Like You

by Rachel Leigh

  “How’s your car running?” He turns his body and looks out to the road where my car sits. His car parked directly behind it.

  “Great. Why do you ask?”

  “Just wondering. Heard you had some problems with the starter.” His tone shifts abruptly, “Aright, I won’t keep you.” He turns and walks away, as I stand there unamused with the entire conversation that just took place.

  I close the door behind him, clicking the lock. Something I feel I should do more often.

  “Why was Mr. Jones here?” Knox comes out of nowhere.

  I look out the window and see Zeke climb in his car. Once he’s gone, I let my guard back down. “I have no idea. That was really awkward.” I plop down on the couch. “Is he always so friendly?”

  “Mr. Jones? Yeah, you need to stay away from him. I would have told you this before, but we’d never spoken more than two words in class, but he‘s—how do I put this? A douchebag.”

  “A douchebag? Come on, he can’t be that bad.”

  “It’s true. I mean he can be a nice guy, but what you see is not what you get.”

  “The other day at the pub, you two talked like you were close.”

  “I’m just a nice guy. What can I say?” he says, walking over to the table and grabbing a french fry, stuffing it into his mouth.

  “I don’t get it. He’s always been so inviting and kind.”

  Knox joins my side on the couch, placing a hand on my leg. “Because he wants an invitation,” his hand sneaks up my dress, “here.”

  “You’re crazy.” I push his hand away. “He doesn’t want me like that.”

  Knox’s expression turns serious. “If you really think that, then baby, you’re the crazy one. Every man, boy—hell, even girl, in that school has their eyes on you.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” I push myself off the couch. “Tell me about Zeke and his late wife. Is that why he’s a ‘douchebag?’” I quote with my fingers.

  “I’m pretty sure he was one before he and Axel’s mom started their affair. Some people think he was just after her money, but he played it well.”

  I pace the floor with my arms crossed over my chest. “If he has all this money now, why is he still teaching?”

  “He claims that he donated it to cancer research. He held a big charity gala here in town and announced his donation. Said he didn’t want a penny of her money.”

  At least it went to a good cause. I’ve always been a huge supporter and have thrown many charity events myself for the American Cancer Society. After I lost Mom, I wished I could do more but I couldn’t. Once I married Malcolm, I was able to.

  “You don’t believe it, though?”

  “I really don’t put much thought into it, it’s not my business.”

  “Wait a minute.” I stop in my tracks, “Do you think that Zeke is the one who fixed my car? It would make sense, he mentioned it breaking down.”

  Knox is on his feet and at my side in two seconds flat. “It’s very likely, and that’s all the more reason that I need you to stay away from him. He has his sights set on you, and he can be a charmer, I’ve seen him in action.”

  “Trust me, you don’t have to worry about that. He gave me the creeps today.” I rub my hands down my chilled arms.

  Once again, people are not at all as they seem.

  15

  Knox

  Axel’s been blowing up my phone for the past hour, so I finally give in and leave Claire alone in her bed. I didn’t want to, but he gave me a guilt trip from hell.

  I drive down the beaten path, just outside of town, taking it all the way to the end. A small pond sits off to the side of the warehouse. I drive right up to the front and shift it into park, leaving the windows down. The sun has set, but it’s still scorching hot. Peeling my sweaty legs off the suede fabric of the driver's seat, I get out, slamming the door behind me. I’m not too thrilled to be here right now. The last thing I want to do, in 100-degree weather, is go into a warehouse that only runs the air on Saturday nights.

  I walk to the back and punch in the code, before the door unlocks. At the same time, it pushes open, and a couple guys from school walk out.

  “Good luck with him, man. He’s in a mood,” Kyle says, holding the door for me.

  “When isn’t he in a mood?” I walk past them, as the door slowly shuts behind me.

  I make my way through the open entrance that is filled with old scrap metal and rusted out farm equipment from the early 1990’s. I reach the arena, as we call it, and push open the double doors. Axel is in the ring throwing punches at the boxing pads that Shane holds.

