“Stella? Are you alright?” Santos was suddenly at our side. She looked up at him with sadness in her eyes.
“I’m okay boss. I’m so sorry about that.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for,” he said. He glared at me then and I’d never seen him look so murderous. “It’s the fighters I hold responsible.”
“I’m sorry Santos…” I started.
Stella started to struggle to her feet and I helped her. “Don’t be angry with Aaron, please. He was defending me. Wayne was saying some pretty nasty things. I wish that they hadn’t fought, but I do appreciate Aaron defending me.”
My heart rate was slowly returning to normal. She wasn’t mad at me but I still felt like shit. I looked to Santos and finished my apology.
“It’s still my fault coach. I shouldn’t have hit him. I cracked and he got the best of me. I promise you I won’t let it happen again…unless I’m in the cage,” I said. Wayne and I would get our shot.
Santos gave me a sharp nod and looked back at Stella. “Do you want a ride home?”
“Aaron’s session isn’t finished…”
“No. You need to go home and take it easy. Baby face will work twice as hard tomorrow, won’t you?”
“Can I take her home?”
“That’ll be up to her,” Santos grumbled. Stella nodded at the floor.
STELLA
I let Aaron drive me home. I didn’t speak to him on the way because I needed to gather my thoughts before I did. I was grateful and touched that he wanted to stand up for my honor…that he was willing to fight for me. But at the same time, I really wanted him to channel his shit better. There was nothing about that awful scene that was okay. It was violence, pure and simple and I was so embarrassed and hurt and disappointed. How dare Wayne treat me that way?
When we arrived at the apartment he turned off the ignition and looked at me. He was waiting for me to say something. When I didn’t, he leaned across to brush a strand from my cheek. I glanced sideways at him and saw the remorse in his eyes.
“Can I come in? You could use some ice on that shoulder…”
I nodded. I could ice my own shoulder, but we needed to talk. If I stuffed this down now, I would regret it. He opened his car door and stepped out, rushing around to my side to help me. I let him take ahold of my good arm and help me out.
When we got inside he had me sit on the sofa before he rushed around getting the ice for my shoulder. I could tell he was a nervous wreck. I let him sweat it out for a while. Finally when I thought he’d suffered enough I patted the seat next to me. “Aaron, sit down please. We need to talk.”
He sat down heavily next to me on the sofa, looking like he was next in line for the gallows. “I’m so sorry, lass.”
I nodded my head and touched the side of his face. I could still see the regret in his pretty eyes. “I know you are. But…we have to talk about this and I have to do it now while it’s fresh. First I want you to know that I meant what I said to Santos. I wasn’t just covering for you. I am honored that you would come to my defense like that. I’m mortified that my own brother would speak to me like that, especially in public…”
“He shouldn’t ever…”
I held my hand up at him.“Let me finish, okay? Then it will be your turn.” He jaw was set hard and he nodded.
“Wayne and I have always been close. My whole life I looked up to him. He was strong and fast, he was the toughest guy I knew. But he was also good-hearted. I know you didn’t see any of that today and I haven’t seen it in a while…but I know it’s still there. I’m angry with him now, but I’m not going to give up on him completely. It might take a while for him to realize what he’s giving up in exchange for temporary highs and relationships…but he’s a smart man and someday I have faith he’ll realize it. In the meantime, I justknowthat you’ll take that title in New York. If… if you can let the past go.”
He opened his mouth again and a look from me stopped him. “You havegot to get a handle on that shit. It will eat you alive, baby. I know what you did today was for me… but you have got to learn how to do that without the blind rage. It’s what you were taught at a young age - your father, all that shit but it doesn’t work anymore.”
He waited until I smiled and gave him a little nod to respond. “Okay, so let me say again that when I saw you up against that wall, my heart nearly stopped. I’m crazy about you Stella. I would cut off my own right arm before I’d purposely hurt you. That being said, evenaccidentally hurting you is no excuse. I promise you that from this day forward I will step way back before I react… I don’t ever want to be the cause of your pain, lass. I’ll do whatever it takes. You can trust me. You’re safe with me.”
