Going the Distance

by Christa Cervone

  “What if someone can tell by the look on my face?”

  “No one is gonna find out,” I run my hands up and down her arms to soothe her. “Now, go put those sexy as hell yoga pants on and meet me in the ring.” I squeeze her tight ass.

  She shoots me a look, her eyes narrowing. “I’ll see you in the ring.”

  My head rests back against the wall, and I clasp my chest as she vanishes into the ladies’ locker room.

  “You feelin’ okay, Saint?” My eyes pop open.

  “Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just gettin’ ready for class.”

  “This is my favorite class that’s held here.”

  I give the guy a strange look. “Especially when you make them do jumping jacks!” His face lights up.

  Not knowing what else to say, I utter, “Well, I’m glad you enjoy it. I better go, I don’t wanna keep the ladies waiting.”

  “That you don’t.”

  Rounding the corner, I enter into the main gym area. There’s a group of ladies standing around near the ring, and I can only assume they’re waiting for me. “Are you ladies here for the kickboxing class?” I ask as I get closer.

  “We sure are,” a buxom blonde says proudly.

  “Wow, I didn’t expect such a great turnout!” I look at the ring, realizing there’s no way in hell everyone is gonna fit. With at least fifteen women gathering around me, my eyes scan the gym for Jimmy. I think I’m gonna need assistance with this class. “With a group this size, we’re gonna need to split up. Can I have half of you in the ring and the other half on the mats?”

  “Hey, Jimmy,” I yell across the gym, catching his attention, “can you come here for a minute?” Jimmy saunters over. “Dude, you wanna help me with this class?”

  “Hell yeah!”

  “Great, so I’m thinking since it’s such a big group, we’ll split up. We’ll teach ‘em some basic moves, glove ‘em up, and run some drills.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Thanks, man,” I pat Jimmy on the back.

  “Don’t mention it,” he returns the gesture.

  “Okay, ladies,” I announce loudly, quieting their chatter. “Jimmy and I are here to teach you some basic boxing moves. We’re gonna go over some of the combinations, and once you’ve got those down, you’re gonna partner up and test them out.”

  “Jimmy, why don’t you take the mats, and I’ll take the ring.” I have ulterior motives for wanting to take the ring. I told Salem to meet here, and I wanna make damn sure I’m teaching her group.

  “No problem.”

  I see Salem, out of the corner of my eye, as she walks up the stairs to the ring, and my heart begins to race. I do my best not to stare at her ass as she bends over, maneuvering herself through the ropes.

  “Okay, ladies, I need you to spread out, giving yourself enough space to throw some punches.” I can’t help but glance in Salem’s direction. She gives me a small nervous smile, looking very uncomfortable.

  After spending a good fifteen to twenty minutes warming them up and then going over the combinations, I’m confident these girls know what they’re doing. “Alright, who’s ready to put some gloves on? If you happen to have some already, go get them, but if not, there are some over on that shelf that you can borrow.” I point to the shelf over in the corner of the room.

  The girls filter out of the ring; Salem is the last one. “What do you think so far?”

  “It’s fun,” she replies.

  “Wait ‘til you start hittin’ somethin’ for real. It’s a definite stress reliever.”

  “Good,” she states boldly. “I need something to hit right now,” she looks anxiously across the room at Blaine.

  “You’ve done nothing that he hasn’t done,” I try to relieve some of her anxiety and guilt.

  “Yeah, well, that doesn’t make what we’ve done okay.” She goes to step out of the ring, and as she looks back at me, I can see the guilt in her eyes.

  “Salem, please don’t shut me out.”

  She’s now standing on the other side of the ring. “I’m not sure I can do this, Gabriel.”

  “Do what?”

  I watch her as she looks over in Blaine’s direction again. As much as she doesn’t want to admit it, she clearly still has feelings for him.

  I take a step to the side, blocking her view of him and making her focus on me. “I won’t allow you to feel guilty about how we feel about each other,” I whisper.

  She lets out a sigh. “I’m going to get my gloves.”

