Two days later, when the state rankings came in, JnM MMA Academy’s rankings had dropped from 1st to 2nd. Alex’s heart sank as he read the reason cited below:
Absence of lead fighter from the local championship
The club ranked 1st had all the same statistics as JnM MMA Academy except it’s lead fighter showed up to the local tournament of the season. Alex felt a pang of guilt; JnM has been ranked no. 1 for the past 20 years. His father had put his whole life in building this club. It was his life’s work.
As expected, his father was furious. “These are just the state rankings,” he said, angrily when Alex visited him. “Wait till the country rankings come out tomorrow. Alexander, if you want to ruin your own future, that is fine with me. But this club is all I’ve worked for my whole life. If not for your future, please focus on your training, for my career.”
“I am focusing, father,” Alex said, frustrated. “It was one tournament. Just one.”
“One very important tournament,” his father corrected. “Our sponsors are extremely angry. There has even been talk of shifting their alliance to Houston’s Academy which was ranked no. 1.”
“What?” Alex said, unable to believe it. “Our sponsors have been with us for years. They can’t just-”
“They can and they might,” his father continued. “And that’s not it. Your own rankings have dropped too.”
“They haven’t,” Alex said, refusing to believe it.
His father held out a printed piece of paper. “They don’t come out till tomorrow. I got an early peak at them. Special favor from one of my friends.”
Alex took the paper warily. From no. 2, his ranking has fallen to no. 4. He pushed the paper away, thrusting it back into his father’s hand. Sitting down, he buried his head in his hands, trying to get his thoughts together. Being ranked no. 4 would mean his opponent for the Manchester Championship had changed. Fighters are matched according to rank and Alex had been training keeping in mind that he will be fighting the fighter ranked no. 1, Stefan Mosby. Not only will he have to alter his training with the tournament barely 2 weeks away, he will also have to face the shame of letting JnM Academy down; this would be the first time there would be no fighter from JnM in the highest two ranks. He will have to work extra hard in the tournament to win gold. He shook his head.
“Sorry, father,” Alex begun. “Please tell me what to do. How can I fix this?”
“You can’t fix the rankings. But you can work harder for the tournament. A few alterations here and there and some clever techniques can still get you and our club back on track. Provided that you win the Manchester Championship.”
Alex nodded.
“And Alexander, no distractions for the next two weeks.”
“Jules-” Alex begun but his father cut across him.
“I don’t want to hear of that girl. Stop being a child. This is about your career. I know you don’t see it right now because you are foolish but it is having an effect on your career. I’m sure you don’t see it and Juliana doesn’t see it either and I don’t blame you two. You’re both young. But as your father, I see what you’re doing wrong. And I beg you, don’t make this mistake. Take a break from her until your career is secure.”
Alex formed a retort in his head but fell silent. For the first time, he implored himself to at least think about what his father said. He remembered times when he was younger and sometimes, ignored his father’s advices. He had always come to regret it later.
He simply nodded, told his father he will do as he says, in order to put him at peace and left. Alone, he proceeded to the ice skating rink. He didn’t know how he ended up there but somehow, he did. The rink was almost empty today, with a few skaters here and there. It was late, almost midnight. Jules had been right about how beautiful it looked at night. The lights wound through the trees had lit up to give a soft, magical glow to the rink. The multi colors reflected off the smooth ice, creating shiny patterns. He thought back to the day he visited it with Jules. It had been their second date, though they did not know it then. Jules had talked about her mother that day. She had looked so sad that Alex had wanted to reach out to her to comfort her. But it was too soon and he had to leave it at a simple touch on her cheeks.
He sat at the café alone, sipping coffee. The past three months of his life had been all about Jules. Maybe his father was right; maybe he had become distracted. His rankings had never dropped below 2nd before. And the guilt he felt at being the reason for his father’s club’s rank dropping knew no bounds. It was his own fault. He chose to stay with Jules that day. It wasn’t fair to her. He should have asked Sam or another friend of Jules to stay with her. He should have called a nurse to take care of her. He should have showed up for the tournament.
Maybe he hadn’t been able to handle a girl as amazing as Jules. He had wanted to be around her all the time. And it wasn’t fair because his father blamed her for his distraction.
For the first time in Alex’s life, he had put someone before his career and it had had a profound impact on him already. Was Jules worth neglecting his career for? He instantly knew the answer. Jules was worth it and more. But he could also not bear to let anything come between his goals.
Jules filled his mind. Her plump pink lips on his. Her red hair flying in the wind. Her contagious laughter. Her green eyes wide with anxiously as she told him about a bad day at work. Her proud smile when she did well at work. Her ruthless punches when she trained with him. And her kisses. The gentle ones and the rough ones, the teasing ones and the angry ones. She was an amazing kisser.
He thought back to their night together. The way she cried out his name. The way her fists closed around his hair. The way her head rolled back as she moaned. The way she had felt when he was inside her.
