Brave

by Natalie Gayle

  “Well I’ve got to fly. I’ll catch you later. Not that you’re ever home anymore.” She gave me a little eyebrow raise and a naughty smile. “Too busy doing Sen…”

  “Sophia Louise Sommers…” I yelled.

  All I got back was a cackle. It was probably what I deserved; plus, she was actually telling the truth.

  I didn’t get to sit and dwell on it for much longer because, not more than a few seconds later, my phone buzzed again with another message.

  This time it was Xander and my heart did its little dance like always.

  Xander: Gem, you okay to go out for drinks with a few friends of mine. It’s a mate’s birthday. I’ll pick you up around seven.

  I’d never met any of his friends before. Sure a few people knew about us from Onigashima. But that was a little different there. Xander was so much in charge and in command of that place, no one would question his judgement or actions. It still shocked me a bit at how “God Like” he was in there. He was so different to the guy I was getting to know more and more outside of Onigashima. I can’t say I liked the idea of going out overly much but I knew it was all part and parcel of being in a relationship, so I guess I was okay with it.

  Me: Sure, I guess. I’m going to be a little nervous…

  I left it at that. I didn’t need to say anymore. Xander would understand. As I glanced at my phone I noticed Xander had commented on our relationship thread.

  “You’re right I’m a lucky guy and Eden isn’t as young as you think and yes she is stunning. Oh and BTW if any of you pricks want to disrespect her I’ll be more than happy to defend my girl’s honour. ”

  My heart did a little happy dance. His message was playful but there was no doubting his intent. Before I could think on it further he responded to my message.

  Xander: You’ll be fine. I’ll be right beside you. Wear those jeans and that navy top. God what am I saying? My dick’s getting hard thinking about you already ;) Reed will kick my arse. Got to go Gem. See you soon XX

  I glanced at my watch. I had just over an hour and I wanted to wash my hair. Time to stop worrying and go see what I could do about looking the best I could. It was a strange feeling to want to primp again. Maybe I should try that makeup Tori had brought home from beauty school a couple of days ago? I used to be pretty damned good at putting makeup on.

  * * *

  Eden

  “Stop worrying; you look gorgeous.” Xander pulled me into his side, his left arm around my waist. “I can’t wait to take you home and do all sorts of very naughty things to you,” he whispered into my ear and then kissed my neck right over the top of my scars.

  His words and ticklish breath had me shivering closer to him.

  I didn’t know about gorgeous, but I did look about the best I could. The makeup Tori had brought home had worked wonders. It hid the red and shiny spots of the scars. No make up could hide the uneven texture of my skin, but at least if the colour all blended then perhaps the scars would be less noticeable. Hopefully the dim lighting in this bar would disguise it a bit further.

  Xander spotted his friends and he led me through the crowded bar towards the back of the room where a few tables had been pulled together. I wasn’t sure if it was just him or if people actually knew him because they seemed to step aside as he moved through and he got lots of little head nods. Most of which he returned with his own chin bob. It was some strange male language that they all seemed to be fluent in.

  As soon as we approached the tables everyone around them seemed to notice him and started getting up to shake his hand, give him a back slap or some other intricate fist bump, hand shake thing. But during all that time he never let me go.

  I recognised Dane and a couple of the other guys from Onigashima with him. Dane was by himself but the other couple of guys had girls with them. I think their names were Linc and Owen, but we hadn’t been officially introduced.

  Xander turned towards me. “Why don’t you take the seat beside Dane and I’ll get us some drinks? What do you want Gem?”

  Dane moved the seat out beside him so I could sit down. “I’ll have a lime and soda, please.”

  “You don’t want a wine or something? I’m not drinking but you can if you want. It doesn’t bother me.”

  “No, it’s fine. I don’t drink much.”

  “Okay as long as you’re sure.”

  I nodded I was and he waited for me to take the seat beside Dane before heading off.

