Tough Girl

by Bonita Van Gerve

  "Hey, Amy, it is Ryder," I heard him yell and I jumped up. She grabbed me by the wrist, trying to pull me back down, but I pulled myself free.

  "I am not here," I whispered and she smiled.

  "What is it, Alex?" Amy asked loud enough for him to hear, and I almost fell back. She ran for the door and my eyes widened. I ran after her, tackling her to the floor.

  "Just once I ask you to act normal." I pushed her back down as she tried to push me off.

  "Should I come back?"

  We whipped our heads up to the voice and there he was, with Juan.

  "Well, this is a first," Juan said, chuckling.

  I was straddling Amy and her hands were just under my breasts.

  After my embarrassing moment with Amy, Ryder came in and greeted Juan. Well, of course, Juan knew who he was and the two boys had a good conversation.

  I wanted to lock myself in my room but Amy kept an eye on me. She walked over to Juan and whispered something to him and he smiled at us. I raised an eyebrow as he stood up, clearing his throat.

  "Nice to meet you, man, but we have to go. I promised Amy I’d take her to the movies."

  My eyes almost bulged out my sockets. "That is so a lie," I grumbled.

  Amy smirking at me, wiggling her eyebrows. Wait till she gets home—I’ll strangle her in her sleep!

  I heard the front door shut and saw Ryder smiling at me.

  "What?" I asked as he stood up and walked towards me.

  "You have been avoiding me," he said.

  I wanted to take a few steps backwards, but my feet were glued to the floor. I couldn't talk—I opened my mouth but nothing came out. He smiled.

  "Why do you want to hang out with me?" I asked, looking at him as he smiled at my question.

  "Well, first of all, you are not like the girls I date. You don't talk about your nails, your hair, or money. And I can have a decent conversation with you."

  "But I am a down-to-earth girl. I don't have anything to give you." I protested.

  His grin got even wider as he walked even closer. "I don't want anything. Just talking or being with you is all I want."

  "But you are this famous, attractive guy who everyone wants."

  He chuckled. "You think I am attractive?"

  "Duh, we already established that."

  He laughed and I loved the sound as it echoed through the house.

  "I was wondering…" I said softly, looking at him.

  "Hmm, and what is that?" He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms.

  "It is my father's birthday this weekend and we are having a party. Do you want to come over?"

  "Now, you see? That wasn't hard to ask.”

  I rolled my eyes and heard him chuckle.

  "I am just a human like you Alex, relax."

  I rolled my eyes but smiled. "So what do you say?" I asked, looking him straight in the eyes.

  "That it will be fun, but I’ll be a little late. I have a meeting with my manager."

  I nodded. "No worries. I have to be early to help out." I wrote the address down for him and handed it to him.

  I don't know what this is between us, maybe friends? I don't care. I’ve always dreamed of meeting him, and here he is in my home; we talk as if we really know each other.

  The weekend came, and I was at my parent's house helping mom out with decorations and food. Dad was still sleeping after I helped mom. I ran upstairs to their bedroom and jumped onto the bed, next to my dad. I planted a kiss on his cheek and he opened his eyes.

  His lips curved upwards.

  "Happy birthday, Dad.”

  He chuckled. "Hey, kiddo." He yawned. I rolled onto my back, feeling like a little girl again. I always used to lie next to my dad on weekends when mom was already awake, and we would just talk about anything… boys, cars, MMA, football etc. My dad was the best dad a girl could ask for.

  He had supported me through everything in my life: through MMA, when Eddie broke my heart he would take me out and we would just walk and talk. He even went with me when I bought my bike. And as long as I live I will always stay his little girl.

  "So how is it going?" dad asked, sitting up.

  "Actually, really good,"

  He turned to me and smiled. "Glad to hear that, kiddo." He ruffled my hair and stood up. "Well, let your old man get cleaned up before your mom kicks his butt."

  I laughed and walked out of the room. I saw Josh's door was closed. When I pressed my ear against the door I heard him playing games. I smiled and opened the door.

  "Well, isn't this fun," I said.

  He chuckled, picking up a second remote. "Want to play?"

