by Claire Adams
I paused before I spoke. “I promise.” I had a hand behind my back, and what Jet didn't know, was that two of my delicate fingers were crossed. We would cross that bridge when we got there.
“You have a really nice body, Jet. You must work really hard at maintaining it.”
“Are you checking me out?”
I grinned. “Maybe a little.”
“Nice. I do actually spend quite a bit of time on it. But it's all part of the game, ya know. You have a pretty nice body yourself, if I remember correctly.” I looked up to catch the wink he threw my way, and I blushed excessively.
I started the drawing the same way I had done the last one, by starting with a vague outline that I would fill in with detail later on. He stood there without moving for half an hour before we took a break, but by then I had most of the drawing completed. I just needed to add the shading and the final details.
We sat on the couch together, and I realized just how comfortable I was in his presence. I was no longer freaked out at the idea of being in the same room with him. Despite the obvious attraction he felt for me, he was on his best behavior. He swirled the wine in his glass before he looked up at me.
“So, what do you plan on doing with all this afterwards, Natalie? What career are you looking for?”
“I haven't decided yet. Before my program is finished, I will have to decide on which part of my art experience here I loved the most. At that point, I will specialize in that for a year straight, and then I graduate. I hope by then I can afford to freelance, and sell my work in galleries, but of course, that remains to be seen.”
“Do you know which one you are going to choose?”
“I have no idea. There is really something great about all of them. Writing will have to go by the wayside, I think. I just don't have a natural talent for it. But as for the rest, I can't decide yet. I will play out the rest of the year, and then make a decision for my final year.”
“That's so interesting. The idea of you being out there; you could be famous one day.”
“So could you,” I shot back.
He nodded chuckling. “Yeah, I guess that's true.”
“What would you do, Jet, if you got injured? What then?”
“Well, that's where I would have to say I have no idea. I've never even considered doing anything else. This was always all I wanted. I couldn't even imagine doing a regular job. I know it sounds juvenile, but I can't. I would probably have to go work at my father's company, which is actually the last thing I want to do, but it would be a guaranteed career, where I would one day own the company,” he shrugged, and I could tell that the idea of giving up his dream caused him sadness. I hoped he would never have to do such a thing. Seeing him fight the other day had made me realize that it could be very easy for a fighter to get badly injured―enough to end his career. The thought of it scared me, not for myself, but for him.
It was his turn to change the subject and get us back on track. “Well, let's get back to it, okay?” He stood up and headed back to his position, and I could tell I hit a nerve with my comment. I wondered if he would ever feel comfortable talking to me about his dad. That, however, was probably too much to ask, since I didn't really want him in my life long-term anyway. It was best to have him keep his personal life to himself. I did not want to feel anything for him.
I rose from the couch myself, and headed back to the drawing to finish what I had started.
Chapter Ten
Jet
“Here's the moment you all have been waiting for! Come on out, Jet!” It wasn't just their moment, it was mine, too. It was the moment I had been waiting for, as well. It was the time when adrenaline started pumping overtime. I felt jacked, and ready to kick some ass, and you better believe that I planned on it.
Coach was beside me. “Okay, Jet, are you ready to go?”
I nodded. I was more than ready.
The crowd, as usual, was losing its mind, screaming at me as I came down the aisle toward the cage. They called out my name in a fury, and it was obvious that I had some very loyal fans. I rushed into the cage and circled it, awaiting my opponent’s arrival. I saw my team going into my corner just as my opponent came out of the curtain and headed my way.
Bradley joined me in the cage, and we positioned ourselves in our respective corners and waited for the bell to ring.
With the ring of the bell, Bradley charged me. My head flew to the side from the impact of his punch. Blood spurted from my lips, and I took a step back to reset my position. I didn't step back far enough, however, as Bradley pummelled me with three blows at once, all to my face.
He swung again, but I blocked, and we exchanged jabs for a few minutes before the bell rang and we returned to our corners. Robbie applied something to my wounds, and gave me a drink of water, all the while yelling at me.
“Jet, get your head in the game, man. There is no reason for you to be taking any hits. We have prepared for this over and over again. Now get out there and ring that guy’s bell.”
I was nodding my head. It was about all I could do. I looked angrier than ever, and I was determined to do my coach proud. The bell went off, and we went at each other with kicks flying and punches slamming. I feinted to the side, and Bradley punched into the space where I had been. It was the perfect opportunity for me to come in with an uppercut to the face that connected so hard that Bradley staggered backwards. It took him a moment to recover his footing. He swung out his arm, but I ducked, and came back with a punch to the ribs, gut, and face, all landing perfectly.
I got the guy, but I also didn't expect him to stay put and swing a punch to my body, landing near my liver. I thought for a moment that I would throw up. I moved to the left, only to get another body shot, and I felt something twist in my back.
Bradley threw another punch, aiming for my face, but I blocked the punch, returning with a punch of my own. I slammed my fist right into Bradley’s face, bringing him to his knees.
I was bleeding, and although I was doing well, I needed to make sure that the fight didn't go to decision. I wanted a win, and Bradley had gotten in some pretty good shots.
