Fighting Greed

by Miller, Jennifer

  Ryan puffs his chest out and smiles, “That’s because I’m a little man. That’s what my mommy says.”

  “She’s right. Hey, you and your mom wanna come with me? I want to give you something,” Tyson asks him but looks at Sutton first, “Is that okay with you?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Guys, come on, let’s go give Ryan and Sutton some gear.”

  They all surround them and I find myself frowning wondering how they’re both walking away from me.

  When Jax grabs my arm and pulls me into his office I know that they all arranged this quietly through looks and gestures I didn’t notice.

  Sighing I look at Jax, “Don’t say it.”

  “Say what? That you’ve been bitching about us having women here and being distracted yet ironically you now seem to have a woman of your own.”

  “Look, I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t expecting this – it just sort of happened. I ran into her and well… here we are.”

  Jax laughs, “You think you need to explain to me? Or hell to any of us other than Dylan and Levi? We’ve all been there which you well know.”

  “I first met her in rehab. You may not remember me telling you. It’s been a while.”

  “You mean the ‘hottie’ that you ‘banged’ like crazy while in rehab.”

  I cringe, “Uh, yeah. Not the greatest choice in words but, yeah.”

  “No worries. When you got drunk once you talked more about her and I realized she was more to you than just a lay.”

  “I don’t remember that at all.”

  “I don’t expect you would. It was after a win and there was a lot of whiskey involved. I just happen to have an excellent memory.”

  “I guess so.”

  “But, I have to ask,” he begins with concern lacing his expression, “do I need to worry about you hooking up with a fellow gambling addict?”

  “No.”

  He looks at me with uncertainty.

  “Honestly, she’s no longer gambling anymore either. We’ve talked about all of it.”

  “Alright, sorry for asking, but you know I had to. I don’t want you going back to that place you were in mentally and physically before.”

  “You and me both, man. No worries.”

  “Good. Then go have fun man and don’t mind me while I find myself completely entertained while I watch you fall on your ass over this girl more than you seem to have already.”

  “Whatever.”

  He laughs, “So, she’s going to the fight?”

  “Yeah.”

  “We’ll take care of her.”

  “Thanks.”

  “It’s just my time to return the favor. I remember you doing the same for me with Rowan.”

  Smiling I shake my head, “That seems like a long time ago.”

  Jax’s face becomes serious again and I think he’s going to ask me another rehab question or start talking about the fight, but he surprises me when he says instead, “I’m going to propose to her.”

  I laugh, “It’s about fucking time.”

  “Well I wanted to do it before but we were focused on my adopting Lily and I didn’t want to take away the focus from that, but yeah, it’s past time.”

  “Do you know when you’re going to do it yet or how?”

  “I’ve got the how but still working out the when.”

  “I’m happy for you. Really.”

  “Thanks. Alright, I’ve taken up enough of your time. You should probably get back to Sutton. It looks like Levi’s about to hump her leg from here.”

  “What the fuck?” I ask whipping around but I find Levi now working out on a bag nowhere near the others.

  “Yeah, you’ve got it bad,” Jax says with a laugh.

  Flipping him off, I stalk off to find my woman.

  I’m half way across the gym when she emerges from a back room with Ryder, Tyson and Cole and she and Ryan are each holding a crap ton of our swag. T-shirts, shorts for Sutton that say ‘Insane’ Zane on the butt, a mug with the gym name and logo, a keychain with the same and who knows what else.

  “Loaded them up?” I ask with a smile.

  “Sure did,” Tyson confirms.

  Dylan emerges from the back room with some tote bags with the gym’s logo on them. “Here you go. You guys can throw all of that in here.”

  “Are you sure this is okay? It’s so much stuff.”

  “Yep. Rowan, Jax’s girlfriend insisted that we needed to get a bunch of this promo stuff. We already had t-shirts, but we’ve added a bunch of other things. She’d be happy we’re remembering to hand it out.”

  “Well thank you,” she smiles.

