Letting Lox In

by S. M. Donaldson

  Everyone is sitting very quiet, the mediator slides the papers over for me to sign. I quickly sign them.

  Megan looks over at my attorney. “Mr. Roberts, if you’ll meet me in the hallway, I’d like to give you a retainer for your services.” She reaches in her suit pocket. “Sloan, this is Mrs. Smith’s number, she’d like for you to give her a call.”

  “Honey, let’s talk about this.” Lucas tries to follow her.

  She spins around, putting her finger in his face. “Lucas Smith, you’ve smooth talked me for the last time. I’ve looked past so many things. I’ve dealt with your supposed ‘sex addiction’.” She uses air quotes. “Which basically is just a cop out because you’re a selfish whore who can’t keep his tiny dick in his pants.” She lets out a crazy laugh. “Hell, I went to therapy with you for that one. I’ve walked in on you screwing our maid. I’ve dealt with you throwing shit across our house having temper tantrums. Well, NO MORE. Today is the final straw.” She quickly turns back around and motions to my attorney that she’ll meet him in the hallway. It’s like a damn Maury Show.

  Lucas sneers at me. “Thanks for ruining my life, Sloan. Let me be clear, I’ll pay all of this money, but I never want anything to do with him. My mother can see him or whatever, she can play the wonderful grandma all she wants when I’m not around, because I don’t want him around me.” He goes to walk out the door. “You know some of my team mates that were there at the party that night won’t even talk to me outside of practice because what I did to you was sooo bad.” He looks at me with disgust. “Really, what I did to you? You were a willing and able participant.”

  I’ve had all I’m going to take from him. I step toward him. “Lucas, you need to leave me alone. You’re the one who opened this Pandora’s Box, not me. And if you don’t want me to show you the self-defense moves those fighters have shown me, you’d better get out of my face.”

  He storms out of the room, leaving his lawyer running behind him. Mr. Roberts looks to me. “Sloan, I’m glad today went as well for you as it did. One of my girls will get all of this finalized and sent to you.” He looks at the door and snickers. “Well, I guess I should go see my new client.”

  I laugh. “I guess so.”

  Mr. Scott goes to leave the room but stops and turns back to me. “Ms. Foster, you should be very proud of the woman and parent you’ve become. I had my feelings throughout today on Mr. Smith’s true colors but he just showed his money cards to me. I’m glad I made the right decision today.”

  With that, he leaves me.

  I walk out of the conference room to a shouting match between Lucas and Megan. Lucas’s attorney is nipping at his heels and Lucas fires him right there.

  I really would love to do an old school Judd Nelson fist pump right now as I’m walking out to my car, but first I have some phone calls to make.

  My Parents

  Doc and Kara

  Lox…

  CHAPTER 36

  LOX

  “Come on, Gibbs.” I dance around the ring. “Show me what you can do.”

  He lands a couple of jabs. “How about that, old man?”

  “Good. Come on, show me that combo we worked on.”

  He tries but doesn’t succeed the first time. On the second time, he gets it. Sly yells from outside the ring. “Good job, kid.”

  We break apart from grappling. He grabs his water bottle and wipes the sweat from him brow. “Thanks, guys.”

  I nod and tip my own water bottle toward him. “You did good, man.” I wipe my neck with a towel. “You’re ready for your first real match up.” I take another sip of my water. “I’ll talk to Marco and get you on the schedule.”

  He nods, smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. “Thanks, guys.”

  I’m about to speak again when I hear my phone chirp. I’m expecting to hear from Sloan today with the outcome of their meeting. “Sly, hand me my phone, please.”

  Sly tosses it to me. I swipe the screen.

  SLOAN: I survived today.

  LOX: What happened?

  SLOAN: Can I see you tonight?

  LOX: Sure. Where? When? Time?

  SLOAN: Would you and the guys like to meet Sage and me at Kid’s Pizza Palace tonight at 6?

  LOX: I’m sure they’ll be up for it we’ve been waiting to hear from you.

  SLOAN: Okay great I’ll tell you guys all about it then.

