“Mom, let me help,” Max objected.
“Nope. Sit. I was so terrified last night for you but you proved me wrong. Let me spoil you a bit.”
“Spoil him a bit?” Jenny smirked at her brother as she rounded the corner of the kitchen. “He’s been spoiled since birth.”
“Nice to see you too, brat.” Max laughed as he settled in beside Tyson. Jenny stuck her tongue out at him as she sashayed across the room to help carry the food to the table.
Max’s dad shuffled in followed by the sound of the door to the garage closing behind him. “Is lunch ready?”
His wife kissed his cheek with a huge smile. “Yes. Have a seat so we can get started.”
Max watched his family sit around the table, an overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude filling his heart. Life really couldn’t get better than this. How’d I get so lucky?
Once a quick blessing was said, each member of the family dug into the bowl or platter closest to them. Once their plates were filled, the conversation slowed. Max fought back a moan as he bit into a piece of fried chicken. No one made it better than his mom. He turned to find Tyson in a fit of giggles, his bowl of mashed potatoes now adorning his head like a hat. “You silly boy,” Max chided as he chuckled. Tyson laughed with him.
Max scooped his plate off the table once it was empty and strode to the garbage to shake the chicken bones into the container. Turning on the sink, he squirted dish soap into the hot stream of water and then sunk his plate into it.
“What are you doing, Max?” his mother questioned.
“Dishes. Are you done?”
She stood and hurried to the sink, brushing him away. “I wasn’t kidding. You rest. We’ll take care of this.”
“Mom, let me help?”
“You want to help? Clean up Tyson and go play cars with him.”
Max shot a glance over at his muck-covered nephew squirming in the seat. “I’d rather have the dishes. They’d be easier to clean.”
His mom laughed as she nudged him away. “Go.”
He tossed the wash cloth onto the counter and then walked back to the table. Unfastening the tray, he picked up the squirmy toddler and held him at a distance. “Let’s go take a layer or two of lunch off you.”
Tyson squealed as they rushed down the hallway to the bathroom, not stopping until they reached the bathtub.
The sun was already starting to set when Max said his goodbyes and hopped in his car. Before he left New Ulm, however, he drove to the state park not far from his home.
He coasted down the thin lanes past a couple of parking lots, finally pulling his Mustang into the lot that was deepest in the park. He wandered amongst the towering trees as he made his way down the trails. A smile spread across his face once the old wooden bridge came into sight. He climbed the steps then leaned against the railing, watching the ripples of the small stream trickle beneath the planks. This was his favorite place to think, and there was a lot on his mind.
His thoughts wandered to his win the night before. Do I have a career in mixed martial arts? I hope so, but it’ll be a long road. And I’m perfectly content with being a fitness trainer. Whatever happens, I have a lot of great options ahead of me.
He paused for a moment as he remembered his father’s words from earlier. Tori was a puzzle to figure out. At times, she was cold, pushing him away and demanding to be alone. But when it came to MMA, she couldn’t get enough of him.
He glanced around the bridge, his gaze taking in the towering trees surrounding him. This place was perfect, peaceful. It had been his sanctuary since he had found it when he was a kid. It was where he came when the chaos of life scrambled him. He wanted to bring the love of his life here for a romantic evening of deep, slow kisses. Was he ready to share this place with her? He sighed. Not yet. Not while she’s the source of a lot of the craziness.
Max’s head shot up at the hoot of an owl. It was time to hit the road.
»»•««
The cafeteria buzzed like a beehive on a summer day. It was surprising this early in the morning. But it was like this every morning since Max started meeting Quinn for breakfast. They started this morning ritual their second week of freshman year. He had a feeling they would keep doing it until the morning they graduated.
He stepped into the serving line and helped himself to a heaping scoop of fluffy scrambled eggs and several pieces of crispy bacon. After setting a glass of orange juice on his tray, he turned and searched the sea of tables for Quinn.