  “Look, Zane. I got gloves,” Ryan shows me when the guys walk away to get back to working out. We started a beginners MMA class here at the gym on Saturday nights and we each take turns running it. There’s various merchandise the parents can buy to get their kids started and it’s been a hit so far. I wonder how Sutton would feel about putting Ryan in a class like that when he gets a bit older.

  “Wow buddy, it’s official, you’re an MMA fighter in training.”

  The gloves are a bit too big for his little hands and when he gets a look at Levi hitting the bag, he closes his little fists and pretends to punch the air while making “Yaw, yaw,” sounds. It’s fucking adorable.

  I hold my hands out in front of me, “Here, give me some hits to my hands. Ball your hands up tight, but put your thumb like this,” I show him the proper way to hold his fist and then show him a few air punches. Holding my hands out again he immediately punches into them. He grunts and I can tell he uses all of his strength.

  “Whoa, that was awesome,” I tell him shaking my hand like it hurt. “You’re a natural.”

  He grins ear to ear and I look up at Sutton to find her looking at us with tears in her eyes. She doesn’t look happy though or like she thinks our interaction is cute, she looks… pained.

  “Hey…” I say softly and she moves her eyes to my face but doesn’t make eye contact. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, of course. I’m fine. Your friends are really amazing and I can’t believe they gave us all this stuff. Thanks for having us come by.”

  “Of course. I wanted you to meet them before the fight so you’ll feel more comfortable with them there.”

  “It’s hard not to feel comfortable around them, they’re all so nice.”

  “Yeah, well don’t get too close or think they’re too nice, ya feel me?”

  “Don’t worry. I only want to feel you,” she says with a smile and laugh.

  “Zane! Can I punch a bag too?”

  “Sure you can, but you know, if you’re going to be a fighter I think we need to come up with a fighting name for you.”

  “A fighting name?”

  “Yep. All the fighter’s have one.”

  “Do you have one?”

  “I sure do.”

  “What is it?”

  “I’m called Insane Zane.”

  He giggles, “That’s funny.”

  “Hey, it’s not supposed to be funny. It’s supposed to sound tough.”

  “What’s his name?” he asks pointing at Jax across the room.

  “Jackson ‘Hands of’ Stone.”

  “What’s his?”

  “Ryder ‘Playboy’ King.”

  He tilts his head to the side, “What’s a playboy?”

  “Something you can find out when you’re older,” Sutton interjects.

  “If I fight like you, will I get big muscles too?”

  “You will.”

  “Awesome!”

  I show them around the rest of the gym. Ryan gets in the octagon and he runs around it in circles while throwing punches and making noises. Levi gets in with him and joins him and the guys start making jokes about how it’s so perfect because Levi is right on his level. He flips them off behind Ryan’s back and everyone is laughing, having a good time and finding Ryan amusing.

  Looking at Sutton, she smiles and laughs too, but somet
hing feels off. Her smile isn’t going all the way to her eyes today. Maybe she’s just having a bad day, but with the way my mind and dare I say it… my heart are feeling, I’m already all in with her and Ryan. I only hope she’s feeling the same way.

  “Hey Levi,” Ryan’s little voice says, “How come your muscles are smaller than Zane’s? And his,” he points at Ryder. “And his,” he points at Jax.

  “What the hell?” Levi yells and we’re all laughing too hard to yell at him for his language. Even Sutton is laughing at Levi’s reaction. She looks at me, smiles and I swear I see a spark of something in her eyes that makes my heart stutter. She reaches out and takes my hand and the concern I was feeling fades away.

  Every time I think I couldn’t hate Nico more, he does something that makes me realize I’m wrong. I was barely in the door last night after Zane’s weigh in and my phone was ringing. When his name flashed on my screen, I ignored it. That was my first mistake.

  Separating from Zane after we were together so many hours yesterday wasn’t easy, but I insisted he go home and get some rest. He would need it for his fight and I had a feeling if he came over, he would have been here late and if his performance is anything other than stellar during his fight, I would blame myself.

