Jax’s little family is now his top priority and I get it – I do. It’s not like I’m some pussy chick that’s all butt hurt and crying over her friend hanging out with other chicks. It’s just after Jax and Row met, it’s like some fucking disease took over this place. It’s spreading and infecting guy after guy. Right now, Row’s standing so close to Jax, they look like one person. He’s grinning down at her while she waves a piece of paper around in the air while speaking to him. From my vantage point it’s clear he’s not listening to anything she’s saying. He’s looking down her shirt at her tits, not the paper. Can’t say I blame him, I’m sure I’d do the same thing, but as I look around the room further, my gaze fixates on Tyson.
He’s sauntering out of the locker room and when I get a good look at him and the woman he met after Jax met Rowan, Sydney, I can’t help but snort. Both of their faces are red and sweaty and he’s got one hell of a happy smile on his face while Sydney looks at him dreamily. I don’t even have to wonder what they were doing in the locker room – it’s obvious to anyone with eyes. My guess is Sydney was trying to talk to him about wedding shit given the fact it’s all she seems to talk about these days and Tyson decided to distract her with sex. He wouldn’t have had to make any decisions about whatever she wanted help with. I’ve heard them discussing all kinds of things that I never cared to know about. Sure, it’s been humorous at times when it’s at Tyson’s expense but even I’m ready for them to get married already.
My thoughts and stare settle on Ryder as Tyson and Sydney move past him. He’s sitting on a weight bench, but it’s not several pounds of cast iron he’s holding in his hands, it’s the ass of his girlfriend, Tessa. Though, truthfully, it’s not like I can blame him. He’d probably kill me if he could read my mind, but hell, I’m not blind. I’d have her ass in my hands too if it was mine – it’s one great ass. But hell, is it too much to ask that they wait until after we’ve done our shit?
Feeling my frustration grow, my eyes now settle onto Cole and I sigh. I’ve got a soft spot for him; he’s been through some heavy shit and I’m the first to thank god he’s found happiness with Tatum. Today, he hasn’t even made it all the way in the door. He’s got his gym bag at his feet and Tatum has the door partly open. It looks like she’s getting ready to walk out, but that’s not what’s happening. Cole’s on his knees and has his face pressed to her stomach talking to his unborn child.
Yeah, yeah, it’s sweet and shit, but I’ve been here for two hours and not one of them, not one, has done jack shit related to what we’re actually supposed to be here for – getting ready for upcoming fights. No one has sparred with me even though I’ve already asked more than once. No one is lifting, running, working, motivating, talking about strategy – nothing.
This place has turned into a sissy ass gym or some shit and I’ve got a fight coming up. All of my friends, almost all of them, have turned into… dare I say it… pussy whipped pushovers. I could almost be sick.
It’s not that I have anything against them or love. I love them – not love love, but friend love. It’s not like I’m jealous or something. Rowan, Sydney, Tessa and Tatum are like my sisters now. They’ve all wormed their way into all of our hearts – not that it was hard. Each of them are amazing women in their own right. Jax, Tyson, Ryder and Cole – they’re all my brothers and all of them – not just Cole – have been through some tough shit. I mean it when I say they deserve happiness and these women being theirs, well that makes them all of ours. You date one of us you get all of us in return. Our friendship, our protection, our loyalty that’s just the way it is – we’re family. But hell, days like today, I just want to work out and talk shit. I don’t want to look around and see love, sex and adoration vomited all around the room.
This has been bugging me for a while. The day it really hit me was when I was minding my own business after a hellacious work out in the locker room. My towel spread out on the bench my bare ass was sitting on it while I aired out my balls after my shower. Scrolling through my phone I was all relaxed and chillin’. Next thing I know, Ryder and Tessa walk into the locker room, all wrapped up in each other clearly looking for a private place to get it on. I notice them at almost the exact same time they notice me. Tessa’s face gets bright red and she runs out of the locker room screaming. Seriously screaming - no exaggeration. I mean, what the actual fuck? This is the guy’s locker room, what did she expect? Ryder started busting my balls over the whole thing like it was my damn fault. The other guys were no help, all laughing about it. Only Dylan, Levi and I – the unattached men of the group - found the whole thing to be a pain in the ass. Well, they laughed at first until I reminded them it could have been their balls getting the screaming treatment. That shut them up quick.