Quinn was hovered over a text book munching on a piece of toast when Max found him. Max laughed as he set his tray on the table. “Study more at night. Or were you caught up in the game last night?”
Quinn glanced up at him. “Nah. Started playing that new battle zone game I bought against some kid in Austria. Naturally I won. About three o’clock this morning.”
Max slumped in his chair as he shook his head. “Quinn, not good.”
Quinn glared at him. “Don’t want to hear it. Especially from you. Or do I need to remind you what you were doing twenty minutes before your last chemistry test?”
Max laughed. “The fate of the free world was in my hands.”
“What free world was that?”
“That alien planet in my game. Still can’t pronounce it. You know the one.”
Quinn chuckled. “I do. I can’t either. Who names a planet in a video game that no one else can say?”
They were still laughing as they each settled into their breakfast. They chatted between bites. As usual, they ate quickly. Quinn had class and Max needed to be in the Fitness Center for his work study. But this little time together with his best friend without any interference, including Tori, meant the world. They said a quick goodbye as they picked up their trays and backpacks and headed off in different directions.
The fitness center was also alive and bouncing when Max stepped inside Monday morning. He waved to members of the staff as he walked past, noticing several of the girls giggle in response. He barely got his stuff in his locker before he heard Chuck’s voice.
“I gave you the next few days off,” the coach objected.
Max shrugged. “I feel fine, Chuck. There’s no point to take downtime if I don’t need it, right?”
Chuck chuckled as he shook his head. “I suppose you’re right. Just take it easy, Champ. All right?”
“Of course, Coach.”
“Then while you’re here, can you take the boot camp cardio class this morning?”
“Absolutely.”
“Excellent. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Max quickly changed his shoes and then jogged out to the weight area. He wasn’t about to slow down. He’d already gotten a taste of being inside the octagon. He was ready for more. He slipped under the first deadlift rack to pick up plates for the bar. Looking around the room, he smiled. He could easily get some lifting in before he had to teach.
»»•««
After his morning class, he hurried across campus to the bookstore. His gaze scanned the campus landscape. A sly smirk spread across his lips when he spotted his target. Just as he had planned, Tori was walking into work. She seemed to be glancing around looking for someone. He jogged quietly across the grass so he could sneak up behind her. Grasping her hips in his hands, he tugged her to him, his mouth dipping to the curve of her neck.
She squirmed out of his embrace and spun around, her teeth gritted together and her breath escaping in a venomous hiss. Her hands gripped her hips angrily as she faced him.
Max held his hands up in the air. “Hey, it’s just me.”
The smile that replaced the frown on her face was clearly forced. “I know.”
Max pulled her to him, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. Once again, she twisted out of his embrace. He stared at her puzzled. “What’s up?”
“What do you mean?” Tori questioned.
“At the fight the other night, you had no problem with me kissing you in public. You kissed me, act
ually. Several times. While wrapped around me and climbing me like a tree. But now, when we’re not surrounded by a bunch of MMA fans, you want nothing to do with me.”
“We’re standing in front of my work,” she protested as she motioned toward the bookstore.
“The door is over a hundred feet down the sidewalk, and there are no windows this direction. No one you work with can see us, unless that chain-smoking monkey Ernie slips out the back to get a fix. Who were you looking for?”
“I wasn’t looking for anyone.”
“That’s not what it looked like to me.”
“I was looking for you.”
“Right.” Max crossed his arms over his broad chest. A sneer curled his mouth as with brow creased in anger. “I get it.”
Tori’s eyes widened. By the sudden “o” of her lips she seemed alarmed. She snaked her arms around his waist and then kissed his cheek. “You know I love you.”
“You’re ashamed to be seen with me. Explain how that’s love?”
“I’m not ashamed of you. I’m just not comfortable with public displays of affection.”
Unless you’re within fifty feet of an octagon. Then I can’t pry you off with a crowbar. Max forced a smile at her as he pulled from her embrace. “It’s all right. I gotta grab something for lunch and get to practice.”
