When the majority of them have cleared out, I finally get to head in to get cleaned up. I’m the only one in here so I make it damn quick but by the time I’m finished I notice Jaxon is here too, though he has his back turned so I should be good, it’s not like us guys get into the habit of checking each other out in the showers.
I towel off and pull my jeans on before heading out of the stall. I raise my hands above my head to pull my shirt down when a voice stops me in my tracks.
“Dude?”
My head instantly whips in Jaxon’s direction. Fuck.
“It’s nothing, man,” I say, shrugging it off but I know this is just the beginning. I see the questions, suspicion, curiosity, and concern all radiating off him, but I don’t give him the chance to question it further.
I quickly pull my shirt the rest of the way down and get the fuck out of there.
----------
My blades cut through the slick ice as I push forward with the puck on the end of my stick. I shoot it across to Bobby to avoid getting body slammed into the barriers, after all, I have a fight tonight and turning up with another injury, is not going to work out in my favour, especially after Cole chewed me out all week as I didn’t let on just how badly I was injured.
I stick right up by Bobby’s side, ready and waiting if he needs me. Jaxon comes flying up to Bobby’s other side so we each flank him as the rest of our team mates work defence and make a clear line for Bobby to shoot the puck straight into the net. He does just that and the crowd roar in excitement as their favourite team score yet again. Bobby claps me on the back right before Jaxon comes out of nowhere and slams him into the side while also trying to congratulate him.
Coach calls us to the side to give a quick pep talk before we head back to the centre of the ice to do it all over again.
We come off the ice, undefeated, as usual, and find ourselves at Micky’s later in the night.
I sit with the boys at the table and watch as they all become extremely intoxicated, especially Shorty who for some unknown reason, absolutely loves Micky’s bar.
Rather than calling the waitress over, I decide to head up to the bar to order a drink. Charli practically boots the other girl out of her way. She pours me a drink and hands it over with a flirty smile.
I find myself sitting at the bar to drink with my eyes purely on Charli’s ass when she says under her breath, “Head’s up.”
I glance up to find Jaxon making his way over here and it’s damn clear, I’m his target and not the bar. Great, here comes the questions he has been dying to ask me all week. I consider bolting but that would be too damn obvious.
He takes the seat next to me. “Hey, man. What are you doing all the way over here? There’s a party going on and we’re the guests of honour.”
Hmm, what the hell am I going to tell him? “Just chilling out with Charli here,” I say, motioning behind the bar to Charli, who turns at the sound of her name and gives Jaxon a little nod before getting back to work.
I down the rest of my drink and subtly check the time, knowing I’m going to have to leave for my fight soon but also know it would be way too shady to just get up and leave without a word.
“Let me guess, you’ve got somewhere to be?” Jaxon says, letting me off the hook.
Shit, well that just made me feel like the biggest douche bag around. I wish I could be honest with these guys as I know our whole relationship would change. I know they sense I’m hiding something from them and that makes them question my loyalty which honestly makes me feel like a dick but I can’t, not yet. With a sigh, I look up at him with regret. “Yeah, sorry, man.”
He is silent for a moment before finally bringing it up. “There something you need to talk about?” he asks before getting a little more serious. “You’re not in any kind of trouble, are you? I can’t have shit coming down on the team, especially now we’re getting closer to the finals.”
If only he knew. “Nah,” I tell him. “No trouble, just got stuff going on.”
He seems to take my word for it before flicking his eyes back up at Charli. I can practically see him trying to work it out like he knows there is some connection between us but has no idea what.
I don’t know why I haven’t told the boys about me and Charli. I guess, at first, I wanted to keep my fighting life and my hockey life separate and Charli was put firmly on the fighting side, but now, that’s not the case. She comes under a whole new section now. My love life, something I’ve never really had before.
“Alright, man,” Jaxon say, getting up off the stool and wrapping this shit up. “You know where to find me if you need anything.”
