Hooked_Uncaged MMA Sports Romance

by Jayne Blue

  “I’m not sure I can survive it if we meet for lunch every day,” Valerie said as she tried to re-arrange her clothes and hair.

  “This may be my favorite look on you. And I have a lot of favorites.” He said, and Valerie figured if her face wasn’t already flushed it would be now as Zane looked at her.

  “I look, uh, a mess.” She smoothed her skirt and went about re-buttoning her blouse.

  “You look like I was just here,” he pulled her to him and kissed her neck, “and here.” Zane’s kisses touched the top of her breasts.

  “You’re insatiable.”

  “No, you sated me pretty good. That’s the word, right? Sated?” She lifted her face to his, and they kissed.

  “No. No.” Valerie put her hands on his chest and took a step back.

  “I suppose we both have work to do.”

  “And weren’t you supposed to be all worried about me eating? This was a lunch meeting we were having. Not one sandwich bite has crossed these lips.”

  “Gorgeous lips. And yes. I have to go. Training is my job, and you’re making me weak, woman! Now eat that food. We both need to keep up our strength.” Zane winked at her. It was wicked, what they did, and she felt a blush rise.

  “Thank you for the sandwich.” He kissed her on the forehead and left almost as quickly as he came.

  Her uncle’s office had a private washroom, and she was never more thankful for it than in that moment. She put herself back together. She knew she looked flushed. She’d stick around the office for a bit, so her appearance didn’t telegraph her activity to the whole gym.

  As usual, the fast flow of her day as a project manager began again, and she immersed herself in it.

  Valerie had a warm feeling from her head to her toes throughout the day, and between phone calls and contracts she found herself returning to the memories of what had happened on the couch at lunch.

  She’d never have predicted what her life looked like today. From school to her parents, to her luck at being with Aunt Susan and Uncle Meyer, to this job, and now Zane.

  It was just over a month’s worth of time but a lifetime’s worth of changes. The road from her parents’ home to here had been an express train.

  The phone interrupted her moment of marveling at her strange new life.

  “Miss Colson?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is Rich down at the job site. We’ve got a little issue and you’re going to need to take a look.”

  “Is everyone okay?”

  “Yes, but we’re dealing with some vandalism, and I think it’s time you get in on this. We need to get your take.”

  “Okay, on the way.”

  She wondered at what it could be and whether she’d know what to do. Every question that came her way, that was usually the first thing on her mind. Am I going to know how to handle it? But she was getting good, she thought, at examining the issue, doing research if she needed to, and making a decision. She was also getting good at doing that quickly.

  Her uncle and her education let her know that you couldn’t leave crews idle or you lost money. They needed solutions fast, and she worked to make that happen.

  Rich Landon was the foreman for the project next to Zane’s place. The building was old, brick, and enormous. The insides were basically ripped out so they could construct units similar to the one Zane lived in.

  The Uptown Project was a multi-million-dollar investment from her uncle. He had his hands in the apartments, a grocery store, a mixed-use retail facility, and even some restaurants. He was offering grants to other owners to get in on the revitalization and investment of Grand City in some cases. With other projects, like this building, Meyer Thompson straight up owned the place and was doing the work. It was a lot to sort out.

  “So, I used to call your uncle for this stuff, but he said you’re the one for all of it.” Rich was one of many men that worked for Thompson Developing, and he was one of the many that she sensed weren’t that keen on having a 22-year old boss.

  She had a hard time thinking of herself as the boss sometimes, just as they had a hard time accepting it. But when she reminded herself that she was here for Uncle Meyer so he could run the 21C, it gave her confidence. Like it or not the foreman of this job had to report to her or catch hell from Uncle Meyer.

  “Yep. What is it?” Valerie did her best to project self-assurance. She had no idea if it was working.

  “Well, look?” Rich was annoyed, and he pointed up to the ceiling, which was framed in, but not dry-walled.

  “Uh, okay. I’m looking.” She didn’t know what she was supposed to be looking at.