  Once the doors slam shut, their eyes shoot in my direction. Axel tears off his hand wrap and throws it forcefully on the mat.

  “It’s about fucking time,” he growls, stalking toward me in a rage.

  “Would you chill the fuck out,” I snap. I’m not in the mood for his bullshit right now. I just left the only person I want to spend my time with to deal with his dramatics.

  “I went by the pub, you weren’t there. Called you a dozen times, and no answer. You were scheduled to train with Shane two hours ago. No call, no show. What the hell has gotten into you?”

  “Maybe I just don’t give a fuck.” I casually shrug. It’s the truth. I don’t care about this place or these fights. I’m only doing it because I’m a man of my word. I could get out of this right now and lose nothing but his respect. I could also throw it in his face that I slept with her, and he will have no choice but to stand by bro code and back off, but I would never do that because I’m a man of my word. A promise I gave to Claire that I never intend to break.

  “It’s time to start.” He stretches the ropes and climbs through, jumping to where I stand. “We’re under new management.”

  “And I care, why?” I let out a drawn out exhale, shaking my head at the fact that he really does think I care about all of this.

  “Because your lineup has changed, and if you don’t train every single night this week, you will get your ass handed to you next Saturday.”

  “Wait a minute. What do you mean my lineup changed? I’m fighting that twig from LV.” I grit my teeth. “You said that it was solid when I agreed to this shit.”

  Axel throws his hands in the air. “It’s business. You roll with the punches.”

  “And, what the hell are you talking about new management. This isn’t a business. It’s a hobby.”

  “This right here,” he snatches up a folder that sits on the chair beside us, “made it a business.”

  I grab the folder from him and open it up. It holds some kind of contract. I flip through the pages and stop when I spot my name and a signature line beneath it. “What’s this?” I hold it up, pointing to my name on the page.

  “That’s your contract.” He grabs a pen from the same chair and sticks it out to me.

  “I’m not signing this shit.” I close the folder and toss it back to him. I sit down on the chair, my back slouched, and I throw my head back, running my fingers through my sweat soaked hair.

  “It’s everything we agreed on. Three fights and that's it. No hidden agenda.”

  I grab the folder back, opening it up to where I left off. Below my name are three dates and next to them are three names that I’ve never heard of. “This wasn’t agreed on. Who are these guys?”

  “No clue. I no longer set up the fights. Now, I can enjoy more of the action. Flip the page.” He nods at the folder.

  I turn the page and see his name, along with dates lined up all the way until the end of summer.

  “Dude, you’re gonna go brain dead if you stick to this.” His name is already signed, so I guess brain dead it is.

  “It’s what I live for.” He does a two-step and begins throwing punches into the air.

  “That's all great for you, but I prefer to keep my face intact.”

  “C’mon Knox, I need you to do this. Just your three and then you’re done.”

  “Why do you want me to fight so badly? There ar
e hundreds of guys in this town. Why me?”

  He doesn’t speak for a moment. The air feels heavy, as his expression changes. He grabs a chair and swings it around, sitting on it backwards. “You’re my boy. Have been since we were kids. I guess I just want some common ground. Something we can do together. I’m a fuck-up. College isn’t in the cards for me. This is the only thing I’m passionate about. It’s all I have left.” He hangs his head down over his arms that grip the back of the chair.

  Damn him for putting me in this position. Axel is a fucking asshole. He’s cold-hearted and ruthless, but he’s my boy, and I’d do just about anything for him. He’s had it rough, and I know that he truly feels like this is all he has, even though I know better. He could have a good future if he’d let himself. Sometimes, I think he doesn’t strive for more, because he’s afraid it’ll be ripped away from him.

  I grab the folder and open it up. “Gimme me the damn pen.” His head pops up, and he hands it to me with hopeful eyes. I take a deep breath then press the ink to the page and sign the next few weeks of my life away. Hoping like hell that I didn’t just make a big mistake, that I didn’t just destroy my future, so that I can entertain his dreams.