I give him a nod taking his comment for what it is. An open invitation to spill my fucking guts. “Thanks,” I say before turning away. I give Charli a quick wink and she blows me a kiss before mouthing ‘good luck’.
“Hey,” I hear Jaxon calling after me. I turn back around and practically have to lip read over the sound in the bar. “Don’t show up to training covered in bruises. I need your head in the game if we’re going to take out the championship again.”
I give him a grin. My head in the game? My head is always in the game no matter what, he should know that by now. “Sure thing, man,” I say before ducking out the side door. I practically have to sprint up the alley to make it back to my truck and I remind myself how damn lucky I am to have it back.
Officer Samuels had called during the week to let me know that the truck had been recovered during a raid and that I could go and pick it up, though, it does have a few scratches and dents but that is all covered under the insurance.
I pass some shady looking guy who looks like he is smelling a pair of panties. He scowls at me but I continue on my way. I’ve got places to be. Cole is going to kill me if I miss the fight, not to mention, I’d miss out on twenty grand and forfeit it to the other guy.
Not fucking happening.
A text comes through on my phone and I groan as I read it.
Jaxon – Dude, left your wallet on the bar.
Fuck. I consider telling him to leave it with Charli, but you never know when you’re going to need it and I’ve always made a habit of never going anywhere without it and besides, it’s brand new, I don’t want to lose another fucking wallet in less than a weeks’ time.
Xander – Shit. Be there is a sec.
I perform an illegal U-turn and park back in the spot I had been not two minutes ago. I dash back down the alley only to find Jaxon beating the ever-loving-shit out of the shady fucker with the panties. I rush forward to break it up when it all comes back to me. It’s the guy who tried to attack his girl here a while back. So rather than break it up, I let Jaxon at him.
It doesn’t take him long to take him out. I guess he has anger on his side but he almost looks startled to see me. I find my wallet laying on the floor and I dash forward.
“Dude,” I say, trying to pull him back to reality as the look in his eyes says that he could give this fucker another go. “Didn’t know you had it in you.” His head flies towards me, ready for another attack but realises quickly, it’s just me. “Everything good here?” I ask.
“Yeah, man,” he responds. “Just had a little misunderstanding is all.”
Little misunderstand, my ass. “Right,” I scoff, remembering the wallet at my feet. I pluck it up off the ground and give Jaxon a look. “Thanks for this.”
He gives me a slight nod and I take off up the alley again, hoping I haven’t wasted too much time. I get to the end when I hear noise back at the bar’s side exit. I turn back around, hoping the fucker hasn’t regained consciousness yet when I realise its shorty and some chick.
I roll my eyes, knowing exactly what is going on there. Fucking shorty. Such a ladies man. It will be interesting the day he finally finds some girl who can tame the wild beast.
Chapter 14
Xander
I pull up at the fight tonight and rush out of my car. The clock on my dash told me I still have a few minutes to s
pare but Cole is still going to kick my ass for cutting it this close.
I head around the back of the building to find Caden and Luke waiting for me. The moment they see me, matching looks of relief and anger come over their faces and I know they are dying to give me the ‘this isn’t good enough’ speech but we all know we don’t have time for that shit.
“Thank fuck,” Caden says as he practically claws at my arm to get me inside quicker. “That was too fucking close.”
“Don’t I know it,” I grunt. Kind of hating the way he pulls on my arms which send a shooting pain right down to my broken rib.
We rush down the hallway while Luke spurts out every last detail I should know about my opponent but I’ve seen the guy before. He is the kind who likes to go for the kill, so as annoying as it will be, I’ll have to fight with my weaker side so he doesn’t get an opening on my ribs.
I enter the fighter’s room and find Cole speaking with some official, trying his luck at delaying the fight but we all know the rules around here. If you’re not here at your scheduled time, you forfeit.
Cole clocks me the second I enter and a heavy scowl sets itself on his face. Yeah, I’m fucked.
