by Lane Hart
"Yeah, but what kind of costume? An elf?"
"No, it's Link, L-I-N-K. You know from the video game, Legend of Zelda?"
"Oh," he says, and then adds, "Ohhh. But I thought the green-hooded guy was Zelda."
"Nope, Zelda is the princess Link saves, but a lot of people think that since he's the main character."
"It was pretty hilarious," he agrees. "I considered blasting it over the internet more than once before I broke your phone."
"Thank for not posting it. I sent it to myself before I remembered you had my phone. Oh, and there were tights, but...he tore them...trying to pull them...on," I tell him between giggles and hear Jude chuckle, too.
"I've missed you," he says, temporarily paralyzing my lungs again. I try to blink back my tears, and am thankful I'm wearing sunglasses.
"I've missed you, too," I admit.
"So when does school start?"
"In three weeks. But I've got an internship starting a week from Monday. I'll be working at a sea turtle protection program on Bald Head Island and staying on their campus for two weeks. The nests start hatching in July with most of them boiling the first of August when it's the warmest. We'll be patrolling at night looking for hatchlings to make sure they get to the water, then excavating the nests a few days later, helping out the stragglers."
"Wow, I bet you're really excited," Jude remarks.
"I am. I can't wait. Plus there's the added benefit of having most of the daylight hours off to enjoy the beach."
"You might even be ready to change majors to Marine Biology by the time you get back," he offers.
"Yeah, I think that would be fun and all, but the pay isn't that great, and there's a lot less job security, so I'm fine with it just being sort of a fun hobby."
The sound of crunching gravel signals Linc's return with food. Thank goodness since Jude could definitely use some.
"It's really quiet out here," Jude remarks when we both climbed out of the pool.
"Yeah, it's nice."
I toss Jude a towel and wrap mine around me to dry off before heading inside. I go straight to Linc's room to change, which is where I've been staying ever since I first came home with him. I change out of the wet bathing suit and into a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top. For the first time since Jude showed up it hits me. Jude knows I've been staying in Linc's room, and I hadn't thought anything of it until now, knowing he's going to be right down the hall while Linc and I sleep together tonight. Can I really do that to Jude?
...
"Whatcha doin', Sadie?" Linc asks when I climb into his bed later that night.
"Ah, isn't it obvious? I'm going to sleep."
"Not in here you're not," he says with a shake of his head and my jaw drops.
"What? You're kicking me out?" I ask, sliding in underneath the covers. He wouldn't. I don't want to sleep alone, and I'm not ready to take that step again with Jude.
"Yep. You're officially banned from my bed."
"Since when?" I scoff. "And where am I supposed to sleep?"
He raises a blonde eyebrow and smirks across the bed at me. "Since now. There are three other beds in this house, Goldilocks. Try 'em all out until ya find the one that's just right."
I huff and cross my arms over my chest, refusing to budge. "You can't kick me out!"
He comes around my side of the bed, jerks the covers off and scoops me up with his one good arm, banding it around my waist. Totting me down the hall against his chest like I'm a giant ragdoll we come to a stop outside the door Jude's sleeping in and Linc knocks.
"Yeah?" Jude's voice answers from the other side.
"Linc, put me down you jackass!"
"Oh, I'm 'bout to," he laughs. Opening the door he enters the dark room and then unceremoniously drops me onto the mattress so hard I bounce, giving me a parting "Good night." Then he's gone, shutting the door and leaving me in the dark room.
I sit on the bed completely stunned that he really just did this to me.
"I think Linc's my new best friend," Jude says, making me laugh despite my rising panic.
A minute later the door cracks open again and my teddy bear is flung at me, almost hitting me in the face before I catch it. It's the MMA bear Jude gave me, and my face burns when I realize Jude now knows that I not only kept it, but I brought it here from home and have been sleeping with it.
