Shifting Gears: The Complete Series (Sports Bad Boy Romance)

by Alycia Taylor

  I tried to silence that part of me who hated to be pushed around and in the nicest voice I could manage at that moment I said, “Look. I honestly have no idea about any of this. Like I said, Paul and I just met this week. This is all new to me. We only talked family because of you, actually. We went for a run this morning after we found out the gym was trashed. He of course thought you did it. I asked him who you were and why you would do a thing like that and he said you’re his sister’s ex-boyfriend and Victor’s father. That is all I know.”

  He chuckled and said, “He didn’t mention that I was a police detective, did he?”

  “No, he didn’t mention that,” I said. “My point, once again, is that I barely know Paul. I’ve never met his family. I would have no reason to protect him and risk going to jail for it. I met him at the gym and I’ve only seen him there and on our jog today…My washer is broken and he let me use his to wash my clothes today…that’s it.”

  Mitch eyed me suspiciously. I didn’t think he believed me any more than I did him. At least not the part about me not being any more involved with Paul than that. I had to admit that I was a little bit more suspicious of Paul at this point. Why hadn’t he told me…or mentioned to anyone at the gym after the break-in that Mitch was a cop…a detective no less?

  Mitch had once again changed his tactics. Now he had his hands in his pockets and he was surveying my apartment. He looked at a picture of me and my mom on the wall and said, “Pretty, happy ladies.” I stayed silent and after a few seconds he said, “Your mother?” I reluctantly nodded and he smiled at me. I I was worried about him seeing my fear for no reason. He could actually already smell it. He really was like a dog. “She’s really pretty. I like red hair,” he said with a creepy smile. “I bet she’d be awfully disappointed if her little girl got into a bad situation because she fell for the wrong guy.” I thought about my mother’s relationship history and her entanglements in mine and I knew she’d be the last person with a right to judge me. I stayed silent and continued to stand with my arms crossed, looking at him. My stomach still felt sick and my head had begun to pound. I didn’t know what I was going to have to do to get rid of this guy but I wanted him out of my apartment, like ten minutes ago. “Have you ever seen Paul fight?” He blindsided me with the question. Where was he going with it?

  “I’ve seen him fight once and I’ve watched a few of his You Tube videos,” I told him.

  Mitch nodded his head. Then he said in a calm, controlled voice, “He’s good. He’s an angry kid. He learned to fight when he was way too young…because of his father.”

  Okay, was this suddenly a Paul history lesson? What the hell was I supposed to say to that? I finally settled on, “Hmm, interesting. I really have some things I need to do today…”

  “His dad had a gambling addiction.” I didn’t even give that one an “hmm.” What the hell was he trying to do? “He used his own son, putting him in fights to win money for him.” He looked at me in the eyes, then, and smiled. “I see you’re wondering what my point is.”

  “Or if you had one,” I said, sounding a lot braver and steadier than I felt.

  “I have one. My point, my dear Jessie…may I call you Jessie?” Again, all he got from me was an icy green stare. “My point is, the apple never falls far from the tree. I met Marie under circumstances that were…criminal, we’ll say. Paul bashes men’s heads in for a living because that is what his father taught him to do. It’s the only way he knows to make his way in the world. It’s not a good way…it’s dangerous to be that angry all the time. These people should not be raising my son…anyone’s son. I will find Marie and when I do, pretty girl, I hope that I don’t also find out that you are helping her hide from the law. I also hope that it’s not too late for my boy because that will definitely take this game to a whole new level.” He turned and casually walked to the door. Before he got there he pulled a business card out of his pocket and laid it on the table where I threw my purse and keys when I came in the door. “That card has my work and cell numbers on it. Think all this over, Jessie, and when you’re ready to both do your civic duty and help a little boy who is in trouble, call me.”