I put my hand back on his face. He felt my hand trembling and saw the tears in my eyes. Placing his hand over mine he kissed my palm before glancing at me.
“So are we okay?”
“There’s one more thing…”
“Anything,” he said.
I braced myself. “Santos told me your father has called him several times over the years. He knows that you don’t want to talk to him anymore so he calls the gym to check on you. He told Santos that he’s been in treatment for his depression for a few years now…”
Aaron’s eyes widened slowly as his face contorted in pain.
“He said he... misses you and regrets pushing you away.”
Aaron blinked twice, hard and took a deep breath that he let out slowly. His brows furrowed in thought as he spoke.
“Santos tells me when he calls. He always asks if I want to talk to him…but I just don’t know what to say. I miss my father too…I miss having a family…but since I came here and got away from the chaos that was my life, I’ve been so much happier. I’m scared to death to re-introduce that into my life.”
“I understand baby. If Wayne ever decides to straighten up his act, I’m sure it w0uld take me some time to begin to trust him again. But like with anything else…there has to be a starting point, right? You have to have that first conversation before anything else can happen…even if it’s only to say you’re doing well.”
His eyes moistened as he took another deep breath. “I guess,” he said. “I’m going to need some time, but I will give it some thought, how’s that?”
I smiled at him and leaned in to press my lips against his. “That’s perfect,” I told him. “You’re a good man, Aaron Christie.”
He shrugged with a lazy smile and kissed me back before bringing his lips to my ear. His dark voice rumbled in my ear.
“You know what makes an ordinary man a great one?”
“What?”
“An incredible woman. You’re everything I could want, lass. Thank you.”
AARON
Madison Square Garden…and I’m one of the main attractions. It was surreal. I remember not long ago when I was sitting in the audience watching Jackson take on Goliath. He was amazing and that night I had sat there and thought..That’s all I want. I want that belt and I want my da to hear about it and regret cutting me off and sending me away.
It’s funny how time and people change things. I’m in the locker room now with my team. Along with my usual crew, my friends Jackson Hanks and Cain Connolly are here too. They hover around Santos, eager to pull details about his past. I chuckle.Aye, they’re all true. Even the one about him saving a Mexican diplomat from an assassination.
Santos, Jack and Cain are all are champions and their advice these past few weeks has been invaluable. It’s shifted my whole mindset. I don’t want to win because I have something to prove. I want to win…because I want these people who I love to be proud of me. I want Stella and Santos to see that they put their faith in the right person. I want to be that man Stella believes I can be.
I felt more than heard the rumble of the crowd above and my mind drifted to the possibilities. The thought of my da finding out is still there, but now, after a lot of long talks about him with Stella and the one long letter I had written tellin
g him how I feel…I want him to be proud of me too. I never understood that he was ill. It didn’t make my life easier and it doesn’t make it possible to completely forgive him for not getting help a long time ago…but it’s a start.
The minutes leading up to the fight were chaotic, but I made sure I had a few minutes with Stella beforehand…alone. I took her into one of the little offices near the locker rooms and thanked her for everything. I made sure that she knew if I won this thing…it was mostly because of her. She was too humble to accept that much credit but I could tell by the flush of her beautiful cheeks that she appreciated the sentiment.
I was led out to the cage amidst the screaming crowd and Scottish anthem. Stella was in my corner looking across at her brother and the gravity of what she was doing for me really hit me then. Family meant everything to her, yet she knew the right thing to do was let him work through his issues and come back to her when he was ready. I hope every day that he’ll see the light and not disappoint her any more than he already had.
When the first horn blared, Wayne and I skirted around each other with our fists held high. Wayne was a giant dude but he didn’t scare me. Wayne threw the first punch and it caught me dead center in the face. As he drew back I saw my blood on his glove.Well, damn. I realized it hurt, but it didn’t piss me off…I almost smiled. I wasn’t angry…I was just determined.
