Extensive (A Single Dad Box Set)

by Claire Adams

I thought I saw her blush, but I didn’t have time to ask about it before Artie was telling me we needed to get into the changing room.

  I told Anna to meet me back there in five or ten minutes.

  I looked back at my opponent, who seemed to still be trying to recover from his knock out, and I gave him a dirty look. Maybe next time he wouldn’t be dumb enough to talk about someone’s dead wife.

  Then I followed Artie into the back where it was a little quieter, but not for too long. The crowds were trying to make their way back to me. They wanted pictures and autographs. It felt great that these were the people who didn’t give up on me after my horrible fight last time.

  Artie announced that I would take pictures and sign autographs for ten minutes, but then I had to get changed and head home. The crowd yelled in excitement. It was music to my ears.

  As I talked with fans, I hoped Anna would make her way back over to me. I wanted to talk to her, to see her, to just be near her.

  “You sure did get pissed in that last round,” a fan started saying to me. “Did the guy say something to you?”

  I wondered if I should tell them what happened, but at the last second, I decided to go with just a vague answer. They didn’t need to know too much information about what got me fired up. I didn’t need that getting out. “He was just talking trash. I had to end it.”

  The fan high fived me. “That was so cool how you ended him like that! I bet he won’t talk trash about you anymore.”

  “I hope not,” I said. Because I didn’t want anyone else talking bad about Tammy that way. It was bullshit. Just thinking about it was starting to make my blood boil again. I forced myself to focus on Anna instead. I immediately began to feel better. She was this calming presence in my life, and I didn’t think she even realized how much I did need that.

  Chapter Twelve

  Anna

  I let Justin go when Artie told him to wrap things up. I planned to meet him in the back in a few minutes. I had to give him some time alone with his coach first. He won his fight, and I could not have been prouder of him. I always had faith in him, and I knew that he would bounce back after his last loss.

  I had to admit it was scary during the second round. I thought for sure he was going to get knocked out then, but he came back hard. Something the guy said in the third round must have really pissed him off because he went after him with a fire I had never seen before. It was crazy to watch. I made a mental note to ask him about it later.

  “Hey, pretty lady. What are you doing all alone out here?” I heard someone say. I turned around to face a very fit, very muscular and tall guy. He had dark hair and blue eyes. He smelled of beer, and I could tell he was drunk. I was uncomfortable already.

  “I’m here with someone. I’m just waiting for him,” I said. I hoped that was enough to make him back off. Men could be pigs sometimes, and I was used to it, but I had never been this nervous around someone before. He gave off a vibe that made my skin crawl.

  “I don’t see him around,” he said and took a step closer to me.

  I fought the urge to run or scream. I didn’t want to draw attention to myself. I wasn’t that type of person. Besides, he wasn’t threatening me. Yet.

  “Because he’s busy,” I said growing more irritated with each passing moment. I didn’t know what this guy was going to do, and it was really starting to bother me that he wouldn’t just back the fuck off.

  He took a couple more steps toward me, and I took a couple backward. This guy was starting to cross a line. I wished I had pepper spray on me. It was moments like this that it would have come in handy.

  “How about you come home with me, and I’ll show you a good time?” he licked his lips, and I cringed.

  “I said, I’m here with someone,” I told him through gritted teeth.

  “Your boy left you out here alone. Obviously, he doesn’t know how to treat you right. If I were your man, I’d never let you out of my sight.” Again, he took a few more steps towards me, and I backed up even more.

  My stomach turned. I couldn’t believe the nerve of this guy. “I’m here with Justin Simon. The guy who just won that fight.”

  The guy’s eyes went wide, and he started backing away from me. He put his hands up in self-defense.

  “Oh. I’m so sorry. I had no idea. I didn’t mean any disrespect. Please don’t tell him.” The guy started backing away quickly.

  “What? Why?” I said with a laugh. I should have used his name sooner. Had I known the guy was going to back off like he did.

  “He’ll fuck me up. I’m so sorry. I meant no disrespect. Tell Justin, I said, he did great tonight and I’m a huge fan.” The guy turned and practically ran away from me.

  I couldn’t believe how scared the guy got when I dropped Justin’s name. That was definitely going to be a perk. I hated when creepy guys, especially drunk ones, hit on me.

  I decided it had been enough time and started making my way toward the back. It was hard to get through as there were a lot of people back there. I figured they were all fans that wanted things signed or to talk to the fighters. I spotted Artie and started to weave my way through the crowd toward him.

  “Watch it,” a random girl said when I tried to squeeze past her. “I was here first.”

  “Excuse me,” I mumbled and continued to fight my way through the crowd.

  I finally reached Artie after quite a few people had told me to “fuck off.”

  “Hey, Anna, right?” he asked.

  I held out my hand. “Yes. You must be Artie,” I said.

  He shook my hand. “That I am. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” His statement was weird to me.

  “What do you mean?” I said with a laugh.

  “I know Justin cares a lot about you. I’m glad you’re here for him. He needs someone like you in his life, someone that can point him in the right direction.”

  “Well thank you, but I haven’t done much.” I was truly flattered by what he was saying, but more than a little confused.