  I watched him leave and then rushed over to lock the door behind him. Shaking all over now, I leaned up against the door. I stood there for less than a minute before I had to make that trip to the bathroom and relieve my stomach of the toast and coffee I’d put in there hours ago. I sat on the bathroom floor and heaved a few more times before dragging myself up to the sink and splashing cold water on my face and then rinsing out my mouth with mouthwash. I stood there looking at myself in the mirror wondering what I’d gotten myself into. I didn’t trust Mitch, and I didn’t like him, at all. How did he even know my name? Was he watching me too? He was a cop…but not any kind of cop that I’d ever met. He made me more than just a little bit uncomfortable. But did that mean he was lying about everything? What if there was some truth to what he said? I went back into the living room and reached for my cell phone. I was going to call the gym and get Paul’s number so I could call and tell him about Mitch’s visit. My hands were still shaking as I started to dial the number and stopped myself halfway through. What if Mitch was right? What if, by protecting Paul, a man I really barely knew, I was inadvertently protecting a person who would hurt a child?

  I pushed “End” and stopped the call before it went through. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I had already decided before Mitch showed up that I wasn’t going to keep seeing Paul. I had priors when it came to believing the BS men liked to feed me and that had worked out all bad. Paul might be a good guy, but “might” just wasn’t good enough anymore. I’d wasted too much of my young life already trying to “save” people. Paul would have to handle this one on his own. He was more than capable as he had proved when Mitch showed up at the gym. I sat the phone down. I was going to stay out of it. It wasn’t my business. The best I could do was say a prayer for poor Victor and hope that whoever was the best parent would win.

  CHAPTER TWO

  I made it through the rest of my day without incident, thank you, God. The washing machine repairman had come by by to fix the machine. I did have an issue with opening the door when he got there, and very likely made him think I was a little crazy by having him slip his ID under the door, but it turned out okay. All the washer needed was a little part, and he was a nice, grandfatherly and non-threatening kind of man that put me at ease. He talked to me while he fixed it and barely charged me anything. The best part was that I was able to wash my clothes. The difference between disheveled and clean and well-groomed did wonders for the soul. After that, I walked the eight blocks to Madison Gym to pick up my car and didn’t bother anyone for a ride. I was surprised to see the window had already been replaced. Greg must have kicked it into high gear…good for him and damn whoever would do this to such nice people as the Madisons. When I got home I tried to get ahold of Greg and couldn’t, so I finally ended up calling Jeff.

  “Hey, how are things going at the gym? Should we be there for clean-up in the morning?”

  “No, Greg hired someone to do it. He said the insurance will reimburse him and he couldn’t afford to be closed more than one day. I went by there a while ago. It looks good, minus the few pieces of equipment they had stolen.”

  “Fantastic, so then we’re on for work in the morning?”

  “Yep. You have clients scheduled?”

  I laughed; I only had a few clients so far…but Mark was my only current one. I went in every day, though, to help out and get noticed. You never know… “Not yet, but I’m hopeful.”

  Jeff laughed too and said, “I think you’re one of the best we have. Business will pick up.”

  “Thanks! I’ll see you in the morning.”

  I went to bed that night feeling a lot better than I had earlier in the day. I at least felt like some of the issues I’d been facing were resolving. I just had to remember to use my head when I saw Paul in the gym…Think with my brain and not my emo
tions. It wouldn’t be easy, but I knew I could do it.

  I woke up in the morning rested and fresh and ready to take on the day. I did my positive self-talk, telling myself how strong and capable I was and that I should be proud of myself for standing up to Mitch and sticking to my own guns about not calling Paul. I had my career path mapped out and someday love would happen with the right guy. I just needed to sit back and let things take their natural course and stop trying to push it with these losers. No matter how attractive and sexy and virtually irresistible said current loser might be.

  I had my morning toast, eggs, and protein drink, and headed out to work. In clean clothes! Victoria was at the desk when I went in. I stopped and punched my time card into the clock and then went over to say hello.

  “Good morning, Victoria. How are you doing?”