“Come over tonight?”
“Sure.”
Tori giggled and then quickly pecked him on the mouth. He watched as she scampered into the building. With a sigh, he trudged his way back to the fitness center. Even though he was sore, a long, hard roll of jiu jitsu would do him good. Maybe it would help him forget what had just happened with Tori.
»»•««
Max’s schedule fell back into the normal routine that it was before the fight. That was, except for Quinn’s now constant griping about not having one of his own yet. Chuck conveniently tuned out every complaint. Max was torn. Yes, Quinn only got to practice once or twice a week, missing his training time to watch movies or hang out with friends. Yes, he wasn’t nearly as good as Max. But didn’t he deserve a shot?
Three weeks after the fight, Max found an email from the promoter in his inbox, asking him to take another in ten weeks. He stared at the screen as a smile crept across his face. He quickly typed.
Sure. But could you find one for my friend Quinn too?
Max waited anxiously for a reply, barely breathing. A couple minutes later, a new message popped up.
Absolutely. I’ll talk to Chuck. He’ll have both of your contracts.
Max’s fingers flew across the keyboard.
Thanks!
»»•««
The next morning Quinn was called into Chuck’s office. The older man shot a cold look at Max before shutting the door. Max’s heart thundered in his chest. He had never defied his coach before. Crap. How bad did I screw this up? Minutes later, Quinn threw it open, beaming from ear to ear. Chuck followed him out with a frown. “Max.”
With a sigh, Max strode into the room at the summons. Chuck said nothing, but just glared at him with a never-go-over-my-head-again stare. The coach slid the contract across the desk. Max quickly scribbled his name, and with a nod, walked out.
He knew he’d angered Chuck. Max hated the idea. But the smile on his best friend’s face at getting his first fight was completely worth it. He glanced over to see Quinn laughing it up with the other guys. He would have to hound Quinn and keep him training. Getting Quinn into the octagon was his responsibility. Max couldn’t put him in danger.
He strode across the gym to where the group of guys gathered. Clearing his throat, he laid a hand on Quinn’s shoulder. “Hey, man. We need to start fight camp.”
Quinn shot a look over his shoulder. “Yeah, yeah. I know.”
“I mean tonight. Kickboxing and jitz. Do you have your gear here?”
“No, it’s at home. And I can’t tonight.” Quinn motioned to the men surrounding them. “The guys and I are hitting the bars to celebrate.”
“You’ll be here tomorrow night.”
“Can’t then, either. I work the next three days.”
“Come during the day. I’ll work with you.”
Quinn shrugged Max’s hand off his shoulder. “Max, relax. I’ll be ready. Trust me.”
“You’d better. I stuck my neck out for you. I pissed off Chuck for you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Come on guys. I’m looking forward to a few beers and a greasy burger.”
Max watched as Quinn and the others sauntered out of the fitness center. He sighed. This is going to be tougher than I thought.
»»•««
For the next few weeks, Max stayed on Quinn, dragging him to practice every chance he got. He woke Quinn up at sunrise for a run through the sub-zero Minnesota winter. He took his best friend’s phone away when texting became more important than training. Max stole burgers and fries off Quinn’s tray in the cafeteria and replaced them with salads and fruit.
Eight weeks crawled by with the thought of having to deal with his best friend’s laziness ruining Max’s day before the sun came up. Tossing the covers off, he rolled to the edge of his dorm bed and picked up his cell. He hit the speed dial and listened to it ring. It went to voice mail. He dialed once more. Nothing. Finally on the third try it was answered.
“What the hell do you want?” Quinn demanded.
“It’s six thirty. Rise and shine. Let’s go get our run in,” Max encouraged.
“Hell, no.”
“Quinn, when are you going to take this seriously?”
“I am.”
“That’s crap. I have to drag you out of bed to go for a run. You missed the last three practices.”