Bradley stood up and hit me in the face. My head swung back, even though my body stayed firmly planted on the cage floor. I spun around with a spinning back kick, and pushed Bradley away from me, allowing me some time to breathe. When he came back in, I grabbed him in a clinch, and drove a few knees into him.
He pushed out of my grip, and I swung back, and hit even harder with a three-punch combination. We get into another clinch, and then we shoved off of one another. I charged at him, blood pouring from my head, and I hit him with a pow, pow, pow of punches.
Bradley started to back off as I hit him against the ropes. I was hitting him hard, but he wouldn't go down. What a mean monster that guy was; it was time to end this game.
I was focused as I systematically pummelled Bradley, hitting him mercilessly, crushing him in a pool of his own blood. I grinned as I looked down at my opponent, who wasn't about to get back up for more. I looked around at the crowd, and saw that there was blood dripping from his eyebrow down his nose.
The endorphins going through my body at that moment would prevent me from feeling any pain for the next little while, and hopefully vodka would take care of the rest later. I turned to look around at the crowd, screaming for their “king of the ring,” who just won yet another fight.
The guys in my corner, along with Coach, poured into the cage, jumping up and down in excitement. Coach grabbed me, and wrapped his arms around me, patting me on the back. That was when I felt the pain.
“I think I hurt my back, Robbie.”
“Okay, Tough Guy, we will have someone look at you. Let's wait for the decision, though.”
We didn’t wait long before the judges ruled me as the winner of the fight. My hands went into the air, and I circled the cage a few times before I headed out of the cage with my team. We went right back into the warmup area to see about getting me to a doctor.
<
br /> “Jet, just have a seat while I get the doctor. I’m sure they are still trying to put Bradley's face back together.” I smiled, loving Robbie even more for that comment.
Many of the other fighters kept coming up to me, and congratulating me for the bloodbath I just laid out for all to see. Robbie came back with the doctor, and he started checking me out.
“Coach says you hurt your back.”
“Yeah, something kind of twisted back there when I got hit with a body shot. It doesn't feel right, and it hurts to touch it.” I showed him where the pain was coming from. He pushed into the spot I indicated, and I sucked in a deep breath. It hurt like a bitch, and I was none too happy that I got injured during my fight.
“You're going to need to rest on this one. Lots of ice. It's nothing serious, but you have to take care of yourself, or it could affect your future fights. Don't train hard for a while. A hot bath tonight will probably do you some good.”
“Okay, Doc, thanks a lot,” Robbie shook the doctor’s hand and turned back to me.
“Let's go get you drunk first, and then you can consider that bath.”
I laughed; he knew just how to make me feel better.
Chapter Eleven
Natalie
The library was really busy that afternoon, and despite the fact that I was there to study, I hadn't gotten much done. There was too much bustling around. I had four people at my table, a few of whom were only there to gossip. I needed to study, and these girls were annoying me beyond what I could deal with. I decided to give it up for the day, and head somewhere else. I began putting my books into my bag, along with the notes I had been trying to make on my story, but I hadn't been able to concentrate. I shook my head at the two girls still gossiping about Facebook statuses. They needed to get a life, and I was irritated that they ruined my study session.
I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed out of the library into the sun. It was a cool fall day, but the sun was shining brightly just the same. I put on a pair of sunglasses to avoid the glare, and just as I did, I saw Jet not far from me, limping awkwardly down the sidewalk. He looked like he might be in a lot of pain. I jogged over to him and walked alongside him, with a smile on my face.
“Hey, Jet.”
“Hey, Natalie, how are you?”
“I'm great. Just got finished studying ... kinda. Where are you coming from?”
“Class, believe it or not, but I think I should have just stayed in bed today.”
“Why? What happened to you? What's with the limp?”
“Ahh, I had a fight the other night, and I hurt my back. Not exactly an ideal situation, but not much I can do about it. I have spasms in my lower back, and they’re just killing me. I could not sit comfortably in class; I had to get up and leave.”
“That's shitty, sorry to hear that.” He smiled at me, and I was starting to really like his smile.
“It's all part of the game, I'm afraid. It'll heal. I think I need to go have a very hot bath.”
“I probably have a better solution.”
“What's that?”
“I can't believe I'm saying this, but my mom is a massage therapist, and she taught me how to give a pretty damn good massage. I could give you one.”
He stopped in his tracks. He literally stopped walking in the middle of the sidewalk. I almost stumbled over him. “Seriously? You want to massage me, ‘cause that's the best news I've heard in a really long time.”
“Take it easy there, cowboy, let's not get ahead of ourselves.”
“You just offered me a massage, and I am accepting it 100%.”
“Well, hold on. I'm not just offering you a massage. I'm not that foolish. I want a little give and take.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Well, what do you have in mind, little lady?”
“Here's the thing, I was invited to go to a wine tasting event with my friend, Brenda. She was the girl in the booth with me the day you bought that picture.” He nodded. “Well, she's going to be bringing a guy, sort of like their first date, but she's really nervous about the whole thing. She doesn't date a lot, and she asked that I go as well, to make sure he's not some weirdo,” I laughed nervously.
