One Of The Guys

by Johnson, Ashley

  “Yeah Nate, I’m on my way.” As I clutch the phone in my hand, I can’t help but be seriously aggravated and I mean why shouldn’t I be? He’s irresponsible and a damn drunk.

  I cringed at Nate’s words but knew being the good daughter I am, this was pretty much my obligation. The whole way I drove there I felt numb. He’s a damn cop for crying out loud. I shouldn’t have to do this but I bite my tongue and try my best to forget any of this is happening.

  The minute I walk into Janie’s, the smoke instantly fills my lungs and I know I will definitely be taking another shower when I get home. I already smell as if I’ve smoked several packs of cigarettes and I don’t smoke at all. It’s something I tried once when I was in high school and the gag reflex was enough to discourage me for life. The jukebox is blasting some tunes from the 70’s and it doesn’t take long before I spot my Dad half passed out on the bar. His body is slouched over, his head not quite resting on the actual wood topping of the bar. He’s awake, not totally incoherent but I know this is going to be a struggle.

  “Samantha thank you so much for coming down here. I’m so sorry to bother you but well you see him. Is everything ok at home? He keeps talking about Christy.” Poor Nate looked tired and if he had to put up with Dad, I fully understand. He offered a smile showing his teeth, or lack there of. He really is a sweet man though. I return the smile trying to act like this isn’t fazing me when really it’s continuing to screw my whole world up.

  I do see him. And I’m a little, no very embarrassed to admit that I know this man. I offer a smile to Nate and let him know things are good at home even though they aren’t. I almost want to know what he said about my mom but I hold that part back. It takes almost four grown men to help get him into my truck. I didn’t even bother buckling him in. If anything, I almost want to open the door and hope he rolls out on the freeway. Getting him into the house was what I was scared of the most. I can’t carry him.

  “Dad, get up you have to get inside the house.” Shaking his shoulder violently isn’t really budging him like I thought it would but after the third shake, his head pops up and he’s suddenly so alert which takes me by surprise.

  “Samantha what the hell? I’m fucking sleeping can’t you see that? Are you stupid?” And with one push, I landed on the driveway. My first instinct was to jump up and punch his face in but I was still sore and fear sunk in. Fear that he would do something worse than just put me back on the ground. Memories of his foot in my rib cage helped change my mind on that idea. He can sleep outside for all I fucking care, just not in my truck.

  He grumbled a little bit then slowly drug himself from my truck. I didn’t say anything, I felt odd hiding in the shadows but it was mainly for my safety. Once he got into the house, I snuck in behind him and didn’t stop until I reached my room. With the door locked, I could rest easily.

  These beige walls feel like they are closing in on me and my breathing feels constricted. This is nothing like I ever imagined it would be. I pull my purple and pink striped notebook from my nightstand drawer along with the blue ink pin and open it up. I want to pour my heart out but I don’t know what to say. I don’t know where to begin so I stare blankly at the tiny blue stripes on the white paper. The last thing I wrote inside this notebook said : I <3 Marsh. It was drawn in obnoxiously large bubble letters. Gah, what a nerd. I quickly rip the page and crumble it before tossing into my wastebasket.

  With the pen sitting in my hand I continue to stare at the blank page and begin to write:

  I’m going to train and bust my ass to be the best fighter I can. Cole better get out of my way. Remember Sam, he’s nothing but a distraction. A hot, sexy distraction. Remember these words, he’s trouble and you have enough of that right now.

  I stop for a second and laugh at how stupid that sounds but I don’t care. Cole is nothing but trouble and getting anywhere near close to him is bound to do nothing but keep me from the reason I decided to start all this. It’s going to hurt like hell because for some reason that I can’t quite place my finger on, I’m so drawn to him it’s not funny. I close the notebook and place it back into the drawer before lying down and succumbing to a peaceful sleep.

  Chapter 8

  Cole

  One week. That’s how long it’s been. One week since Sam stepped into Lou’s. One week since my world turned upside down. Never thought I would be able to look at a woman and have these feelings. What is happening to me? Wendy finally moved completely out the apartment this past weekend. She and Rocky only live a few blocks away but I can be a man and admit I miss my sister. I honestly do. This apartment isn’t the same but I manage. Little traces of her are all throughout the apartment. There’s the little vase filled with those colorful rocks on the table by the door where we, well I throw my keys and across from it is the picture hanging on the wall that says ‘Welcome to our Home’.

