My Broken Angel

by Heather D'Agostino

  I could lie, and say it was something with the baby or Cole. That didn’t seem too bright though. I reached over and fingered the karate belt that was sitting on top of my purse. I’d placed it there when I loaded up the car. I bet Wes had forgotten that I had it. He gave it to me when we were just kids.

  During one of his many tournaments, he’d worn the thing and won. Cole had insisted that it was lucky and he should either wear every time, or frame it. Wes had kept all his belts in a shadow box in his bedroom. All of them accept this one. That night when we were all hanging out in his basement, he turned to me and placed it in my hands. He said if it was that lucky, I should keep it. I’d argued with him, but ultimately taken it in the long run. I was only thirteen at the time, and the fact that he wanted me to have it meant the world to me. I thought Weston McKay hung the moon back then, and anything he touched was gold.

  I still remember all the nights I slept with that belt tucked under my pillow. My dad never found it, but Cole did. He’d rolled his eyes at me and teased me for weeks. Wes had told me that he’d always protect me, even if it was against Cole’s teasing. I lifted the black cloth, and rubbed it against my cheek as the car zoomed down the road. I hadn’t thought about that day in years.

  When I took the final exit off the highway, and began heading down the tree-lined gravel road, I couldn’t help but smile. The sun was starting to set, and you could barely see the sparkling lake through the trees. They were covered in lush green foliage, and a gentle summer breeze was coming off the water. Birds chirped, and small woodland creatures scurried about.

  When I reached the driveway, I paused in the idling car. Was I really going to do this? Just show up out of the blue? At least he couldn’t hide from me here. As I gently pushed on the gas and began moving up the driveway, the cabin came into view. It looked just like it did in the pictures he’d sent me. I’d never been here, but between Cole and Wes and all their pictures I felt like I had. Maddie had weaseled directions out of my brother so I hadn’t had to ask, and now I was glad.

  After parking my car, I stepped out and took in my surroundings. The house was dark, but the door to the home gym stood open. Light was filtering out, and music was thundering from the sound system within. I grinned as Fight from The Battle Rock Anthem blasted from the speakers. At least he was motivated.

  I slammed my car door and waited. I thought for sure he’d hear me, but no one ever appeared. Knowing that it was now or never, I slowly made my way over to the open door. When I peered inside, the view nearly took my breath away. There was Wes, with his back to the door, doing the Salmon Ladder. The muscles in his shoulders flexed as his body climbed higher in the air. It really was a sight. Sweat dripped down his back, and collected at the waistband of his shorts. When he reached the top, he dropped back down, took a few deep breaths, and started over.

  I wondered, as I stood there leaning against the doorway, how many of these he could do before his arms gave out. Based on the fact that it didn’t look like he would be stopping anytime soon, I figured it must be quite a few.

  “Fuckin’ A,” he swore when his hand slipped from the bar. He was hanging by one arm, and dropped to ground frustrated with himself. He still hadn’t noticed me, and I was enjoying being the silent observer, so when he turned around and saw me I was just as shocked as he was. “What the?” he gasped as I grinned.

  “Nice show. Can I watch some more?” I smiled as I tried to keep the conversation light. I didn’t want the strain that had been between us in the past to come shoving its way in now.

  “What are you doing here?” he grabbed a towel from the weight bench beside him, and wiped it across his forehead.

  “I want to talk to you, and I haven’t been able to,” I shrugged before moving closer to him. He stepped back like he was trying to escape me, and I couldn’t help but frown.

  “You shouldn’t be here,” he muttered as he positioned himself on the bench, and lifted the bar off its resting spot. “I’m not ready.”

  That statement confused me, but I brushed it off as I watched him. “Shouldn’t you have a spotter for that?” I moved closer as fear tinged the edge of my voice.

  “Can you lift 250 pounds?” he grunted as he forced the bar into the air. “Didn’t think so.”

  “We need to talk, and you haven’t been around. Joey…” I trailed off.

