d picked Snickers, she saw Pumpkin’s light orange fur with snow-white markings on her belly, paws, and chin and fell in love with her. Now, with her late hours, she was glad her pets had each other.
Mia made a quick omelet and poured a generous portion of white wine into her water glass, ignoring the images of Goliath’s and Rick’s disapproving faces. “It’s been a rough two weeks,” she said aloud as she padded to the family room and sank into the couch. Snickers settled in behind Mia on top of the couch, and Pumpkin burrowed next to her.
A feeling of dread wove through her as she ate, and Mia was sorry for promising Peyton that she’d talk to Taylor about the four of them going out. What the hell was I thinking? I don’t want to spend five minutes with Army, let alone an evening. Ugh! Even though she found him physically attractive, she wasn’t crazy about his attitude and how he thought he was every woman’s sexual fantasy.
Picking up the remote, she switched on the television and slowly sipped her wine, wishing tomorrow would never come.
Chapter Five
Army tugged the hem of his T-shirt down as he walked into the kitchen at Taylor’s apartment. Squatting down in front of the open refrigerator, he took out two beers.
“Grab me a water,” Taylor said from the small living room.
Army came into the room and tossed the bottle at his brother then sat down on the recliner in the corner of the room. “What’s on the agenda for tonight?” He pulled the tab on the can and took a drink. The night before, he’d joined his brother at Berriegood, had a protein bowl which he hated, and endured two hours of martial arts talk just for the chance of seeing Stiletto. Just like a fuckin’ pussy. She never showed up, and Army had decided he
was done thinking about the chick. There were plenty of hot women he could pick up, and from the way Sela and Kat, the two MMA fighters from Champion, were checking him out, he was sure he could split his time in Durango between the two of them.
“Do you want to go to a nightclub?” Taylor asked.
“Fuck yeah. I’m itching to meet some babes tonight. I’ve been to the Mayan before, and a lot of pretty Latina women hang out there. The music is a mix of reggaeton and pop, and it rocks.”
“I’ve never been there. I was thinking more along the lines of EDM. Sound Nightclub is fucking awesome.”
“You know me, I’m a metal and rock guy, but I’m game.” Army opened the second can of beer.
“Would you be cool if I asked a couple of girls to go with us?”
Army grinned. “Have you been holding out on me? Does your chick want me to be her sister or friend’s date?”
“Something like that, but it’s more my friend’s friend who really wants to meet you. You met her at Cricket on the Hill a couple of weeks ago.” Taylor shifted in place. “I told my friend I’m not sure you’d go for it.”
“Who’s your friend?” A smug half-grin raised up the corner of Army’s mouth.
“Mia. Her friend, Peyton, is interested in you. She was the one sitting across from Mia. The one with the short hair that had streaks of pink in it. Do you remember her?”
So this is Stiletto’s game—a friend wants to hook up with me. Okay, sweetheart, I’ll play along. “Not really. I remember Stiletto, though.”
“Uh … Mia doesn’t like to be called Stiletto outside the ring.”
“I’ll remember that.” Army tipped his head back and finished his beer.
“So is that something you’d want to do? I told Mia I’d let her know. If you’d rather not, that’s cool. We can still go to the club.”
“I’m up for it.” Army rubbed his finger across his lips. “Are you interested in Stiletto?”
Taylor shook his and laughed. “Not in that way. We’re just friends. You better remember not to call her Stiletto tonight, or she’ll ream you out.”
Army Page 5