He thought about his career. MMA had been a huge part of his life. Back in high school and college, he had to wake up at 4am every single day. From 5am-7am he had his morning training. After classes, he trained till night. It couldn’t all be over. He had to make some sacrifices. It was his own foolishness he was paying for. Champions made sacrifices all the time. George Black had spent two whole years without seeing his children when he was training. Eva Evans had left her husband to make a career in MMA. These were his idols. If they could do it, so could he.
He made up his mind. That night, he didn’t sleep a wink. He sat awake and Jules filled his mind; he hated every atom of his existence for what he was about to do.
When Jules returned from San Diego, he went over to her apartment. He was greeted with the redhead throwing her arms around him in an embrace. He held her tightly, knowing it might be the last time he will get to hold her. His hand trailed down her back and her hips, feeling the curves, trying to memorize them.
Jules pulled away. “You okay?” she asked frowning.
“I missed you, that’s all,” Alex lied easily. He bent down to place gentle kisses on her lips. Jules seemed unsatisfied with his response but reciprocated his kisses.
As conversation trailed to his upcoming tournament, Alex decided it was time. Jules had her head in his lap as they chatted.
“Jules, there’s something I have to tell you.”
She sat up and turned to face him, waiting.
“The rankings came out yesterday. Our club has dropped to no. 2 because I didn’t show up to the last tournament.”
Jules was quiet.
“I’ve dropped to no. 4 myself.”
“That’s…bad,” Jules said, struggling to find the words. “I’m sure there’s something you can do. Make a comeback at Manchester.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Good. Why are we worried then?”
“Jules-” he took her hands in his. “Maybe we should take a break.”
Her expression was extremely neutral.
“You’re all I’ve thought about since I met you. You haven’t left my head for a second. Maybe I have been distracted. The rankings show it and I can feel it too. I’m not as focused a
s I was. And-”
“Is this about your dad?” Jules asked quietly.
“No. No no no. Jules, I’m not blaming you. It’s my fault. I should have- I should have-”
“You should have what, Alex?” Jules said, withdrawing her hands from his. “You should never have kissed me that day? You should never have asked me out? You should never have gotten to know me? Which one is it, Alex?”
Hating himself, Alex replied. “All three.”
“So why did you come here?” Jules demanded. “Why didn’t you just tell me it’s over? Why make it harder than it already is?”
“It’s hard for me too,” Alex replied, harshly. “Jules, I love you-”
“Don’t,” Jules held out her hand. “Just don’t. I don’t want to hear it. If I’m such a distraction, leave me. Leave now.”
“You’re not a distraction. I’m just an idiot, Jules. I should never have-”
“I’ve heard enough,” Jules replied. “Leave me, Alex.”
During the conversation, Jules has stood up. Her back was towards Alex now. He walked towards her, turning her around. Her eyes were bright but she didn’t shed a single tear. Alex was once again made aware of how strong she was.
“I’m sorry, Jules,” he whispered. He felt his heart break seeing the hurt that Jules was trying to conceal.
“I understand, Alex,” she replied. “Your career is important to you. I might have done the same in your place. You should listen to your father. Focus on your training. Win at Manchester. If having me out of your life will help you achieve your goals, I’ll gladly step out. It’s a pity that you consider me a hindrance rather than a support but that’s your call.”
Alex was unable to formulate a reply.
Jules reached up and touched his cheek. “Goodbye, Alex,” she said. And she disappeared into her room.
Alex left her apartment soon after.
Chapter 16 – Jules
Jules punched the striking pad repeatedly as Donna counted her punches, shouting words of encouragement as she reached 100. She was so focused on trying not to think about the events that took place three nights ago that she almost lost track of time. Donna had to leave early to meet her coach so Jules was momentarily left alone. Slowly, she picked up her bag and made her way out of the club.
Outside the club, she came face to face with Carlotta. Jules was exhausted but could come up with no excuse when Carlotta asked to talk to her. They walked to Jules’ car.
“We’re in the same boat now,” Carlotta said, sounding sympathetic but happy.
“What?” Jules said, throwing her bag in the back of the car.
“Alex broke up with you. We’re in the same boat,” Carlotta repeated, happily.
Jules laughed, wanting to tell her how far from the truth she was but unable to muster the energy for it.
“Yeah, I guess,” she replied instead.
“It’s alright,” Carlotta patted her on the back. “Alex is heartless. He does this to all girls he has been with.”
Tired, Jules thanked Carlotta for her concern and excused herself. She didn’t have the energy to react any other way.
The past three days had almost killed her. She had tried to focus on work, she had met her friends, gone to the bar, gotten drunk but none of it could remove Alex from her head. Wherever she went, whatever she did, the thought of Alex haunted her. She missed him more than she could say. She missed his playful kisses and delicate touches. She missed how he patiently corrected her punches when he was training her before Donna. She missed the way he used to listen so intently when she talked about her work, how he was always interested in what she had to say. She missed kissing him and feeling his strong, toned body. She missed the night they had made love. The way he had made her tremble with pleasure, the way he had kissed every inch of her body, the way he had comforted her when she felt uncertain. He had told her he loved her that night. She wondered if he had meant any of it. Thinking about Alex was too hard so she tried not to.