  “Fucking Joey,” Wes muttered as he placed the bar back on the pegs, and swung himself to a sitting position. “If Carson wasn’t a friend, his little bro would be gone.”

  “Don’t blame him,” I smiled as I nibbled on my lip. “I got Ally to help me.”

  “Why does that not surprise me,” he chuckled as he shook his head. “So are you two all tight and shit again?”

  “Tight and shit?” I scoffed. “What the heck does that mean? What are you… gangsta now?”

  Wes laughed this time as he slowly shook his head, “What are you really doing here Angel? Does Cole know you’re here?”

  “Maddie knows I’m here. She can tell Cole. Cole doesn’t care if I’m with you anyway. He’s washed his hands of it. Says not to come running when you hurt me,” I lifted a shoulder as I moved to stand in front of him. My knees brushed against his as I lowered my voice, “So, are you?”

  “Am I what?” he reached for the water bottle beside him and took a big gulp.

  “Gonna hurt me?” I reached for him, hoping he’d let me in this time, but he pulled back.

  “Angel,” his voice was strained as he tossed the empty water bottle to the floor, and rose from the bench. I had to step back to give him room, and as his chest heaved, my belly brushed against his abs.

  “Your move,” I whispered.

  Without words, he leaned down, pausing right in front of my lips. I could feel his breath wafting across my face as my eyes fluttered closed, and I waited for the connection to come. This was it. The moment that would either push us together, or force us apart.

  “Come with me,” he sighed. “I want to show you something, and if you still want to stay then I’m all yours.”

  Confusion and then fear rushed through me. What could he possibly have to show me that I didn’t already know about? “Ok,” I murmured as he stepped around me, grabbed my hand, and stepped outside.

  Without speaking, Wes led me up the front steps. The cabin was elevated almost like something you’d see at the beach so even though the gym was on the ground level it was like a basement. When we reached the front door, he plastered on a tight smile. “I’ve been working on something for you for several weeks. I hope you like it, but if you don’t, it’s ok.”

  “It’s all right,” I assured him as he nodded and began leading me through the house. We went up the winding staircase, and he paused outside of one of the doors. When he pushed it opened, I gasped. The room was painted in a soft yellow, and had gauzy white curtains hanging in the windows. A crib was in one corner, and a changing table dresser combo was across from it. Two book shelves filled with infant and toddler toys adorned one wall, and a giant rocking chair was in the other. “You did this?” I gasped in awe.

  “Is it too much,” his voice was strained as he moved behind me. His hands clasped my shoulders as if he was trying to steady himself. “I want to be with you, Angel,” he barreled on. “I just needed time to get my head in the game. I’ve always wanted this,” he released me, and when he stepped around to face me, he swept his arm out across the room. “I bought this place to share with my family. I haven’t found anyone that’s loved me enough to want the same things. I dreamed of training downstairs while my family was upstairs. I wanted to be able to wake up here, in paradise.” He grabbed one of my hands, lacing our fingers together as he cupped my cheek with the other, “I want that with you. I want this baby,” he released my hand and caressed my belly, “to grow up here with us, that is, if you want it, too.”

  I stood there completely shocked at his revelation. I wasn’t sure how to answer him. What was he asking me? To move in together?
Marriage? What did all this mean? “Um,” swallowed. “What exactly are you asking me?”

  “I’m not going back to the city. I’m going to run the gym from here. Cole’s going to step up as manager and I’m going to check in regularly. I’ve been doing ok so far,” he shrugged. I bought this place for me, and I’ve never been able to enjoy it. Move in here,” his lips began to curve up in a smile as he watched me give in to him.

  “Ok,” I nodded as a grin slipped into place.

  “You will?” he bent his knees so we were now eye level.

  “Yeah,” I nodded faster as giggles spilled out. “If you do one thing for me.”

  “What’s that?” he tipped his head to the side.

  “Take a shower. You stink,” I pushed at his chest as he moved to wrap me in his arms. “Eww! Wes!” I screeched as I scrambled to get out of his grip.

