One Of The Guys

by Johnson, Ashley

  I inhale a sip or two more of the drink before taking a deep breath as I pull myself from the cab of my truck. Within five seconds, I’m pulling the door open and the smell of sweat travels up my nose. I crinkle my nose trying to adjust to the smell. It’s a damn sweat-fest inside here, but that’s the least of my worries. You can practically smell the testosterone in the air and I’m wondering which one of these guys is fuller of it. Everyone’s eyes are on me, probably wondering who the hell I am and what I’m doing in here. Well, I’m asking myself the same question.

  The office sits off to the left and looks like it can barely hold five people inside. The door is open so I poke my head in to see a man with broad shoulders and crew cut blonde hair sitting at a desk talking on the phone. He looks like he’s maybe in his thirties and can possibly knock you on your ass quick and in a hurry.

  It doesn’t seem like he notices me so the thought to turn and leave crosses my mind. I can easily go back home and change into job hunting appropriate attire, until I hear a voice beside me say, “Hey, can I help you with something?”

  Right behind me, I find a girl who looks about my age but built a little stockier. Her almost jet black hair is pulled back into a sleek ponytail and her forehead has little beads of sweat like she’s been kicking it with the boys over there and from the looks of it, she has been.

  “I, uh, I was looking to maybe join and get some training under my belt.” Nervous is not even the word to explain how I’m feeling right now. Part of me feels stupid for even walking in here but her warm smile helps me realize I shouldn’t feel this way.

  “Awesome, it sucks being the only girl in this place. As soon as Rocky gets off the phone he can help get you set up. I’m Wendy by the way.”

  Who am I? Am I Samantha or Sam? Marsh was the only one who ever called me Sam, but as Sam I felt empowered. As Samantha, I was the new rag doll at home. As Sam, I was a coward according to Marsh. I don’t want to be known as a coward, I can change that. Quickly I answered, “I’m Sam.”

  Wendy’s blue eyes sparkled as she linked her arm in mine and pulled me into the office where Rocky just hung up the phone. “Hey babe, this is Sam and she wants to join. I won’t be the only girl anymore!” She practically squealed with delight and Rocky, well he just rolled his eyes at her.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be spotting Cole? I can take care of this, go back out there.” He seemed really stern with her but she just shrugged it off and skipped back out the door. I on the other hand would have probably run crying.

  “So Sam, right? What brings you down here today?” Rocky rested his elbows on the desk and while his eyes scanned around the papers, I’m presuming looking for a new member form or something. He’s built so large, I thought the puny little desk would have cracked from him resting on it but it didn’t.

  “I, I want to learn how to defend myself.” Shit I’m so nervous and my palms are a little too sweaty for me. This office feels like it’s closing in on me and breathing suddenly becomes something difficult and I seem to be questioning myself again. I rub my palms against my shorts trying to dry them off hoping it will help but just as fast as I remove sweat, more takes its place.

  “Sweetie, please don’t take this the wrong way at all but really I don’t think this is the place you want to be. Those guys out there, well and Wendy, they don’t just know how to defend themselves. They are trained fighters. This isn’t just some little police taught bullshit class. This is real.”

  My chin began trembling and I instantly regretted leaving Marsh and not getting out when I had the chance. No one is going to take me seriously and I’ll just have to bust my ass extra hard flipping burgers or whatever I have to do to save money and get out on my own. I can’t burden Brenda, I refuse to.

  “Rocky, I need this please. You don’t understand, I can’t…” I could feel the hot tears ready to spill over and I felt like such an idiot for coming.

  I stood and was determined to leave with what dignity I had left. This was a mistake like everything else was turning out to be in my life. Rocky reached his hand out and touched my arm. I looked up to meet his softened eyes as he spoke. “Sit back down Sam, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that but I wanted to make sure you realized what you were getting into. Lou’s used to be a regular gym but in the last few years it’s become well a training facility. Not everyone out there fights in matches but it’s, well I don’t think it’s what you think it is.”

  I sat back in the chair and drew in a deep breath. “I need this Rocky, I’m not a princess I can handle myself. Please just take a chance on me.”

  He inhaled and as he let his breath out he pointed at the wooden door that looked like its hinges have seen stronger and better days. “Shut the door Sam.”

  Once it was shut, I sat back down and met his gaze again. “I know you don’t know me and I don’t know you, but something is going on and before I let you join this gym and all those hooligans out there, I’d like you to be honest with me. Girls like you don’t just come into a place like this and want to start training.”

  Girls like me. What does he mean by that? My eyes roamed the small office that didn’t feel like it was closing in on me anymore, no it just felt stuffy now. I closed my eyes tightly for a second and then reopened them. Rocky was just patiently waiting for me to answer him and much to my surprise, he didn’t look agitated. If I wanted to get anywhere and stop this madness then I needed to trust someone. Maybe Rocky was just the person I could trust and a leap of faith was all I needed.

  “I’m tired of being the punching bag at home,” I whispered. My eyes moved down to my clammy hands that I couldn’t seem to keep still or dry for that matter. “It’s just started but I need to be able to take care of myself until I can get a job and save to move out.” Despite the whisper, my voice was steady and I hadn’t cried like I thought I would.

