Enigma

by C. M. Lally

  “I’m softening. I went looking for her, didn’t I?” He smirks at my comment and grabs my other hand for taping. “I’m trying to turn that princess into a warrior. I’m not done yet. We have miles and miles to go.”

  “We’re not trying to get rid of the princess. That’s going to be her brand. Men will come from all corners of the globe to see that blond-haired Vixen take down her opponents. But we do need the warrior. You two need a team building retreat, just the two of you, to work on your...umm, personality skills.”

  “No. That’s the last thing we need to do. I really don’t want to spend any more time with her than necessary.” God no. I can’t handle her 24/7. I can barely put up with her for the five hours we’re together daily.

  “That’s it. After today, I’m sending you two to my cabin down in Savannah for a few days. You can complete your weight conditioning down there since that’s all you should be doing leading up to this match. The goal is to become a team.”

  “Who’s becoming a team?” Jade asks as she waltzes in out of breath. “I had to fight the crowd to get back here. Jeez, there’s a lot of people out there. So who’s becoming a team?”

  “You two are going to my cabin for a few days starting tomorrow.”

  “I can’t. I have to work.”

  “See, Lou. That’s why I push her so hard. No commitment.”

  “I have rent and bills to pay. I don’t get paid to do this yet like you do.”

  “Call them right now and try to work it out. Trade shifts with other people if you have too, but this has to happen, or you two are going to kill each other.”

  She takes her phone out of the side pocket of her gym bag and walks off to make the call. She keeps narrowing her eyes at me from across the room like this is my fault. She slaps me with hateful thoughts before turning her back to me to finish the conversation with her boss.

  After a few moments, she returns. Anger radiates from her. She picks up her bag and shoves it inside her locker, slamming it shut and spinning the combination on her lock with a hatred that few people know. It clangs against the metal several times echoing in the empty room.

  “I guess that didn’t go so well,” Lou comments.

  “No, apparently not.” I go after her, but as soon as I enter the main gym, flashing cameras start to go off. Fuck. I forgot about the media being here. I slow my stride and approach her on the mat. She’s stretching with her back to me. Her glorious ass is in my face. “Tell me what happened?” She ignores me and sits on the mat for leg stretches.

  “You can tell me what happened. Maybe I can help.” I offer up again. She gives me a look from the side of her eye with a slight disbelieving grunt and switches her stretch to the left leg.

  “I said maybe. You don’t have to doubt me before I say I can help with the problem.” We both stretch to the right.

  “The only way you could help me is if you own a home that I can move into rent and utility free. Then you’d also need to buy my groceries because without a job I need all that. You’re such a cocky ass.”

  “They fired you? I’ll talk to them.” We both stand up and move into position to help stretch each other’s arms and back.

  “Oh, no you won’t. I’ll survive. I have no choice. Now, please, go back to being your asshole self, because being nice is seriously out of character for you.”

  “Jade, tell me why they fired you?”

  “Only if it will shut you up. I have ADHD. I have a hard time keeping jobs, and I just started that one when I moved. I’m still within my 90-day probationary period and I don’t have any vacation days. So I show up or I never show up again. It’s that simple.”

  She slides her helmet over her head, tucking in that wild mane of blond waterfall hair, and strides across the floor to stand in position on the grappling mat. “Let’s go Enigma. Show me what you got.”

  She stands in her fighting stance in tight black, and purple spandex shorts with a matching sports bra on that has Rebel Yell across it. Her hands are taped in purple to match. I guess that was planned in Liam’s new marketing scheme. The media closes in for some solo pictures of her. She doesn’t primp or pose; she gives me her death stare with each step I take. Today, the warrior has come to train.

  I approach her like a lion on the hunt. Circling her, I move left and right several times before attempting a leg sweep on her blind side that she counters beautifully. Camera flashes go crazy as we both dive in for a shoulder/arm lock. I don’t push too hard knowing my weight is more than hers, but she gives me a solid press back. I press her calf muscle down with my opposing foot, but she rolls underneath my side, elbowing me. Her petite size surprises me with that move.

