Tough Girl

by Bonita Van Gerve

  "You could have just asked for mine."

  There was a knock on the door and I turned as it opened. A short guy wearing glasses walked in. "Okay, champ, are you all set?" He didn’t look up from his phone until Ryder cleared his throat. "Oh, hi," he greeted me awkwardly.

  "This is Alex." He then turned to me. "This is Ronny, my manager."

  I looked at Ronny and the way he was looking at me was quite confusing.

  "So this is the girl you’ve been talking about," Ronny said.

  I saw a tint of pink of Ryder's cheeks. He has been talking about me ? To his manger?

  Ronny smiled at Ryder's reaction. "You have two minutes, big guy." He walked out.

  Ryder was shaking his head.

  "So, you have been talking about me?" I teased and he groaned, making me chuckle.

  "Good luck," I said, walking towards the door. I turned around and saw him watching me with a small smile.

  "Thanks. See you after the game," he said and I nodded.

  Once I shut the door behind me my heart was racing. Even though I acted unaffected, I was jumping up and down inside. Ryder Cane talking about me? What can he possibly say about me?

  I found Amy and Juan and headed towards them. I smiled when I saw the smile on Juan's face. He was happy to be there.

  "There you are," Amy said with a wink. When the commentator made his way towards the rink the stands started rumbling with people cheering.

  "Ladies and gentleman!" he greeted the crowd. "Are you pumped for tonight's event?" Everyone cheered. "We have Ryder Cane from Los Angeles, our hometown. Three-year-running heavyweight champion, un-de-feated!" The crowd erupted. "And we have The Beast, also from LA! Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your hats, this is going to be one hell of a match. I give to you Ryder Cane and The Beast!"

  I jumped onto my chair as Ryder made his way through the crowd. Every girl yelled his name. I heard girls asking them to marry them. Some took it as far as saying they wanted to have a baby with him!

  Amy laughed at my expression.

  What? I couldn't help it. I‘ve been in love with this guy from the day he appeared in the ring. And now, finally having met him, it made things way harder. I wanted him to like me.

  He entered the rink, holding up his arms in the air. Once he faced me, he winked at me, making me swoon.

  Everything I ever wanted was in that cage.

  Chapter eleven

  One downside to having a big family is family dinner, or when your mother comes to your house and pulls your lazy butt out of bed, then takes you shopping with your sister and sisters-in-law. I was yawning all the way through the shops; they just kept on talking about stuff I wasn’t interested in. I could still be in my bed sleeping and dreaming...

  "So, why are you this tired?" my sister asked as I was pushing the shopping cart.

  "Was out until late. Ryder decided to take us out for drinks," I said through a yawn, not really thinking straight. My sister stopped the cart and I bumped into it. "Lee," I whined.

  "Who’s Ryder?" she demanded, standing with her hands on the cart.

  "I didn't say anything about Ryder," I replied, trying to rethink what I’d said.

  "Yes, you did. You said Ryder decided to take you guys out for drinks."

  My eyes widened as I realized I had said that.

  "Um…" I mumbled. Oh god. The way she was looking at me, with her brows raised, said one thing and one thing only—don't lie to me.

  "Are you two coming or what?" my mom asked.

  Lee turned to her. "Alex just wants to tell me something, we’ll be right there," she yelled and my eyes went wide. I was so busted.

  Just let it out. "I met Ryder Cane," I said.

  Her eyes went wide. "Y-you what?" she stuttered.

  Jeez, the first time was hard, and now she wanted me to repeat it? "I said—“

  She placed her hand over my mouth. "I heard what you said, but how is that even possible?" she asked

  I smiled. "Do you remember the day of your dress fitting, when mine was a disaster?" I asked and she nodded. "He hid in my dressing room."

  Her eyes almost popped out. "And now you guys are like friends or something?" she asked

  I shrugged. "I don't know what we are. All I know is, we sometimes hang out and see each other at the gym."

  She nodded slowly. "Does he know you’re in love with him?"

  I looked at her blankly. "That is one stupid question," I hissed.