  Fuck. I pace the ring like a caged animal, glancing over at Blaine as he talks candidly with his customers. The anger within me begins to grow, and I envision myself walking over to him and ripping his fuckin’ head off.

  “Saint, you okay?” Jimmy asks from the side of the ring.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” the anger clearly coming through in my voice.

  “You don’t look fine. You look like you’re ready to kill someone.”

  “Don’t worry ‘bout it,” I shrug him off.

  “Is this about…?”

  I shoot him a glare and he gets the picture.

  He changes the subject quickly, “So, what are we gonna have them do next?”

  “I want them to partner up. We’ll have one wearing the mitts and the other will hit. They can run a series of combinations and then they can switch.”

  “I think we should demonstrate it first, just so they know what they’re doin’.”

  “That’s fine. Let me go get my gloves and you can grab a pair of mitts.” I step down the stairs.

  Once I’m back in the ring, Jimmy calls out, “Okay, ladies, Saint and I are gonna demonstrate what we’re gonna have you do. We’ve taught you the combinations and now you gotta use them. Everyone gather around the edge of the ring.” We wait for everyone to climb up and get a spot, then Jimmy puts his hands up and plants his feet solidly on the floor. “When you’re the one wearing the mitts, you always wanna make sure you have your footing, and that your knees are bent a little,” he explains loudly so everyone can hear. “If you’re the boxer, always keep your hands up to cover your face.” Jimmy looks around the edge of the ring. “Can everyone see and hear me okay?”

  In unison the class answers, “Yes!”

  “Okay, great! Let’s do this.” With his mitts up, he braces for my punches. “Left-Right-Left,” he instructs me. I let him have it with my first combination, showing my speed. “You should probably slow your punches down if you want them to see what you’re doin’.” He grins at me and I nod in recognition. “Left-Right-Left,” he shouts again.

  We demonstrate the different combinations we showed them earlier. “Who’s ready to try this out?” Jimmy waits for a response. “Grab a partner and wait for my instruction.”

  Both Jimmy and I check the girls’ gloves, making sure they’re on and fastened tight enough. We also evaluate their stances. Jimmy’s managing the girls on the mat while I’m observing the girls in the ring. As I make my way around, I realize Salem has no partner. “I guess you’re gonna have to partner up with me,” I wink at her.

  “Did you plan this?”

  “No, I swear I didn’t,” I begin to laugh.

  “This is just way too convenient,” she gives me a skeptical look.

  “You want me to switch with Jimmy?” I point down to where Jimmy’s standing.

  She lets out a small laugh, “No.”

  “Alright then.”

  “Is everyone ready?” Jimmy asks loudly, looking around the room.

  “Oh, I better get ready for you.” I assume my fighting stance, mitts up and feet firmly on the ground. Raising my eyebrows at her I poke, “Gimme your best shot.”

  “Right-Left-Right,” Jimmy calls out.

  Salem throws her three punches. I’m actually quite surprised at how much power she packs into a punch. “That was good!”

  “Do it again, ladies,” Jimmy instructs.

  “Come on, hit me again,” I encourage her, “this time harder; take ou
t your frustrations on the mitts.”

  She throws the punches again, smiling this time around.

  “It feels good, doesn’t it?”

  A look of satisfaction appears across her face. “Yeah, it kind of does.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa, take it easy there, Ali,” I tease. I stop her from hitting me again. “You gotta wait for Jimmy to call out the next set of combinations.”

  “Oh, sorry,” her face blushes from embarrassment. “I guess I got carried away.”

  “I can train you privately if you want me to.”

  She purses her lips. “You’d love that, wouldn’t you?”

  “I’m being totally serious. If you wanna punch a bag around one night a week, I’ll train you.”

  She gives me a doubtful look.

  “I swear, no funny business. Just you, me, and a pair of boxing gloves.”

  Truth be told, of course it’s another excuse to spend more time with her. But if she can release some of the stress and guilt she’s feeling at the same time, why the hell not? Not to mention, I get to watch her get all hot and sweaty. My body shudders at the thought.