Two weeks later, Donna and Alex flew to Manchester for their tournaments. Social media and an excited text sent by Donna told her that Alex won the tournament with more points than expected, bring his and his club’s rankings to no.1, even higher than they were initially. Jules was happy to hear that but tried to avoid any news on TV about their win.
On the morning of her job promotion assessment day, Jules woke up suddenly at the sound of her alarm. The sun was shining through her curtains and she could hear the milkman talking loudly to her neighbors. Closing the alarm, Jules became aware of a sharp pain in her stomach. Cramps, she thought. It was the 15th of the month, almost time for her period. It was already two days late so the post menstrual cramps were almost a blessing.
Before dressing for work, Jules found a strong painkiller. Today was a big day and she couldn’t let a stupid stomach ache ruin it. Driving to her office, she took care not to take the road that passed next to JnM MMA Academy, like she had been since they broke up. She didn’t want to see him and didn’t think she would be able to handle it if she did.
The report and assessments for her promotion went brilliantly. Happiness engulfed her. The events that broke her a few days ago seemed less significant now.
It wasn’t until evening that she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen again. Annoyed, she wanted to fix the pain so she can move on with her life. Phoning Sam, she asked him to make an appointment for her at the hospital where he worked. When she arrived, Sam was put in charge of her, like medical students frequently are. Jules explained her situation which made Sam frown.
“You don’t normally get cramps during your period, Jules,” he said.
“As if you would know,” Jules replied sarcastically.
“You never stopped complaining about it when you did get cramps. And that was very rare,” Sam was talking more to himself than to her. “You said you’re late this month?”
Jules nodded.
“Are you and Alex having sex?”
“We broke up a couple of days ago, Sam.”
“When was the last time you had sex?”
“A week before we broke up,” Jules replied.
Sam was quiet. “I want to do a pregnancy test.”
“Sam, I’m not pregnant,” Jules said. “If I have cramps, I’m obviously about to get my period.”
“Cramping is also a sign of early pregnancy,” Sam said, waiving off her comments.
Jules was suddenly filled with fear. What will she do if she was pregnant? She felt excited and scared at the same time. Sam performed the test and worked on the results. Jules sat on the bed, writing out a work related email on her phone.
When Sam came back, he looked grim. “Positive,” he said, confirming her fears.
Jules took a moment to absorb it. She should be happy but all she felt was a strange, hollow feeling. She was carrying her and Alex’s child. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to feel about that. She had never considered having children let alone being a single parent. She vowed not to tell Alex. She couldn’t come across as weak or dependent.
Sam was silent, waiting for a reaction. Jules looked at him, unable to form a coherent reply. He moved forward and held Jules. Tears sprang to her eyes for the first time since she broke up with Alex. Sam held her close as she cried, her head resting on his chest. She cried until she had no more tears left. Sam left work early to take Jules home.
“You have to tell Alex, Jules,” Sam said once they were seated on the couch in her living room.
“I’m not talking to that asshole ever again,” Jules replied.
“He has the right to know,” Sam insisted.
“He will care as little for the child as he cared for me,” Jules said with finality. “I’ll raise the child on my own. I’m stable enough for that.” Jules liked the prospect of raising the child on her own. She would love to have a daughter.
If it was so easy for Alex to leave her, she doubted he would care about his child. And anyway, Jules didn’t want him to
come back to her just because she was pregnant. Alex had hurt her, broken her and abandoned her. Nothing, not even a child, would make her forgive him for what he did. And Jules would never want him to be around her child.
Sam stayed with Jules for a couple of hours. Jules had to promise him she’s alright repeatedly before he left, promising to return the next day.
All alone, Jules picked up the phone and called her dad. She had told him about Alex when she visited him nearly three weeks ago. He had been extremely happy to see Jules content with her relationship. Jules wanted to introduce Alex to him when he came to visit her but she guessed that won’t he happening anymore. As soon as her father picked up, Jules felt tears welling again before she started speaking. She didn’t stop. For the first time since she and Alex broke up, she confronted her feelings properly. Her dad let her talk until she had no more words left.
Chapter 17 – Alex
Alex was distressed, unable to sleep. He did not remember the last time he had had a good night’s sleep. Twisting and turning, he finally gave up trying to sleep.
His victory at Manchester had been a major turning point in his career. Sponsors were fighting with each other, bidding higher and higher prices in order to partner with him. Clubs from across the country were inviting him to join them and fight for their teams. Alex had a bunch of unread emails from partners and sponsors which he hadn’t opened. Yet all Alex felt was hollow. He remembered the blow he had thrown which had knocked his partner out. The winning blow. He remembered his dad’s face, proud and exuberant. Donna and other fighters from his club had surrounded him, congratulating him, patting his back, ruffling his hair. Alex had smiled but all he felt was exhaustion. Late that night, the only person whose smile and accolade he wanted was Jules.
He had picked up his phone several times after his win, wanting to call her. Every time, he had failed. He had stopped eating properly and barely slept. His performance was deteriorating once again. He thought the Manchester win would make it worth it; would make the sacrifice of the love of his life worth it. But nothing could fill the hollow in his heart.
Romance: The Bad Boy Affair: A Second Chance Romance Page 83