  “Hey Eden, how are you going? Have you met these two delinquents, Xander calls friends?” Dane asked me. I liked Dane, not only had he saved my arse, but I always felt comfortable around him, too. Plus, he wasn’t hard on the eyes. He was a little taller than Xander and had lighter hazel eyes. His skin had a deep tan to it and his face had a hint of something exotic in it. He must have some interesting heritage.

  “No, I haven’t.”

  The two men and their women were watching me intently and I realised it was essentially because I was “the boss’s” woman.

  “This is Lincoln.” Dane gestured towards the big guy with blonde hair and really blue eyes. He looked serious. “And his girlfriend Alexa.” I moved forward and smiled at them and gave a little wave. It was really hard to shake hands or do anything like that because of the table positions.

  “My ranga mate here is Owen, and this is Melissa, his girlfriend.” I gave them a ‘Hi’ and wave as well. I’d sort of met the guys before but not their girlfriends. I didn’t recall them from the Onigashima BBQ. Well, if they’d been there, I’d not noticed them. What I didn’t miss was the surprised look when the women noticed my face. Even though they tried to disguise it, they kind of looked then took another look—as if to see if what they’d first thought was really there. ‘I’m not going to let it worry me. I’m not going to let it worry me. Xander doesn’t have an issue so why should I?’ I kept silently telling myself.

  I turned to Dane. “How’s the training going?”

  “Yeah, really good. Xan’s straight back into machine mode. You wouldn’t know he’d been out of it for over three years. The guy just eats up the training like it’s nothing. God, I wish I had that super power.” I wondered just how good Xander was at hiding his pain and acting the part he thought he had to play. More than once I’d seen him at the end of the day with me when his guard was down. He was zonked. Nothing left.

  “He seems to be happy doing it,” I said non-committally. I didn’t have enough knowledge or understanding to really know where he was in the programme and I didn’t want to inadvertently give away something about Xander.

  Dane looked at me for a bit and I wondered what he was thinking. Since he’d come along that night we’d formed a strange bond. No doubt he’d saved my arse that night. I kind of felt like his little sister or something.

  “Can I be straight with you?” he asked.

  “Of course.”

  “This is the happiest and most balanced I’ve seen him in a long time. I don’t know what it is between you two but it seems to work for him. He’s really into you. Please don’t do anything to change that, particularly with this fight coming up. He needs to be in a stable place.” What could I say to that? I had no intention of changing it, but there seemed to be a hint of foreboding in his voice and I started to worry that there was something I should know. I tried to disregard it as my vivid imagination.

  I just nodded my understanding and said nothing.

  “So how’s your training going?”

  “Good, I think. He seems to be happy with what we’re doing.” I shrugged my shoulders. How did I know? Dane smirked a little.

  Just then Xander turned up with our drinks. He motioned for me to stand up and I did. Then he took my chair and pulled me down onto his lap. I was the only woman sitting in a man’s lap and I felt a little self-conscious, and instinctively snuggled closer to him.

  “You all good?” Xander asked me in a low voice against my ear.

  I nodded that I was.

  “We’ve just
been discussing how training was going for Eden.”

  “Brilliant. I’m teaching her. How else would it go?” Xander asked Dane.

  Dane leant over to me. “He’s a cocky bastard, but generally right. Can’t help but love his arse, attitude and all.”

  I giggled at that. “Oh, shut up, Dane. Eden hardly needs you giving an opinion. She’d not stupid.”

  I turned into Xander and went to change the subject before these guys got more of an opportunity to take pot shots at each other, even though they seemed to enjoy it. “So where’s the guest of honour? I was wondering who he was?”

  “He hasn’t made an appearance yet. Although I’m not surprised. He has a reputation for being notoriously late,” Xander explained.

  “Oh, I see.”

  The guys talked about training and a few other things for a while. The bar was noisy. It was one of those moody dark timber kind of places with a combination of booths and tall tables. There was a band over on the little stage preparing for their set. They were just about to start when I was surprised to see Sophia walk in with her friends Rachel and Adelaide. There was a tall good looking man with them. As soon as he noticed us he headed our way.