He storms over to me, after telling the official not to worry. He pulls the tape out of his pocket and I tune him out while he begins wrapping my hands and adding extra tape to my ribs. My eyes connect with another fighter across the room and the guy gives me one hell of a nasty look but all I can do is smirk.
‘Pitt Bull’ is pretty much the favourite to take out the competition with me closely behind him and to be honest, the guy is bad news. He apparently got his name because that’s the way he fights. Like a fucking dog. I’ve watched his last few fights and the guy is brutal. Every single person he has fought so far has been rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He is nothing short of dirty but I’ll get my day with him and I’ll put the fucker right in his place. All I know, is that it’s going to be the hardest fight I’ll have to suffer through but on the other hand, if it’s the finals, it’s rumoured the winner is set to take home something like two hundred grand, so you can bet that I’ll be giving it my absolute all.
I snap back to reality to find Cole rushing through the taping job so I get a few minutes to warm up on Caden. He grunts and whines as I take him down instantly, but he doesn’t complain too much, after all, he knows I need it right now.
Two minutes later, the same official comes in and calls me to the ring. I hate being unprepared for a fight, but even with my injury and lack of warm up, I’m still pretty confident I can win this one. The guy I’m against is only 18 and a little too cocky for his own good. He usually wins by KO but so do I.
I have to admit, he is a strong contender but he still has a lot to learn about what his body can do, so maybe in a few years, I might see him in the professional circuit, that is, if the guy can keep himself out of trouble. Hell, I don’t know why someone as young as him would even be in the underground yet.
I step out into the arena with Cole and Luke heavy on my heels. Cole is still majorly pissed at me but its game time, so he shelves it for now. “Alright, kid,” he says as we wait for the announcer to call me into the ring. “The guy is shorter than you so remember to keep low, he isn’t good with footwork so keep him on his toes and remember he is going to be aiming for the ribs, thinking it’s an easy takedown, keep your left side forward and don’t let him in.”
I nod my head as I keep my mind focused on the fight ahead.
The announcer calls me in and I come out, music blares and the crowd screams for ‘The Widow Maker’. I strut around, putting on a show and doing my usual strip down for the ladies. I throw my black robe over to Cole which is when it gets serious.
The music dies down and I face my opponent who instantly looks down at the bandaging on my ribs. A smirk comes over the fuckers face and it’s damn obvious what his game plan is. The idiot. Everyone knows you don’t give away your secrets, no matter how obvious they are. Always leave them guessing which I guess he will have to learn the hard way. After all, he is only 18 and has a few years to learn all the tricks of the trade.
The fight gets started and just as expected, his first punch gets aimed right at my ribs. I turn away and use his momentum to grab his arm and flip the idiot onto his back. I stand back with a grin and watch as he scurries to his feet, figuring I may as well have a little fun with this one and teach him some of those lessons he truly deserves to know. I mean, I could have taken him out while he was down but apparently, the crowd enjoy a show.
He scowls at me, clearly pissed for having made a fool of him in front of a crowd this big. The anger radiates but it’s no secret that you don’t fight in anger, you fight with your mind in the game. Rookie error number three for the kid.
He comes at me with fists flying but I block each and every one which only manages to piss the kid off more. He pushes forward to try and get me in a headlock so he can single out my ribs but once again, all attempts fail when he tries to play with the big boys.
I land a few combinations, all of which he is to slow for but credit to the kid, he can take the hit. I see the moment he starts to get his head in the game and it turns into a decent fight for a little while but he wears out quickly. My blows have him backing up step by step and I start growing bored of this game of cat and mouse, so I put him out of his misery and take him down.
I push forward with a kick to the chest that his stumbling backward, quickly followed by a combination punch then a sweep which has him knocked to the ground. The kid would never have seen it coming with my speed but either way, he is down but not for long.