  “Maybe I will,” she responds playfully.

  “I can pencil you in,” I tease her. “The only night of the week I can’t do, is Wednesday.”

  “Well, I’ll look at my calendar and let you know.”

  After another twenty minutes of combinations, the class is over. I see Blaine walking over to the steps of the ring as Salem nears the edge. “Did you like it?” he asks.

  “Yes, I did. I think I may take a few lessons with Gab…” she corrects herself without Blaine realizing, “with Saint. He offered me some private lessons.”

  “That’s great, babe. Maybe you can drop those few pounds you’ve been complaining about.”

  My eyes widen at his words. Keep your mouth shut. I clench my teeth tightly. I’m left standing in the ring alone as I watch Salem and Blaine walk away together. He attempts to put his arm around her, and I can tell by her gestures that she’s pissed at him and making it known. She angrily pushes his arm off of her. There’s no doubt she’s obviously taken offense to what he said, and I don’t blame her. There’s not an ounce of fat on her and he’s crazy to think so.

  “You okay in there?” Jimmy questions from outside the ring.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”

  “Well, you’re shaking your head and muttering to yourself.”

  “Was I?”

  “You totally were. Does it have anything to do with…” he looks around the room, making sure there’s no one within earshot, and then lowers his voice, “Salem?”

  “Kinda.”

  “You wanna talk about it?”

  “Honestly, Jimmy, the less you know the better.”

  He nods his head. “Well, if you ever need someone to talk to.”

  “I know where to find you, Jimmy.” I push him toward the ropes. “Get outta here and go be with your fiancée,” I laugh.

  “Oh, that reminds me, we need to find out the details about Saturday night. I’m gonna go find Blaine.”

  As I look around the gym, I notice how empty it is. The only people that are left are me, the person working at the front desk, and Jimmy and Blaine, who are talking near the front door. Damn, everyone cleared out of here quickly after class. I make my way down the stairs of the ring and pass Jimmy and Blaine. “Hey, Saint, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Blaine hollers.

  “You takin’ off?”

  “Yeah, in a few. Would you mind locking up when you leave?”

  “No, not at all. I’m gonna go chill in the sauna. It’s been callin’ my name since I got here.”

  “I’ll have Jimmy fill you in on the plans for Saturday night, tomorrow,” Blaine adds.

  “Sounds good.” I walk toward the locker room.

  Neutral Corner – One of two corners of a boxing ring that are not assigned to either boxer during a fight. There are no chairs or any members of a boxer’s team in a neutral corner a.k.a. white corner. After a boxer has knocked down his opponent, he is required to go to a neutral corner while the referee does the count.

  I got the news earlier this week that my bike has been totaled, so I’ll be without transportation for God knows how long. The plan is for Jimmy, Steph, and Aimee to pick me up Saturday night since I don’t have a ride, and it’s here before I know it.

  “Are you gonna do that all night?” Jase asks, as he watches me nervously walk back and forth from the kitchen to the living room. “You’re freakin’ me out.”

  I take a seat next to him on the couch. “Sorry, man.”

  “Why are you so anxious, anyways?”

  “We’re all goin’ out tonight to celebrate Jimmy and Steph’s engagement.”

  “And you’re worried about that? You’ve gone out with them a million times.”

  “It’s not Steph and Jimmy I’m worried about; it’s the other couple.”

  “Why? Who the fuck is the other couple, royalty or somethin’?”

  “Salem and Blaine,” I mutter.

  “Wait a fuckin’ second. You mean to tell me you’re goin’ out with Salem and her boyfriend?!”

  “Yup.”

  “How the fuck?”

  “Don’t ask me, bro. I tried to get out of it, but Blaine wouldn’t hear of it.”

  “So, I take it he has no idea you’re bangin’ his girl?”

  I shoot him an angry look. “She’s my girl and she’s breakin’ up with him.”

  “If you say so,” Jase huffs.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothin’,” he responds, shrugging his shoulders as his eyes remain on the television.