  She backs up and runs for my chest with a double-footed kick out. I grab for one of her ankles and spin her, releasing her as she rolls onto the mat. I jab at her shoulder, hitting her right between the ‘spin muscles. She yelps in pain and turns for me. The crowd snarls at me. They don’t like to see me hitting a woman, but the camera flashes are still going wild.

  Jade’s angry. Good. I motion for her to come at me. Her smile is as bright as the sun when she runs at me, diving for my legs again. She wants to hurt me. Bring it on. Small hands reach up and lock onto my thighs, knocking me off balance with the momentum of her run. Her aggressive touch sends a little arc of electricity to my dick, and I start to get hard.

  She pulls me down, and scissor kicks around me to get on top. Her elbow drives into my throat when she settles on top of me. I roll us over with my strength and pin her arms above her head. When I grasp her tighter, I accidentally grind my hips into hers, and the look of terror on her face causes me to jump up while she crab walks back to the corner of the mat. When she finally stands, we circle each other again. I step inside the imaginary circle between us for a hold, but she backs off.

  Why in the hell did I do that? I scared her. I cross my hands into a T signaling time-out and walk to where my water bottle sits. She does the same, and some of the media reporters see this as an opportunity to interview her.

  Lou crosses over to me and hands me a towel, “What’s wrong?”

  “I fucked up on that last move, and freaked her out.”

  “How? I don’t understand.” The deep-set wrinkles on his forehead are scrunched so tight, they tell me he’s confused.

  “I leaned forward to get a better grip on her arms in my hold, and accidentally ground my dick into her. The look on her face was horrifying. It was an accident; I swear.”

  “This is why you two need more time together. To get over these little quirks. She doesn’t know you well enough to know it was an accident. You better work on this when you’re at the cabin. What did her boss say?”

  “They fired her,” I hiss between clenched teeth. “Fucking idiots.”

  “We’ll work on that problem when you get back.”

  “Attention, Everyone. Please gather ‘round,” Liam says through a microphone. The event attendees start collecting at the ribbon in front of the new arena. “Lou, Kol, and Jade. Can you join me up here please?” He motions for us to come up front with him.

  “I’d like to thank you for coming today to support Rebel’s Gym and our new endeavors with our Mixed Martial Arts partnerships. We’re going to put South Carolina on the map for more than the start of the Civil War. We have passion, and we have a drive for this sport. So without further ado, welcome to ‘The Rebel’s Cage,” Liam announces.

  Liam, Lou, Jade and I are handed these crazy, oversized scissors. On a very fitting three-tap count for this occasion, we cut the ribbon, and everyone claps. Cameras flash again, and champagne is poured. Waiters start making the rounds passing out drinks to anyone who’ll take them.

  I turn to Jade, and she has this funny look on her face. It’s a mix of hatred and adoration. I cock my head sideways and lean into her ear. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong. You smiled, and I’ve never seen you do that before.”

  “Don’t get used to it.” I see a re
porter trying to get my attention and walk away, leaving her staring at my back.

  The reporter wants to go live on the air for their sportscast. After a brief introduction of who I am and why we are at Rebel’s Gym to his audience, he asks his one burning question. “So, why did you decide to use a female sparring and grappling partner? Don’t you have the unfair advantage with your weight and size being so much more than hers?”

  “To be honest, we complement each other. I’m a street fighter, and she’s a classically trained brown- belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I’m learning instinct and balance from her with a few new sweeps and holds, while I teach her body movement and power, mainly from the boxing aspect of this sport. We have a mutually beneficial relationship based on those key characteristics. My size has nothing to do with it. If anything, she has the advantage with her smaller stature and agility. I learn to move faster since she moves at the speed of light.”