  “You saw from our report that the electrical boxes for all the units were done, installed, ready to go. Does that look done?” Rich was going to take a while to win over, but she decided to ignore his irritation.

  “No, it doesn’t.” Raw wires were hanging from the ceiling.

  “Some numbnuts came in here last night and stole every damn electrical box.”

  “What the?” She didn’t even finish her question.

  “No idea. They aren’t any sort of valuable metal. And that was the only thing taken. Well, the only thing they got at this job that is.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This week we’ve had this, theft, a dumpster fire behind the Town Square project, that could have been bad if it hadn’t been caught quickly, and tires slashed on three of my trucks.”

  “All this happened at the jobs this week? Is someone trying to sabotage the jobs?”

  “You got it, missy, we’re seeing a gremlin, in all our job sites. Little bullshit. But it adds up.”

  “I’m adding security to the job sites.”

  “That’s going to cost you.”

  “Not as much as the whole thing burning to the ground.” And the minute she said it the image of flames and her parents flashed in her mind. The construction job disappeared, and it was replaced with her trying to rush into the house. She could hear them scream. The sensation of the other night was overtaking her.

  Shit, she was at work, and a panic was gaining force and building in her chest.

  She had to get out of this building. Away from Rich.

  “Miss? What’s going on? You okay?”

  “Fine. Expect new security on site by the end of the day.” She shouted the words as she was moved as fast as she could to get out into the fresh air.

  “Careful!” Rich called after her, and she barely heard what she was supposed to be careful about and then it was too late. She tripped on a cord that was strung across the hallway. The site was actually full of hazards you had to watch out for, but she wasn’t looking. She was running to get outside, to get air.

  Valerie fell hard onto the concrete floor. Her heart was racing, and she didn’t notice the blood. She continued her clumsy scramble to the door and finally, mercifully, to the open air of the sidewalk in front of the building.

  “Miss Colson, Miss Colson!” Rich trailed her.

  “I’m good. Just fine.” She didn’t want to tell him what was going on. She really didn’t know herself. But it was like the bar the other night. She felt closed in on like her heart was bursting, and sheer panic. She walked a few more feet away from the building, as though it could grab her and pull her back in. She was sure she left Rich scratching his head, but she didn’t care.

  This had come up quickly, and this time it had literally knocked her down.

  What was happening to her?

  “Hey. Valerie. Hey.” She walked along the street, the sidewalk looked foreign. Hell, her own hands looked foreign. But a familiar voice called her again.

  She focused on what was in front of her.

  Trent, Jesus, she’d not talked to him in days. They used to talk every hour or at least text.

  “Trent, what?”

  “You’re bleeding. Let me help you.” Trent, her old friend, put an arm around her and then took her hand.

  “I. I just lost it. I don’t know why.”
r />   “You’re safe now.” Trent hovered over her and smoothed her hair.

  “I just need to breathe.”

  “Right. Let me take you home.”

  “To my uncle’s not the neighborhood. I live there.”

  “I know. I know.” Trent’s car was there, and he carefully helped her get in.

  “Thank you, Trent. I just, well, I’m having a troublesome day.”

  As they drove, Trent listened and patted her knee. It was good to see him. Or should be, but she really wanted Zane, she was surprised to realize. She also knew Zane had to train. He couldn’t and shouldn’t be there for her episodes. She didn’t need a nurse or a babysitter dammit. Valerie willed her heart to calm down, she focused on slow, deliberate breaths.

  Zane had called her attack the other day Post Traumatic Stress. Valerie was determined to get it together. He was probably right. She wanted to reach out to Zane right now, but that was selfish. Trent was here, luckily, and he was driving her home. It was all going to be okay. She’d get on top of this.

  The drive from Uptown Grand City wasn’t far from the River Roadhouse. During the time it took, Valerie felt herself gain control. She was okay, or she was going to be.

  “Let me walk you in,” Trent offered his arm to her.