  “Now you smell, too. Looks like you’ll have to join me,” he winked as he turned to leave the room. “Wanna see our room now?” he called from the hallway.

  I waddled after him. He didn’t have to ask me twice. I’d heard from Maddie how awesome his master bathroom was.

  ooooooooo

  Wes

  I couldn’t believe she’d said yes. I’d been working on getting the house ready for weeks just hoping that eventually I’d get her here. I didn’t think it would happen today. I’ll have to give Joey a raise. Even though I’m royally pissed at him, he’s the reason she’s here. Now keeping her here was going to be the challenge. She’d agreed to move in, but did she really understand what that meant? Leaving the city? Her job? It was quiet up here at the lake. I didn’t have any neighbors. I’d bought the place wanting solitude, a place to escape. Angel had always had people around her, was she going to make it in the middle of nowhere?

  I glanced over to where she was curled on the sofa beside me. She was still wearing my bathrobe. We hadn’t brought her luggage in, and as the room darkened with the impending night, I knew I needed to get on that. I didn’t want to be outside lugging stuff in in the dark.

  “Hey, Angel,” I nudged her thigh. “I’m going to get your stuff.”

  “No,” she yawned. “I’ll get it,” she stretched and began to rise from her position on the sofa.

  I shook my head as she shuffled toward the door, “Quit being stubborn. I’ll get your things. You should be resting.” She ignored me, and kept shuffling until she’d made it out the door. The screen door on the front banged as it slammed closed, and I cursed under my breath. This had always been an issue with us: her stubbornness. Apparently, I was going to have to learn to live with it.

  By the time I reached her car, she had one bag hanging on her shoulder, and was trying to lug a suitcase out of the trunk. “I’ve got this one,” I placed my hand on it and gently coaxed her toward the door. She smiled as she gripped the bag on her shoulder tighter.

  Once I came inside, I caught her sitting on the sofa once again, grinning at me. I wrinkled my forehead in confusion as she patted the spot beside her. “What’s going on, Angel?”

  “Come here. I’ve got something for you,” she smirked as I moved closer. “You’re going to fight in that showcase that Joey was telling me about, aren’t you?” She studied me as if she was waiting for me to argue with her.

  “I’m trying to. It’s hard without a trainer. I’m going at it alone,” I sighed as I lowered myself to the cushion beside her.

  “I thought this might help,” she reached in her purse, and pulled out something that I hadn’t seen since I was an eighteen-year-old kid. “Do you remember when you gave me this? You’d just won you first amateur match.”

  I nodded, “I’d taken it with me for good luck,” I reached out as she placed the belt in my hands. “My first black belt. I thought it held magical powers or something,” I snickered.

  “It does,” she grinned. “You’re going to win that showcase, and I’m going to help.” She leaned in closer to me as she pressed her lips to mine. “I’m glad you’re back,” she murmured against my lips before swiping her tongue against mine.

  The burning desire I’d been suppressing for this woman for months roared to the surface bringing with it a raging inferno of want and need. I don’t think Angel truly understood what her words meant to me. How just being here in this house fulfilled all my wants and desires. I’d thought that I’d wanted this with Vicki, but now I realized that she was just a fill-in for the one woman that was truly meant to be here. My angel was slowly piecing me back together, and at the moment, I felt like I could conquer anything.

  Chapter 26

  Wes

  Over the course of the next month, my life consisted of sleeping, eating, and training. I’d managed to find somebody to train me, thanks to Cole. I still wasn’t sure why he’d done it, but was happy nonetheless. Things were still very strained between us, and I feared that they’d never be what they once were.

  Mike had just shown up one day banging on my door at six in the morning. I thought maybe he was a renter that I hadn’t remembered scheduling, but then he held up a gym bag and introduced himself signaling his purpose. I’d immediately thought Angel had found him, and not told me. Later that day, Cole had called and asked if he’d arrived and ever since he’s been a fixture here.

  Angel’s been settling in nice since she agreed to move in. We went and got her things two weeks ago, and she’s slowly been buying baby items online. I think my credit card lets out a tiny scream every time she walks in the room. I don’t mind buying what she needs. It’s not like I can’t afford it, but I have fun teasing her.