Wayne came at me then with a left hook and I blocked it. I realized that he had expected my dodge just as he swept his foot out and knocked me onto my back. I hissed into my mouth guard as I absorbed a sharp kick to my ribs.
In the fog of adrenaline I listened for Stella’s voice calling out to me…giving me direction. I heard the crowd screaming at me as my heart pounded in my ears.
Wayne came at me with another kick that would have landed against my neck but I made a split second decision and I grabbed his hard calf with both of my legs and locking him against my ankles, I took him down to the mat with me. I used the momentum to toss him away from me so his big body didn’t land on me. He slammed into the mat with a slap on his stomach.
He shook his head, momentarily stunned as the wind was knocked out of him. I moved quickly and jumped on his back. I wrapped my arm around his neck and pulled up on his head as the crowd cheered and hissed and booed. I kept pulling, hoping he would tap out and this would be over in the first round. But he was just as tough as Stella had said. I flexed my bicep on his trachea but he endured the pressure without tapping or passing out. The horn blared.
When round two started the crowd was so loud that it threatened to blow the roof right off of this historic place. Wayne came out faster than before throwing punches. He moved like lightning for a big guy. Thathadto have been Stella’s work.
I was trying to get close enough to hit him when he threw out a jab and a cross with his left. Neither of them made contact. I was moving too…but the elbow he threw out next caught me right between the eyes. I saw stars for a second and felt hot blood run slowly down the side of my face. That’s when he threw out a jab, hitting me in the open cut. Adrenaline flared then and I hammered him under his jaw with a left uppercut.
I hit him so hard his whole jaw snapped back. Not sure his mouthguard would be able to protect him from that blow. He stumbled back, stunned. I moved in after him and wrapped him up in my arms, driving my knee up to his side. We struggled against the wall for a dominant hip position. I wanted him down on the floor. Stella had taught me enough that I’m finding myself to be an excellent grappler these days. We struggled a long time and eventually the ref came over and pulled us apart and back to our sides across the octagon.
Santos rubbed Eswell on the cut on my face as Stella kneeled beside me for her notes.
“You’re doing great baby. Tap, tap tap then watch for the opening in his hip.” Even with blood blurring my eyes she looked beautiful. I’m so glad she’s close. I felt her hand on my shoulder and my heart swelled painfully. I was definitely going to marry this woman.
“Did you hear me Aaron?” I saw the smile that passed between her and Santos as they watched me grin and nod up at her.
When the horn sounded Wayne and I met in the middle again. After a ten second dance I threw out a spinning wheel kick and struck him hard on his temple. He staggered back and I did it again and then a jab to his ribs as he tried to regain his balance. He was like a fucking tree, he didn’t go down.
The third time he managed to kick back. I felt my side explode in pain as his foot connected with me. My brain focused on that for half a second before I realized he was coming back for me. I started throwing punch after punch. Sweat flew off us as he tackled me against the net.
We struggled for several seconds before both of us hit the mat hard. Wayne landed on top and I lost control. He straddled me and began a ground and pound that threatened to knock me out. He used his fists and his elbows and I felt my cheek tear open with a sting.
I thought of Stella and how hard she’d worked for me to make it here. I thought about how her choice to train me had come at a great sacrifice. I thought of the way she clung to me and moaned my name every night, asking me to make her mine.
Instead of rage, my love for her gave me the energy I needed. For the first time in my life I fought for… someone other than myself. This one was for us. Forher.
I grunted and put everything I had left into my legs, lifting them off the floor and bucking Wayne off of me. Before he could scramble away, I scissored my calves around his chest and slide around to hold him.