When I see Dylan walk to the gym’s door, it pushes me from my annoying thoughts and I smile and push off the wall to go toward him, “Yes, finally,” I mutter to myself. I’ll have someone to lift and spar with after all. Then, I notice Dylan pause and check out Cole and Tatum who are still obstructing the entryway. He takes a look around before making eye contact with me. With a roll of his eyes and shake of his head, he turns and walks away from the door. I almost laugh out loud – clearly I’m not the only one feeling it.
Grabbing my bag, I head out after him. Not surprisingly no one seems to notice my departure or his quick appearance and disappearance.
“Hey, Dylan!” I yell as I run after him. He stops part way to his truck and turns. “What was that about?” I ask. “I mean, I’m pretty sure I know what that was about, but we’ve never talked about it.”
“Normally I could care less what they do but with fights coming up, though not as soon as yours, I need to be able to walk in there and get to work, be myself, do my thing. Those women… they make me nervous.”
I force myself not to laugh, “What? Why?”
“Dude, Sydney was asking my opinion of what wedding cake flavor they should get for a layer of their cake the other day.”
“Yeah, she’s been going on about their upcoming wedding. I’ve heard it too.”
“Did she also ask you for your opinion on what decorations she should have on the tables at the reception?”
I laugh, “No.”
“You’re lucky. When I told her that I didn’t think she needed anything at all because who the fuck cares, she almost started crying.”
“Oh god.”
“That’s nothing compared to Tessa.”
“What happened with her?”
“She was poking around on my shoulder the other day and then asked me to take my tank off so she could check my moles. My moles, dude. What the fuck?”
“Well, she is a nurse.”
“Yeah, great. But she walked up when I was talking to Levi about some personal stuff.” At my perplexed look he sighs, “I was talking to him about the jock itch I’ve got on my balls.”
I laugh out loud, “Yeah, I can see that would be awkward to have her walk in on that.”
“Especially when she started telling me, what did she call it? Oh, yeah, the over the counter medication and treatment I could use.” I choke on my laughter. “Hell, even if that stuff did work, it’s all fun and games only until Ryder is kicking my ass because he finds out his girl was talking to me about my junk.”
“Look, I get it. I mean, they’re cool and all, but trying to make sure I’m on my best behavior around them is exhausting. I’d rather be exhausting myself in other ways, you feel me?”
“For sure.”
“Before you tried to walk in I was looking around and thinking it’s changed a hell of a lot.”
“I need to be able to do man shit, you know?”“Yep, I do. Did I tell you about the time I was airing out my balls.”
“God man, yes. We all know.”
“Unless she’s squealing in ecstasy there’s no reason any woman should get a look at me naked and start screaming. You feel me?”
He laughs, “Levi and I thank god it wasn’t us because it sure as h
ell could have been.”
“I can’t risk that happening again. I mean, I’m sure it was a treat for Tessa, but I don’t want to deal with Ryder’s shit again either.”
Just then Levi pulls into the parking lot and jumps out of his car. “What’s up my hoes?”
Dylan and I exchange glances before Dylan raises a brow and dares to ask, “Hoes?”
“What? Men can be hoes.”
“I think the correct term is actually ‘man whore’,” Dylan offers.
“Or players,” I add.
“You guys would know,” Levi grins. “You coming or going?” he asks looking between Dylan and me.
“Going. I took one step toward the door which was blocked by Cole fondling Tatum’s stomach, briefly looked around, and left,” Dylan admits.
“I was in there a couple hours. Ryder, Jax, Tyson and Cole are all there, but no one worked out with me. They’re all… occupied. I’m outta here.”
“Again? The women? They’re all here visiting the guys again?”