  With a smoldering kiss that set me on fire and made me rethink his going home, he sent me on my way so I could relieve Theresa from her babysitting duties.

  Theresa was barely gone for half an hour before Nico walked in like he owned the place.

  “Why the fuck didn’t you answer my call?”

  “You called?” I play dumb. Clearly I should have answered it if it would have prevented a face to face. I just didn’t feel like dealing with him. This is what I get I guess.

  He stares at me like he knows I’m lying, but I ignore him.

  “What did you get from him, amor?”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  “Answer the question.”

  I shared the little bit I had, which made me feel dirty and unfaithful. The more I went on, the deeper his frown became. I knew he wasn’t happy with the information.

  “That’s all?”

  “Yes. That’s all he said.”

  “He didn’t say anything about his strengths and weaknesses? Nothing at all about his opponent’s? Anything about the other fighters fighting?”

  “No. Nothing like that.”

  “Go over the conversation again.”

  “Seriously? Look, I did the best I can. You’re asking me to gain information about something I hardly know anything about. Maybe you should tell me specifically what you want me to ask.”

  “I know you aren’t that stupid, puta. Clearly information that will help us decide whom we should place our bet on will be helpful. What you told me is fucking pathetic.”

  “You’re the pathetic one. Needing information so you can bet on fights and win? You will never grow up – all these years later and you’re still nothing but an addicted gambler.”

  I know better. I learned long ago how stupid it is to set him off. So when his eyes flash in rage, when he stalks toward me and the back of his hand cracks against my face, sadly, I’m not even surprised. And suddenly, I think that he’s right, I am the pathetic one.

  Eyes full of tears, a hand to my burning and aching face, I shake my head. “I see him tomorrow. How am I going to explain the nice bruise you’ve no doubt put on my face?”

  He speaks so close to my face that spittle flies out of his mouth in his rage and hits me in the face, “Cover it up. You’ve done it before.”

  With that, he walks to the door and just as I think he’s going to leave he stops and turns back to me, “Seems to me you may need a reminder as to what’s at stake here.”

  My whole body stills, chills break out all over me and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in fear. “No,” I whisper, fear paralyzing me.

  “Then you better get your shit together.” With that he stalks to the front door. He stops right before he turns the doorknob, “You better hope your new boy toy wins that fight.”

  Once he shuts the door behind him I lock the door, turn and slide down it sitting on the floor holding my face. I let myself feel sorry for myself for a few moments, then I stand and go grab the ice pack I started keeping in my freezer long ago.

  It took me a bit of extra time doing my makeup to cover up the bruising on my cheek. It isn’t the worst I’ve ever had and somehow isn’t too dark of a bruise. Some foundation and concealer with powder on top cover it perfectly although I don’t usually prefer to wear so much makeup.

  Swallowing another dose of ibuprofen, I silently hope it works fast to ease the ache in my face each time I talk. That’s all I can do other than hope I’m correct and that the facial mark isn’t noticeable.

  When Vanessa, my back up day care provider arrives and knocks on the door, I’m ready to go. She’s a sweet girl who’s a senior in high school and is always happy to babysit Ryan and earn some extra money. She lives with her mom in my building and she usually has a friend come over while she’s here. I don’t mind, they’re great girls and Ryan enjoys their combined attention.

  When I let her in, she smiles wide, “Wow, Miss. Reeves, you look hot,” she says and it makes me laugh outright bringing a pain to my face but I ignore it.

  “You think so?”

  “Definitely. Whoever he is, he’s not going to be able to keep his eyes off of you.”

  “Well, aren’t you sweet – and a bit of a fibber – but I thank you for it.”

  “Believe me, I’m not lying.”