I sit in the same place on the bed for how long I'm not sure, afraid to move a muscle. Being this close to Jude is just too hard. I want to curl up in his arms but I know that if I do that I'll end up kissing him, then we'll end up feeling each other up, and before you know we'll be fucking. It's a certainty. I can't resist him, and I've missed him so damn much. I need to leave.
I jump when I feel Jude's warm palm on my back. It burns through my pajama top making me realize how much I've missed his touch.
"Stay," he says softly in the darkness, probably sensing that I'm about to flee. "You know you don't have to, but...please stay."
My resolve wavers at his touch and tone, so I ease down to the mattress. With his arm still around my back, Jude tucks me against his side. My cheek rests familiarly on his bare chest, right above his beating heart. The feeling of his body, so much leaner under my fingertips, and his comforting smell is all too much. When I cry ugly and sloppily onto his skin, Jude only hugs me tighter against him.
"You made me doubt...everything," I say to him through the sniffles when I can speak again.
"I'm sorry," he replies. "I'm so damn sorry, Sadie. But don't ever doubt that I love you and I need you. Without you, there's an emptiness in me that keeps on growing because I love you and miss you more every single damn day."
"I love you too. I don't think I could stop if I wanted to. And I'm sorry about what happened with Linc. I just...I couldn't go home and face you or my dad, and yeah, maybe I wanted to hurt you, too, like you hurt me."
"For seven years I trained and worked my ass off just for a chance at the championship title, and then when I won...it was fucking worthless without you. And I felt like shit breaking his arm. I was so damn happy with you before that stupid fight. I'd give it all up if I could just go back to those days and nights with you. "
I know there's no going back, and it won't be the same. But I miss Jude and want him in my life. I'm miserable without him, and based on how he looks, I think he feels the same.
"We can start over," I say to him. "Take things slow."
"I'll do anything it takes, Sadie. Anything," he replies, placing a kiss on the top of my head.
"You'd move down here?" I ask.
"In a heartbeat."
"What about your family, your training?"
"We can visit them whenever we want, and I can train anywhere," he replies, his palm caressing up and down my arm.
"Then stay with me," I tell him.
"Always," he says with a kiss to my forehead. A few minutes later I feel Jude's breathing regulate and slow right before I let myself drift off to sleep. Exhaustion from weeks of sadness and depression give way to the best sleep I've had in a long damn time, knowing his arms are finally back around me.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jude
I wake up to the blinding sun shining through the bedroom window. Not my bedroom but one in Linc's house. The space next to me is empty, so I know Sadie is already up. At least she stayed with me all night.
I'd been exhausted but several times I startled awake, worried being here with her was all just a cruel dream. When I'd feel her pressed against me, I'd hold her even tighter and weeks of sleep deprivation would pull me right back under again.
I lift my head to look at the clock that says it's twelve-damn-thirty. I've slept right on through to lunchtime. But I have to say, I feel so much better. Lighter and happier.
I climb out of bed and pull on a pair of shorts over my boxers then head downstairs. The house is quiet and empty, and after stealing a bottle of water from Linc's fridge I spot them out at the pool. Sadie's sitting in a doughnu
t float and Linc's stretched out on the island. The two really are lazy, and I could definitely get used to this lifestyle.
Changing into some boardshorts that aren't quite as loose after all the pasta I shoveled in the night before, I join them.
"Hey, sleepyhead," Sadie says with a smile. Her eyes are hidden behind shades.
"Morning or afternoon, I guess I should say. Apparently laziness is contagious around this place," I tell them.
"Not a damn thing to do since I can't train," Linc says. "Livin' the good life for a few weeks."
"Yeah, can't say I've done any training since the fight, either."
"Watch out," he warns. "Someone finds out ya slackin' and they'll be challengin’ ya title."
"I'll get back to it soon. You think I can join your gym?" I ask him.
"Sure, but you'll probably have to fight every fucker in there to get 'em off ya ass."
"Tell them to bring it on," I say, diving into the water. "Well, after I gain some weight back."
"What are you gonna do while Sadie's gone for her internship?" he asks.