“Yeah,” Dylan says with a sigh.
“Oh man, not today. Just not today,” Levi shakes his head.
It briefly dawns on me that we all sound like a bunch of babies not able to handle our friends having women when we don’t, but I don’t really give a shit.
“You just going to pass on working out today?” I ask Dylan.
“Nah man, I figure it’s the perfect day to head across town and go to that new gym that opened, Fitness World.”
“Another gym? Really?” I ask feeling guilty at the thought. I’ve only ever been to Jax’s gym since his dad opened it back in the day.
“Look, I’ve gotta do what I’ve gotta do. This is still our place, and I’ll still come here first, but I think I need a back up place for times like these. This is too messed up for what I need.”
“But the new gym isn’t just for fighting, it’s co-ed.”
“Yeah, I know, but supposedly they’ve got killer bags and weights, a swimming pool and basketball courts along with the usual stuff like treadmills and exercise machines. I hate to do it, but I need to have a serious work out and not be distracted by all the sex in the air.”
I’d like to think that I hesitated for more than a few seconds, but that would be a lie. “I agree. I’m coming too. I don’t get nervous for my fights, but this upcoming one will be the exception if I don’t get training in. I need to be putting in the time, not taking time away.”
“Sounds good,” Dylan nods. “Levi, you comin’?”
“Does a bear shit in the woods?” Dylan and I stare at Levi without saying a word. “Seriously? First hoes and now bears shitting? I seriously can’t win here. Fine, yes, I’m coming too.”
Nodding at them, “See you there.”
Heading to my car, I unlock the doors while in mid-stride and sit inside, waiting for the car to cool off a bit before heading out. It’s September but still in the hundreds here in the good ‘ol Arizona desert. I’m ready for the cooler weather to hit, but we’ve still got another few, or several, weeks to go.
I’ve barely pulled out of the parking lot before my phone rings. Glancing at the screen I see Jax’s name. I contemplate ignoring it for all of three seconds before I answer. I know he’ll continue calling me until he gets an answer.”
“You finally look away from Row’s tits to realize I wasn’t around anymore?” I say by way of greeting.
“Where the hell did you go?” He ignores my comment.
I pause, hesitant to tell the truth, “I left.”
“Then get the hell back here.”
“Too late.” I consider avoiding the truth, but I’m not about to lie to him, plus I’m irritated and don’t really care if the truth irritates him too. “Dylan, Levi and I are headed over to that new gym that recently opened, Fitness World.”
“What the fuck? And Dylan and Levi? Where did you meet up with them? How did this get decided?”
“Bro, Dylan was standing at the door – you didn’t notice?”
“No.”
“Any guesses why that may be? Any guesses why you, Ryder, Cole or Tyson didn’t see him? Or why I was there for two hours and asked each of you to spar with me and was basically ignored.”
“You asked me to spar?”
“Seriously?”
He curses under his breath and I remain silent. I know he’s thinking about what I said and it’s confirmed when I hear a sigh of frustration from him, “I guess things are a bit… different around here lately.”
“You think?”
“Why didn’t you say something? I’d rather you talk to me instead of going to another gym.”
“You don’t even remember me asking you to spar and you’re asking me why I haven’t talked to you about it?”
“Good point.”
“Yeah, I know.”
He sighs again, “Look man, I’m sorry. I’ll figure this out. It’s just… having Row here is just distracting as hell.”
“Yeah, for your dick.”
“It’s not my fault, man. Today, she’s got this tight shirt on and I can see-”
“Okay, that’s enough. Don’t want to hear you talk about Row’s rack.”
“Since when? We’ve talked about this stuff plenty.”
“Yeah, well it’s different now. Row’s all respectable and shit. She’s like my sister and that’s just…gross.”
“Good point.”
“Anyway, you know I’ve got this fight coming up, I can’t afford another day like today.”
“Yeah, I get it. I’m sorry - really. Thanks for being honest with me. I promise I’ll get this all worked out.”
