God, I hope Huck doesn’t show up here tonight, I say to myself while looking in the mirror of my dressing room and touching up my lipstick. Then I glance down at my inner thigh, making sure my small tattoo is covered. I can’t deal with Huck on top of everything else. Although, I haven’t heard from him since the funeral. He and several of the people from his gym came. I guess with everything Kara went through, my dad kind of bonded with them. It would be my luck that he would show up tonight and show his ass again.
I don’t know why this is any of his business.
A knock at the door brings me out of my thoughts. Elizabeth sticks her head in. “Hey, just seeing if you had everything you need for tonight.”
I shrug. “Yeah, I guess. I’m just ready to go on stage, dance and be done. I need to get back home and check on Mom. She had her second round today.”
Elizabeth has become a pretty good friend. I thought she was Huck’s girlfriend to begin with when I saw them together at the hospital, but now I know without a doubt that’s not possible since she’s a lesbian. Also, she and Huck haven’t been each other’s greatest fans. She filled me in on her mom, Marco and the man who raised her.
She gives me a soft, understanding smile. “Yeah, the treatment days can be tough. I remember Mom going through them. It’s never fun, but I’m here if you need any help.”
I touch her arm. “Thank you.” I pull back a little. “You haven’t, um, told Huck that I’m back here, have you?”
She curls her lip. “Um, no. It’s not his damn business what you or I do for a living and if he brings his man-child ass in here again and causes a scene, I’m calling Lox.”
I chuckle. “Lox?”
“Yeah. Lox is the more level-headed one of that damn trio. Sly would just laugh it off, he enjoys that alpha-male shit. Lox I could talk to and make sure he doesn’t tell my dad.” She turns to the door.
Looking at her, I can tell she’s sincere. “Thanks again, Liz. I haven’t had a girlfriend in a really long time. It’s nice having someone to talk with.” I watch her in the mirror for another second.
She smiles and nods as she closes the door.
My phone pings with an incoming text. It could be my aunt. Sliding me finger across the screen, I see it’s not.
PAVEL: I miss you, come home.
ME: I am home. Miami was never home. What, new secretary doesn’t like to give it up as much?
PAVEL: Don’t be crass. Bring your mother here, she can get better treatments.
ME: Her doctors are from UF. They can’t get much better.
PAVEL: I went to put some money in your account after your father passed and it’s no longer open.
ME: I moved it to a local bank.
I didn’t want to tell him I closed it for two reasons.
#1 I didn’t want him having access so I did move it.
#2 It’s empty because I gave it to my mom for bills.
PAVEL: Tell me which one and I’ll send you some money.
ME: I don’t want your money. I need to go to work. Sorry.
PAVEL: I know how you’re making money. Don’t forget I have my connections.
ME: And?????
PAVEL: So you’ll traipse around in no clothes in front of strangers and take their money like a common whore. But you won’t accept money from me. The man you love.
Anger and rage fill me. If I could reach through and grab his throat, I would. He is such a manipulative bastard.
ME: As far as taking my clothes off and dancing for money making me a whore, no. Fucking you while you were married and you paying for everything made me a whore. Now I’d just be considered a tease. Lose my number.
I drop my phone in my bag and walk out toward the stage. He’s been trying to get me to move back for months. Well, largely now because his wife is busy with the baby and doesn’t have time for him. The day of my father’s funeral, he sent me white gladiolas. The note said:
I’m sorry for your loss, come home. I’m feeling lost without you. I need to feel you, Krasavitsa. -PV
I was so embarrassed I had to hide the card, telling my mother and aunt that it was from the dealership I used to work for.
I straighten my tie and jacket before getting ready to walk out on stage.
The lights go down.
Please welcome our very own Grace back to the stage. She’s been on a break for a few weeks, but you know she missed each and every one of you.
That makes me want to barf. “Earned It” starts.
I grab the pole as the lyrics start. I swing myself around it. If I can just zone out and do the routine I’ve practiced over and over again, I can make it through it. Luckily, the classes I took at our gym in Miami were a burlesque class and a pole dancing class. That was my saving grace when I came here.