  She laughs and heads to Ryan’s room to greet him while I duck into the bathroom once more to give myself one more once over. I’m not sure why I’m obsessing over how I look. I changed my clothes a few times before finally deciding on form fitting jeggings, flip flops and the shirt the guys gave me that says ‘Get Insane with Zane’. I hesitated – I heard once that you never want to be the girl that wears the concert tee to the concert or the event tee to the event, but I think this is a little different. Looking at the shirt, I decided to make a few modifications with my scissors so it would be a bit more fashionable. It’s got an open neckline now that reveals some cleavage. I cut it in horizontal slashes in the back and knotted them together so there’s peek-a-boo’s of my skin all the way down and it’s knotted at my hip. No bra would really work with all the skin in the back, so since it’s black and I’m lucky to have damn fine perky boobs if I do say so myself, I forego one.

  My makeup is smoky and sexy and my hair is sleeked back in a high ponytail. I’m pretty sure Zane will approve of my spin on his shirt; at least I hope so.

  After a quick kiss on Ryan’s cheek, which he brushes off while telling me he’s too busy building a tower for Vanessa, I give her a few instructions for Ryan’s dinner and bedtime, and then take off. I’m anxious to get there and see Zane.

  He told me what time to arrive so that I’m there with enough time to see him before his fight. He said it will be crowded as there are several fights before his and he gave me a special parking pass that will get me close to the building. He also gave me another pass that will not only get me into the building, but through the VIP area. He told me they’ll have my name on their list and will escort me to him. The ride goes quickly, and I find myself feeling nervous for both of us.

  Once I arrive, I walk through a set of doors and have to hand my purse over for a security check and go through a metal detector. Once that’s concluded, a girl is there immediately upon scanning my ticket. She escorts me to another person that asks me my name and checks something in the computer. She’s got an earpiece and she speaks into it so low I can’t hear her.

  After a moment she finally smiles, “Charlie will escort you to Mr. Moreno.” She gestures behind me and I find a young man standing there smiling.

  “Mr. Moreno is expecting you,” he says.

  “Okay, thank you.”

  Charlie weaves in and out of the crowd clearing the way and makes sure I’
m following him without difficulty. Before I know it, we’ve reached a door that’s being manned by security. They nod at Charlie and when he opens the door, he holds it open for me.

  Once through, there’s a long hallway in front of us with doors on either side. We walk all the way down it, then turn right down another hallway. As we pass each door I realize they all have names posted on them. I’m assuming each name is a fighter and I realize my assumption to be correct when we reach the door with Zane’s name posted.

  Charlie knocks, then opens the door.

  With a smile he gestures for me to go ahead and then he closes the door behind me.

  Inside, the room is a bit chaotic. Music is thumping loudly through some speakers, I’m assuming to pump Zane up. People move around the room with t-shirts on that say Zane’s Crew on the back. I have no idea what they’re all doing, but they appear to be focused and completing some kind of task.

  It takes me a moment to find Zane and when I do, I see that he’s getting his shoulders massaged by some chick with one of those t-shirts while Jax sits in front of him speaking intently.

  Zane’s wearing yellow and black shorts and he’s shirtless. My eyes follow the hands of the girl massaging him and while I know she’s a hired professional doing her job, hot jealousy pulses through me with each stroke; I find it hard to watch her touching him.

  Maybe he can sense the unhappy vibes I’m throwing off. Maybe he just feels a shift in the room, but whatever it is, his head suddenly pops up and turns in my direction. As soon as he sees me, he stands and walks to me. Something in me feels deep satisfaction at that and I enjoy the sight of him walking across the room. His eyes sweep me from head to toe lingering on the exposed skin at my chest and the sliver of my stomach. There’s fire in his eyes and his nostrils flare slightly like he’s taken a deep steadying breath. Add that to the way my heart kicks in my chest in response. I’m thinking he likes what he sees and even my body knows it.

  Without a word, he takes me in his arms. His eyes hold mine for two, maybe three seconds, before his mouth is on mine. He doesn’t hold back, clearly not caring that there are people in the room. He kisses me greedily, hungrily and excitedly. My hands rest on his chest and the music is loud so I can’t hear the sound, but I know he groans when his chest rumbles under my hands.