I flip him to his stomach and pull his arm behind his back and put him in a headlock. He struggles for a bit but knows he can’t get out of it. He can continue struggling all he wants but we all know if he waits too long, he is going to pass out so instead, he taps out, helping me to make the easiest money of my life.
I get to my feet and help the kid up two moments before the ref comes out to hold my hand up, declaring me the winner.
I strut out of the ring, pretty damn pleased with myself, wondering why the hell I didn’t get in the ring years ago. I would have been out from under my parents long ago. Hell, with the money I’m pulling in right now, I’ll be buying my own place pretty soon, though, I might wait to see just how far I make it in this competition before purchasing anything, after all, if I win the final, it will change what kind of place I’ll be buying or should I say, Charli and I will be buying.
The second I’m out of the ring, Cole is launching himself at me, along with Luke and Caden who all beam and boast about how great that was, though to tell the truth, it seemed too easy to boast about. When I get further into the competition and actually earn the win, then I’ll be happy to brag about it. Hell, beating this guy was almost easier than taking Caden down during the warm-up.
The guys lead me back out to the fighters room and put me through a cool down.
“See you later, kid,” Cole says as I pull my jeans back on and shove my fighting gear into my bag.
“Yeah, see you,” I say as I turn to the door.
“Don’t think I’ve forgiven you for being late,” he reminds me. “There will be hell to pay tomorrow during training.”
Great. I nod my head, I guess I deserve it.
I say goodbye to the boys and a few of the other fighters who I’ve gotten to know over the past few weeks and make my way out, dying to get home and fall asleep.
I’m nearly at my truck when I realise someone is leaning against the hood. What the fuck? Who would be waiting for me out here? As I get closer, I recognise the guy and my whole world comes crumbling around me.
Shit, game over.
Aaron leans against the side of my truck with his foot propped up on the tyre and his hands in his pockets looking as casual as ever but after being on the team with the guy since the beginning of the year, I know the pose isn’t casual at all, in fact, he is damn pissed. “Hey, man,�
� I cringe as I throw my gear in the back.
He doesn’t say a word, just looks at me with anger and betrayal pouring out of his eyes as he continues leaning against the truck. His head tilts slightly and I know he is ready. “You could have told us, we wouldn’t have said anything.”
“Seriously? You get why I can’t tell anyone about this, right? It’s the fucking Underground. It’s illegal. If anyone found out that you guys knew, you’d all be going down, right along with me,” I explain. “Each and every one of you can kiss your NHL dreams goodbye.”
“Really? That’s the explanation you’re going with?” he scoffs. “We’re not fucking idiots. No one would have said a word. Hell, we probably would have been here after the games, cheering you on, instead of getting fucked up at some ridiculous house party.”
“Sorry, man,” I grunt. “I’m prepared to risk my future, not the whole teams.”
He lets out a frustrated sigh. “Fuck,” he grunts as a hand comes up to scratch the back of his neck. “I don’t know whether to be fucking pissed at you or impressed with how fucking good you were,” he says.
“Yeah,” I grin, “I don’t suck.”
“A guy in there said you could win this thing?” he questions.
“Do you think I would be doing it if I didn’t think I could win?” I ask.
“Who fucking knows?” he snaps. “It’s not like you’ve allowed anyone to actually get to know you.”
Yeah, I deserved that. “And now you know why.” I sigh as a question pops into my head. “How the hell did you know I was here?”
He grins at the question and looks guilty as shit. “Dude, you're shady as shit. I was suspicious.”
The meaning hits me immediately. “You followed me from Micky’s?” I ask.
“Eh,” he shrugs. “I was curious. You keep disappearing saying you have things to do but seriously, what kind of normal person has shit to do in the middle of the night? Then you show up to training covered in bruises and it’s not like you were going to hand out answers to questions so really, you didn’t leave me a choice. It was like you were daring me to figure it out.”
Xander_Kings of Denver Page 11