  “Sure, we haven’t talked for a while, and I’m sorry. Let’s catch up.” Valerie and Trent walked up to her apartment, and he let out a little whistle as he took it in.

  “Pretty nice place for a girl from our neighborhood.”

  “Yeah, I can’t believe it sometimes.” She walked to the sink and got a glass of water. Her heart rate felt like it was getting back to normal and instead she was starting to feel embarrassed.

  “Any cause yet?” Trent brought the conversation back to one she’d like to move away from.

  “For the fire? No, the house was so badly wrecked that it’s pretty tough to sort out. Probably electrical? Anyway, it’s just lucky I don’t need the insurance money to live on thanks to my aunt and uncle.”

  “Yeah, lucky. But don’t you think freeloading is, well, not great?” Trent’s word made her feel shitty suddenly.

  “Freeloading? Well, I’m working for my uncle now, and I think I’m useful with all his job sites.”

  “Yeah, but you don’t pay rent. Fancy clothes are being given to you for that dance thing the other day.”

  “How do you know about that event?”

  “Your picture was in the paper.”

  “It was?”

  “Yeah, that’s the only way I can keep up with you. Grand City Daily society pages.” Trent said it with an English accent. She maybe would have thought he was funny once. But there was a bite to it. He was hurt or jealous maybe?

  “I’m sorry. I just, I’ve been so busy.”

  “You and that Zane, that’s the picture in the paper.”

  “Yeah, we’re kind of a thing. I don’t know what thing but well. I really like him.”

  “Oh, well that’s just great. Your parents would hate him. Idiot fighter? Tats? Valerie, I think you’re really making some bad choices here.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You don’t talk to your friends, you live here, and you’re, what, fucking that player? He’s probably got every disease there is.”

  “Trent. Uh, thanks for finding me, and bringing me here, but you need to go.” Valerie was pissed. The upside of that was she wasn’t panicked anymore. Her energy and emotions were all directed at Trent. Her friend was being a real ass.

  “Fine. But I’m not the only one who thinks it. All your real friends do too.”

  “Trent. Can you just go?”

  “Sorry, yes, I came on too strong. You like the guy. Don’t be mad. We’re all right?” Trent grabbed her by the shoulders, and for the first time ever she felt revulsion. This was who she’d climbed trees with, gone to high school football games with, had her first beer with, but he was really showing a different side. Had Trent always been so possessive and in her face? She didn’t think so.

  “Yeah, we’re okay. But I need to be alone, okay? Like, now.” She stepped back again and thankfully heard a knock at the door.

  “Valerie it’s Jan!” Jan, thank God.

  “Trent, excuse me okay?” She tried not to run to the door, but she wanted someone else there. She didn’t want to run from her friend. It was a strange feeling. But it was what she felt in her gut. Trent was making her feel trapped. Or even wrong for living her life right now.

  She knew things had changed. She had changed. But she had to. Her old life had literally burned to the ground she was doing everything she could to build something new. Trent seemed ridiculously stuck in their past.

  Valerie walked to her apartment door and opened it. Jan was there with a shopping bag.

  “Aunt Susan and I found you some..” Jan stopped mid-sentence.

  “Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt. I didn’t know you had company.” Jan looked at Trent and Trent seemed like he was seething. Valerie wasn’t entirely sure what the hell had just happened with her old friend, but she was glad to change the subject, relieved that Jan was there.

  “Trent was just dropping me off. Trent, thank you so much.” Valerie walked to him and hugged him. He hugged back and some of the tension was released. The weirdness subsided. He was Trent. Her friend. That wouldn’t change.

  But admittedly everything else in her life had changed.

  She ushered Trent to the door.

  “Are you sure things are okay with you? Just call me next time, anytime. I’m here for you,” Trent said. Valerie nodded.

  “Thanks. I’ll text you soon.” Trent walked out. Valerie shut the door.

  She feared that the door she shut was another one, maybe the last one, that connected her to her old life. Surprisingly, it was a thought that didn’t make her sad in the least.