  She rolled her eyes. "It would just speed things up."

  Now it was me rolling my eyes. "It would scare him away. He would think I am like every other girl out there planning a future with him."

  She laughed softly. "He would be crazy not to like you, Alex," she said, walking off.

  We went for lunch. While everyone was talking about stuff I wasn't interested in, I watched the sports channel.

  "So, you could have a date for my wedding," Lee whispered into my ear.

  I looked at her if she’d lost it. I just met him, what did she think? "That's crazy, Lee!" I whispered back.

  "Stop being afraid and just ask the guy," she said, a little too hard.

  "What guy?" My mom was looking at me. I glared at Lee.

  "Uh…" Lee mumbled. I wanted to face palm myself.

  "A guy for ideas for a cake I’m designing," I said and she nodded.

  "You owe me a beer," I muttered.

  Lee rolled her eyes. "So are you going to ask him?"

  I glared at her. "No," I said, looking away.

  I arrived home after a long day. I cringed as I saw Amy and Juan making out on the couch. Their hands were all over each other. I closed the door harder than usual, making them jump. "If I walk into this every day, I am moving out," I muttered, throwing my keys on the counter.

  "How was shopping?" Amy stood up, fixing her shirt.

  "Was shopping ever fun with my mom?"

  She smiled.

  "Lee wants me to ask Ryder to be my date for her wedding." I busied myself, looking for a glass.

  "And?" That made me turn around. Just the way she said it. It was as if she asked why it wasn't a good idea.

  "You think I should ask him?" I was bewildered.

  She nodded. "Why not, Alex?" She walked towards me.

  "We don't even know each other that well. And—"

  She clamped my mouth shut with her hand. "No more ‘and’. It is just asking. All you can get is a no or a yes for an answer," she said. "What are you afraid off?

  I looked at her for a while, asking myself a few times what was I afraid of. Yes, he is Ryder Cane, and a few times he had told me he was only human. And, I mean, he can only say no or yes. It would be kind of embarrassing if he said no. It would be nice if he said yes though.

  "Just think about it, Alex, before you go all crazy in there." She poked my head.

  I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I had been driving myself crazy thinking about asking Ryder to my sister's wedding as my date. Every time I picked up my phone to call him, I chickened out and placed the phone back down.

  I pushed myself up and took a breath. "What are you afraid of?" I asked myself, staring at my phone. A no? A laugh in the face? Humiliation? What could be worse than being rejected?

  "Ugh!" I threw my pillow and grabbed my phone. "I am no chicken." I dialed his number. It ring for a long time.

  "Hello?"

  Chapter twelve

  Earth to Alex! My mouth went dry as he answered the phone.

  "Uh, hi, Ryder," I greeted him. I was rubbing my hand down my face.

  "Alex?" Ryder asked and I had to catch my breath.

  "Yeah," I said, still nervous.

  "Is something wrong?" I heard rustling in the background as if he was in bed—probably with a model or something.

  "Am I bothering you?" I asked, having spotted the time.

  "No, I just took a nap," he said.

  "Oh god, I
am so sorry.”

  "Alex, relax. It is fine, really. Now tell me why you’re calling." He spoke softly.

  "Can we meet somewhere? I need to ask you something."

  He chuckled. "Sure thing. Meet me tomorrow morning at the beach."

  I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. "Okay, sorry again for waking you up, " I said.

  "Don't stress about it."

  That night I couldn't sleep and I kept on tossing. The next morning I was up before everyone. I decided to take a jog towards the beach where I would wait for him. I caught my breath as I arrived.

  I’ve always loved the sea. Everything about it—the crumbling of the waves, the rumble as they spill out onto the rocks, and the smell… nothing else compares.

  I slowly made my way down, slipped off my shoes, and dipped my foot into the water. I sighed. I placed my other foot in. Then I closed my eyes and lifted my face to the sky and slowly sank into the water, dipping my head under and pushing my feet against the bottom to push myself up. I swam to the surface and ran my hands through my hair.