  I stick the pen inside the folder and toss it at him. “I guess we better get started.” I tear my shirt off and throw it down on the chair.

  “Hell yes.” He beams.

  Two hours later, we call it a night. I’m sweaty, hungry, and exhausted.

  “I’m gonna stick around a little bit. Back at it right after school tomorrow,” Axel says, as he wipes a towel across his forehead.

  I grab a water from the cooler on the floor and slam half the bottle. “Ya know, I still have a job a couple days a week. You’re gonna have to deal with that.”

  “I know. We’ll arrange your sessions around your schedule, either before or after work.”

  I let out a sarcastic laugh, shaking my head at the same time. “You’re turning into a damn robot, Axel. I hope you get this all out of your system soon.”

  “It’s not just in my system, it’s in my blood.”

  “This new management you were talking about, who is it? Shane?” I ask, pulling my t-shirt over my head.

  “It’s a guy named Nick Rooney. The dude is fucking loaded and plans to turn this place into something huge.”

  “So you sold it, just like that? I thought this place was your lifeline.”

  “Hell no, I didn’t sell it. We went into a 50/50 partnership. I allow the use of my building, and we split the profits. He has plans to invest some of his own money and start charging per head. He handles all the behind the scenes aspects, and I handle the face-to-face stuff.” He tilts his head toward the door. “C’mon, I’ll walk ya out. I need some air.”

  We walk out the double doors, toward the main entrance. Something seems a little fishy here.” We reach my Jeep and I lean against the driver’s door with my arms crossed over my sweat infused shirt. “So, why did the lineup change? What’s wrong with the way you had it?”

  He shrugs. “That was just one of his requirements in the contract. He picks the lineup. I give him the names and stats, and he sets it up.”

  “Sounds like he’s planning to fix the fights. You better think long and hard about what you’re doing here. If I get killed out there, all because you want to have a common ground with your best friend, you have to live with that.” I poke my finger into his chest.

  “Dude, I told you, I’ve got this.” He thinks it’s funny, but nothing about this is a game.

  This started off as a little weekend fun, and it’s turned in to so much more. I just need to get my three Saturdays out of the way and be done with this shit, once and for all.

  “So, how’s things going with Ms. Hyland?” I know the answer, but I just need to see where his head’s at.

  “I’m working on it. I’ve got a solid plan that’s gonna take me straight to the win.”

  My eyes shoot up from the concrete parking lot. “What’s that supposed to mean?” The question comes off as defensive.

  “It means that my best buddy here,” he swings his arm around my neck, “lives right next door to her, and he’s gonna help me out by letting me stay the night this weekend.”

  “Not happening.” I push his arm off me.

  “Come on. I haven’t had any time. When I’m not at school, I’m here. She won’t even look at me in class. I’m pretty sure the bitch hates me.”

  That’s all it takes for me to have him by the collar of his Burberry t-shirt, gripping it in my fists and swinging him around and slamming him into my Jeep. I snap. “What the hell did you just say?”

  “What the fuck, man?” He plants his hands to my chest and gives me a shove. I take a few steps back but bring him with me. I stumble over my feet as I try to catch my balance, and we both fall to the ground.

  I’m on top of him with his shirt still in my fists. “Don’t ever talk about her like that again,” I grit through my teeth.

  “It was a joke. Chill.” He pushes me off, but I’m still fueling from the rage he set off inside me. I couldn’t control it; I couldn’t control myself.

  I get to my feet and don’t even wait for an explanation or attempt to give one. I swing the door open and get in. Axel throws his hands in the air. “Dude.” I hear him shout, as I turn the ignition, my gaze held on his and my jaw ticking. I shift into drive and burn out, not even looking back. He may be my best friend, but he’s got another thing coming if he thinks that he’s going to disrespect Claire, or God forbid, try and touch her. I smack my hand to the steering wheel. The thought makes my blood boil. I know Axel, and losing isn’t in his vocabulary. He will fight like hell for this win, but there is no way in hell I’d ever let it get that far.