  “Shit.” He runs his hands over his blonde hair like he’s thinking. “She’d kill me if I told you or any of the guys out there before she does, but Wendy is pregnant and well she won’t be fighting anytime soon obviously. I’ll sign you up and we’ll see what you’ve got. If you can handle it, you can take her place. Pays pretty damn well if you win. And if you don’t want to fight, then you can train here with no strings attached for as long as you need.”

  My eyes got wide as I listened to his offer. I just originally wanted to be somewhere to learn how to defend myself when Dad was in a drunken pissy rage, or just a plain pissy rage. I never wanted to feel his boot kicking into my ribs again if I could help it. The thought to hug this big burly man in front of me crossed my mind but I figured the shit eating grin on my face told him my answer and expressed my gratitude.

  “Oh god, thank you so much Rocky. I won’t let you down, I swear on my life.” I promise.

  “No problem Sam, let’s get you out there and get you started.”

  “Wait, Rocky. How much a month is this?”

  He didn’t answer me as he opened the door and led me out into the sweat infested area. Part of me wanted to press the issue and make him answer me but I didn’t want to push my luck either so I just followed him. Mats were lined from wall to wall and in one corner were at least two large punching bags and in the opposite corner were a weight bench and a few other machines. Everyone was goofing off in the middle taking cheap shots at each other laughing.

  The laughter stopped when Rocky’s voice came out loud and gruff. I couldn’t help but flinch. “Listen up ya’ll. This here is Sam. She’s joining us as of today so let’s all welcome her.”

  There was a little bit of clapping and cheering as Rocky walked back into the office for a second. It was then that I locked eyes with the most gorgeous human being I’ve ever seen in my life. My breath was taken from me for a few seconds, holy crap. Maybe it was those gorgeous blue eyes but dammit, I needed to look away because someone that looks like that will do nothing but distract me from what’s important here.

  Wendy ran over smiling and threw her arm
s around my neck. “I’m so excited! Come meet everyone.” She pulled me over to where the blue eyed hottie was along with two other guys. “Hey guys, this is Sam. Sam, this is Jack, Trey, and this is Cole.”

  Jack and Trey came over and shook my hand then turned it into a hug. Jack was about 6’1” with sandy blonde hair and deep brown eyes. His whole chest and arms were covered in tattoos, he was like a walking art exhibit but it was all so very cool. Trey was maybe an inch shorter and he had green eyes and light blonde hair. He had about as many tattoos as Jack did. The last to come up and acknowledge me was Cole. He walked over like he knew he was God’s gift to women wearing nothing but his shorts and a cocky grin on his face. The first thing I noticed was he didn’t have a single tattoo on him. Tattoos were hot, sexy even but the fact that he had not a single one drew me to him more. His chiseled chest was flawless and I caught my eyes looking down until that ‘V’ started by his shorts. As he cleared his throat, I caught myself and looked back up like nothing happened. He had little beads of sweat hanging on the ends of his dark brown hair and well that same sweat was beaded across his perfect chiseled non-tattooed chest down to his perfect abs and oh God Sam get it together before your eyes wander back where they shouldn’t be.

  I rolled my eyes as he inched closer wearing that same ridiculous grin. I can’t let him see through me. You’ve got to be kidding me. “What’s your name? Sam? You aren’t a dyke or anything or you? With an ass like that I’d pray not.”

  Before he had a chance to smirk one more time, my fist connected with his jaw and Jack and Trey began laughing and slapping each other on the back. Shit, my hand hurts right now but I don’t let him see that. Cole touched his jaw and looked at me. His eyes weren’t angry in fact he was amused and that kinda pissed me off.

  “Damn girl nice punch.” Cole stepped up and put his hand out wanting truce but I had a feeling there would be none just yet. He’s too cocky and his comment pissed me off. I knocked him to the ground and pinned his arms by his side which is something I wasn’t sure I could even do. I’m pretty positive I caught him by surprise because by the way Jack and Trey were jumping around and laughing, this didn’t happen often with Cole.

  I leaned down to where only he could hear me and whispered into his ear, “I’m not a dyke got it?” I pushed down on him almost letting myself get caught in his eyes. Even with me pinning him down, he still didn’t look pissed. If anything, he looked like he was enjoying this. What the hell? My breathing was uneven as I noticed the dimple in his cheek as he smiled, why was he smiling? I got up which earned me more hugs from the guys. I kinda had to smile at what just happened once I moved away from him but when Rocky came out the office hollering my name, I knew I had done something wrong.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. He pissed me off.” An apology was the only thing I could think to come up with. I’d barely been out there five minutes and already taken a guy down like I had some clue what I was doing.

  Wendy was in the office with Rocky and neither one of them looked pissed. They were both grinning and at each other and looking at me. I was ready to get my ass handed to me for just going out there and laying some guy on the ground like I’ve been doing this for quite some time. “Sam, you ready to start training? Seriously training?”