  “Yeah, I saw that at the exhibition you put on for us today. And that’s all the time we have. Be sure and check out the Enigma’s next fight scheduled for this Saturday night, 7:00 pm here at Rebels’ Gym. 9409 E. Atlantic Drive. Tom and Katie, back to you in the studio.”

  “Wow, man. That was great. Thanks for going live with me. I appreciate it.” He holds out his hand, and I shake it.

  “No problem. Anytime.”

  “I’m coming to the fight. We can talk again then. Do another quick interview after you win?”

  “I can’t promise anything, but if the chance arises, sure man. No problem.”

  As I walk away, I see Jade turn her back to me and head to the gym. I wonder if she heard the interview. I meant every word I said, although I suspect she’d call bullshit on that statement.

  The crowd is starting to thin out as the journalist and reporter pack up to go meet their deadlines for the story. Hopefully, this brings some hype to the fight this weekend. We get to do this all over again on Saturday morning with my opponent.

  I head toward the locker room but hear my name being called.

  “Kol, wait up,” Liam shouts jogging to me.

  “Hey, Liam. This has been great today. Thanks for everything you’re doing. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem, man. I wanted to let you know that it’s official. We’re sold out for the fight. I even sent a few freebie tickets to major promoters in the hopes of getting some high-end asses in these seats. I’m working for you, man. Don’t give up on me.” He pats my back and walks backward away from me, smiling like a lottery winner.

  I enter the locker room and don’t see Jade, but Lou is sitting on the bench with used purple tape rolled up in his hands. “Is everything alright?”

  “Yeah, yeah. Everything is fine,” he sighs.

  “Then why the hushed words and long face?” I hold out my hands to him to unravel from the sticky tape as well. He starts undoing it, layering it onto the mess of tape already in his hands.

  “Nothing. I’m upset that she lost her job over the little retreat I came up with. I feel bad.”

  “Things will work out. Just wait and see.”

  “That’s exactly what she said. I still feel bad.”

  “Where is she anyway?”

  “I sent her home to shower and pack. I told her to come back in an hour so you two could leave.”

  “Lou. I need more than an hour to pack and get my car out of storage.”

  “No. Your car is here already. I had it delivered an hour ago. Now go and get your shit for three or four days, and be back here in an hour.” He leaves me to shower and change, tossing my car keys into my shoes.

  “Yes, Sir.” I always do what the man says because he’s never wrong.

  Chapter Ten - Jade

  I COME OUT OF MY APARTMENT two days in a row with a travel bag thrown over my shoulder. Granted, this one is much heavier than yesterdays. Does more stuff equate to a more enjoyable time? Let’s hope this road trip ends better than the last one.

  I take the stairs two at a time, praying if I get there quicker, it will be over with sooner. Yes, I know there’s a flaw in that thinking, but I can’t stop feeling his hard dick against me. The thought never occurred to me that our private parts might touch during training.

  Jesus, now his dick is constantly on my mind.

  His body is mostly hair free, but does he shave down there too?

  I push the main building door open and trip over my own feet when he approaches me to carry my bag. He slides it from my shoulder and opens the passenger door for me. He places my bag in the back seat next to his, and gets in, fastening his seat belt.

  He turns to me with that stern look of his, making me feel like I’m about to be lectured again. “There are a few ground rules before we leave.”

  My shoulders slump when the word ‘rules’ slips from his lips. “I thought you didn’t do ‘rules’,” I say, using my air quotes. His shoulders drop and he gives me a hard stare. “What are they?”

  “I need a few miles notice if you need a bathroom break, there will be no flipping back and forth between radio channels, and no singing.” Jeez. He made those sound so life or death. He needs an anxiety pill.

  “Okay, but I have rules of my own.”

  “Seriously? Like what?”

  “You will not drive like a lunatic to get there faster, there will be no complaints of traffic, and there will be no taking of shortcuts that turn into longcuts because you were impatient with the traffic. Oh, I almost forgot the most important rule: we will not listen to talk radio or sports radio because I can’t stand them. I promise, my ears will bleed, and you don’t want that.”