  “Fuck this,” I mutter under my breath. “I need a beer.” Nearly leaping off the couch, I stalk over to the fridge. What the fuck does he know? He’s probably never had a girlfriend in his life, unless you wanna consider a crack whore a girlfriend. I grab a beer from the top shelf, pop the cap off, and take a swig. “She is gonna leave him,” I say loud enough for Jase to hear me.

  “Uh-huh,” he replies with his eyes still on the TV.

  “Why are you actin’ like this?”

  “Actin’ like what?”

  “Like you don’t think she’s gonna leave him.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “No, you didn’t, but you also didn’t agree that she is either.” I’m getting more and more pissed as the conversation continues.

  “Gabe, how am I supposed to know what she’s gonna do? I don’t even really know this chick. I’m agreeing with you. What more do you want?”

  “For you to sound a little more convincing,” I answer angrily.

  “Okay, fine! You’re right, Gabe, she’s gonna leave her dickhead boyfriend, and the two of you are gonna live happily ever after.” Jase abruptly jumps to his feet. “Are you happy now?”

  I just stare at him, taking the last sip of my beer. “Yeah, I’m happy now. Thanks so much for your vote of confidence!” I shout as I slam the empty bottle on the counter.

  “I’m going to my room,” Jase stalks by me without saying another word.

  I head to the fridge for another beer; I’m in desperate need of something to take the edge off. I look down at my phone and there’s a text from Jimmy.

  Jimmy – We’ll be there in five. Be ready.

  Me – Text me when you get here. I’ll come down.

  I gulp the rest of my beer, and grab yet another as I head out the door; this one’s for the road. I can’t sit in my tiny-ass apartment another minute; it feels like the walls are closing in on me. As I take a step out onto the stoop, I see Stephannie pulling up. Perfect timing.

  “You’re already drinkin’?” Jimmy asks as he opens the door to let me in.

  “Yeah.”

  He gives me a worried look. “You alright?”

  “Yeah, Jase just pissed me off.”

  “He’s still clean, right?”

  “Nothin’ like that, Jim, I really don’t wanna get into it. L
et’s just get this over with,” I sigh, then climb into the back seat next to Aimee.

  “Hey, Saint,” she gives me a reluctant smile.

  “Hey, Aimee. You look very pretty.”

  She looks down at her outfit, “Thanks. I wasn’t really sure what to wear. I hope I’m dressed up enough.”

  “You look great,” I reassure her. “And so do you, Steph.”

  She glances at me in the rearview mirror and jokes, “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

  Stephannie and Aimee manage to control the majority of the conversation on the ride to the restaurant. The two of them go on and on about wedding stuff. Jimmy gets a few words in edgewise, while I opt to stay quiet and finish my beer. What can I add, anyways? I’ve never even been to a wedding before.

  “Here we are,” Steph announces as she parks the car.

  “Don’t go and order the most expensive thing off the menu,” Jimmy warns her. “You know I love you, but I can’t spend a fortune tonight; the rent’s due next week.”

  “I know, Jimmy,” Stephannie sighs, “but need I remind you to go easy on the drinks? You’ll probably spend more money on beers than I will on food.”

  “She’s got a point there, Jim,” I chuckle.

  “No one asked you, Saint.”

  “Let’s go in. I’ll buy the first round,” I offer as I emerge from the back seat.

  “You hear that, Steph? Saint’s gonna buy the first round, so order top shelf!” Jimmy teases.

  “Are you okay, Saint?” Aimee asks sweetly.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “You were awfully quiet on the way here.”

  “I’ve just got a lot on my mind. You know, with my upcoming fight and my brother,” I lie.

  “Oh, okay. I thought I may have done something to upset you.”

  Doing my best to sound convincing, I assure her, “No, Aimee, you’ve done absolutely nothing. Come on, let’s go get a drink.” My hand touches her lower back, encouraging her to walk into the restaurant.

  As soon as we walk through the front door, I see Blaine and Salem together, waiting for us. My heart drops at the sight. Salem is looking more beautiful than ever and I catch her giving me a quick smile. Blaine introduces everyone to Salem and then we’re led to our table.