  “Here he is!” Dane stood and moved out from behind the table and pulled the large guy into one of those man hugs. I could feel Xander was anxious to stand as well so I stood and let him up. He too gave the guy a hug. They exchanged a few words then Xander turned to me.

  “Seth, this is my girlfriend Eden. She’s Sophia and Tori’s older sister.” Unusually, Sophia had been standing on the periphery. She was usually more of an “in the action” type of girl. “Eden, this is Seth, one of my oldest friends,” Xander finished his introductions.

  “Hey Eden, pleased to meet you. Soph’s told me a lot about you.” Seth directed his eyes to me. He had a light hearted and relaxed look about him.

  I was still a little stunned. It was one of those small world things. I shouldn’t be surprised really. Logan City was big, but not that big. People crossed paths all the time.

  “Likewise,” I nodded and took the hand he offered.

  “Looks like I was a little too late getting home. Left my run too late.” Was he flirting with me?

  “Yeah, by about a month,” Xander cleared up for him.

  Seth winked at me. “Well, when you’re sick of him being so “buttoned down”, look me up. I’ll show you a good time.”

  I felt my face flushing and I didn’t quite know how to handle it. “Knock it off, Seth, or I’ll be forced to kick one of my best friend’s arse. Friend or not you don’t mess with my girl.” It was all friendly and the tone was light hearted and joking but I had absolutely no doubt Xander would carry through, if he felt it was necessary.

  Seth laughed it off. “Noted. I might have to reset my sights on the younger sister. Far out she’s become fine since I’ve been away.” Seth let out a whistle and Sophia who had moved closer gave him a backhanded smack into his middle with a little force.

  “Like I’d be interested,” Sophia corrected Seth.

  “Oh, don’t be like that, sweetheart.”

  “I wouldn’t push my luck, Seth. Sophia is fast becoming one of my best students. She has some slick moves and a wicked temper to go with it. Word of warning, man,” Xander filled him in.

  “Thanks for the heads up, man, but I think I’ll take my chances. I’ve been known to have a few moves of my own.” And before anything further was said, Seth grabbed Sophia to him and quick as anything dipped her over his arm as if he’d been doing it forever.

  Seth leant in as if to kiss her and Sophia came up spluttering, but I knew her well. She was amused and a little cynical of the whole thing if I was any judge of her.

  Adelaide turned up about then with a tray of shots, her red hair the colour of fire and her eyes big and blue. She kind of had that orphan Annie look about her. Whatever it was, she rocked it.

  The shots were passed around and a toast “to old friends” made before the bottoms went up. I was glad I’d elected to go with the lime and soda. By the look of Seth, and the girls they’d already had a few over dinner.

  I was cuddled into Xander and before I knew it I saw the flash of a phone go off. Sophia had snapped us with our heads together. She was looking at the pic and smiling.

  “It’s a good one!”

  I didn’t know how I felt about it. I hated photos and she knew that, but I also felt tonight was the best I’d ever looked since the fire. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad?

  “Show me,” Xander said, holding out his hand for the phone. Sophia passed it over with a smug look on her face. He looked at the photo and smiled. Then tilted the screen to show me. My heart seemed to be racing and I looked once, then again.

  It was hard to believe but with the lighting and the way I had my right side tilted into Xander you could hardly see the scars. I was stunned and pleasantly surprised, I guess. He passed the phone back to Sophia.

  “Can you flick that image to Eden and me, please Sophia?” he asked. She nodded and then next second our phones both pinged. A few seconds later and Xander had a new profile picture. I set the photo as my phone wallpaper. It was a big step for me.

  The band struck up and the girls went to dance. Seth spoke to Dane and Xander for a while then decided the temptation of Sophia on the dance floor, showing off her lithe body, was too much to take. I watched him move straight in behind her and lock his arms around her middle.

  “Mmm, looks like Seth’s keen on your sister,” Xander commented.