  He holds out his hand to shake on our terms. I take his in mine and can’t help but notice how they fit together perfectly. His fingers are longer and stronger than mine, for sure, but they rest in his like they’re meant to be there, protecting mine. I pull away with that thought.

  “Do you mind navigating?”

  “Sure. No problem.” He hands me the directions written on a piece of gold notebook paper. “It says Highway 17, to Highway 21 to Coffin Point Road, to Janette Drive, to Rose Petal Lane. It’s the only house on Rose Petal Lane at the end. Rose Petal Lane? I’m guessing Lou had no say so in that street name.”

  “Actually, his mother’s name was Rose. She was the last daughter born to the first free slaves born in the county after the Civil War. This is the cabin where he grew up until he moved to Orangeburg where I first met him.”

  “Thanks for the history lesson. We’d better get going so we don’t hit the evening beach traffic.”

  “Hey, don’t dismiss the history lesson. That’s Lou we’re talking about. He’s a big deal to me. Have some respect. He should be a big deal to you.”

  “Okay. Can we go now?” My hands make air circles over and over to get us moving forward.

  He pulls away from the curb toward the highway without another word. The stiffness of his upper body reminds me that he’s not happy with me. He’s never pleased with me, or anyone else for that matter. All I meant was that I don’t mind the history lesson, but I wanted to get on the road and get going. My ADHD has my insides crawling out of my skin.

  I open my mouth to apologize but close it again quickly. I should probably consider my words before I let them fly out of my mouth. The words on the tip of my tongue are not very apologetic at the moment. A few more moments pass, and I’m finally ready. I turn to him in my seat, and he glances in my direction but goes back to paying attention to the road.

  “I told you before I have ADHD. It’s bad at times. I don’t take medicine for it, because it makes me sleepy and zombie-like. I didn’t mean to be rude about Lou’s family history. It’s a story I’d love to hear someday, but I needed to get on the road before I jumped out of the car and started walking to the cabin. I was short with you, and I didn’t mean to be. I’m sorry.” I take a deep breath and blow it out to push down the heat and anxiety that was creeping up my chest.

  “Alright, I understand. I didn’t know. I’m sorry
for my sharp words.”

  “It’s okay. I’m used to it.”

  “What? What does that mean?”

  “Everyone talks to me either sharply or condescendingly. I’ve learned to deal with it.”

  “I don’t understand. Why would they speak to you like that?”

  “They either think I’m a bitch or a dumb blond. I know I’m not perfect. My face reads like an open book of my thoughts, both good and bad. I don’t always temper my words appropriately having learned to speak for myself and others because the system won’t speak for us. Again, both good and bad. Most of my education comes from hustling on the streets of Myrtle Beach, but I’m not uneducated. I’ve read Shakespeare and Stephen King, both prolific writers that I love. I know how to balance a chemical equation and write quadratic formulas. People judge me by my looks and my words, but there is more to me than that.” I glance at the next highway sign and look down at the paper in my hand to make sure we are still on the correct route. “Sorry for my soapbox spiel.”

  “No, I get it.”

  The sky turns a dusty purple as the sun fades into the West. I pull out my phone and Google Map the address Lou provided. “Says here we have another forty minutes to go. It’s going to be dark soon. Have you ever been to this cabin?”

  “No. He called the neighbor lady to turn on the lights.”

  “Do you think we’ll be able to find it in the dark?”

  “You’re the one navigating. You tell me. Are you confident in your abilities?”

  “That’s not what I asked you?”

  He expels a sharp breath in frustration. His head swings in my direction. “Think about the situation like this. If you were navigating alone, would you be able to find it in the dark?”

  “Well, it may take me longer, but, yes, I could find it. Eventually.”

  “No one said anything about how long it would take to get there. We have to get there, even if it’s after midnight.”

  “I don’t want to go walking up to a strange house that neither one of us has ever been to in the middle of the night.”