  “I’m good. I’m so glad they got the mess taken care of and reopened today. I got behind on the billing yesterday; I have a ton of work to do today.”

  “Well, I don’t have anything scheduled today. I’m going to see what I can do to help Sam and Jeff. Let me know if I can help you with anything.”

  “Thanks, Jessie…Oh wait! Paul Delport came in a while ago. He was asking for you. I think he went to the locker rooms.”

  Shit! “Okay,” I told Victoria with a smile. “Thanks.”

  I looked around the floor and didn’t see him. Sam and Jeff were each working with a client and there were three or four other guys working out. I could see behind the glass wall in back that Yolanda had a few of her private women clients. She had a few ladies that she did circuit training with, but they didn’t like to do it out where everyone could watch. I saw the blinds close just as I heard the loud Zumba type music come on.

  I didn’t see Paul anywhere on the floor. I decided that he must still be in the locker room. I wondered what he wanted to talk to me about. Was he going to expect a relationship because we slept together? Was he worried that I was going to want one? I didn’t know why he would do this to me at work. It was no place to talk about our private issues. He should have called me at home. It didn’t matter anyways. I told myself that I would just handle it by telling him straight out that our relationship…if any, had to be strictly professional from there on out.

  I went over to talk to Sam and as I got there, I saw Paul coming out of the locker room. “Hey, Jessie!” Sam said. “Paul was looking for you.” Oh great, the whole gym knew my business. I looked up at Paul who was once again shirtless and in his work-out shorts. He was coming toward us and God help me if from one smoldering look he gave me didn’t already make me feel like I needed to change my clean panties.

  “Yeah, Victoria told me,” I said as he walked up. “Hey,” I said to him.

  “Hey,” he said. “Did Sam tell you that I needed to talk to you?”

  I tried to smile as I said, “Yeah, it seems everyone knows…”

  My voice did that little high-pitched thing it did when I got nervous or stressed out. Paul raised an eyebrow at me and said, “Oh, well…anyways, Sam has quite a few clients scheduled for today and he also needs to make up with the ones he missed yesterday. I was wondering if you had time to train me.”

  That was not at all what I was expecting. I stared at him a little too long without speaking. He and Sam were both looking at me like they were afraid I’d had a seizure or something before I finally said, “Oh yeah, sure. Mark is the only one I have scheduled this week and he does his own cardio today.” What the hell was I saying? How was touching his hot, sweaty, sexy, hard, irresistibly delicious…shit! How was touching him all day going to help me think with my head? I took a deep breath and said, “What will we be working on?” If it was something on the weights…the machines…the ropes…I wouldn’t need to touch him…

  “I’m fighting Devon Rafter on Friday,” he said, like I was supposed to have any idea who that was. I guess my face told the story because he went on to say, “He’s 2nd in Light Heavyweight rankings in the UFC. His strength is boxing, so I need to work on my ground game. Sam says that’s where he is the weakest.”

  My mind ran quickly over what I knew about the ground game. We’d be talking about Brazilian jiu-jitsu and all of the mounts that would bring us closer together than sex…in the back room where the mats were, basically alone. Shit! We may as well just have sex. I was definitely going to need a change of panties before the day was over. None of this was going to fit in with my plan to stay professional and keep my distance. Damn!

  I smiled and in my most professional voice I said, “Okay, are you ready to get started? He grinned then. It was a genuine, knock-your-socks-off and then melt-your-panties-off grin. It was going to be a long day. I felt like I should go take a cold shower even before we started.

  “I’m ready,” he said.

  He followed me to the back where the heavy mats were. I was happy to see that Greg was back there with one of the few personal clients that he still trained. At least with witnesses we would both keep it professional.

  After we both said hello to Greg and his client, we went back over to the empty mats and I said, “Okay. So ground game, huh?”

  “Yeah, it’s never been my strong suit. I’m more of a fist to face and foot to flank kind of fighter if you know what I mean.”