  “It does.”

  “You okay with that or do I need to go read him the riot act. I kind of feel responsible given she’s my girl’s little sister and one of my students.” He nuzzled his face into my neck as he spoke and I started to get very turned on.

  “I think Soph can make her own decisions. She’s never had any trouble in the past making it clear to the opposite sex just what she wants. That’s kind of been more my problem,” I said off handedly.

  “Oh, I don’t know. We don’t seem to have a problem communicating.” He was speaking in a low voice that told me exactly what he had on his mind.

  “You seem surprisingly energetic given how hard you’ve worked all week.” I ran my hand down his face and turned a little more into his body so I could face him.

  “Truth…?” I nodded. “I’m exhausted but I’m putting on a good front.” He chuckled and I knew it was our little secret. “As I said, Seth’s one of my oldest friends. We trained together when we were younger. He had a couple of pro fights but he also had a passion for geology. Now he earns truckloads for one of the mining companies—I couldn’t miss tonight. It’s kind of double celebration. His birthday and coming home.”

  “So is he back for a while?” I asked curiously. I was thinking of Sophia. If she was going to get into something, I wanted an idea what it was.

  “I don’t know. Haven’t had a chance to catch up with him yet. I might see if he’s free on Sunday or next weekend. I guess we could throw some steaks on the BBQ. Have a little get together. Knowing Seth he’ll be hanging out at Onigashima once the weekend’s done. I could use another training partner, if he’s at a loose end. Seth has wicked ground skills.”

  I didn’t miss the way he said we and my heart skipped a little beat. Xander seemed far more comfortable with our relationship than I was.

  Eventually the girls and Seth drifted back to the table. It was starting to get late and Xander yawned. Dane’s phone began to vibrate on the table in front of him where he’d placed it. He snatched it up and was busy for a few seconds. Then he stood abruptly and if I wasn’t reading it wrong, he had a worried look on his face.

  “Got to go, man.” He said to Xander and lightly patted me on the shoulder. “Catch you soon, Eden.” Before we could say anything more he was gone.

  I turned to Xander. “Was that strange?”

  He nodded. “There’s something going on with him. I’m not sure what, but I’m going to find out. So far he’s not
talking about it. I tried the other day. ”

  Seth moved over and took Dane’s seat, and they launched into a discussion about Xander’s upcoming fight. I really needed to go to the bathroom so I excused myself and rounded the table. As if she sensed my discomfort about moving through the crowded room, Sophia rose and fell in beside me. I moved through the crowd as confidently as I could. Just having Sophia with me, helped me feel a little better. I didn’t feel anywhere near as self-conscious now, but old habits die-hard and I was fighting five years of conditioning I’d enforced on myself.

  “Crazy night, Edie,” she said as she walked beside me. I knew she’d had a lot to drink, but I wasn’t exactly sure how much.

  “Yeah. You seem to be having a good time.” We walked into the bathroom and surprisingly there were stalls available—bonus.

  As we were washing our hands, I turned to Soph. “Thanks for looking out for me.”

  She nodded. “I know you could have gotten here on your own Edie, but I needed to go and I thought you could use the company. You’re doing so much better since you’ve been with Sensei Xander. I’m so pleased for you. Hell, mum won’t know you when she finally gets back.”

  I laughed a little. “It’s funny, Soph. Half the time I feel as if I don’t actually know myself anymore. I mean look at me. I don’t even look the same.”

  We dried our hands and headed out.

  “That foundation Tori came home with really makes a difference. You should keep using that. I really don’t know why you didn’t try to cover up a little before.” She said as she moved in front of me to get through the crowded bar area.

  I didn’t really know why I hadn’t done anything about trying to hide my scars earlier. Well, actually that’s not true. I knew exactly why I hadn’t bothered. The truth was it was easier to feel sorry for myself and be a victim than make the effort. That was what I was learning to do now. Make the effort. I’d spent five years perfecting my victim persona. Sure, I told myself I wanted to change, but had I really?