I barely hear the rude and suggestive comments the patrons make. Since the night Huck was here, I try to not pay attention to any of the customers. I don’t look at their faces and never ever make eye contact.
This is the most appropriate song for me, I’ve damn sure earned it.
Once I finish my routine, I go back to my dressing room, throwing stuff in my bag. I look at myself in the mirror and think about Pavel.
I’m almost twenty-six fucking years old and I’m stripping at a damn gentlemen’s club. The only relationship I’ve had was with a married man who would rather buy me off than leave his wife. Yes, I fucking earned it. I should take Pavel’s fucking money. “Fuck! ARRRGGHHHH!” I sling a stiletto across my dressing room, breaking a glass that was on the table. I sink to the floor and start to cry. I have nothing. I have a dead dad and a dying mother. I. Have. Nothing.
A couple of minutes later, I notice that Liz has come in the room. She simply sits beside me and hands me a glass of Jack. I really do appreciate the friendship we’ve formed. I just need to cry and have a stiff drink, not a conversation.
Finally breaking the silence after what’s probably been about thirty minutes, she looks over at me. “You working tomorrow night?” she says and then stands up.
I shake my head, wiping tears. “No.”
“Okay, well you have plans with me now,” she says flatly.
“Liz, I can’t, my mom-.”
She puts a hand up and stops me. “Your mom and your aunt will be fine. You’ve been dealt a shitty hand lately and I’m going to take you somewhere to take your mind off of it.” Before I can get another word out, she walks out the door, closing it behind her.
CHAPTER 6
HUCK
Punch, stick, jab. Breathe. Punch, stick, jab. Breathe. Duck, punch, stick, jab. Breathe. Weave, punch, stick, jab.
I repeat these phrases over and over in my head as I practice in front of the mirror. I always do this before a fight to prepare myself. Fighters are just like any other kind of athlete - we’re a little superstitious. Everything has to be the same before every fight.
The locker room door opens and Elizabeth sticks her head in. “You decent?”
“Yeah, come in,” I grumble out and start trying to tape my hands.
She walks straight over and starts helping me tape them. “So how are things going?”
I raise an eyebrow and look at her like she’s lost it. “What do you want? You never ask how things are going. You’re up to something,” I say pointedly.
“I brought someone to the fight tonight,” she says nervously.
“Like a date?” I stop her taping and look at her in the eyes.
“No. Not a date, but it is a girl.”
We start taping my other hand. “So who is it? What’s the big deal?”
“It’s Chelsea. I don’t know the whole story between you two, but I know there is one.” I stand up quickly and she jumps back but quickly regains her composure. “Look, she’s an emotionless wreck right now. Last night was her first night back at work and she just seems empty. She lost it for a few minutes backstage but other than that, it’s like she’s a walking zombie. I talked to her while she was off, but it just seems
to be getting worse rather than better. I was hoping seeing you tonight, seeing you fight, would bring out some kind of emotion from her.”
I exhale loudly. “Fine.” I turn back to the mirror and watch Liz in the reflection. “She went back to the club to work?” I say quietly.
“Yeah, she hasn’t told me why, but I know firsthand how expensive cancer is,” she says solemnly. “I’ve been around strippers for five years now. I know the different reasons they do what they do. I like the freedom and the money. Some just like the attention. Some do it because they have no other choice and need the income it brings. Chelsea has no other choice and needs the money it brings. My guess if it was just her she was worried about, she wouldn’t be doing it.” She turns, walking out of the locker room.
I stare at myself in the mirror. I wanted to call her so many times over the past few weeks, I just couldn’t. I’m never going to be the kind of guy she deserves. She and I were something a long time ago. Something…I’m not exactly sure what we were.
Walking into the school library, I see a mousy blonde with glasses waiting at a table. She must be my new tutor. The last guy they gave me pissed me off and I nearly beat his ass. If he hadn’t started crying and almost pissed his pants, I would have. In all fairness, though, I wouldn’t have threatened to beat his ass if he hadn’t called me low-life fighter, street trash.