"There's something I need to do down in Florida, so that might take a few days. Other than that, who the fuck knows? Look for a place to live in Durham?"
Sadie smiles at me, warming some more of that cold emptiness. We're not back to how things were yet, but we're making progress, and God it feels so damn good. All the heavy weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Now that she knows the truth we can try to move on.
I grab her foot that's hanging outside the tube and pull her to me through the water. Leaning down, I brush a kiss over the soft pad of her foot and then the bottom of her big toe. I figure my groveling to get her back should start with kissing her feet and working my way up.
"I slept like a dead man last night," I tell her, keeping her foot between my hands to massage it. Anything to be able to touch her.
"Me, too. For the first time in three weeks I didn't nearly freeze to death," Linc says.
"Hey, it's not my fault you keep the thermostat on sixty-five degrees," Sadie retorts.
From their bantering last night and today, I can see the sort of relationship the two have. It does sound like it's nothing but friendly and almost like siblings. I'm just starting to even get comfortable around them when I hear the sound of cars pulling up around the front of the house. Unease sets in when Sadie and Linc exchange a hesitant look.
"That's my boys," Linc explains. "I can't promise they won't talk shit or mess with Sadie, but if you decide you need to put a beat down on one of 'em or hell, all of 'em, I won't say a word. They could all use an ass whoopin' since I haven’t been able to give ‘em any in a few weeks."
A group of four guys, various sizes ranging from featherweight to probably light heavyweight, come around the house in nothing but shorts. I can take them all, just probably not at the same time.
“Malone? What the fuck is that asshole doin’ here?” the smallest one starts running his mouth first. A punching bag would probably put up more of a fight than him.
“When ya gonna learn that you’re a head shorter and weigh fifty pounds less than everyone else, Josh?” Linc mutters.
“Is he bothering you, Sadie? ‘Cause we can remove him for ya if Linc’s too pussy to do it himself,” the biggest one with long, brown hair says.
Sadie pushes up her sunglasses and gives me a pleading look not to spill blood in the pool.
“I’d like to see you try,” I still can’t help but say in response.
“Been on a diet, Malone?” the redheaded one asks.
“Yeah and it looks like you’ve had one too many carrots, Opie,” I retort, making Linc snicker.
“You could at least try and be original with the ginger jokes,” he groans.
“That’s Nate,” Sadie says. “And I’ve always thought redheaded guys are cute.”
“Thanks, Sadie,” the guy says with a wink in her direction.
I wait for the familiar jealousy to surface, but it doesn’t. Losing Sadie has calmed me down. I know she wants to be with me and that I have nothing to worry about with these guys. There’s no more hiding from anyone so I’ll stake my claim and that’ll be the end of it.
“But you’ve never been able to resist tall, dark and handsome,” I counter, keeping my eyes on hers as I lean down to place a lingering kiss on the inside of her knee.
“That’s true,” she agrees, flashing me a stunning smile.
“Ah, damn it,” one of the guys grumbles.
“Malone’s thinking about joining Evolution,” Linc tells the group. His comment is met with silence.
“In three weeks from Saturday it’ll be open season,” I tell them. “Anyone who wants to take me on in the cage is welcome to try.”
“Fuck yes. You better get ready for a beat down, buddy,” the biggest one says.
“Oh, I’ll be ready. And if I lose to any of you, I’ll stay out of your gym,” I concede, when I suddenly have an idea. “But if none of you can beat me, then I’m gonna talk to the owner about buying him out. If he agrees, then you’ll all be fighting for me from then on.”
The four guys stare at me open-mouthed, completely speechless before responding with various curses.
I haven’t talked to Coach Briggs yet, but I think I could convince him to open a new facility. God knows I have enough money to do it, and I’m planning to be here for at least four years.
“Seriously?” Sadie asks me with a huge grin. “Havoc?”
“Yeah, if I can get your dad to agree,” I tell her. “What about the owner?” I ask Linc.
