Takedown

by Nikki Ash

  “That guy was fucking weird!”

  “Don’t curse! There are kids around here,” she fires back.

  “Cursing will be the least of your concerns when he kills you in your sleep!” I scream back. “Or worse, when you lose your house because he’s using his deadbolt locked room to make and sell drugs!”

  “You’ve been watching too many movies! This is LA, not Mexico!”

  “You are so naïve, just like my mother! Put your damn son first!” I shout, and when Mila’s mouth closes, I realize what I said. “Whatever,” I say, trying to backtrack. “It’s not my business.”

  “Are you saying I’m not putting my son first?” Mila glares at me but it’s tampered down by the glossiness in her eyes—the glossiness from the tears building.

  “No, I’m just saying…” I take a deep breath. “I’m just saying, you shouldn’t move some stranger in here with only you and Alec living here.” I notice Charlie and Tristan, who must’ve been standing in the dining room, join us in the living room. I hate talking about my past but if I don’t explain where I’m coming from, she’s not going to understand why I’m acting this way. “My mom allowed a man to run a meth lab in our basement when I was growing up,” I admit. “It’s one of the reasons she went to jail, and I went into foster care. I just don’t want to see that happen to you…to Alec.”

  “Okay,” Mila says, her voice lower than before but now filled with desperation, “but I need a roommate. In order to put Alec first, I have to keep paying my mortgage.”

  “I’ll move in with you.” Mila’s eyes widen. “I can afford the rent, and I’m looking for a place to live. I’ve put it off and I only have a couple weeks to find a place.”

  “There’s no way you think that would be a good idea,” she scoffs.

  “Why not? I don’t touch moms, and you’re a mom. Alec likes me, and I’m almost never home. I’m always training.”

  “And how would that work? Bringing women over?” Mila flinches when she says the word women.

  “I wouldn’t. I haven’t brought a woman to Tristan’s and my place in months.” I turn to Tristan for him to back me up.

  “That’s true,” he admits. “Once Lexi caught one of the women the morning after and drew her a pretty picture of a fish, he stopped.”

  “Not helping,” I say under my breath, and Tristan laughs.

  “I, for one, think this is a great idea!” Charlie claps her hands together. “And you should totally charge him double! He can afford it.” She giggles, and I shake my head.

  Mila’s face contorts into a look of confusion. “I don’t think this is a good idea…but I do need a roommate… okay, how about we do it temporarily, just until I find a female roommate?”

  “Whatever you want.” I shrug.

  “Yay!” Charlie screeches. “Tristan! Our two best friends are going to be living together!” She jumps up and down like a crazy person before she hugs us both, appearing to be the most excited for this out of all of us. And then it hits me…I just offered to live with Mila Sterling. I was just supposed to invite her and her son to UFC Fight Night, not invite myself to move in. And then I remember I didn’t even get around to inviting them. Well, I guess I’ll have plenty of time to bring it up since I’ll be living here soon. Fuck.

  “Bro, the bill at the steakhouse was a buck twenty but I’m telling you, it was well worth it. Staring at those fucking tits and dick-sucking lips all night. Fuuuuck!” Isaac groans dramatically, and I roll my eyes at having to listen to this fucker brag about another woman he’s after. I step out of the shower and get dressed.

  “Did you even get laid?” Simon, another fighter and Isaac’s friend, asks.

  “Not yet. She’s playing hard to get but we have a date for this weekend. Her ex is taking the kid to a movie or some shit.”

  “You know she’s friends with Tristan’s fiancée, right?” Simon says, and the pieces all come together. This fucker is talking about Mila. I haven’t seen her in the last couple weeks. I’ve been busy as hell between training and packing. Tristan and Charlie have been busy with the gym and paint studio, and on top of that, planning their wedding. None of us have hung out since I offered to move in with Mila. I’ve seen her in passing when she drops Alec off at class but we haven’t really spoken.

  I have, however, spoken to her through messenger on Plenty of Fish…that is until the other night when she said she had another date. Usually, she will message me during them, but now that I’m thinking about it, she didn’t message me this time.