  Chapter Twelve

  Zane

  * * *

  He’d trained hard, he’d fooled the staff at 21C. Zane Diggs was ready for his fight, and he was thrilled as hell that Valerie would be by his side to see it.

  He’d put everything in place in his life. Now if he could just hold on and seal the deal.

  It was late, one day before the fight, and she was there like he was at the 21C. They were alike in that way. Both of them worked their asses off. And lucky him, she liked to blow off steam the same way he did.

  He sparred a bit with Knox. And then Coach Hawking came over to the two of them.

  “You are babying that arm. Is that hook going to be ready?” Dammit. Zane wasn’t hiding it as well as he thought.

  “It’ll be ready. I’m ready.” He and Knox mixed it up a few more minutes. Hawking watched them closely. He coached Zane, gave him some corrections, encouragements. The team of coaches and experts at 21C had analyzed his opponent, and they suggested his best strategy for Friday’s fight.

  But with any strategy, what his trainers, what Knox, what everyone who ever watched his fights believed, was that he needed that hook to win.

  “With that hook, you’re going to be fine even if you do get in trouble with Quinton Terry.”

  Knox knew Zane was hiding his weak side, so he played along and helped Zane divert the trainer's attention to what was working for him.

  “Alright Diggs, time to call it a day, it’s just as important to rest and get ready. No one can say you didn’t put in the hours here.” Coach Hawking said. He was right. The entire thing was a balance of food, training, focus, and sleep. Zane had done everything within his control to make this fight go his way. Except, of course, get treatment for whatever the fuck was wrong with his arm.

  “Got it.” Knox came in close as Coach Hawking left the ring and turned his attention to other fighters in the gym.

  “I’m worried about you,” Knox said to him.

  “I’m fine.”

  “That hook isn’t there. Can you make up for it?”

  “It’s not the only thing, that’s what
I’ve been working on. Making sure it’s not the only thing.”

  “Okay. I just wish you would have told someone here, they know a lot more shit than we do.”

  “Not until I win this first one.”

  Knox shook his head. Zane knew Knox was worried and didn’t agree with what he was up to, but it was Zane’s life, his fight.

  They hit the showers and headed back to their lockers. Zane’s was hanging open. Zane cursed himself for forgetting to lock his shit up. He was so focused on everything else, the small details of the rest of his life were beyond him right now.

  “You’re lucky you don’t have shit to steal.”

  “Yeah, soon I’ll keep my gold bars in there.” Knox was always looking out for him. Vinnie too, just in a way that Zane couldn’t afford to accept any more. It was important he didn’t have that safety valve connection to drugs in his life. He worried about how he and Vinnie would move forward as friends. But it was a worry for another day. Zane needed to see Valerie. After a long day, she was the best tonic.

  “See you at home later,” Zane told Knox.

  “Checking on your girl?”

  “You know it.”

  “Well don’t stay out too late, brother.” Knox was like a brother. He was there for every single moment.

  He walked to Valerie’s office. The door was open and felt his heart speed up knowing she was in there.

  When he knocked and walked in, he couldn’t have been more disappointed. Trent was there. That guy showed up at the weirdest times. Zane didn’t like the way he hovered over Valerie. They’d started on a bad foot, and it only got worse.

  “Zane, hey. Trent was just leaving.” Zane wondered what they’d been talking about. He wondered a lot about Trent. He also saw that Valerie seemed to be getting the idea that Trent was bad news.

  “Call me tomorrow,” Trent said to Valerie and grabbed her in a hug that was way too fucking tight.

  Valerie stiffened. Zane wanted to punch this guy so bad. But he didn’t. Raging jealousy and temper were not a good look. Valerie outgrowing Trent was like Zane outgrowing Vinnie in a way. Zane stood his ground as Trent walked past him. The guy had a weird ass smile on his face. No matter, Zane was moving into Valerie’s life, and this guy was moving the fuck out.