  This apartment was the closest thing to a home we had. When we lost our parents in the car accident three years ago, Wendy and I banned together, sold the house and started fresh. The memories there were too much for us; it would be painstakingly hard to be there every single day. We both stumbled into Rocky and found what we needed to pull our minds away from everything. The training and fighting helped us cope with all the pain. Who knows what we would have gotten into if it hadn’t been fighting? I glance around before I leave and I can’t help but wonder if Mom and Dad would be proud of the people Wendy and I have become. Of course they would be, oh man what I’d give to hug my mom one more time or talk sports with my dad. Now I’ll never be able to do that again because of a drunk driver. I go through every day wanting to pick up my phone and call one of them, but I can’t. Their voices are nothing but a memory, one I cling to with every single fiber in my being. I’ll never forget the night we got that phone call. Wendy and I had just seen them a few hours before. They had an evening out planned, dinner, a movie, the whole works. Dad finally had some time off from work; he’d been pulling in all kinds of crazy hours. To say Mom was thrilled was an understatement; she spent the day getting ready. Wendy helped do her hair and makeup while I sat around rolling my eyes at all the girlish hell I was surrounded by. I was with Trey that night; we were on our way out to Joe’s and Wendy had gone camping with a few of her friends. I’m not sure who the police tried to contact first but Trey had just pulled up in the parking lot when my phone rang. Hearing those words sucked the life out of me. All I could do was nod my head and reply yes to any questions they asked. Trey saw me cry for the first time that night. I broke down sobbing uncontrollably, throwing my phone onto the floorboard of the truck. I prayed to God the phone would have broken but it didn’t. Just a reminder that I needed to call Wendy and make sure she knew. Telling her was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The words weren’t coming out, how was I supposed to tell her we just lost not one but both of our parents? Trey had to pull the phone away from my ear and tell her the news. The phone was nowhere near me but I could hear her screaming and in that instant I wished I could hold my sister. Within thirty minutes Trey had pulled into the camping grounds where I found my sister curled up in a ball of emotions. She clung to me tightly. We were orphans now, how could life change like that? In the blink of an eye everything was gone. I miss them. I never imagined in a million years what it would be like to lose either one of them but having to sit there and stare at two coffins, it was torture.

  As I lock the apartment for the day, I can’t help but notice the picture of Wendy and me in the living room hanging on the wall. I let out a half smile and imagine what a picture of me and Sam would look like in its place. Who am I kidding? In the whole week she’s been there no matter how many times I try to smile at her or say something she has a sarcastic comeback which I have to admit turns me on. I’d like to think we shared a moment that night she came over for pizza but I guess not. Damn.

  I don’t even try to spar with her because she hurries and runs to Trey. My best friend Trey and I cuss him under my breath while he gets
to be close to the one thing in this world I’d practically go insane just to be near. And to be an asshole, he winks at me every time. Like just now, Sam runs over to Trey and he gives her a hug and starts making little bullshit conversation with her. Mainly I’m sure because he knows I’m watching. Of course he knows I’m watching, I’m staring dead at him. My eyes are zeroed in, showing no signs that I’m hurting, only that I’m pissed. She looks beautiful standing there with her hand on her hip in that tight black tank top and those short pink shorts. Her hair isn’t blonde anymore, it’s brown and if I didn’t think she was sexy before, damn I do now. I can’t hear what Trey’s saying but it must be funny because she tosses her head back laughing and her laugh, I swear, is my new drug. It absolutely keeps me hanging on end and it’s all I want to hear. Abruptly she looks over and scowls at me before taking Trey down on the mat. I’m not even sure what the scowl was for but all I know is he is one lucky bastard.

  “Why don’t you just talk to her Cole?”

  Jack is standing there waiting for me but I’m too busy with my head stuck in my ass to pay attention. Wendy had a doctor’s appointment for the baby this morning so she and Rocky are absent. He was at every single appointment with her making sure everything was going like it was supposed to be.

  “Why don’t you mind your own damn business?” I know he means well but I’m not in the mood for this right now. Just because he has the happy life at home with his wife doesn’t mean everything is simple for everyone else.

  One hit, that’s all he got in because he caught me off guard. The next time he tried, he didn’t get close. We had matches tomorrow night so no one was seriously training. No point in possibly getting hurt today and potentially ruining your match. Sam isn’t ready yet but I overheard her tell Trey she wanted to experience every bit of it. I’ve watched my sister annihilate in the ring since she started and she was good but the thought of Sam ever stepping in that ring, if she got hurt, I’m not sure what I would do.

  I see when she tells Trey bye, I see the smile she gives me. It’s like she thinks I can’t see those perfect pink lips slide into the perfect smile on her perfect face. She’s trying to make me jealous and its working. I see her face fall for a second as she’s walking outside. Watching her gaze, I see she stops and looks across the street at the Starbucks. For a minute, it almost seems there is a tear in her eye but she blinks so fast I feel as if I were imagining it.

  Before she can close her truck door, I grab it and take a chance. That’s what life is all about isn’t it? “Hey Sam, I like your hair, when’d you dye it?”

  She looks hesitant like she may not answer me but after taking in a breath, she replied, “Thanks. I had it done yesterday.”

  Time to go for it. “What are you doing tonight?”

  An eye roll would be an understatement. Matter of fact, I’m not sure what to call what she gave me but she replied with, “Nothing that involves you.”

  “Oh come on sweetheart, why do you have to be that way? I mean a week ago we shared a pizza and watched Grease.”

  She let out what sounded like a forced laugh and ran her fingers through her ponytail. “No Cole, I shared a pizza with your sister. Unfortunately, you just happened to be there.”