  "Duh." I grabbed the remote and sat on his bed. I don't know how long we were playing, but I knew Mom's guest should arrive soon. We just closed the door and continued playing; when my older brother's twins arrived they joined us.

  "Alexander Marie Anderson, get your butt down here!" I heard my mother yell. Josh looked at me with a smirk. We were in the middle of Resident Evil and if I logged off I’d lose and he’d win.

  "Give me a minute, Joshy boy is being a big baby!" I yelled, not removing my eyes from the screen.

  "Alex, we have guests." I heard my mother sigh.

  "They are your guests, you entertain them," I called back, then let out a whoop as I kicked my brother's butt.

  "You cheated!" he yelled and I raised an eyebrow.

  "Are we really having this conversation?" I asked, bored. He let out a growl and then tackled me. "Josh! I am getting way too old for this!" I yelled, trying to push him off. We dropped off the bed. He fell first then me onto his back.

  I stood up and ran out the door. I passed my mother just in the nick of time. She looked at me with a raised eyebrow, which disappeared and turned into a scowl once she saw Josh running after me.

  "When are the two of you going to grow up?" she asked tiredly.

  "When Josh learns to accept that a girl can beat his ass," I said, running around my mom. We heard the doorbell and I ran for the door.

  "Josh!" I whined as he picked me up. He let out a laugh, placing a wet kiss in my neck.

  "Gross," I grumbled and wiped my neck clean. I opened the door and smiled when I saw Ryder standing with a raised eyebrow.

  "Oh, hey." I gestured for him to come in.

  "Sorry I am late," he said, sounding exhausted

  "Nah, it’s fine. I played PlayStation with my brother. Who, I may add, is a sore loser."

  Ryder chuckled and followed me outside where the party was.

  Chapter fourteen

  Everyone was sitting around the pool, socializing. My mother was busy talking to one of my sisters, holding her newborn baby of three months in her arms. My dad was sitting with the boys, laughing. Everyone was too busy to notice Ryder Cane. I walked up to my mom.

  "Uh, Mom," I said, clearing my throat. She turned around, a frown on her face revealing the irritation that I’d interrupted her. It soon disappeared as her eyes found the sexy man standing next to me. "Mom, I want to introduce you to Ryder Cane."

  She tried her best not to freak out in front of everyone.

  "Ryder, this is my mother, Sandra," I introduced. Ryder gave my mom a hug that was totally too cute for words—and funny. I had never heard my mother this quiet.

  "This is my sister, Maggie. Her daughter Iris. And this is Lee-Anne, the one who’s getting married." I introduced them to him and walked to the guys. I cleared my throat and my dad looked up.

  "Oh hey ki—"

  He stopped as he saw Ryder standing behind me. Actually, all the guys stop talking and looked at Ryder. Mike and Luke looked utterly shocked. Josh looked like if he was going to pass out any moment. And my dad... I was afraid he was going to have a heart attack.

  "Dad, Luke, Mike and Josh, this is Ryder Cane," I introduced him.

  I wanted to laugh at the way they were looking at him. They all were frozen, just their eyes blinking. My d
ad was the first to jump up and shake Ryder's hand.

  "Nice to meet you. Sorry, around here we’re not used to Alex bringing a man home," dad said.

  "Dad!" I protested.

  He ignored me and introduced the rest of the guests. Before I knew it, I was being dragged into the house by my family.

  "Okay, spill it," Maggie said.

  So I told them the whole story from the day I’d met Ryder (but left out all the kissing and hugging stuff).

  "So let me get this straight. You are friends with Ryder Cane, the guy you have been drooling over for how long, and you haven't even jumped his bones?" Maggie said, freaking out.

  My mother cleared her throat, narrowing her eyes at Maggie.

  "Sorry, I was still pregnant three months ago. Blame it on the hormones," she said, making everyone snort.

  "We will inform James to give you more," Mike said, making her glare at him.

  "So is he really going to be at Lee-Anne's wedding?" Mom asked excitedly and I nodded. She let out a squeal and hugged me.