Wayne was locked in and his fists were too far from my face and chest to do any damage… He strained against me and I saw a dark look pass between his eyes. Before I had time to process, he brought his fist down and rammed it into my crotch
I cried out in pain and tasted blood as I strained against my mouthguard. My vision blurred and my breathing shortened quickly…but I didn’t let go. I heard the crowd boo him and I held on for dear life. I blotted out the pain and drew on reserves I didn’t know I had. I squeezed my thighs thighs tighter.Yield motherfucker! Just as I thought I would fade, I felt his hand tap my ankle furiously.
Holy. Shit.
“Your winnnnerrrrrr and the NEW heavyweight champion of the world, Aaron Christieeeee, The Baby Faced Killerrrrrrrr!
The crowd went wild as the ref held my glove up, spinning me slowly so the entire arena could see me. It was all background noise to me. I was surrounded by people but I only saw Stella at my side. She grinned and clapped, mouthing how proud she was of me. That’s all I needed to know. I wrapped my hand around her wrist and pulled it up to the sky. The crowd roared in a fever pitch. This was a win for both of us but I knew I hadtwogolden prizes.
***
It took a while to get out of the cage. I had to answer some silly questions and be presented with my belt. Wayne was scraped up off the mat. I saw Stella look at him and him at her. I was hoping he’d say something nice. He didn’t say anything at all. He just cast his eyes down after a few seconds and left the cage. Hopefully he just needs some time.
Once Stella and I were in the locker room, she threw her arms around me as she whooped.
“You’re getting blood on you, lass.”
She laughed and gently pecked my cheek. “I don’t care. I’m so proud of you, Aaron!”
I squeezed her back then. “I’m proud of us. We did this as a team.”
She smiled, her eyes glistening with excitement. “Yes we did. We make a great one.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Since we have a little extra cash now, you can start your facility...” Over seven figures was more that an alittlecash. We were set.
She gasped as she brought her hands to her mouth. “You.. don’t have to do that…”
“Please, I know I don’t have to. I want to. Not only because I am madly, passionately, head over heels in love with you, but…”
“Wait…you’re what?”
“Oh, did I forget to mention that?”
She laughed nervously. “Um…yeah, y
ou did.”
Chuckling, I hugged her to my chest as I dipped my head to speak into her ear.
“Aye, I’m in love with you Stella. If you’ll have me I’d love to be a part of your life for a very, very long time.”
I pulled away to find she had tears in her eyes.She touched my face. I love it when she does that. “I love you too.”
“Hallelujah!” I said with a grin.
She broke her gaze and pulled back. “Uhm I…I did something and I’m not sure what you’re going to think about it…”
I couldn’t imagine her doing anything I wouldn’t be okay with.
“Don’t be mad, okay?” She tried to smile as she headed for the door. She opened it into the hallway and flurry of lights went off. Damn reporters. As I shielded my eyes, Stella allowed a man in. I looked up to see a familiar face.
I nearly fell in the floor. Nine years had aged him, but he still looked like the toughest old bastard in the world. My father smiled and for the first time ever, I saw the smile reach his eyes. My brain scrambled in confusion. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him smile. I had no idea what to say.
I’d been euphoric only moments before and now suddenly my stomach was in knots and there was chaos running rampant in my head. I looked at Stella. She glanced between us nervously. I suppose by now she was second guessing her decision.
When neither I nor my father had said anything for a while her voice broke the silence. “Aaron?”
I glanced at her, feeling sorry to have to disappoint her again. I couldn’t do this. “We have to get to the press conference.”
“Can I talk to you son?” His voice was different too. Warmer, somehow.
I raised an eyebrow at him. “Son? Where were the endearments nine years ago da? Where were they when you told Santos and I quote, ‘Take him, I don’t care.’ Where were they then, hm?”
He looked down at the floor. He didn’t lift his eyes back to me as he spoke. “I was sick Aaron. I’m so sorry.”
BWWM: BEFORE I WAKE: A Bad Boy Billionaire Book Collection (African American Interracial Series) Page 290