She looks up nervously, “Huckleberry Webb?” She sticks her hand out, “I’m Chelsea Harmon.”
I take her small hand. “No one calls me that. I’m Huck,” I say strongly.
“Oh, um, okay,” she says timidly, pulling her hand back. Looking down at her notes, I hear her mumble, “Sorry.” She shuffles some papers. “So what subjects do you need the most help with? If we can set up a plan, I can categorize them. We can set up a way for you to study and make a schedule.”
I slide into the empty chair beside her and chuckle. “You’re kinda funny, you know that?”
“What do you mean?” She fidgets.
“Well, from the second you looked at me, you seem like you’re about to jump out of your skin,” I say jokingly.
She takes her glasses off and rubs the sides of her nose where her glasses normally rest. “Look, I have a busy tutoring schedule. We need to get started and if I seem jumpy, maybe it’s because you took my head off as soon as you walked in about your stupid name.” She looks back up at me. “So can we get to work?”
“Dude, you ready to go or what?” I look up and see Lox standing in the doorway. He had the first fight tonight so he’s been done for a little while.
“Yeah, I was just thinking.” I take a couple of cleansing breaths. “Let’s do this.”
I follow him out where I hear my music has already started.
“And be a simple kind of man.
Be something you love and understand.
Baby, be a simple kind of man.
Oh won't you do this for me son,
If you can?”
Marco slaps me on the back as I enter the cage. “Maksim is looking good tonight. Keep on your toes and watch your six. We fight them again in a few weeks at the tournament in Jacksonville. Tonight will be a great study for then.”
I nod and make my way to the center of the cage. The ref gives us his regular spill, we tap gloves and go to our corners.
Ding!
The next forty-five minutes go by in a blur, ending with the ref holding my arm up as the victor. I make my way out of the cage to Marco.
“Fuck, that was a tough one. I’m going to have to make some changes to my training regimen,” I say as he wipes over the back of my head and hands me a bottle of water. I gulp out of it as quickly as my mouth will allow.
“All right, son, let’s get you to the locker room and get those cuts looked at.” I nod, glancing over to the section where our seats are and I see her. She’s actually smiling a little.
Once I’m inside the locker room, Sly follows me in with Krista in one of those reverse backpack looking things on his chest. “Good fight, man. It looked like a tough one.”
I nod as I start unwrapping my hands. “It was fucking brutal. I’ve already told Marco I’ve got to up my damn training before we meet again in Jacksonville. The dude is like hitting a fucking brick wall.”
Sly covers Krista’s ears. “Dude, language.”
I look at him like he’s an idiot. “Really, you expect your child to grow up never hearing someone cuss? You’re in the wrong profession, brother.”
He shrugs. “Look, I told Kara I would try, okay? This is Princess’s first fight and I’m trying to make it a regular thing, so let’s follow the rules the best we can. Okay?”
I nod as one of the medics come in with Marco to take a look at my cuts. Sly pats me on the back as Krista lets out a squeal. I lean over and kiss her head. “Night, sweet girl. Thank you for coming to my fight. We’ll play in the morning, I promise.”
Marco laughs. “That one little girl is turning my group of world class fighters into mush.”
I laugh. “Maybe not.”
He sits on the bench beside me as the medic looks me over. “So it seems you and Liz are getting along a lot better. I’m glad. I think of you as my son, Huck. I want all of my kids to get along.”
“Sorry, I was just-.”
He stops me. “Looking out for me. I know. Huck, you’re loyal to a fault sometimes.”
The medic finishes up and tells me everything looks good. Once he’s out of the room, Marco starts again.
“Huck, I know you’re keeping secrets for her. I know where she works. I’m not happy about it, but I know what kind of an asshole she grew up having to call Dad. I’m not him and as long as she’s not in danger, I’m not telling her she’s wrong.” He sits there shaking his head.
“Marco, man. I-.”