“That's a little weird,” he chuckled.
“Maybe, but I can understand. A group event relieves the pressure, ya know?”
“Actually, I don't know, Natalie.” We laughed together.
“I guess maybe you don't. But it's also different for girls; it's not always safe to go off alone with a new guy.”
“So what do you need me for?”
“Well, I'm not really the third wheel type, ya know? Plus, it might be a little awkward for the guy for me to be there. But a double date wouldn't seem like a bad thing, right?”
“Oh, I see where this is going.”
“Come on, be a sport. You'll get the pleasure of my company, plus you’ll get a massage.”
“Wine tastings aren't really my thing. Who is this guy, anyway? What kind of guy takes a girl to a wine tasting on their first date?”
I shrugged. I knew he was just playing hard to get, and that he would cave instantly if I told him to forget the whole thing. “She likes the guy, that's all that matters. So ... are you in or are you out?”
He stared at me, and I could tell that the wheels were turning in his head. I wondered if he was thinking about my hands on his body. Would that be the deciding factor? The thought of me touching him intimately, was that what was going through his head? I almost blushed at the thought.
“Please, Jet, this is a win-win for both of us. Don't make me go to this thing alone.”
“Okay, I will go. It's not my thing, but you are certainly my thing. So I will do it for you.”
“Thank you. You don't even know how much I appreciate it.” I couldn't have felt better about the situation; the last thing I had wanted was to go to the wine tasting alone. Instead, I would have a handsome guy by my side, even if we weren't together.
“So when is this little hoopla?”
“Not for a couple of days yet. Can you handle the suspense?”
He chuckled. “Not sure. The bigger question is, when are you giving me that massage, cause girl, I could sure use one right now.”
“Sorry to disappoint. But it's going to have to wait until tomorrow. I have plans tonight.”
“With who? Not another guy, I hope.”
“It's none of your business, Jet,” I winked at him.
“So tomorrow, then?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I can live with that.”
“I'll see ya tomorrow, then. Go home and have a bath,” I waved at him as I walked away.
Chapter Twelve
Jet
I checked my phone, and realized that I didn't have a whole lot of time before Natalie was going to arrive. I couldn't be more excited to see the girl, in more than one way, and for more than one reason. That gorgeous redhead was coming over today to give me the massage she promised me. I couldn't even explain what that did to my mindset. My dreams the night before had been porn-filled, with images of Natalie with her hands on my body. I couldn't help it, and no other guy would blame me.
I needed to take a shower before the beauty showed up at my door. I wanted to be squeaky clean for her. She was massaging me, after all, and didn't want to be touching some sweaty, smelly guy. I grabbed my boxer briefs and a towel, and headed to the shower. I adjusted the water temperature, and waited until it grew hot. My clothes dropped to the floor, and I jumped into the shower. I rinsed off, letting the water drill into my back like hot acupuncture. I had been taking baths almost exclusively, and they had helped a little, but I had some healing to do, for sure. I put shampoo in my hand and lathered up my hair. I rinsed it quickly, and grabbed the bar of soap to wash my body. I didn't stay in the shower long; I just wanted a quick clean, to be nice and fresh.
I stepped out of the shower and dried off. The towel felt nice against my coarse skin. I felt great, and I was about to feel even better.
I pulled a beer from the fridge, and sat down on the couch and took a pull from it. I had to admit, I was a little nervous to have Natalie so close to me again, and she would be sober.
There was a knock at the door, and I quickly headed over to open it. There was a vision at my door, and I was almost rendered speechless ... almost.
“Hey, I was just having a beer in preparation for you.”
“Can I have one, too?”
I liked that, so I smiled. I let her in the apartment, and she headed straight for the couch. I went back to the fridge and grabbed her a beer, taking the cap off of it. She took it from my hand when I ventured into the living room.
She took a slow drink from the bottle, watching me carefully. I had never wished to be the bottle more in my life. She was gorgeous, and she was even more gorgeous when she was drinking that beer.
“What are you thinking?” she whispered.
I chuckled. “I'm thinking you should drink beer more often.”
She smiled; actually, she glowed. “Oh, is that right?”
“Yes, that's definitely the truth. You are so sexy drinking that beer.”
“Oh, you're just playing with me. I don't think I've been sexy a day in my life.”
“You would be surprised, Natalie.”
She took another pull on the beer, and I started to think I wanted my massage.
“So where should we do this?”
“Your bed should work just fine.”
Wow, that's all it took for my heart to beat tough. My bed would definitely do just fine. I grabbed my beer. “Let's go, then.”
“Okay, sounds good.” She got up with her beer as well, and followed me to my bedroom. She sat on my bed, and I started to undress. I took off my shirt as well as my undershirt, and then I took off my pants. She gasped as I did so, a shocked look on her face. I kept going, mainly because I wanted to see what she was going to say. I dropped my drawers and stood before her, naked as a jaybird.
“Jet, you don't need to be completely naked to have your back massaged,” she laughed, but she did it nervously.