  I swam for a moment before deciding to get out. I was walking back to where I left my shoes when I saw Ryder sitting next to them. I stopped, water dripping down my body. It was as if his eyes caught each drop.

  His eyes met mine and he smiled. "You were like the little mermaid between all those waves," he said, making me smile.

  "Is that all you could come up with?" I asked.

  He stood up. "Normally a person wears a swimsuit when they go swim," he teased.

  I laughed. "I wasn't intending to. It is just that the ocean pulls me."

  His cheeks dimpled and the corners of his eyes wrinkled. "So, what is so important that you called me out of my cozy bed?"

  I bit my lip, looking away. I’d totally forgotten about it. I took a deep breath. Not the time for being a chicken. I turned back to him.

  "Uh, this is hard," I muttered.

  "It is just me, Alex."

  Yea, that is the problem, gorgeous boy.

  "My sister is getting married."

  He nodded with a raised eyebrow.

  "Not that you don't know…" Ugh, just stop mumbling and get it out already! "Would you be my date to her wedding?" I asked in a rush. I turned around, facing the sea, and waited for his reply. It was as if time stopped. I didn't want to look at him.

  I heard shuffling behind me then two hands were on my shoulders, turning me around. I couldn't look up, I just couldn't. For a brave girl to be like this was not normal. Normally I didn't care what people thought, but I did care what Ryder thought. He placed his index finger under my chin, making me look up at him.

  "Alex, forget who I am. There is nothing special about me. I am Ryder Cane, a cage fighter, with no special powers. I am just me," he said. I nodded. "I know I am hot and chicks can't resist me," he added with a grin.

  I slapped him on the chest, which made him chuckle.

  "Jokes out of the way. Yeah, Alex, it would be an honor to be your date to your sister's wedding," he said it so definitely it made my eyes widen.

  Di-did he just say yes?

  "Don't look at me like that," he said, smiling. He moved back and I raised an eyebrow.

  He started to remove his shirt.

  Hubba hubba. My eyes drifted down to his waist then up his chest to his wide shoulders.

  He walked past me, which made me raise an eyebrow. I turned around, confused. He waded into the water and took a dive.

  What was he doing?

  He resurfaced and, oh my…

  Ladies, imagine this.

  The sun, still rising from its sleep, reflects against the ocean, giving the surface a light orange color. And in the middle stands a rather handsome man. With his lean and ripped body and the sun reflecting on him, making each muscle stand out, as water drips down his body.

  "Are you going to join me, little mermaid?" he asked with a laugh.

  "Little mermaid? Jeez, thanks. I didn't know I had red hair," I mumbled, making him chuckle.

  I looked around. The beach was still empty. People were probably still sleeping as it was just before seven. I took a deep breath and slipped off my shirt. At least I was wearing a sports bra underneath. I slipped out of my jogging pants, showing off my toned legs.

  At least I chose to wear full panties this morning.

  I made my way over to Ryder, tying my hair up into a ponytail. As I walked towards him I felt his eyes all over me, and when I looked up I was right. His eyes were on me and the way he looked at me made me feel sexy.

  "See something you like, Cane?"

  He raised an eyebrow and then a smirk appeared.

  He stormed towards me, not giving me enough time to dodge his hands. He wrapped his arms around my waist, picked me up, and fell into the water with me. When we surfaced I tried to get out of his hands but he gave me no chance as he picked me up again.

  I turned around in his arms, facing him smiling down at me. His hands were resting on my hips and water was dripping down his hair onto his chest. It made his eyes stand out and he looked so sexy. It was as if the world around us froze. My hands ran up his arms up to his shoulders.

  My eyes grew wide as I saw the wave behind Ryder. Seeing my eyes, Ryder turned around and let out a grumble. Before we could get out of the way the wave rolled over us, spilling us like fish out on the beach.

  I was laughing so much that water went down my throat. I let out a cough and sat up. Once I saw Ryder I let out a laugh, as he was on his chest trying to push himself up but, every time, a wave would crash over him. I started to choke on the water and he jumped up.