“I know you talked her into leaving that first shit hole. The place she’s in now is different and I’m more comfortable with it. I appreciate it and in some warped way it makes me feel better that she’s opening up to you. Maybe one day she’ll feel like she can open up to me,” he says sadly.
“She’s so worried that she’s going to disappoint you, man. She’s promised me, though, that once she gets the last of her debt paid off, she’s quitting. She’s just going to waitress,” I say, trying to calm Marco down a little.
Marco looks confused. “Debt? What kind of debt would she have?”
I shrug. “I think it was some of the bills from her mom or something. She said it was from before she left home.” I strip down and start walking toward the showers. “I just try to listen when she’ll actually tell me something.”
I hear him say, “Thanks, son,” as I’m getting in the shower.
CHAPTER 7
CHELSEA
Wow, he’s really good. I know that it’s always been his dream. Holy shit, I’m watching his taught muscles as he slams into the guy. It’s a tough fight, he doesn’t walk away with it tonight like I’ve heard he does at times. Watching the official hold up his arm in victory, the way his back flexes, damn, he’s certainly not that boy I gave my virginity to. Don’t get me wrong, he was built back then, too, it’s just not the same. Now, I could just run my tongue up and down his body, appreciating each and every muscle. Yes, oh yes, many things have changed since the last time we were together.
Fuck, now my panties are wet. God! Stop staring at him! Get it together, Chelsea!
Liz taps my arm and I yelp. She rolls her eyes. “Hey, Dad is taking us out family style tonight. You in?”
I’m confused. “Huh?”
“I was asking if you want to go grab a bite to eat with all of us tonight. Dad is taking us to the Conestoga Steakhouse, he told me to invite you,” she says, laughing and shaking her head as if she was in my thoughts a few minutes ago.
“Oh, sorry. I’m really tired and I have to be at the hospital in the morning so I’m just gonna head home. I’m already drifting off into left field.” I try to laugh off the tension.
She cocks her
head to the side a little, watching me. Finally, she nods. “Okay. So when’s the next time you work at the club?”
“Wednesday,” I say quietly, as if anyone could hear us.
“Okay. I’m waitressing that night, I’ll see you then.” A minute later, Sly walks up with their baby strapped to his chest and Kara by his side. Liz kisses the baby’s head. “You guys coming to eat with us?”
Kara smiles softly. “No. Krista has done really well tonight, we don’t want to push it. She might be little but she’s feisty.”
We all laugh. Sly looks at us and grins. “Well, I’m going to eat at the Y when I get home. I don’t need a steak.”
Kara’s eyes go huge, at the same time Liz and I bust out laughing. Kara slaps him on the arm and rolls her eyes. “Consider the Y closed when you get home. You’ll be lucky if I warm you a hot pocket.”
As if he’s in deep thought, he taps his chin. “A warm hot pocket sounds kinda nice.”
Kara screams at him. “Can you please not turn everything into a sexual innuendo? Especially with our daughter on your chest.”
As if someone took his favorite toy, he sighs. “Fine. Let’s go home.” He nods to us. “Liz. Chelsea, good to see you again. You should come hang out more often.”
Kara nods. “Yes. We need more estrogen in this group.” She laughs as they walk away and I notice Sly pop her on the ass.
Liz shakes her head, laughing. “Those two. Sly is a damn handful but I love him anyway.”
I nod. “He’s always been that way. He was a silly cut up in school, too. One time he convinced our Spanish teacher that giving slow head was a new dance. Class got really awkward.”
Liz picks up her bag. “I’ll walk you to your car. It can get a little rough out here after fights.” We start toward the exit. “So the guys were pretty much always this way then?”
I nod. “Yes. The three of them were inseparable. Lox was always the level-headed, take in a stray pet kind of guy. Sly was always the class goof. He made more substitute teachers blush or quit than any other student I knew.” I let out a big exhale. “And Huck was always uptight and broody, unless it was something to do with Lox or Sly, then he would relax. Every once in a while he’d let his guard down and let you see the good guy in there, but he mostly saw that as a weakness.” I shrug.
Holding Huck's Heart (Marco's MMA Boys #3) Page 4