“I have a job, Max. I’m sorry if my employment is more important than your stupid schedule.”
“Really? I went to the computer center last night. They told me you were off both Tuesday and last night.”
“Max, you need to get off my ass. I’m exhausted. I’m starving all the time. And I’m not spending every waking moment in the gym!”
“You’re going to get your ass kicked.”
“Whatever.” Quinn loudly grumbled a long line of curse words before the call ended. Max growled as he tossed his phone on his desk and then slumped back on his bed. He sighed. He wasn’t working today and had no classes. Practice wasn’t until later that afternoon. Hopping up, he tugged a pair of blue jeans and a sweatshirt from his dresser. Dressing in the dark, he grabbed the keys to his Mustang and hurried from the dorm.
His dad was unlocking the door to the family’s hardware store as Max pulled into a spot. The look of surprise on the older man’s face made him chuckle as he stepped out of the car.
“What brings you here?” his father asked as he pushed the door open, giving an extra shove when it stuck. “This is the third middle of the week visit this month.”
“Can’t I just come spend time with my favorite dad?” Max objected.
“Nice. I’m your only dad.” He held the door open for Max to pass through. “Quinn lashing out again?”
“How did you guess?”
“Same reason you came here the other times.”
“He isn’t taking this seriously, Dad. I stuck my neck out for him and he acts like it’s no big deal.”
“He may not have the same passion as you.”
“This isn’t basketball. If he doesn’t prepare he could get hurt,” Max said. “I just need to keep my distance for the day.”
“Well you’re in luck. I’m moving some displays around today. I could really use some help.”
Max laughed as he shrugged his sweatshirt off, leaving him in the T-shirt he was wearing underneath. “Guess I’m your man.”
The day raced by as Max hauled boxes and equipment from one part of the store to the other. They stopped long enough to eat the lunch his mother dropped off for them. Spending time with his parents helped tremendously. It lifted his spirits. After hugging them both, he hurried to his car, tucking the money his dad gave him fo
r working into his pocket before climbing in.
Max kept to himself when he returned to the fitness center. He grinned as he watched Tori sneak into the exercise room where they held their practices and settle into the corner to watch. He blew her a kiss before facing off against his partner for the evening. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her return his kiss with one of her own.
Three long, sweaty hours later, he staggered to her. She sat up from her little nest on the floor. “Hungry?” she asked.
“Starving,” Max answered. “And sore. And exhausted.”
“Maybe we should feed you and put you to bed.”
“My bed or yours?” Max winked at her before wiping the sweat from his face with his T-shirt.
“Probably yours. You need sleep, baby.”
“I need you. It’s been a week.”
“I know. The last time you came over you fell asleep ten minutes into the movie. You didn’t crawl into bed until three in the morning and you were sound asleep again.”
Max felt his cheeks burn hot in embarrassment. “Guilty.”
Tori wrapped her hand around his. “I’ve got an idea. Come over to my place and take a shower. Maybe I’ll sneak in and join you. Then we can find something to eat.”
He grinned at her. “Deal.”
He helped her to her feet and then bent over to stick his equipment in his bag. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he turned, nearly colliding with Quinn. Max’s eyes narrowed. “Nice to see you at practice.”
“Sorry, man,” Quinn apologized. “I just don’t need you on my ass.”
“Someone needs to be.”
“I’m free now. Let’s go run.”
Max glanced at Tori, seeing her nod encouragingly at him to go. He forced a smile on his face. He understood but didn’t like it. He was training for his next fight. Knowing he was going to fight made her excited. He certainly didn’t want to disappoint her, even though he wished she saw him for more than his MMA skills.
He turned back to Quinn. “Tomorrow. We’ll go tomorrow. Tori and I have plans tonight.” Without another word he took his arm from her waist to hold her hand. Silently he led her out the door, leaving a stunned Quinn behind.
Hard Drive Boxed Set Page 2