  The showcase is next month, and Mike assures me that I’m ready, but I still don’t feel like it. Maybe I’m holding back, but the connection between my mind and body just doesn’t feel like it used to. I guess a small amount of fear is still there. Fear that I won’t be good enough, that people will judge me based on what they heard, that Vicki was right and I am the loser that she created in the public eye.

  “Speed it up!” Mike’s voice sounded behind me from the golf cart. I was on my daily run, and now that I’d extended the distance, Mike followed me on the damn thing instead of running with me. I rolled my eyes, and slowly shook my head. I wished I’d never bought him the thing. “You need to pick up the pace if you’re looking to increase your endurance.”

  “I’m beginning to think I should take the battery out of that thing,” I growled as I kicked it up a notch.

  “You hired me to kick your ass,” he laughed as he held out a water bottle. “I’m trying to do my job.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I grumbled as I squeezed a small amount of water into my mouth before squirting some on the top of my head. It was nearing the end of summer, but it was exceptionally hot this week. Poor Angel had been suffering right along with me. We’d been taking off to the lake the last couple nights for late night swimming in the hopes of cooling off.

  When we turned back into my driveway, Mike parked the cart and moved to stand by the gym door. “Let’s go, Champ,” he motioned as I placed my hands on my knees and tried to catch my breath.

  “Holy fuck, Dude! Can I get a breather?” I scowled.

  “No, you think Linc is going to give you one?” He stood there with a ‘are you really asking me that’ look on his face as he waited for me to answer.

  “You’re right,” I stormed passed him. “Let’s go,” I threw the bottle I’d grabbed to the floor, walked over to the mats, and began taping my hands. Mike shook his head at me as he began padding up and preparing for my assault.

  “Why are you so damn stubborn about this?” Mike tipped his head to the side. “What is this guy to you?”

  “You didn’t do your research before you took me on, did you?” I mumbled as I slipped my mouth guard in. “Look me up later on google. It’s eye opening,” I barked sarcastically and rolled my eyes as I approached him and readied myself.

  Mike lifted one of his arms and signaled for an attack. I spun, lifted my leg in the air in a roundhouse kick, and m
ade contact. Mike stumbled slightly, but nodded to go again. I repeated the motion over, and over before adding my arms to the mix. After a few jabs, and one cross that nearly clipped his nose, Mike held his arm up to halt me.

  “Take a breath!” he commanded as he tossed a pad to the ground, and handed me a water bottle. After a few sips, I nodded, and slipped my mouth guard back in place. “Let’s work on escapes,” he removed the pads, motioned for me to get on the floor, and put me in several take down moves. Floor work had always been a strength of mine. Vicki knew this, which meant that her fighter was going to try and wear me down before he took me to the mats. “You should be called the Rubber Man,” Mike snickered as I bent, and slipped from his hold once again.

  “Na,” I laughed as I spit the guard out. “There is nothing rubbery about me. Ask her,” I nodded my head to where Angela was now standing in the doorway staring at us. “Hey Angel,” I winked as I stood to face her. “Whatcha doin’ here?”

  “I was checking to see if you want lunch,” she shrugged as her eyes trailed down my half naked body.

  “I’m good,” I looked over at Mike, “You?”

  Mike cringed before shaking his head, “I’m good.”

  “Suit yourself,” she sing-songed as she disappeared from where she’d come.

  “Your girlfriend is sweet and all,” Mike murmured, “but you need to teach her how to cook.”

  I glared at him for moment wondering if he’d back pedal before I busted out laughing, “Yeah. If I didn’t know my way around a kitchen, I might starve. I don’t know what that was that we ate last night.”

  “Dude!” he slapped my back. “Me either. One thing is for sure. You need to keep eating the protein. You’ve added some weight, but if you want to stay in your current division, you need more.”

  “I know,” I sighed. “Where to next Coach?” I grinned as I grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat off my face.