  He was next to me in seconds, softly tapping me on the back. "Jeez. Are you alright?" He sounded worried.

  I nodded. "Just some water down my throat," I wheezed. I smiled when I saw he had sand in his hair.

  "You look like a sea monster," I wheezed and he rolled his eyes. "Or maybe you’re are a merman," I joked and he narrowed his eyes at me. He tried tickling me on the sides but I gave him a bored look.

  "You’re not ticklish?" He seemed surprised.

  I shook my head. "Some people are ticklish on their hips, feet, or everywhere. I am not," I said.

  He raised an eyebrow and tried to pick me up, placing his hands just under my butt. I let out a yelp as I was ticklish on my thighs and just under my butt. He caught on and pressed me down on the sand, tickling my thighs. I tried kicking him but my legs weren't working.

  Instead, I hit one of his arms which he was supporting himself with. He lost his balance and his huge form landed on me. I let out a gasp. It was skin against skin, and he was kind of crushing me.

  "Crushing me," I choked, trying to push him up. He turned his head, which was a mistake… or maybe not. His face was inches away from mine.

  My heart was beating out of control and my brain was screaming to push him off, but I just couldn't.

  He pushed himself slightly up, not completely. He looked down at me and curled a piece of my hair behind my ear. He slowly started to lean in. My eyes closed by themselves as I felt his lips softly brushing against mine, but just as he went to press his lips against mine, we heard a squeal.

  He jumped up and I rolled away from under his body. I lay on my chest, catching my breath.

  Holly smoke! Was that really going to happen?

  I heard a squeal again and looked up at teenagers running for the sea. I pushed myself up and looked for my clothes.

  "Alex," I heard Ryder say and I turned around. He was holding out his hand which was holding my clothes.

  "Thanks," I mumbled, taking them and then putting them on.

  The whole time I was getting dressed I stood with my back to him.

  "Come on," Ryder said once I was done. I followed him up from the beach. I stopped when I saw he’d arrived with a bike.

  "Is that yours?" I asked excitedly.

  He turned to me with a smile. "Yes indeed." He handed me a helme
t.

  "Oh, wow, I didn't take you as someone who rides a bike," I commented. I saw him looking at me with raised eyebrows.

  "Did you think a cage fighter isn’t daredevil enough to ride?”

  Okay fine, point taken.

  Chapter thirteen

  I was slouching on the couch when she got home back from work. Amy walked in, humming. I just cursed and placed a pillow on my face.

  "Why so grumpy?" I heard her ask. I handed her my phone and heard her squeal.

  "So why are you acting like this?" she asked, grabbing the pillow from me.

  "Because."

  'Sorry, what was that?" She held her hand behind her ear.

  "I said because," I yelled.

  She shook her head. "Nah, what’s going on?"

  "I went to meet him and asked him to be my date to the wedding."

  "What? When?" Amy exclaimed

  "This morning. We even went swimming and he almost kissed me. Oh, yeah—he owns a bike." I kept looking at the TV.

  But she was too quiet for my liking. I turned around and saw her gaping at me.

  "Amy, you freak me out when you look at me like that," I said, sitting up straighter.

  "H-he almost kissed you?"

  I nodded and she slapped me on the back of the head.

  "Ow! What was that for?" I growled, rubbing my head.

  "Is that why you are ignoring him?" she asked, glaring at me, and I nodded.

  I received another slap, then another and then another.

  "You stupid girl! You’ve been in love with this guy for years! Finally you’ve met him and he wants to spent time with you! He sends you a message telling you he wants to talk, and you ignore him—because of an almost kiss?" she yelled at me.

  I looked at her, surprised. "He is famous, Amy. Why would he want anything to do with me? I’m a plain, down-to-earth girl. I’ve got nothing to give him. I am not sexy or beautiful like any of the girls he’s dated before me."

  "That is the whole point, Alex. That is why he wants to spend time with you, because you are not like those girls."

  I looked at her, wanting to reply, but the doorbell went off.

  She had an evil smile on her face. "Who could that be?" she asked and I rolled my eyes. "Who is it?" She yelled.