by LL Dahlin
Happy to finally be useful Myles got the water, utensils and napkins for them to eat. By the time he’d located all the things he’d wanted,Maddox had the eggs, sausage patties along with toast on the table. The two of them ate with the sounds of forks hitting plates and chewing noise.
“So how do you fit into Kick Ass?” Myles wanted to pat himself on the back for how that sounded. Very professional Myles…good job.
“I’m one of Cash’s many rescues. I was young and on the street when I met Cash. Having just been thrown out of my house by my mother and step father I was doing almost anything so I could eat.” Maddox continued to eat but it slowed down dramatically as he figured out how much he’d wanted to say.
Myles wasn’t going to push him if that was all of the story Maddox wanted to share but he wanted more.
“I propositioned him and he took me up on my offer. Brought me to his home and put me to work. I did odd jobs for him when he was a fighter in his prime. Picked up food, arranged his schedule whatever he wanted. More of a personal assistant until he opened up Kick Ass Academy.” Maddox finished all the food he’d had before him and drank the water down before he put down the bottle. “If you’re looking for dirt on Myles you’re not going to find it. He’s an angel to the people who know him, because he’s saved all of us in one way or another.”
“I’m not looking for dirt on him.” Myles could appreciate loyalty and affection he could hear in Maddox’s tone. “His sister sent me to do an article so you can’t think I mean him any harm.”
“I’m not sure about that sister. Myles was excited to spend time with her and introduce us all to his little sister that he hasn’t known about for all that long. Then she popped up with this stunt.”
Myles could hear the anger and admitted to himself that he’d not known much about the story except the fact that someone was dangling a carrot that he’d give his left nut to have. An interview with the virgin…at least virgin of interviews. “I should have done a better job vetting the why’s and how come’s of how this came about but I’ll admit I was at first skeptical and then too intrigued to ask many questions.”
Maddox stared at Myles for a good while before he nodded and sat back in his chair. Myles wanted so badly to ask what he’d been looking for when he stared at him and if he found it, but didn’t want to stop the conversation to analyze it. Myles stood up and collected the plates so he could clean them before they left. The house was a mansion and he couldn’t imagine why a single man would want and or need this much space, but they all had their needs.
“How old were you when you met Cash?” Myles washed the dishes, rinsed them off and set them in the draining basket. He hoped this sounded like friendly conversation or the beginning of an interview instead of the inquisition it actually was.
“I’d been thrown out at 16 and I’d only been on the street for a few weeks when I met Cash and that was about nine years ago. He was 22 and winning everything. It stayed that way for a few years before he stopped fighting.”
Cash had to tell himself to breath because this small piece of information was what he’d wanted to know most of all. Why had he quit? He hoped his silence encouraged Maddox to keep talking instead of clamming up but he wasn’t saying anything. He looked over and found Maddox smiling at him.
“What?”
“You want to know why he stopped fighting?”
“Yes.”
“Of course you do. Everyone does. I could be a millionaire if I gave up that information. You wouldn’t believe the things I’ve been offered to tell Cash’s story.” The pause was decidedly dramatic. “I give some information about Cash as he fit in my story because it’s mine and because him bringing you into his home shows that he trusts you to a point but I think you’ll find you’ll only be able to get the juicy details from the man himself.”
Maddox took the wash cloth from Myles’ hand and walked over to the table where they’d eaten breakfast. Myles took a deep breath in as he watched the silver haired man wipe the table down thoroughly and he wanted to chuckle at himself for how badly he wanted to know Cash’s story. Although it seemed all the fighters had a story to tell.
“Deal?” Maddox said as he brought the wash cloth over from wiping off the table.
“Deal.” Myles didn’t know how much time he’d get with Maddox or if they were going to be in a position to ask more questions that were somewhat personal so he thought he’d ask the question he really wanted the answer too. “So you and Cash—”
Maddox looked over at him and crossed his arms.
Myles couldn’t do it. Even though he let the toxic question out into the Universe, and both of them knew what the question was he wasn’t going to finish it.
“Yes?”
“Never mind. What’s next?” Myles said ready to get this day going. He hoped the training he’d done before he’d got here would help him not embarrass himself. He wasn’t a gym rat or even a guy who worked out regularly until about 3 months ago. These guys were at the top of their game physically and he hoped he could keep up.
“Next we hit the gym. Don’t worry we won’t kill you on the first day.”
“What about day two?” Myles couldn’t resist being a smart ass sometimes, it was just too fun. Plus he knew he looked like the biggest nerd and him being smart put some people at ease. He had a hunch Maddox was one of those people.
The man laughed as he picked up his keys and walked to the door. “Day two…we make no promises.”
“Then I’ll have to make this day count.”
“Good idea.”
Chapter 6 – Cash
There weren’t many times Cash looked into the mirror and saw a coward looking back at him but today that’s exactly who was in his reflection. He’d tried to get some sleep as he contemplated what was going on with the man who was his sexual kryptonite, but after a few hours he’d come to the gym to train. That was a lie. He’d come to beat his body up so he’d be so tired he couldn’t think. Calling Maddox to take care of Myles this morning had been a punishment for him and an offering for Maddox.