  I clench my chest in a joking matter trying to get her to feel some sort of sympathy for me but she doesn’t budge. “Ouch Sam, that hurt. Forgive me, I just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out tonight, maybe have a drink at the bar with me?”

  “I don’t drink.” She simply stated and I pretty much gawked at her. I’m sure I heard her right but I don’t push the issue. I don’t want anything to push me further away from her when all I want is to be closer.

  “Ok, well I guess see you tomorrow.”

  “Yep see ya.”

  And just like that she drove away leaving me standing there trying to sort out that crazy conversation. She’s turned around from the angelic side she was a week ago and it’s like the devilish Sam has taken over. She’s spunky and boy do I like a challenge.

  ************

  Arriving early the night of a match is something I’ve always done. Rocky taught us to always be early and well, I liked to be prepared before meeting my opponent. Trey and Jack were lucky. They didn’t have to fight tonight; I was the only one up from our gym.

  I saw Sam the minute she walked in and made her way over to Wendy. Whatever conversation they were having must have had my name in it because every two seconds, I met her blue eyes and held onto them until she turned away again.

  “Good luck Cole, I wish I was out there tonight. Get a hit in for me.” Wendy really was having it rough; this is all she’s known for the past few years.

  “You got it. As soon as I know who I’m against then it’s done.” I hate to sound cocky but I’m good and I know it. Hell, I’m the best.

  Sam just looked at me then did that thing she does when she turns away. This girl is a tease and she’s definitely going to be the end of me.

  The lights dimmed and the crowd began chanting different names. My name stuck out once or twice but it was time to get into the zone. I put Sam out of my mind and every other thing that could distract me from winning. As I looked around, I noticed the building was wall to wall with people which means someone as good as me if not better is here tonight. Question is who?

  Blaize, the announcer’s voice came loud over the speakers and broke up my thoughts. “Well, well good evening all you lovely people! Ya’ll ready for a hell of a night?”

  The crowd went wild and my blood began pumping. This is what I lived for.

  “Hell yeah, let’s get this started. Tonight we have Marley Liles against our very own Wendy Johnson….” Everything he said after that kind of went unnoticed because once he read Wendy’s name, Rocky and I were up there immediately trying to get the fight removed. There was no one to take her place and no way in hell was my pregnant sister getting in the ring.

  “Blaize man, she can’t do it. We told ya’ll this two weeks ago, find someone or Marley has to forfeit.” Rocky about had smoke coming out of his ears and a pissed Rocky is one of the only things in life that scares me. I’ve only seen him severely pissed once or twice. The one that sticks out is a fight last year. The guy broke a rule and should have been disqualified but didn’t and the lucky bastard ended up beating me. Rocky’s face was crimson as he yelled at the referee; I think my opponent pissed himself. I know I wanted to once or twice. I ended up taking the loss but Rocky fought for a rematch. The guy was scared shitless, he didn’t want to get in the ring with me again; he knew he wouldn’t be that lucky again.

  “I can take her place. Isn’t that what I’ve been training for?” Fuck. Sam has no idea what she’s getting herself into by opening her mouth. She hasn’t trained but for a week and well Marley is the equivalent of Wendy and myself.

  I grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side. She glared at me probably wondering why I was touching her but she’d get over it. “What are you doing Sam? You can’t go against Marley. You weren’t prepared for tonight.”

  “Let go of me Cole. I’m here and Wendy can’t so why can’t I,” she hissed, jerking her arm away from me making her way back to Rocky.

  “Sam, if you feel ready, we can prep you. I don’t want you in there if you aren’t ready.” Rocky stood there with a concerned Wendy next to him. She was talking to Sam giving her the rundown of everything and Sam didn’t look one bit scared.

  She glanced at me as if she had something to prove then said, “I’m ready for this.”

  Rocky tells Blaize about the switch up and he finishes what he started, “Ok scratch Wendy Johnson, tonight we have Marley Liles against Lou’s newest fighter Sam Montgomery and our main event is Brady Moore against our very own Cole Johnson, hell yeah!” The crowd went nuts and I’ll admit I was still pissed about Sam deciding to jump into the ring tonight. I’d be even more pissed if I lost my match against Brady because I was too worried about her, someone who could give a shit less about me.
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  “I wish you’d wait to do this Sam.”

  “Cole, leave me alone. Quit womanizing me.”

  “Womanizing?” I couldn’t help but smirk.

  “You’re undressing me with your eyes. Stop it.”

  My eyes lit up and I just couldn’t help it. “You must like it if you notice it.”

  “Ugh!” She growled and then made her way to the back with Wendy and Rocky. I wasn’t out of this game yet, just maybe I still had a chance with her.

  I watched her walk off and suddenly wondered if she was nervous. She’s got to be, seeing this is her first time and all. I should have given her advice but instead I tried to talk her out of it. My eyes started to move away from her when I noticed she got antsy talking to some guy and girl. Who the hell were they? Her face looked pained as she spoke and I wish I could walk over there but she’d really be pissed then.

  This girl has too much of a hold on me and it’s driving me up the wall. She’s up in the next few minutes and I’m not sure which of us is more nervous.