  “She’s a grown woman. Whoever she chooses to fuck…or suck is her business.” Isaac laughs, and I hear the locker slam shut.

  Pulling my sweats on, I stalk out of the shower area and into the locker room, making myself known. “She might be a grown woman,” I exclaim, shoving Isaac against the locker, “but if you fuck with her, I will fuck you up.”

  Isaac looks shocked at first, but he quickly composes himself. “What I do with Mila is my business.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” I shove him harder against the locker. “In less than a week, I’ll be living with her, which makes her and her son my business. So watch your fucking mouth and watch yourself.” I slam him one last time for good measure before I let him go. Grabbing my shit, I stalk out of the gym to find Mila. When I get to the paint studio next door, Charlie is teaching a painting class to a bunch of little kids but I don’t spot Mila. I look at my phone and see it’s a few minutes after four. She just got off work.

  I go to shoot her a text but realize I don’t know her number. Pulling up the dating app, I send her a message.

  GetHooked: How did your date go? No messages during it…is that a good sign?

  She responds right away.

  Looking4Love: It went good! He took me to dinner and was a complete gentleman. Sorry I haven’t messaged you. My best friend/roommate is moving out this weekend and I have another date with the guy. Plus, I got a new job, better hours, but I’m still learning the ropes. Any luck for you meeting anyone?

  What the hell…so, either Isaac is playing her or he’s bragging to his friend to make himself sound cool…either way he’s in the wrong, but can I say something to her without looking like a jealous asshole? No, I need to keep my mouth shut and keep an eye on the situation. Maybe I can mention it to Tristan and he can tell her…

  Eleven

  Mila

  “If you need anything, please let me know.” I came home from work to find all of Charlie and Georgia’s stuff moved out, and Mason’s stuff moved in. I felt bad that I couldn’t help them move, but with my job being so new and the fact that I’m already taking off a couple days for the wedding next week, I couldn’t take off today as well. Plus, Fridays are always crazy busy.

  Alec was ecstatic when he learned Mason would be living with us. When I dropped him off at Gavin’s place after work, he was pouting and begging to stay home but it’s his father’s weekend. Plus, I have a date tonight with Isaac from the gym and tomorrow night is the bachelor-slash-bachelorette party, so Alec needs to stay with his dad. He’ll have plenty of time to hang out with Mason once he comes home.

  “Thanks, Mila,” Mason says as I turn to head back downstairs.

  Before I make it out of his doorway, I stop and turn around. “I’m going out tonight. We don’t have to tell each other, right?”

  “No, we don’t have to tell each other.” Mason chuckles. He’s lounging on his bed, on his phone. His legs are bent and his feet are planted on the mattress. He’s sporting a white Henley and navy blue sweatpants, and I have no clue how I’m going to live with this sexy as sin man. I need to start looking for a female roommate as soon as possible.

  “Okay, cool. Well…I have a date tonight, so I better go get ready. He should be here soon.” I scamper out of his room and down the stairs to mine to jump in the shower. Once I’m out, I blow-dry my hair straight, apply some makeup, and get dressed in a cute teal maxi dress.

  Just as I’m putting on my heels
, there’s a knock on the door, and before I can get my other heel on, I hear Mason yell, “I got it.”

  “It’s my date,” I yell back thinking he’s upstairs. I grab my cell phone and purse and head down the hall toward the door, but once I make it out to the living room, Mason already has the door open. He must’ve been downstairs.

  His muscular arms are up high, his hands latching onto the top of the door frame. His body blocking the doorway, so I can’t see who’s there.

  “Mason, who is it?” I walk toward the front door and he moves a tad to the left. Isaac is standing outside on the front porch, his hands in his jean pockets. He’s smirking with one brow raised. “Oh! Hey Isaac.” I push past Mason and step outside.

  “Mila.” Isaac curls his arm around my waist and pulls me into his side, planting a kiss on my lips. I pull back in shock, and that’s when I see the smirk he’s sporting is aimed at Mason. I turn around, and if looks could kill, Isaac would be a dead man. I have no idea what’s going on with these two, but it’s getting awkward.