  I put my phone down and turn to Sly and Huck. “Hey, we’re meeting Sloan and Slick at Kid’s Pizza Palace tonight. She’s going to tell us all about what happened today. It must be good news if she feels like going out.”

  Sly nods. “Great, I’m glad. I was worried if it went bad one, if not all of us, were going to end up in prison for killing that bastard.”

  Huck looks at Gibbs. “Hey, why don’t you come with us? You might find some kids your own age to play with.”

  Gibbs gives a sarcastic laugh and flips him off. “You’re an asshole, Huck, but I will come help celebrate. I like Slick and his mom.”

  I spin my head to him. Sly and Huck laugh. Gibbs looks at me. “Dude, not like that. I know she’s your girl, I wouldn’t do that. I mean she’s nice, she’ reminds me of my mom.”

  I put my hand on his shoulder. “All right, meet us there.”

  Sly starts down the hall. “I’m gonna let Marco know, that way he and Elizabeth can come if they want to.” He continues out of the room.

  Huck groans. “Fuck.”

  “Hey, man, you’ve got to get over this thing with Elizabeth. Okay? She’s Sloan’s friend.”

  “Fine.” He walks into the free-weight room.

  ~*~*~

  The entire crew from the gym has shown up to hang out with Slick. Once we’re inside, we find the table with Sloan, Slick, Kara, Jade, Gloria, Doc and Sloan’s family.

  “Hey, guys!” Slick yells from one end of the table.

  We all give our greetings. I take the chair next to Sloan and lean to her ear. “Hey.”

  She gives a small blush. “Hey.”

  Jade stands up. “Hey, Sage, you wanna go play some skee-ball?”

  “Yeah!”

  Gibbs stands up. “I’ll go with you guys.” He trails behind Jade. Yep, boy’s got it bad.

  Sloan tells us the events of today. Everyone is in shock but happy about the agreements that she came to. I look at her. “Please tell me that you are going to get a more reliable car now.”

  Her father and brother nod their heads in agreement.

  She sighs. “Yes, I thought about that. But it’s really Sage’s money. Not mine.”

  Her mom touches her hand. “Baby, having safe transportation for you and Sage is in the best interest of Sage. It’s not like you’re planning a luxury vacation or something.”

  “I know. It would be nice to not have to worry so much about my vehicle. I’ll start looking.”

  Sighs of relief come from everyone at the table.

  “I also called Mrs. Smith. She and Lucas’s dad really want to meet Sage. We are going to meet around home during the Christmas holidays. Probably with my parents so that Sage feels comfortable.”

  I touch her hand. “Did you talk to Slick about who his dad is?”

  She nods. “Yeah. I was worried that he would, you know, be star struck about it or something. He wasn’t though. I mean he thinks it’s cool and all, but I think he also knows that there is a reason he’s never met him. I also went ahead and told him that he probably won’t meet him, but that he will get to meet his grandparents.”

  Elizabeth smiles. “Sloan, I think it’s really great that you’ve been the bigger person through all of this. I mean you could’ve said you didn’t want him to have anything to do with the Smith’s at all, but you didn’t. Those people didn’t ask for their son to be a complete jackass. Sage will appreciate it one day. He’ll see that you did the best you could for him.” She glances at Marco. “I wish my mom would’ve thought more about me and less about the Colonel.”

  We all make conversation (wi
th the exception of Kara, she’s been texting all night) with each other until around eight. Sloan gathers up Slick to take him home. “Thanks everyone for coming tonight. This was really great and today was a huge weight off my shoulders.”

  Everyone says their goodbyes. I walk with Sloan to her car. “So you get to say goodbye to this POS soon. Thank God.”

  “Hey, she’s been a good car. She was only supposed to get me through college.” She snickers.

  “Well, I guess she’s earned her stripes then.” I touch Sloan’s upper arm.

  She puts Slick in his seat. He’s so tired his head is bobbing.

  She looks over at Gibb’s and Jade. “I guess the youngins have hit it off.”

  I laugh. “Yeah, I guess so. So what’s going on with Kara? Normally you can’t get her to be quiet and tonight she was wrapped up on her phone.”