It was nine o’clock and he’d done nothing but watch the two of them as Maddox got a feel for his temporary housemate’s physical strength and endurance limits. The two of them laughed and joked through it all. That was a good thing. He’d known Maddox for a while and he’d never heard or saw him look as into a guy as he had in the kitchen last night. It was a spur of the moment thing to foist him off on Myles. That would save all of them and he could be free of the jealousy and possessiveness he held for Myles. The only problem was he didn’t have a lot of experience with things like this but it didn’t take long to figure out that this wasn’t how it worked. Now he was just obsessing which was worse than the jealousy and possessiveness.
Fuck.
He decided to go out on the floor and immerse himself with the other fighters. The class of Kick Ass Shapers started their 30 days today. There were two groups and a good number of individuals who’d signed up. The individuals got a personal trainer who walked them through the 30 days. It was expensive but a good number of people did it that way. They got to pick their trainer but most people wanted the champions to work with them. They didn’t usually take many people but sometimes they would for extra money.
People were busy and no one usually paid much attention to him as he took in what was going on during his walk through. He got to the boxing rings and found a few people coupled off in there but he was most interested in, of course, Maddox and Myles. They hadn’t noticed him yet so he decided he wanted to see what kinds of things Maddox was going to put Myles through. It appeared to be sparring.
“Okay just come at me.” The men were wearing knee length shorts and tank tops but for some reason it didn’t look like Myles wanted to hit Maddox. This wasn’t going to go well.
The two of them went around and around with Maddox lunging a few times at Myles and him moving out of punching range. That went on for a few minutes until Maddox stopped circling.
“Tell me why you aren’t fighting. We are in a ring. We both have on gloves but you’re not doing anything.”
“You really want me to hit you?” Myles looked confused.
“Yes, Myles that’s why we are in here. I’m trying to evaluate you and see who would be a good fit for you to square off against.” Maddox looked like he was trying to be informative which is more than he gives other guys. Cash could totally understand where Myles was coming from. He’d mistaken the perfectly coifed hair, perfect make up and beautiful face for a man who was delicate and or gentle but Maddox could have been the mascot for the place. He was an amazing fighter and would leave guys stunned that he hit so hard and moved so quickly. “Do you think I’m too pretty to hit?”
Cash hoped he didn’t fall for that shit. He’d seen men annihilated after answering affirmative to that question. There was no way Cash was going to step in. These were grown men and if Myles had to learn today that everything wasn’t as it seemed and if someone asked you to step in the ring it didn’t matter if the man was wearing a dress and heels or a boxing outfit you’d better come in ready to fight.
“I do think you’re pretty and I don’t want to mess you up, but I’m assuming you’re good at this because I don’t think you’d have invited me in here unless you thought you could beat my ass.” Myles followed that with a smile.
Cash wasn’t sure how this one was going to end but to his surprise Maddox returned the smile. “I appreciate the compliment and the confidence you have in my ability so I won’t beat you to a pulp to prove a point. Let’s start again and you do your best. I think my face is too pretty to be hit as well but that’s why I fight so hard not to let it happen. Try your best and I’ll do the same.”
The fight was on and to his credit Myles was doing a good job going for Maddox. They both worked up quite a sweat. Myles landed a few punches but none to his opponents face but he did receive a few good ones from Maddox. Cash knew from experience that the man was deceptively strong and could pack quite a punch.
The evaluation was over when Maddox called time. Cash couldn’t believe he’d stood there and watched them for over an hour. The two of them got out of the ring and Maddox walked straight to where he was standing. Myles looked a little shocked to see him.
“We are going to get showered then I’ll bring him to your office.” Maddox said as they walked to the locker room looking like a glowing, happy mess.
Cash nodded and watched them walk away together. “This is such bullshit. Pull yourself together, asshole.”
“Are you talking to me, Cash?” Sam had walked passed him and stopped.
“No, man. I’m sorry I wasn’t talking to you.”
Sam was trying hard not to look concerned as he nodded and went back to what he was doing before he thought he was being cussed out for something and Cash decided to go back to his office and write down a few rules he could live with. It had to be the upcoming interview that was making him crazy.
*****
It had taken him less than 30 minutes to figure out some ground rules for the interview and he looked at the list. The feeling of calm contentment should be rushing over him at any minute. He shook his head and stood up so he could use up the energy he had running through him. The red and black speed bag hung in the corner practically tempting him to take out whatever he was feeling on it. He moved in front of it and started the punches light and steady to get into the flow of the movement.
The sound of his knuckles against leather and the slight sting made him increase his tempo. There was a rhythm and cadence that he loved about this as he lost himself to the sensations. He punched until his arms ached, his clothing was soaked through with sweat and he was too winded to think about wrestling Myles to the floor to see how he’d react.