  16

  Claire

  “Tell me more.” Knox’s fingers trace my bareback, as we lie in bed, my arms folding under my head and my face turned to the wall. I don’t want him to see my face when I feed him lie after lie.

  There is some truth being shared, but questions of my past have been answered with vague lies.

  “My mom passed away when I was a teenager. My dad became even more bitter and cold, if that’s possible.” Truth.

  “Do you see your family much?” He brushes my hair from my back, and his fingers stroke my arm.

  “We keep in touch, but since I moved, I haven’t had a chance to see them much.” Lie.

  I don’t have any family, as far as I’m concerned. I heard through the grapevine that dad remarried and got the daughters and wife he’s always dreamed of. I often wonder how he treats them. They stick around, so I imagine they have the life that mom and I didn’t.

  I had a cousin who I was close to growing up, but once I moved to California, I lost touch with her. I haven’t spoken a word to any blood relatives since the day I met Malcolm.

  “Your turn.” I flip over, gripping the white sheet and pulling it up over my chest. “What’s your story?”

  His head rests on his fist, held up by his elbow that’s pressing into the pillow. He looks over me with wonder in his eyes. For the first time in forever, someone wants to know me, and all I can give him are half-truths.

  “I don’t have much to tell. My dad left when I was a kid, had an affair with Blakely’s mom. I haven’t talked to him since. He’s tried reaching out, but I have no desire to speak to him.”

  “Oh, that’s awful. I’m glad you two remained friends after all that.”

  Strong hands reach around me, as fingers lock behind my back and I’m pulled on top of him. Lying flat on my stomach, the sheet left behind.

  “Enough about the past. Tell me about your future.” He tucks my hair behind my ears and looks into my eyes with longing.

  “It’s unpredictable.” Another truth.

  “Come on, you have to have some dreams for the future.”

  I have so many dreams. So much that I want. My dreams are just so far out of reach that I’m not sure it’s even worth having them anymore.


  “Ok, here it is. I want to settle down in a small town, possibly a place like Redwood. I want to get married one day, have two or three kids. Maybe have a studio like the one Blakely has.”

  Something about sharing that dream, one that I’ve never shared with anyone, has him grinning from ear to ear. “Why are you smiling?” I swat his shoulder playfully.

  “I don’t know,” he says with blushed cheeks, “I guess I just like that dream.”

  “What about your future. What’s it look like?” I rest my head on his chest, enjoying the safety and comfort of his arms wrapped around me.

  “I’m leaving for UCLA shortly after graduation. Getting an apartment with a couple buddies and doing the four-year thing.”

  “What comes next?” Part of me is searching for a similarity in our future. Not that we’d ever have one together, but I can pretend for a short while.

  “I think I wanna be a teacher. I know, I know, crazy, huh? Of all the professions, why a teacher? But I like the high school atmosphere and the idea of using my knowledge to better someone’s future excites me.”

  “That’s not crazy at all.” I lift my head and press my lips to his. “I think teaching would be a perfect fit for you.”

  Knox is unlike any man I’ve met. His heart is so pure, his intentions admirable. He has goals and dreams that do not need to be fulfilled at the expense of others' pain.

  “Do you plan to teach in Redwood?”

  “I think so. This is home. I always knew I’d leave one day, but coming back has always been the plan. Maybe I’ll get married, have two or three kids. Live the American Dream.”

  “I like that dream.” I thought hearing his plans for the future would give me hope; instead, I find them filling me with sadness.

  This is all fresh and new. It’s crazy to even think of a future with Knox. It’s impossible, really. There is just something about him that draws me in, though. It’s like our souls are connected, and he is ready to accept me for me. The good, the bad, and the ugly.