  She shrugs. “I’m not sure. She’s dating this new guy named Drake and they are constantly on the flippin’ phone. He calls her all the time at work, shows up at lunch to take her. It’s nice, I’m sure, but it would be overkill for me.”

  Wait. “What’s Drake’s last name?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t asked.” She nervously fiddles with her hands. “But, speaking of dates, I was wondering if maybe... Well, if maybe…”

  I put my hand to my chest like an old dramatic movie. “Why, Sloan Foster. Are you trying to ask me on a date?”

  She barks out a snort. “I guess I am. I’m doing a terrible job of it, but yes. If you’re still interested in dating me.”

  I lean forward and cover her mouth with mine, keeping it PG since Slick is right there. “Does that answer your question?”

  She rolls her lips in smiling and nods. “MmmHmm.”

  “So how about Friday night? I don’t have a fight this week.”

  She smiles a bright white smile. “Sounds great.”

  I walk her around to her side of the car, opening her door. “Well, you be careful on the way home. Call me or text me once you get there.”

  She gives me a soft sigh. “Okay, I will.”

  With that, I shut her door and watch her drive away.

  CHAPTER 37

  SLOAN

  I pick up and read the back of the bikini waxing kit that Kara told me about today at work. Okay, this is something I need to do after Sage is in bed. My parents are coming over to pick Sage up before my date tomorrow night. I’m thrilled that he’ll even give me the time of day, much less take me out on a date. I hate that I pushed him away. I look back down at my shopping list as I walk through the store. Jesus, my shopping list reeks of desperate single mom.

  SHOPPING LIST:

  Waxing Kit

  Razors

  Condoms

  Shea Butter Lotion

  Gum

  Wine

  Okay, I think I’ve got it all. I don’t need condoms to protect from pregnancy, I have an IUD, but even though I’m sure Lox is clean since he gets tested all the time for fighting, I’d rather be safe than sorry.

  Once Sage is in bed for the night, I take the bag of supplies to my room. I read over the instructions for the wax kit again. I take the jar of wax to the kitchen and warm it in the microwave. Going into my bathroom, I place the hot jar on the counter. Propping my leg up on the counter, I use the wooden spatula to place the wax in my bikini area. I place the cloth on, rubbing it. Okay, I can do this. 1. 2. 3. “Shit!”

  Deep cleansing breaths. Deep cleansing breaths. Okay, now I have to sike myself up to do the other side. Fuck. Okay, pull up your big girl panties, Sloan. Or well, be ready to pull them down.

  I repeat the same process for the other side. 1. 2. 3. “Shit!”

  Cleansing breath. It’s done. Okay, and looking in the mirror it doesn’t look bad. Now to get in the shower and trim up the runway, shave the pits, shave the legs and use some body scrub.

  Once I’m out of the shower, I’ve shaved, scrubbed and buffed my entire body. Now I moisturize. I look in the mirror and shake my head. “Damn, the dating world is so much work.”

  ~*~*~

  I look at myself in the mirror one last time. I chose a black knee length skirt with a dark red fitted sweater and black knee boots. Sage was happy to go with my parents a little while ago.

  I’m already walking down the hall with my clutch purse when the doorbell rings.

  Opening the door, Lox is standing there looking devilishly handsome. He’s wearing a black button-up shirt and the sleeves are rolled to his elbows, showing off his toned arms. Dark washed jeans and pull-on biker boots. Damn, he is hot.

  He hands me a bouquet of spring flowers and kisses me on the cheek. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you. You look very nice, too.”

  He nods. “Are you ready? I got us a reservation at Romano’s.”

  It’s common knowledge to everyone that I love Italian food. So I know my face is about to burst with excitement about getting to eat at one of the most exclusive Italian places in this county. I lean up on my tip-toes and kiss him. He grins. “Well I’ll take that as you’re pleased with my choice of restaurants.”

  I smile. “Yes. Very.”

  We make small talk on the way to eat. I never realized how ‘just comfortable’ I am with him. Once we arrive at Romano’s, I feel people watch us like we’re the only people in the room.