  I forced another smile and said, “Yeah, well, today you’ll have to learn how to get down and dirty. Lay down on your back. I’ll walk you through each one and then we’ll spar.”

  He smirked at that. “You don’t think I can handle myself?” I asked him.

  To his credit, he lost the smirk and said, “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have asked you to train me. I’ve seen you with Mark. You know your stuff.”

  “Thanks. Okay. On your back.”

  He lay on his back on the mat and I got down next to him up on my knees. He was smiling at me again. I wished he would knock that shit off. “Okay, so we’ll start with side mount because that’s what you’ll use to lead into the deadly mount.” I leaned forward and slid my right knee to just above his hip. Pushing in on it I said, “Make sure to keep your knee here. It’s going to keep him from turning and sliding.” He nodded and I went on, “Use this leg as leverage to force your chest into him. The extra weight will make it harder for him to move or breathe.”

  “So, I’ve seen it with both knees against the opponent. Is this one better?”

  “I’m getting there,” I told him with a “pay attention” look.

  “Okay, sorry.” I reached my arms across his chest and dropped my chest down onto his, using my legs to push all of my weight into him. He grunted and I was satisfied that he’d gotten the point, so I sat up before my body started trying to take over.

  “Got that?” I asked.

  “Yeah, you’re heavier than you look,” he said with another grin. I ignored him and moved on.

  “Okay, side mount with both knees. Make sure at least one of them is above his hip like this,” I put my knee back into the soft flesh just above his hip. “The other one can be pressed against the upper part of the thighs like this,” Now I had both of my knees pressing against his naked flesh. This was like torture. Greg wasn’t paying me enough and neither was Paul. I once again dropped my chest against his and felt somewhat self-gratified by his jerk and grunt. Sitting back up, I said, “Got it?”

  “Do I get to try it?”

  Shit! “Yes, of course,” I said. I still sounded very professional and relaxed. I was in awe of myself. I lay down on my back and he got down on his knees next to me. I felt his knee press against the top of my hip gently. “Don’t treat me like a girl,” I said. He laughed and pressed it in harder. Then as I had done to him, he dropped his chest down. Before he hit me, I rolled out from underneath him so he landed on my side. It was a position I easily escaped from.

  “Hey! What the hell?”

  “You think this Devon guy is going to sit still and wait for you to crush his chest? You’re going to have to move faster than that.”

  “I will. I’m
worried about…I don’t want to…”

  “You aren’t going to get anything out of this if you don’t just put the fact that I’m a girl out of your mind.”

  He ran his eyes down my body and back up. I felt the heat coming from his eyes. When they settled back on mine he said, “It’s not easy.”

  I sat up, pushing him back slightly. “Then you’re going to get your ass kicked,” I said. “Get back down on all fours.”

  He was looking at me strangely now, but he did what I asked. I straddled his back and then lowered myself down so that I was on top of him. I wasn’t gentle about it. I hooked my feet around him just as he thought he was going to be as cool as I was and throw me off. I was quite pleased with myself when it took him a whole hell of a lot of effort to do it.

  “Damn, girl! You missed your calling. You should be an MMA fighter.” I stood up without responding and he said, “Wait, I get to try that one.” I reluctantly got down on the mat on all fours. I felt him straddle me and just as I was thinking about rolling away, I felt his strong legs clamp down on either side of me. He dropped himself down on me…and not gently in the least. He hooked his feet around me and there was no way in hell I was going anywhere. Then he put his arms around my neck and leaned his lips so close to my ear that I felt their vibrations as he said, “How’s that?”

  “Great,” I grunted out. “Let me up.” I felt him adjust his weight so that it wasn’t all down on me, but he didn’t get up. Instead, he ran the side of his face along the side of mine. Against my will, I shuddered. “Knock it off,” I told him. “Is this how you train with Sam?”

  He let go of me and stood up. I stood as well. “What’s up with you today, Jessie?”

  “Nothing,” I said, trying to get my breathing back under control.