  "Mo-omm," I sighed.

  "I can already hear wedding bells."

  I looked at her blankly. "We are not in a relationship, Mom. We are friends. Friends don't get married," I explained slowly.

  She just waved me off and walked out.

  "Let Mom just dream for one day. She’s just worried about you," Maggie said.

  "Let her dream? She’s got the wrong idea. There is no ‘us’. What if Ryder thinks I am a freak?" I asked.

  Everyone just smiled. "You are already a freak," Mike said.

  "Don't let me kick you in the nuts so you can make never another baby," I warned.

  After having a conversation with my family, I went out looking for Ryder. He was sitting next to the swimming pool with my dad. He had a beer in his hand and was laughing at something my dad had said. He fitted right in.

  I sat down next to Josh. "So how long have you been hiding Mr Yummy?" he asked.

  I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know you are gay," I teased.

  He choked on his coke. "I mean, from your point of view, dumbass!" he growled.

  I looked over at Ryder who looked so carefree talking to my brothers.

  "So have you slept with him yet?" Josh asked.

  I looked at him. "Now why would I do that?"

  He smirked. "Can't control yourself around him," he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

  "I am not a slut like you," I said

  He gasped. "Me, a slut? Isn't that the girl’s job?"

  I rolled my eyes.

  "Then how did you get him here? I am sure you didn't ask him. You slept with him to convince him."

  I growled. He jumped up just in time before I attacked him, but he made the wrong move and I pushed him into the swimming pool.

  "Alexandra!" I heard my dad's warning voice.

  "What? Josh is being a big baby."

  My dad raised an eyebrow. "What am I going to do with you two?" My dad shook his head.

  "Send him to Egypt so he can turn into a mummy," I grumbled. I let out a yelp as Josh grabbed me from behind and pulled me in.

  "Josh, you goofball!" I yelled and dunked him under the water.

  He grabbed me by the ankle and without thinking I threw a side kick.

  "Alex…" I heard my dad and looked up.

  "What did I do wrong now?" I pretended innocence and he smiled.

  "Your poor brother is definitely not going to win this," he said.

  I rolled my eyes. "And whose problem is that? He should have been the girl and I should have been the boy," I said.

  "Yeah, maybe I wouldn't have slept with Ryder before getting to know him," Josh mumbled.

  I turned around. "I am going to kill you," I growled, attacking him. But a strong hand encircled my wrist and I looked up to see Ryder's amused face. Oh god, no.

  "I am sure I would have remembered because you would have been all over me,” he said with a wink.

  I looked at him, deadpan, and pulled Ryder in. I laughed as he hit the water. But when he surfaced I gulped; his shirt was sticking to him as a second skin. I could make out every dip and line. Even his eyes stood out with his hair sticking against his forehead. I was sure I was drooling.

  Before he could grab me I dodged. "You asked for it," I said with a laugh as he missed me.

  "You could have been civil," he said.

  I snorted. "Me, civil? Then you don't know me."

  He smiled. "You sure about that?"

  "Uh, yeah," I replied.

  We heard someone clear their throat and I closed my eyes. I knew who it was. My mom made us get out of the pool and sent us upstairs to get dressed.

  "I am really sorry for my crazy family," I said, leaning against the wall. I heard him chuckle. He was in the bathroom drying his hair. He walked out, placed the towel over my head, and started drying my hair.

  "I’ve never had so much fun in my life," he said, smiling.

  I looked up, not believing him.

  There was a knock on the door.

  "Are you guys alright in there?" I heard my mom ask.

  "Yeah, we’re done."

  The door opened and mom walked in.

  "Do the clothes fit, Ryder?" She was smiling.

  "Yes ma'am, thanks."

  She smiled again. "Don't call me ma'am. Call me Sandra—ma'am sounds so old." I had never seen my mother smile like that to any of my boyfriends. Or even being so overfriendly.

  He chuckled and nodded.

  "See you two downstairs," she said, closing the door.

  "So this was your old room?" he asked, looking around.

  I nodded and my eyes went wide as I saw my dad had put up all my medals from MMA and kickboxing. He followed my eyes but I was too late to stop him.