  A few minutes after our food arrives, a man walks up to our table. “Excuse me. I hate to interrupt your meal. Are you Lox Storm?”

  Lox gets a weird look on his face. “Yes, sir, I am.”

  The man reaches out to shake his hand. “I’m Rudd Jempson. I have the morning sports talk show on WLKP radio. I was just reading the other day about how you and your friends have been signed by Bellator and you’re all part owners in a local gym.”

  Lox nods. “Yes, sir. We’re having a grand re-opening with things for the kids and a local band soon.”

  “I’ll let you get back to your dinner, I just wanted to give you my card. I’d like for you to give me a call Monday. I’d like to have you guys on my show and you could plug your gym along with your fights.”

  Lox takes the card. “Thank you, sir. I’ll give you a call.”

  “You two have a lovely evening.”

  Once he walks away from the table, I smile and Lox’s eyes almost bug out. “Holy crap. That guy knew who you were.”

  He nods excitedly. “I know. This is an awesome night. I’m here with a beautiful girl and now I’m being treated like some kind of semi-celebrity.”

  I give him a wink over my wine glass. “Hmm. It kinda makes you even sexier.” Wow, we’ve almost had an entire bottle of wine, or rather I have, he’s only had a couple of glasses. This is buzzing bravery at its finest.

  He looks up from his plate. “So you think I’m sexy?”

  I give him a flirty grin. “Maybe.” I look down at our almost finished plates. “Do you want to get out of here?”

  He looks up to the waiter. “Check, please!”

  ~*~*~

  We burst through my front door like giddy teenagers. He’s kissing down my neck and I’m running my hands down his hard chest.

  We pull apart long enough for him to ask me breathlessly. “Bedroom?”

  I nod. “Yeah.”

  He grabs my ass, lifting me around his waist. I pull my sweater off as we make our way down my hall. He tugs at my boots, pulling them off. I unwrap my legs from his waist and standing up, I unzip my skirt, letting it fall to the floor. I’m standing in a skimpy pair of black lace panties and matching bra.

  He draws in a deep breath. “Fuck, pretty girl.”

  I take that opportunity to snatch his button up shirt open, kissing his chest. I reach for his belt. He spins us around and pushes me back on the bed. As I watch him take off his boots, socks and jeans, I remove my bra.

  He lays down over me, taking one of my nipples in his mouth. “God, you’re so beautiful. If I weren’t touching you I wouldn’t believe you were real.”

  I cry out w
ith pleasure as he kisses down my stomach, past my belly button. He starts to tug my panties down. “Fuck, these are sexy,” he breaths out.

  “Oh God, Lox.”

  He stops abruptly. “What the fuck?”

  I sit up. Shit, did I miss a spot shaving? Did I start my period and not realize it?

  “Baby, what happened?”

  “Huh?”

  “You’re all bruised down here.”

  Embarrassed, I jump from the bed and run to my bathroom to look in the mirror. “Oh my God!” I cover my face.

  He wraps his arms around me. “What happened? Did you get hurt?”

  I peek out from in-between my fingers. “I used one of those at home wax kits yesterday. I guess it was too rough on my skin and it bruised me.”

  He starts laughing. “Wow. I don’t think I ever heard anything like that before.”

  I turn around and smack him in the chest playfully. “Well that’s what happens when you are so out of practice at the dating scene, smarty pants.”

  He puts his hands up in defense and then grabs me, pulling me to his chest. “Well come in here and I’ll be glad to kiss it and make it better.” He slams his mouth into mine.

  He walks me backward into the bedroom. Pushing me back on the bed, he dives right in between my thighs. He licks, kisses and sucks all around my wet center. My hands fly down and grasp his dark hair. He pulls my hands away. “Nope, pretty girl, put those hands above your head and don’t move them. I’m going to make this all about you for a few minutes.”

  My heart is about to explode, I start quivering. “Oh Lox! Oh God!”

  Once I come, he kisses his way up my chest and around my breasts. “God, baby, you taste as sweet as I imagined.”