  “Yes, you have. He needs good, positive people in his life to help him make better decisions,” he said before walking away. I watched him go feeling more confused than ever.

  I turned to head toward Justin, a little confused by my exchange with Artie. Justin saw me and closed the gap between us. He grabbed my arm and gently pulled me to him, which caused me to receive a few glares from some of the girls in the crowd.

  “Alright everyone, see you next time,” he said. He indicated for them to leave, which caused him to receive a few, “Alright, Justin! My man!” calls as they made their way out. I laughed.

  When everyone was gone, he turned to look at me. “I told you, you’re my good luck charm. Did you enjoy the fight?”

  I shrugged. “It was a little intense. And there was a moment afterward that was weird.”

  “What do you mean? When I kissed you in front of everyone?”

  I touched his arm. “No. That was wonderful. It was after that, when you and Artie headed back here.”

  “What happened?”

  “A drunk guy came up and started hitting on me.”

  Justin cocked his head to the side. “Oh really? Did he hurt you?”

  “No. But at first he wouldn’t leave me alone.”

  Justin started walking toward the door. “Where is he? You want me to take care of it for you? Teach him a lesson?”

  I laughed. “Actually, the second I said I was here with you, he freaked out and took off.”

  A sexy smile spread across Justin’s face. “That’s pretty awesome.”

  I laughed.

  “Thank you for coming tonight,” he said.

  He was still sweaty from his fight, and he looked sexier than ever.

  “I haven’t come yet,” I grinned.

  Justin’s eyes got wide. “Oh, my God,” he said and pulled me into him. He gripped my face hard between his hands and started kissing me. It was hot and passionate. I felt him start to push me back up against the wall.<
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  “I guess I’m going to have to change that,” he said.

  He shoved me against the wall and pulled my jeans and thong down. He lifted my shirt up and began sucking on my nipples. His hand slid down between my legs. He rubbed my clit so hard that I quickly forgot how to breathe. It happened so fast, then he stopped suddenly and looked at me.

  “Fuck, I want you so bad,” he growled.

  “Me too,” I said

  He let go of me, backed up, and pulled his own pants and boxers down.

  I was naked from the waist down, and Justin was now completely naked. His shirt was off when I entered the room. He lifted me up so he was holding me and I was pinned between him and the wall.

  He stared at me with an intense expression. I was panting with desire while he licked his lips and caressed my thighs.

  “Justin,” I begged, biting my lip. I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to feel him inside me.

  He lowered me a bit so he could slide in, and he immediately started to move in and out of me hard and fast. I was banging into the wall, but it didn’t bother me. This time, I didn’t care if anyone heard us. In fact, the thought of people possibly hearing made it that much hotter to me. I secretly wanted to make as much noise as possible.

  He was being so rough and hard with me, and it was turning me on like none other. I’d never felt so sexy and wanted in my life.

  I had my arms wrapped around his neck, and he was bouncing me up and down with his hands wrapped around my ass. He was moving me, and I wasn’t doing much work besides moaning louder than ever.

  He started kissing me, moving his tongue around my mouth with a desperate hunger as he bounced me up and down on his dick.

  He was grunting, and I was on the verge of screaming with pleasure. He started sucking on my neck, and I gasped.

  He moved faster and harder, making my body his own. I felt myself getting closer.

  “Are you close?” he asked breathlessly.

  “Mmhmm. Don’t stop,” I said begging. I lowered my lips to his ear and whispered, “God Justin, please don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t stop.”

  “Cum for me,” he said. “Cum for me, Anna. Oh god, baby.”

  That was enough to push me over the edge and yell out his name. I let myself scream as loud as I wanted, all my inhibitions gone. I felt him cum at the same exact time again.

  He held me tight while the waves of pleasure rocked us both. Then, he lowered me to the floor when were finished, and I had to sit down. I could hardly stand, my legs felt like jelly, and I even felt a little light headed. He gave a whole new meaning to the term “weak in the knees.”

  “Fuck, you’re amazing,” he said.

  “So are you,” I said.

  Justin sat down next to me. We both relaxed while our breathing returned to normal.

  “Can I ask you something?” I said after thinking about it for a minute.

  “Sure. Ask away.”

  “What did the guy say to you that made you so mad?”

  Justin took a deep breath, and I knew right away this was going to be an uncomfortable subject for him.

  “He was talking shit about Tammy.”

  I instantly regretted asking him about it. I hadn’t intended to make him uncomfortable or to bring up something that so obviously hurt him. “Justin, I’m so sorry. That’s not okay.” I felt bad for him, and I could not believe that someone would stoop that low.

  “It’s okay. I don’t think he’ll ever do it again.” He had an intense look on his face that told me I should drop the subject.

  A few minutes of silence passed. I tried to think of something to say to break the silence, but I wasn’t sure if I should or not. The last thing I wanted to do was upset him even more. I decided to change the subject.

  “Why were you so worried about your fight tonight? You seemed more high-strung than usual, and Artie said he was glad I’m with you because you need people to lead you in the right direction,” I told him.

  Justin seemed to be considering his answer. “Well, I don’t know if I should tell you,” he said. I could tell he was serious which only made me want to know more.