  "Whose medals are those?" he asked, walking towards them.

  I am so getting my dad for this later.

  "Alex?" I heard him ask and I looked up at him.

  "They are mine when I used to be a fighter," I said.

  "You were a fighter?" he asked, looking back at the medals. I shrugged. He turned fully to me, his eyes showing admiration.

  "Is that why you have the ankle injury?"

  I nodded. "The last match the guy cheated and twisted my ankle. Instead of just twisting it, he broke it. But I still kicked the son of bitch’s ass," I said.

  He chuckled. "Damn, Alex," he breathed, running his hand through his hair and smiling. "Are you for real?"

  I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

  "A girl who likes bikes, used to be a fighter, speaks her mind and doesn't worry what people think of her…"

  I smiled, looking away and biting my lip. "If you’d met me three years ago, you wouldn't have thought the same thing," I said, looking at him.

  "What do you mean?" he asked.

  "I let a man ruin me. Thought he loved me. Ha, I was so stupid," I blurted out, looking anywhere but at Ryder. Why am I telling him this?

  "You didn't need to know that"—I massaged my temples—"I don't even know why I told you." I tried a laugh.

  "Nothing wrong with that," I heard Ryder say. Then I felt his hands on my shoulders. "Sometimes things happen to us to show us that we can be stronger. And show us things we can do which we never knew we could do," he said.

  "Ha, that sounds about right."

  "He hurt me so much, and I thought I hated him… Until he told me he got a girl pregnant. Then I felt sorry for him," I kept on mumbling.

  "It means you are a better person. And it just proves you are," Ryder said. I looked up. "Come on, let's get some food."

  I followed him downstairs. He suddenly stopped in front of me and turned around to face me. "Just know, Eddy is a dead man."

  Chapter fifteen

  I can hear the cheering; I can hear people cheering my name, but I can't see anything. It’s as if I’m blindfolded.

  I hear movement behind me, the whooshing sound
of someone throwing a punch.

  I instinctively turn around, throwing a punch and a side kick. I hear the cracking sound of a nose breaking, the thud of someone dropping.

  But it is all turned around, and I’m the one lying on the floor with a broken nose and pain radiating through my hip.

  Everything around me turns black and I can only see the ring—it’s just me and another person.

  I stand up but get beaten back down. But I don't stay down. I can't. I need to defeat this person. I’m no weak girl. I have what it takes.

  As I throw a punch, I see Ryder's face. It is not how I remember. Those loving and warm eyes are cold and dead. He throws a punch; I hear a laugh that sounds too familiar and Ryder's face turns into Eddy's.

  "Pathetic!" he says, kicking me in the ribs. "No one can love you." He throws another kick.

  I can't stop it. I’m lying, paralyzed, on the floor.

  "I’m here," a voice whispers. I look up and there he is: the Ryder I know. He’s standing next to the ring, holding out his hand. "You are strong," he says.

  I push myself up and smile at Ryder. "I got this," I whisper. I spin around and threw a punch. I punch Eddy so hard he cracks and disappears.

  "Just remember, I got you," Ryder whispers.

  I opened my eyes and exhaled slowly. I stared up at the ceiling. That dream made no sense.

  I turned my head, looked at the time, and groaned. Not even five yet. There was no way I was going to fall asleep again. I pushed myself up and headed to the gym.

  At least Tony was always early. He didn't say anything, but I saw confusion on his face.

  I slipped on my gloves and started punching the bag. With each punch I let out a breath. I made each punch harder and faster. I let out a growl, threw a punch with a side kick, making the punch bag move back an inch. I looked at the punch bag in awe. The last time I did that was when I was still a fighter.

  I saw Tony's shocked expression. He looked up at the ceiling where the punching bag was hanging from, and then at me.

  I just did that. I slipped off my gloves and sat down taking a break.

  "So what is bothering you?" I heard Tony ask.

  "Dreams."

  He chuckled and slapped me on the back. "I know you’ll get over it. You always seem to. You’re a strong girl, Alex. You have power in you that I sometimes wish I had."