Hooked (A New Adult Romance)

by Heart, Alison

  But Jake? A mid-20’s hunk-of-a-man, ripped to the gills, wealthy pro athlete—why isn’t a horny, testosterone-fueled guy like him not fucking everything with a vagina? How in the fuck is he in med school?! Most guys in his position would be more than happy fighting and collecting his earnings and then whooping it up between bouts, not giving tomorrow another thought. I can’t believe he didn’t take me when he had the chance; I can’t believe how tenderly he kissed the tears off my cheeks before leaving me half-naked and sobbing on the bed.

  Even if he wanted to exercise discretion, this hotel would have provided all the secrecy he would need.

  Not that he’d need it.

  Would he?

  Clearly, there’s much more to him than meets the eye.

  I sighed and looked up at the rotating ceiling fan above the bed. I can still smell his scent on my body, even though we only made out.

  It’s 5:30am. I know I should probably check out, go home, and get ready for work.

  But I don’t want to. I just want to lay here and think about Jake. I can’t believe how shamelessly I threw myself at him; I can’t believe he was able to resist me. What a gentleman for not going through with it—most guys in his position wouldn’t have thought twice about fucking a fragile, hurting woman.

  The enigmatic Jake Bishop…

  There’s an upside to all of this.

  Two days ago I felt my life was over.

  But I don’t feel that way anymore. Even though I know men are shit, I simply can’t force myself to believe that all men are shit.

  At least not after observing how kindly he treated me last night. And the night before last at the bar. He had the strength to pull away when I didn’t. And I could tell it took Herculean strength on his part to deny my advances—call it a woman’s intuition.

  I could tell by his eyes that he wanted me.

  I truly want to believe that there are good men out there, I really really do.

  And I want to believe that Jake is one of them.

  There. I said it. Happy?

  Time to pull my sorry ass out of bed. If I hurry, I can give my mother a call before clocking in. I need to schedule a visit. I could go for some of her cream of potato soup and a long chat. There’s no one on this planet I’d rather get advice from than my mom.

  Chapter 12

  Jake

  It has been a week since I left Ruby crying on the hotel bed. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But it needed to be done. For her and for me.

  She’s in no state to start a relationship, and neither am I. I have to get my head back into the ring and the classroom; I have to get a handle on life. I have to make up for lost time.

  If I fail, I have no one but myself to blame; and failure is not an option.

  So I did what I knew I had to do: I finally spilled my guts to Ricky. I told him everything. I told him about Ruby, school, and fighting.

  Without judgment or hesitation, he set me up with a sports psychologist. Yeah, it’s wimpy, I know, but this Friday night, $50,000 is on the line. The fight is too big, too important to let my stupid pride get in the way. We both concluded I need professional help.

  Funny thing is, I actually picked up a worthwhile nugget of wisdom from my counseling sessions: that medical school is the fight of my life. Literally. Like the psychologist stressed, “The ring is temporary; medical school is forever.”

  I never really thought about it like that. For me, being a doctor was more of an ego thing, something I could say, ‘See, World? I made something of myself, I ain’t trailer trash,’ rather than looking at it like a life-long profession where I could help others until the day I die.

  Now, after only three trips to the psychologist and and countless hours working out in the gym with Ricky, I feel as if my head is properly screwed back on.

  I haven’t forgotten about Ruby. Far from it. I’ve just learned to deal with her in due time.

  But that time is not now.

  Ruby

  “Hey, sweetie! So good to see you,” my mom said as she leaned over the threshold to hug me. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

  “Thanks mom,” I smiled crookedly, returning her bear hug. We walked inside her mobile home and sat down. It had been a while since I last visited her, and as I looked about the ramshackle trailer I marveled at how clean and organized it was, despite its evident lack of affluence. My mother might not be rich, but she takes pride in what little she has.

  “I take it the traffic wasn’t too bad?”

  “No, it was fine. Nothing I couldn’t handle,” I answered softly. I didn’t feel like making small talk. I had something specific on my mind.

  “So, have you talked to Dan recently?”

  “No. Not since I told him it was off. I think he got the message loud and clear.” I paused for a few seconds before asking, “Have you talked to or seen dad?”

  “No, no. That ship sailed long ago. Last I heard he was gallivanting around the Bahamas with a pretty young thing, probably younger than you,” she sighed, her eyes drifting down and to the side, as if she was thinking of something sad.

  We both sat there for several seconds with eyes cast down, lost in our own thoughts.

  “So what’s on your mind?” she finally broke the silence, cocking her head down so she could peer up into my eyes. “You usually have enough to say for a room full of people.”

  It’s true. I can talk a lot. I’m usually the center of the party.

  “Mom, can I ask you something?”

  “Of course, Ruby. You know that.”

  “And you won’t think I’m off my rocker?”

  “Baby, I’ve done and said things that would probably get me sent to an institution. I’ve got secrets that I’ll take to the grave with me. There’s nothing you can say that will shock me?”

  “I think I’ve found someone new.”

  “Oh,” she said bluntly, sitting up and arching an eyebrow. “That’s…fast.”

  “Well, not really. But. I’m confused.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Does ‘Jake Bishop’ ring a bell?”