  “What do you mean? You know you can tell me anything, right?” I said grabbing his hand. I wanted him to know that I was serious about this.

  “I made a stupid bet,” he finally admitted.

  “What do you mean?” I wasn’t sure what to expect. Betting could be bad, and with the way he was acting, I was starting to assume it was really bad.

  “Well, I made a bet on my last fight. I bet on myself to clear all my debt so I wouldn’t have to worry about anything anymore and then, I lost. So, I made a new bet with the same guy, a bet to clear the debt I now owe him. If I win my next four, well, three now, fights, then I won’t owe him a thing.”

  “And if you lose?” I didn’t want to ask, but something told me I should.

  He was hesitant, like he didn’t really want to tell me, and that’s what worried me the most. It had only been one week since we’d first had sex, but I cared about him so much. I cared about him before that night too, but over the last week, it had grown immensely.

  “If I lose, then I owe him double, and who knows what else he will do if I can’t pay that. Which I know I can’t,” he said solemnly. “My only choice is to win and keep winning. I cannot afford to lose.”

  I stood up and moved onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around my waist. “Well then, you will just have to win them all.”

  I couldn’t sleep that night. I was so worried about Justin and what he told me. He might have won this fight, but he still had three more fights to go before he could put the bet behind him. I tried not to think about what would happen if he lost any of them. I worried about Margie and what might happen to her if Justin lost.

  I spent the night tossing and turning. I wished there was something I could do to help him, but all my ideas seemed to not match up to anything. I sure as hell didn’t have thousands of dollars laying around to fork over to help him out. I was sure I wouldn’t be working right now if I had that kind of cash just stashed around.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Justin

  It was Saturday, the day after my fight. I walked into the gym thirty minutes early. I wanted to show Artie that I was trustworthy despite the bet I made. I hated that look he had given me and the way he got upset with me when I told him about the new bet I made. He was my coach and a great guy, and I didn’t like to see the disappointment on his face, especially when it concerned me.

  The place was empty; I figured it was because no one ever got there that early. Usually people were still recovering from their hangovers at this time on a Saturday. I guess it helped that I was a parent. I never really went out drinking much. If I did, it wasn’t bad enough to leave me with a hangover.

  Artie walked out from an office area. “You’re here early,” he said.

  I put my gym bag on the ground. “I know. I want you to know how serious I’m taking this.”

  “You better since your butt is on the line,” he said.

  I didn’t know what else to say. I knew how upset he was with me, and I was not sure I could make him feel better about things. I just wanted to get the training over with and get home to my daughter. I didn’t want to feel like a child anymore.

  “You were stupid for taking that bet,” Artie said as I stepped up to a punching bag to get some warm-up punches in.

  I paused before I could even start. “I know it was stupid, Artie. But I had no other choice. I don’t have the money I owe him for the first fight, and it was the only thing I could think of to clear everything up.”

  “You could have found another way.”

  I looked at Artie. “Oh yeah? Like what?” I crossed my arms over my chest to let him know that I was getting tired of this. I knew it probably made me look like an asshole, but I was an adult, and Artie needed to realize that. He needed to know that I didn’t need someone parenting me.

  I watched as Artie thought
about my question. I could see he was trying to come up with something, anything, to prove me wrong. But the longer he spent thinking, the more I knew I was right. After two or three minutes, he said, “I got nothing,” and shook his head.

  I went back to what I set out to do, satisfied that he couldn’t prove me wrong. I figured that could help us get on mutual ground regarding Markie. I still shouldn’t have made the bets in the first place, and I knew it.

  I started hitting the punching bag. I did one hundred hits with my right hand and one hundred with my left hand. As soon as I was finished, Artie told me to go again, only faster. I did as he asked. It did not matter how upset I was with him or how upset I knew he was with me. He was my coach, and he was a damn good one. He knew what he was doing, and he knew what he was talking about.

  I was breathless when I finished the next set of hits. I went after the punching bag with all my might. I took a little break before getting back to work.

  I checked my phone to make sure there were no messages from my mom about Margie. I knew I was also checking to see if I had anything from Anna. I didn’t.

  I moved on to do some Brazilian jiu-jitsu moves with Artie. He was really working me this time, but I didn’t mind. I knew it was what he needed to do, and I was trying my hardest.

  “You need to try to work these moves in. I haven’t seen you use them much over the last few fights. I think they can really come in handy when you are up against someone like you were last night,” Artie said as we began working on some moves.

  He was right. I needed to use more of a mixture of moves. My last few fights dropped to almost the same moves over and over again. That was going to make me weak against my next opponent, especially if he studied my last few fights. I needed to be ahead of the game if I was going to win.

  We worked for another half hour, and then the door swung open. Artie didn’t look happy, and I turned to see what was bothering him. It was Markie. I wondered what he wanted.

  “Justin, my man,” he said, but his tone was more intimidating than it was inviting.

  I knew I couldn’t be rude. Not with him. He could be a loose cannon, and if I upset him in any way, he could cause some serious problems for me. And possibly even for Margie. I pushed the thought out of my head because it made my stomach churn.