“Jim’s an older guy who opened Evolution about twelve years ago as a straight boxin’ facility. He’s never really cared for MMA but rolled with it because of its popularity. After more than a decade, Senn and I are the only ones who’ve ever ranked,” Linc says, nodding to the biggest guy. He might be more trouble than I expected, but I can still beat him. “So for the right price you could probably own your very own gym.”
“Then let’s do this.” I laugh. “Line them all up, smallest to biggest, and we’ll see who can put their money where their mouth is with you acting as the sole judge and ref.”
“This is gonna be fun,” Linc agrees.
“Let’s call your dad tonight and see what he says,” I tell Sadie. I know she’s been avoiding him as long as she did me, but hopefully they can finally make amends.
…
Sadie
So at least Jude didn’t have to fight any of the guys when they came over. They all mean well and have become sort of protective of me. I think Jude shocked them enough to get them to back off when he said he might buy out their gym.
Now the two of us are sitting in his guest bedroom getting ready to call my dad. I haven’t talked to him in weeks but know it’s time for me to forgive him too.
Calling him from my replacement phone Jude had overnighted to the house, he picks up on the second ring.
“Sadie?” he answers.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Sweetie, it’s so good to hear your voice. I’ve tried to call you and tell you how sorry I am.”
“Yeah, Jude just bought me a new phone.” I look up at him where he’s sitting at the edge of the bed next to my outstretched legs.
“So how’ve you been? I’ve missed you and been worried about you.”
“I’m good. It’s hot down here, but I like it. And I’ve missed you, too.”
“Look, Sadie. You know I never meant to hurt you. It’s just…I had seen how you’ve looked at Jude for years, and he needed to find something to make him happy so he could put fighting in perspective. Despite how upset you might have been with me I don’t regret it. I’m sorry I hurt you, but that was never my intention.”
“I know. I was just…confused and unable to figure out what was real and what was manufactured as part of the deal. Now I know.”
“I’m glad, sweetie. So is Jude planning to stay down there with you?”
“Um, well, yeah and he was wonderin
g how you’d feel about expanding Havoc down here to North Carolina?”
He chuckles into the phone. “Well I’ll be damned. I’ve never really thought about it since I didn’t want to travel more than I had to when you were growing up, but now…I think that’s a great idea.”
“All right, I’ll tell him and you two can work out the details while I’m away.”
“Away?” he asks and I remember I haven’t told him about that news.
“Yeah. I’ve got an internship at the coast with a sea turtle conservation group.”
“Oh, well that sounds fun. And I’m sure they’ll all love your tattoo.”
I gasp wondering how he found out. “How’d you…”
“I’m more perceptive than I look, sweetie.”
“I guess so,” I admit. When Jude’s hand makes a stroke up my leg I almost throw the phone down to pounce on him. But we agreed to take things slow. “Well Dad, I’m gonna go but I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay. Tell Jude to call me so we can make plans.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you too, sweetie,” he says before I disconnect the call. I expect Jude to attack me and am disappointed when he doesn’t.
“So he said he’s all for you opening a facility down here and to call him to talk more about it.”
“Awesome,” Jude says with a dimpled smile. “Now all I have to do is beat a few jackasses in a couple weeks and we’ll have the perfect place.”
“Yeah, should be easy.”
“It will be,” he replies, sounding cocky. “Other than that big bastard, nothing to it.”
“Oh really?” I tease.
“Yeah, because here’s something they didn’t catch on to. I didn’t say anything about what weight class I’d fight at. I plan to bulk up over the next few weeks to one-eighty at least.”
“That’s sneaky, but only fair since Senn weighs more than two hundred.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ve got this,” he says before getting up and reaching for my hand. “Come on. Let’s go find something to watch on TV.”
“TV?” I ask, when all I want is to spend time with him in this bed. Whose idea was it to go slow? Oh shoot, that’s right, it had been mine and he’s only respecting my wishes.