“Whatever man, it’s your gym - you can do what you want.”
“Not at the expense of three of my best friends.” I hear some commotion in the background, “I’ll talk to you later, man.”
“Alright, later.”
“Zane?”“Yeah?”“Don’t like that gym too much or I’ll have to beat your ass.”
Laughing, I hang up.
When I reach the parking lot of Fitness World I tell Dylan and Levi briefly about the phone call. They seem relieved that Jax is going to make some changes, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Jax may act like he’s in charge, but Rowan runs the show.
When we enter through the gym doors, we each stop and look around. The place is ginormous, which isn’t surprising given it’s a huge gym chain and not locally owned like Jax’s gym.
We can see a ton of the equipment in the two-story building from the front desk and it’s clear that all of it is state of the art. Fortunately Dylan, unlike me, did his research and instead of getting roped into a tour and a contract, he tells them we’re paying for the day. We all do so and then head through the doors toward the men’s locker room.
We’re stopped a couple times by excited women seeing us and wanting a photo or an autograph. With the upcoming fight being advertised like crazy, I’m not surprised people recognize us. Plus, MMA has gotten more and more popular with the ladies.
Once we stash our stuff in a locker and we all tape up our hands, we head out toward the weights and bags. We start with lifting and just a half hour in I can already feel myself getting in the zone.
Tunes overhead, the guys shooting shit next to me, and the welcome feel of my muscles burning from the workout I’m giving them and I’m feeling better already.
A couple hours later I’m soaked in sweat from hitting the bags hard and as I follow Dylan and Levi back to the locker room I’m looking forward to a cool shower.
Ripping the tape from my hands I’m not really paying attention to where I’m going. When a body slams into mine, I grunt in surprise but reach out blindly when I can tell the person is about to fall.
“Whoa!” I start to laugh but it cuts off when I get a good look at the face of the person I’m holding onto. My hands tighten in shock and surprise.
She’s like I remember. Dark hair that I used to run my hands through and yank is pulled up into a high ponytail
. Big green eyes are framed with dark lashes, freckles are sprinkled across her cheeks and her heart shaped lips are open in surprise as well.
Looking down her body everything is as tight and perky as I remember. Memories of my hands and mouth running over it and evoking moans and cries of pleasure flash quickly through my mind.
I’ve thought of her often the last few years wondering where and how she is. I used to recall the smoking hot chemistry between us as well as my reluctance to let her walk out of my life forever.
My hands linger and trail down her arms – I can’t seem to help myself.
“Sutton?”
Her eyes are wide and I know she immediately recognized me too. Her cute mouth puckers a little and I’ll be damned if my body doesn’t tighten in response. Like a ghost she’s appeared out of nowhere. I don’t believe in luck, not anymore, but fate, now that’s another story.
It’s been a long day and I briefly consider turning my car around and heading home instead of going to the gym. It was a tough day at work, but that’s not uncommon given my job.
Working with middle school and high school age orphans and at-risk children is not always easy, nor is it always happy. If it were easy I suppose the turnover statistics for my dream job of being a social worker – someday hopefully - wouldn’t be as high. It’s a tough job, but the children deserve some sort of consistency in their life and if that means always seeing my face then so be it.
There are days, weeks, hell even months, when it feels like there’s heartbreak after heartbreak. I’ve heard and seen things that’ll haunt me until the day I die. Kids who have been hurt and abused physically or sexually or both - kids being abandoned, left homeless, or at such young ages, already battling an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Even child pornography and prostitution. It’s sick and those can be the worst days of my life, especially seeing the hurt and pain in their eyes.
But then, sometimes out of nowhere there’s a moment, a word, an action that helps bury those sad moments. A day when the stars align and magic happens and a child that hadn’t spoken in months from trauma utters a word, or one that’s been riddled with nightmares finally sleeps through the night, or another child that was terrified of being touched gives me a hug. Or the very best, when one is blessed with their forever home. Those moments make all the long hard days and emotional turmoil, worth it.
Fighting Greed Page 2