  Rocky shook my hand while I grinned like a kid on Christmas morning. He explained a few things then handed me back over to Wendy while he stepped back into the office for a second. Wendy smiled and gave me a hug, “I think you’re gonna be fucking awesome. My brother deserved that and you took him down like a pro. I couldn’t have picked someone better to take my place.”

  I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about what she said. I was really going to do this; I was going to train to be a fighter. Rocky said if I won, the pay was good and I could start saving to get my own place and away from Dad. A new Sam Montgomery was born; she’s taken the place of the one who died the night when she removed Marsh from her life. She’s ready to take this new life on and change all the hurt in her life, and she can do it. I thought of my Mom and smiled. I can do this. I continued to cheese it up until I realized the first thing Wendy said. That arrogant, perfect, sexy blue eyed asshole was her brother.

  Chapter 6

  Cole

  I woke up this morning to find my sister sitting in her usual chair at the kitchen table slowly nursing a cup of coffee. This was typical for Wendy but this morning was a little more off than usual. She looked nervous and if you know my sister, nothing about her is nervous I mean she’s dating Rocky from the gym for crying out loud. Never thought I’d have pictured them together a few years ago but she softened him up and he fell head over heels for her. He hated watching her in the ring though. Every time she steps in there, he’s ringside cringing and keeping a watchful eye on her. If she ever got hurt, well that person would be hurt. In the hospital. She’s as tough as I am though and rarely lost a match. Must be that Johnson blood we have running through our veins.

  “Hey sis, what’s going on?” I say as I stand on the side of her.

  You’d swear someone just lit a bottle rocket next to her head because she practically jumped out of her seat. She glanced up at me and gave me a half smile. Oh shit, something is wrong and if Rocky hurt her in any way, I’ll kick his ass to the ground when I get to Lou’s then walk out and find a new place to train. No one is going to hurt my sister and get away with it.

  Her hand rests on the table, slowly massaging the fabric tablecloth, and I pull it into mine wondering what’s going on with my twin sister. We aren’t identical twins; we’re fraternal which is why people that don’t know us can’t tell. They always assume that we are just about thirteen months apart. As kids we were inseparable and had each other’s backs no matter what. I got into more fights than I like to admit because of Wendy. She had a bit of sassiness about her and I always had to kick some guy’s ass when she stuck her foot too far into her mouth.

  She looked at me and gave me a half smile before she opened her mouth to speak. “I wasn’t sure how to tell you this. I’ve wanted to for a week now but I just, I want you to remember I love you so much Cole.” I’m not a fan of conversations that start like this. My mind feels like it’s boggled down in a cloud of fog and I have no idea where she’s going with this. All I can think is its not good. “I’m pregnant and well, Rocky and I are going to move in together.”

  She kept talking but I heard nothing she said because all I could hear was Cole, I’m leaving you alone in this apartment and you’ll never have to see my bras hanging all over the bathroom anymore. Thank you Lord, I’m eternally grateful that I don’t have to see her lacy bras and panties ever again. She’s my sister and I love her more than anything in this world, but I just don’t want to see all that. I at least try to be mindful and keep my boxers out of her view.

  “I know you’re going to have this apartment to yourself finally so that should make you happy right?”

  I snapped out of my thoughts and replied, “Yeah Wendy, whatever makes you happy. A baby huh? I’m going to be an uncle? Rocky’s excited?”

  She instantly began beaming as she startled rattling on. She began talking with her hands like a damn girl. I mean I know she’s a girl obviously, she’s my sister but usually when she talks it’s without all the dramatics.

  “Oh god Cole, he’s thrilled! I know I’m not showing or anything but he talks to my belly and kisses it and ah, he’s so amazing.”

  I can’t imagine Rocky any other way but showing me the best way to take someone down or how to block some kind of hit they may throw. I definitely don’t see him being all mushy but I guess the news of becoming a parent brings all that shit out in us.

  “That’s awesome. I’m happy for you guys. Why’d you seem so upset to tell me though?”

  She moves her hand from mine and brushes a piece of her dark hair out of her face before answering me. She’s always been considerate; I guess she figures I’ll never survive without her. We’ve been through mor
e than we like to admit together. Without her then, I’m not so sure I would have made it. Definitely something that will take some getting used to, but no doubt I can do it.

  “I wasn’t sure how you’d take it honestly. I mean we’ve lived together for years now and soon it’s just going to be you. On the bright side, now you can bring all the women here you want.” She slaps my arm trying to get a rise out of me. I know she’s kidding but she also knows that I don’t take women home. For one it’s disrespectful to her being my sister and all. She’s never brought Rocky here to spend the night and I’ve never brought a woman. Second, I don’t put women in my bed at all. For what? For it to be some shitty reminder of my piss poor mistakes? To only be reminded of what, the girl who was there the night before? The girl I’d have no intentions of talking to ever again? No thank you. Usually it’s just plain sex in the back of a vehicle or in the closet at Joe’s. It’s just a quick fix for me and nothing more. I don’t want any of that emotional baggage bullshit with me. Girls lead to love which leads to broken hearts and I just can’t see putting myself through that. Maybe the right girl will come along but she hasn’t yet and I’m not looking for her.