  She screwed up her face and thought for a second, “Mm…I don’t think so.”

  I proceeded to tell her all that had occurred up to this point. When I finished she leaned back and ruminated on everything I had divulged.

  “So, you like this boy?”

  “I, I don’t know. I mean, sort of, I guess. At least I like the possibility of what he could be. People change.” Of course, I failed to mention how my body came alive whenever I thought about his amazing body.

  “They certainly can. And medical school is no small matter. They don’t just let anyone in. And if he’s in his final year, well, he must be doing something right. He can’t be getting into fights and mouthing off to the teachers, that’s for sure.”

  I shrugged and shook my head. “I don’t know why I’m even telling you all this, mom. I’m being silly. Nothing is going to happen between me and Jake. Who am I kidding? I don’t even know where he lives. I’m merely fantasizing like an irrational schoolgirl. And you know, even if my wildest fantasies of him came true, he’d probably just sleep around on me like every other guy. You know what they say: you can take a kid out of the trailer park, but you can’t take the trailer park out of the kid.”

  “Oh baby, hush! Don’t say that!” she scolded. “Is that how you think of yourself? Don’t forget, you came from a trailer park, too.”

  I furrowed my brow and looked down at my hands. I had overlooked that point; I also grew up in a trailer park.

  She continued. “Just because you made something of yourself doesn’t mean you automatically have a license to judge others. It’s often the people at the very bottom who end up being our best doctors, politicians, business leaders, and so on. And on the flip side of that coin, it’s often the super rich, entitled, old money assholes who come of age with a silver spoon up their ass and the best education money can buy, that turn out to be the most villain
ous and corrupt of society. Whatever does or doesn’t happen between you and Jake is your business; just don’t pre-judge people on your journey through life. You’ll learn to regret it when you’re older, believe you me.”

  Ouch. Twenty-six and still getting lashed by my mother.

  But she was spot on: I had no right to judge Jake. My opinions of him should be based on hard experience rather than assumptions, regardless of how painful those experiences turn out to be.

  Then she sat down beside me and put her arm around my shoulder. “Baby, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I’m not here to steer you towards or away from anyone. Jake could be the devil, or a saint. But whatever he is, guard your heart until you learn exactly what’s inside of his.”

  Chapter 13

  Jake

  Not many people win a $50,000 championship fight and then go home to brood by themselves. But that’s exactly what I’m doing.

  The fight was nearly effortless. Knocked my opponent out cold early in the second round. I would’ve finished him off in the first if the bell hadn’t saved him at the last second. I feel bad for the spectators; they didn’t get much of a fight.

  Yeah, I was motivated and ready this evening. In fact, I feel more focused and determined than I ever have.

  But I’ve realized one thing: I need Ruby.

  My mind keeps repeating what the psychologist said about fighting being temporary. The thing is, it goes even deeper than that. I can’t keep fighting forever. At some point I need to quit—and then what happens after I leave the cage for the last time? I’ve never thought about that.

  In some ways I envy Zach. He’s got it good: a wife that loves him, a son that adores him, a stable business. In other words, a safe, comfortable life.

  Where am I going?

  Sure, I’ll be a full-on doctor in four to five years. But what then? Am I going to have a wife? Kids? Before, life was just about fighting and surviving. Not flourishing. Not happiness. I never imagined I would have as much money and nearly limitless opportunity as I do now. The future was the last thing on my mind.

  I crack open another beer and rub my forearm; it’s sore from a blocked punch. I look over at the coffee table where a pile of books lay. I should get studying.

  I sigh and pick up a clinical microbiology textbook. I flip through the pages and glance at the graphic pictures of fungating wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, and a slew of other terrifying infectious conditions. I pause to consider how lucky I am that I’m not the individual in the picture.

  “All right, bitch,” I say out loud to myself, “Time to get studying you fucking little whiner.”

  Ruby

  Four ‘o’ clock; only about an hour more until quitting time.

  God has it dragged by.

  This has been a wretched humdrum of a work shift. It’s been slightly over a week now since I told Dan off. The outpouring of support I’ve gotten from friends and family has been uplifting, but at the end of the day I’ve still got to go home to an empty house and an even more empty life. It sucks to shut the light off at night and stare up at the dark ceiling above me, wondering what’s next, where am I going, who is going to love me.

  It’s crazy, but only two weeks ago my life was in overdrive. Planning, meetings, work, everything that goes into a wedding, kept me ultra focused and busy.

  Now there’s nothing. The energy and anticipation of the wedding is gone. As are all the phone calls, wedding invitations, flowers, etc.

  My life feels like it’s over—like there’s nothing left.

  I walk up to the front desk, secretly hoping I can clock out early.

  “Hey Sharon, do I have any more patients today?”

  “Well, let’s take a look,” the charge nurse said, craning her neck towards the computer screen while tilting her head up to peer through her bifocals. “Looks like Ms. Murphy should be here any minute. After that, nothing.”

  Drat. Not going home yet.

  At least it’s Ms. Murphy, a spunky octogenarian who is a pleasure to work with. She’s on dialysis and comes in every four weeks or so to get her labs drawn.