  “Ready?” I squeak out, and Isaac nods in agreement.

  “Mila, wait.” Mason approaches me. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

  “We’re late,” Isaac answers for me, ushering me away.

  “Can we talk when I get home?”

  Mason’s jaw ticks, his hands fisting at his side. It’s obvious these two don’t get along. “Yep.”

  “Okay.” I give him a small smile before heading down the sidewalk with Isaac.

  We’ve finished dinner and are waiting for the check, and I’m ready to go home. Maybe it’s the way Mason glared at Isaac, or the way Isaac smirked almost cockily at Mason, but it tainted the entire evening. Every comment Isaac makes, I wonder what he’s thinking, what his motives are. Mason doesn’t get mad, like ever. Even when he’s fighting, he views it as one big game. He laughs and smiles, and it pisses his opponent off. So, for him to be mad at Isaac, something is up.

  My phone buzzes in my purse, and I pull it out to check it. It’s GetHooked. I feel myself grin. I’ve considered asking him for his name, but I kind of like the anonymity of us keeping our names out of it. He’s sweet and funny, and he’s become like a friend to me. I’ve thought about asking him out or hinting for him to ask me out, but I figure if he wanted to go out with me, he would ask.

  GetHooked: How are you?

  Just as I’m about to message him back, my phone vibrates with a text message.

  Unknown: You’re going to be pissed but I don’t care. I got your number from Charlie. This is Mason. Please let me know you’re okay. Isaac is an asshole and only wants to have sex with you.

  All the blood rushes downward, and I immediately feel lightheaded. My heart begins to pound so forcefully, it vibrates throughout my body. I glance up at Isaac who is paying the bill and can feel my hands getting clammy. There’s no way Mason would text me this without having reason to believe what he’s saying is true.

  “You ready to go?” Isaac asks, standing up.

  “Yes.” I type out a quick message to Mason to let him know I’m fine, then I shove my phone back into my purse.

  When we’re in Isaac’s car and he’s driving, I say, “I’m not feeling well. I know it’s early, but would it be okay to call it a night?” I’ve taken my phone out of my purse and have it in my lap. I’m not sure why but something doesn’t feel right.

  Isaac glances toward me then pulls over on the side of the empty road. I glance around and notice we aren’t in the city. There are no street lights or cars. I have no clue where we are. I’m thinking somewhere near South LA, but I’ve never been in this area before. I should’ve paid attention.

  “Are you really not feeling well, or are you messaging with Mason?”

  My jaw drops in shock. “I’m not feeling well…and even if I was messaging with Mason, what does it matter?”

  Isaac puts the car in park and turns toward me. “The guy has a problem with me for no reason.” He places his hand on my thigh, rubbing his palm up and down my flesh, sending chills up my spine, and not in a good way.

  “I don’t know what’s going on with you and Mason, but can you please take me home?”

  He leans in to kiss me, his fingers now digging into my skin. I back up and move his hand off me. “Please take me home.”

  My phone vibrates, and Isaac glares down at it. I go to grab it but he snatches it out of my lap first. “Are you fucking serious?” he booms and I jump. “He’s texting you and filling your head with bullshit!”

  “No.” I shake my head emphatically.

  “Don’t fucking lie to me, Mila! I can read! He wants to know if you’re still okay!” He throws the phone back at me. “Why the fuck are you texting with him while you’re on a date with me? Are you fucking him too?”

  “Too?” I blurt out before I can stop myself. “I’m not having sex with you.”

  “You would’ve been if that fucker wouldn’t have filled your head with whatever shit he’s spewing.”

  “Isaac,” I say his name slowly and carefully, “can you please take me home? I’m not looking to have sex with you or anyone.”

  “How about you get the fuck out of my car and text fuckboy to take you home? I should’ve known better. All that playing hard to get…you’re just a fucking cock-tease.” He reaches over me and pulls the handle on the door, swinging it open.