Maddox cleared his throat behind him and Cash turned to find both his assistant and Myles watching him. They appeared to have been there for a while as Maddox was sitting in his chair and Myles was leaning against the wall with something that was definitely lust in his expression.
“We didn’t want to interrupt since you seemed to be particularly inspired, but I can tell you that I knocked.” Maddox stood up and walked toward the door. “I didn’t want to leave Myles in here with you occupied.”
“So you just pulled up a chair and watched?” Cash knew that he often lost himself in training but that hadn’t been what he was attempting to do there. Did it make him look like a cocky ass trying to show off? He didn’t know and typically he didn’t care but he didn’t want the first interview he had to make him come off like a cocky braggart. He’d have to add something like that in the list for him.
“Not everyone gets to see how the MMA champion blows off steam. It’s like a dance. Why shouldn’t people watch?” Maddox turned his attention back to Myles. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
Cash had been feeling the goodness of the endorphins a few moments ago but clearly that was a short lived sensation. He was itchy and restless again. Too bad Maddox was out the door because he could have claimed he had some work to attend to before he could sit with Myles. It was probably for the best though as Cash would find a way to avoid not just the man but how this man made him feel. Pulling off his shirt he enjoyed the cool air on his skin.
“How did you get the name Cash?” Myles said softly.
Questions made his stomach clench. Especially questions like this. “Is this an interview question?” He walked over to the towel stand and grabbed a thick gray towel to rub over his skin.
“It can be or it can be off the record. I’ve always known that was your nick name but I’ve always wondered why.” Myles walked over to the chair that was facing him and sat down. It wasn’t the heat of Myles’ gaze warming him but he wished it was because there was a chill that ran down his spine.
“Nick names come from anywhere. Spoony got his name because as a son of a senator people think he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.” Cash brought out a Kick Ass Academy shirt and threw it on before he leaned on the wall behind his desk.
“The name typically means something.I feel like Cash could be a straight forward name but there hasn’t ever been any information that popped up about it so I’ve always wondered.” Myles had a way about him that made Cash feel comfortable but he wondered if that was just smooth reporter bullshit.
He shrugged and they both stared at each other until he remembered he wanted to talk to Myles about this very thing. “There are a few rules I want to go over for this interview thing.”
Myles sat up straight in his seat like he was ready for anything. That made him take in the man’s big body, which made him think about that body rubbing up against his.
“Cash?”
“Yes, right.” It was hard to get his mind around this guy. “I don’t want you asking my guys questions about me. I get you are trying to get the whole story but I don’t want them to feel like they’re not being loyal. If they share because they want to only then feel free to use it or ask additional questions.”
“Okay. Are there questions you don’t want me to ask you?” Myles looked sincere but it was hard to put this look with what he knew about reporters. The fact that he was an award winning one made him think he’d probably do anything for a story, so why did he still want to tell him whatever he wanted to know?
“You can ask what you want.”
The seriousness in his expression made Cash want to dial that back a bit.
“I won’t answer what I don’t want to answer.”
Myles stood up and walked over to where Cash was standing. He slowed a bit when he reached him and put out his hand like he had when he first walked into the room yesterday. The difference is he felt like making a deal today so Cash slid his hand and pumped their joined hands together.
“But what do we do about this problem?” Myles pulled his hand out of the grip it was in and brought it to lay on the bulge Cash was sporting behind his pants.
“Look I’ll admit that this situ
ation is one that hasn’t ever happened to me.” Cash moved the hand that felt oh so good where it lay and walked to a more neutral part of the room. “But I have a few questions for you.”
Myles leaned against the wall Cash had just been holding up and although the man sported a similar bulge they weren’t going to go any further without this conversation.
“Are you willing to do anything to get a story?” Cash watched the man’s face to see if he could detect bullshit. He’d helped many a man from child to grown and Cash knew one of his gifts was being able to spot a bullshitter.
Myles cocked his head to the side and thought about it. “I’ve done a lot of things to get stories but nothing that would hurt anyone, nothing I would feel guilt about and nothing that I’d be ashamed to have reported about myself.”
Cash’s alarm didn’t go off so that would have to do. He lived and died by his internal compass and it had spoken by not speaking at all.
“Are you asking me if I somehow got you to notice me in the bar a few nights ago, even though you walked up to me, so I could get some inside scoop on you?” Myles looked at him as if he understood the reasoning of why the question was asked even if he resented the question.
“Stranger things have happened.” Cash wasn’t trying to personally attack the man like the look on Myles face seemed to accuse him of but he had to ask. “Did my sister tell you where I hung out?”
Myles frowned a little. “Does your sister know that you like to get your cock sucked by strangers at the local bar?”
“Yeah, that would be a bit much. I’m not waving any rainbow flags but I’m not in the closet either. Are you going to put that in your article?”
“Is that something you want or don’t want in there?”
“I don’t care.” Cash sounded resigned. “In this place there is only room for fighting and winning so anyone coming here with a chip on their shoulder about gay men can come and see what it feels like to get the beat down by a couple of them. The gym isn’t about discrimination.”