  “Well speak of the Devil: here she is right now,” Sharon smiled. “Good afternoon, Ms. Murphy. How are you?”

  I hurried towards the door and held it open so she could maneuver her walker inside.

  “Haven’t kicked the bucket yet, ha!” she cackled. “Sorry to disappoint y’all.”

  “Oh stop, Ms. Murphy,” Sharon clucked, “You know we’re always glad to see you.”

  “Oh, Ruby dear,” she beamed and placed a withered old hand on my arm. “Congratulations to you and Dan! You must be married now.”

  Sharon’s happy face lost its enthusiasm.

  I paused uncomfortably for a minute. “Uh, no, Ms. Murphy. I…we called it off.”

  Her face darkened. “Oh,” she frowned, her voice deflating, “I’m so sorry to hear that.”

  “Yeah,” I smiled unconvincingly. “Just some last minute problems, I guess. You ready to come back?”

  She nodded silently with downcast eyes and slowly followed me to an exam room.

  During our visit she was uncharacteristically quiet. Ms. Murphy is always a boisterous old chatterbox, full of piss and vinegar; clearly the sweet old woman was saddened by my news.

  After her final blood draw, just as we were wrapping up the appointment, she said, “Ruby, dear, I can’t tell you how terribly upset I am. I’m so sorry.”

  “Oh, how very kind of you, Ms. Murphy. Thank you.”

  “I know it’s none of my business, but I’m an old woman and don’t have much time left, so I’m going to speak frankly,” she began in her characteristically creaky voice. “You might not think so now, but you’ve got your whole life ahead of you. When you’re my age and it’s too late, you’ll come to realize that. Just remember that life is one big nonsensical adventure, some of it good, some of it not so good. You are a beautiful young woman with lots to offer, so keep your head up. You’ll find your Prince Charming. I promise.”

  “Oh, Ms. Murphy, thank you so much,” I said, bending over and hugging her tightly. Tears that were held back all day started to roll down my cheeks.

  “And quit yer cryin’. Another thing you’ll learn when you’re my age is that cryin’ never solves anything. As the old saying goes, ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!’”

  I wiped away my tears and smiled at her.

  What a dear old woman! With a few simple words she put the faith in humankind back into me.

  Chapter 14

  Jake

  “Jake! Where you been, man? I was beginning to think you were dead! Or worse yet, married.”

  “Shit, Vinny, I just been busy, that’s all,” I grinned, giving my cousin a hug. I aced a couple of exams today, so I decided to grab a drink at Vinny’s club and hang out for a bit without my books or notes. “What’s new?” We settled into a booth together.

  “Ah, not much, same ol’, same ol’, you know how it is. Have you heard from Chance lately?”

  “Nah. I should email him, though. School and fighting has been kicking my ass.”

  “Rumor has it you got girl problems. Is that true?”

  “Who told you that?!” I asked, alarmed. The only people who know about Ruby are Zach, Ricky, and the psychologist; I know Zach and Ricky wouldn’t tell a soul, and I never identified Ruby by name at the psychology sessions.

  “A little birdie told me,” he replied smugly, cocking his head and looking up.

  “C’mon, tell me—who’s the snitch?”

  “You’re deflecting the question—you got girl problems or not?”

  I sighed and shook my head. “You seem to know already. You tell me.”

  Vinny leaned back and looked me squarely in the eye. “Yeah, I know. Tell me about her. From your perspective, starting back in high school.”

  “I don’t know. There’s not much to say. I liked a girl, she didn’t care for me, end of story.”

  “Did that both
er you?”

  “Maybe a little. What are you getting at anyway, Vinny? Where is this going?” I was getting annoyed. It was bad enough that I wanted her and couldn’t find her, and now on top of it all he was harassing me about the unhappy situation.

  “Hey Jake, relax,” he smirked. “I know what it’s like to be rejected. We’ve all been there. Hey Julie,” he barked towards the bar, “Bring us a couple beers.”

  “Coming up, Vinny,” a young woman’s voice called back.

  I carelessly glanced towards the bar. I did a double take when I noticed that the bartender was none other than Ruby’s attractive friend from the other night.

  “It’s you,” I blurted out, starting to my feet. “I knew I had seen you before!”

  The black-haired beauty remained where she stood at the beer taps and flashed me a smile.

  “Julie is the ‘little birdie’ who told me about your woman problems,” Vinny grinned.

  It all made sense now. I hurried up to the bar.

  “I need to talk to you, Julie. Now.”

  Ruby

  “Life is an adventure.”

  It’s funny, but those four little words stuck with me. It’s not that they are all that earth-shattering, it’s just that, at least for me, they put into perspective the essence of life itself: not good, not bad, not anything more than a random set of events, like a stick flowing down the River of Time; fast and straight at one moment, smashed against rocks the next, and yet at other times rendered stationary in an eddy by the shore.

  My mom was right, too: you should never judge a book by its cover. I should withhold my unfounded assumptions about Jake until I’ve given him a chance.

  Not that I have a chance with him.

  But if I did…I could.

  Damn how I want an ‘adventure’ with Jake!

  Now I just have to find him.