  “Are you serious?” My eyes dart from the open door to Isaac. “You’re going to leave me here? By myself?”

  “I’ve gone two weekends without getting laid thinking you would put out. Fuck this shit. Go call your fuckboy.” His brows raise and I’m not sure if I should demand for him to bring me home or if I should get out. My decision is made when he adds, “Or you can come back to my place to fuck?”

  I stumble out of the car, and before I’m barely all the way out, he yanks the door closed and takes off, peeling out and leaving me alone. Not wanting to look like a hooker on a street corner, I pull my google maps app up to see where I am so I can start walking in a direction while I call for a Lyft. Google maps says I’m only ten miles from my house. I see a corner store up ahead so I walk there, get their address and put in a request for a car. It says it will be an hour! Of course.

  My phone vibrates, and it’s Mason again. Instead of texting him back, I call him and he answers on the first ring. “What’s wrong?”

  “Long story short, Isaac left me on the side of the road when he saw your text to me. I’m at a quickie mart, and the Lyft will take an hour to get me.”

  “Send me your current location, and I’ll be right there.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Do it while we’re on the phone. We’re not getting off the phone until I pick you up, and wait inside the store. It’s safer than outside.”

  I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you,” I say again.

  About five minutes later, Mason’s BMW comes into view. He pulls into the parking lot, and I jet out of the store and into his car. The ride back home is silent, but Mason’s body—stiff and rigid—speaks volumes. He’s pissed. When we get home and inside, I stop him as he reaches the first stair. “I should’ve listened to you.”

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  “You tried to…before we left for dinner.”

  Mason cuts across the room until he’s less than a foot away from me. “I should’ve stopped the date. He was talking shit in the locker room, and I warned him. I’m sorry, Mila.” His beautiful lips are turned down into a frown. He moves a wayward hair out of my face, and I think maybe he’s going to kiss me. My stomach tightens, those crazy butterflies making an appearance just from his touch alone. “I’ll make sure he regrets what he did tonight.” He turns his back on me and stalks up the stairs, leaving me speechless and confused.

  When I get to my room, I consider going upstairs to talk to Mason, but decide to give him his space. Instead I message GetHooked.

  Looking4Love: Hey

  A minute later, the circle lights up an
d he responds.

  GetHooked: Hey

  Looking4Love: I’ve had the worst night. Tell me something funny.

  A few long minutes later, I see him typing.

  GetHooked: When people go underwater in movies, I like to hold my breath and see if I would’ve survived that situation. I almost died in Finding Nemo.

  I let out a snort and then giggle as I imagine him holding his breath, only it’s hard to do because I don’t know what he looks like.

  Looking4Love: Ha ha.

  GetHooked: Knock Knock

  Looking4Love: Who’s there?

  GetHooked: Ivana

  Looking4Love: Ivana who?

  GetHooked: Ivana do nasty things to you.

  Looking4Love: You are so cheesy! Those aren’t even funny!

  GetHooked: Did you laugh?

  Looking4Love: Yes

  GetHooked: Then it worked.

  And he’s right. With only a couple cheesy jokes, he turned my mood completely around.

  GetHooked: What’s wrong?

  I tell him everything, just like I always do these days, about my date and how he called me a cock-tease. I tell him about Mason trying to warn me and then coming to get me. He, of course, tells me it’s not my fault. Eventually our conversation steers away from my horrible date and into easy waters. And like most nights, I fall asleep while messaging him, wishing for the courage to one day ask him if he wants to meet. Hoping one day he’ll ask me to meet him. Wondering if maybe it’s for the best we never meet. The way my life is going, we would meet and whatever this is between us would be ruined, and that would just suck.

  Twelve

  Mason

  I should’ve stopped her from going out with that motherfucker! I should’ve insisted she not go. I should’ve told her what he said. But I didn’t do any of the above. Just another example of why I’m not in a place to be with someone. I could’ve saved her from ever being in that shitty situation but I dropped the ball. A better man would’ve prevented it from happening. He would’ve taken care of her before anything happened. She could’ve been raped or killed!