Chapter Nine
Mom: So much happened yesterday, we didn’t really get to talk before you left. Tell me everything.
Diesel: LOL! Kuba’s trainer will be here in a couple of hours. I’ll call you once Kuba is on the mat.
Mom: Oh, this must be good if you have to wait until he’s not around.
Diesel: Oh yeah.
Kuba: Why is this guy laughing and saying he used to be Steel’s number one guy until you came along and stole his job?
Diesel: Who? Timber?
Kuba: Is that his name?
Diesel: Yeah, and he’s not lying. He actually thanked me for giving him a break. LOL.
Kuba: Look how in-demand my sexy man is.
Diesel: *rolling eyes*
Diesel: I forgot my water on that table next to the couch.
Kuba: I’ll be back there in a minute. Since I need my man hydrated for the work he’s about to put in, I’ll grab it.
Kuba: Just joking. I would’ve gotten it anyhow.
Kuba: Not joking about that workout though. You should stretch.
Mom: I saw on the news that Kuba accepted another challenge from that Dread guy for the championship.
Diesel: Yeah. He’s doing interviews right now.
Mom: Shouldn’t you be watching him instead of your phone?
Diesel: HA! You would’ve called the police if I hadn’t answered your text. Don’t worry. He’s doing virtual interviews. Jayme says it’s a bit of a slight toward Dread—like he’s so unworried about the guy that he won’t even leave the house to talk about it.
Mom: Brutal. You always hear stories about how good of friends all these people are outside the cage. It doesn’t sound like it with this insider knowledge.
Diesel: Jayme says that’s true. Some of his best friends are people who’ve kicked his ass. Apparently, this is different. Both Jayme and Kuba hate Dread. No one ever says why, though.
Mom: Sad. Oh well. I hope Kuba kicks his ass.
Diesel: I’m pretty sure I’m in love with this guy. Please don’t say anything about how it’s only been five months.
Mom: SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
It just never got old watching Kuba train.
The closer time moved toward Kuba’s fight, the more focused he became.
Diesel didn’t spend quite as much time watching as he did in the first few months.
The sessions got longer, and something about Kuba hardened.
Diesel liked him a lot better once Kuba showered and got away from that headspace.
Kuba was totally himself when he left work behind.
Diesel didn’t let it get under his skin. He had a job to do as well.
Diesel walked around the warehouse perimeter.
He checked each camera to ensure it hadn’t been tampered with.
Diesel checked every possible entry point.
His gaze scanned every inch of the property, looking for the tiniest of details, even if was only nails scattered in the parking lot.
Diesel got the impression the twins must have been mollified by Kuba accepting Dread’s challenge.
Either that, or they knew they had gone too far and made themselves scarce.
No matter the reason, the two hadn’t popped up again.
Diesel wasn’t complaining. It was just odd.
Jayme poked his head out the door. “Hey there, mate. Can you take over for me? I just got the call. My sister is in labor.”
A smile exploded across Diesel’s face. “Hell yeah. Go hold that girl’s hand. I’ve got you covered.”
Jayme wore a huge grin and didn’t hesitate to run for his truck.
Diesel caught himself smiling. It seemed Jayme and his sister only had each other.
He had never seen a man more excited to be an uncle.
Diesel strolled inside and took off his shirt.
He already knew from the countless times he had worked with Kuba that the material wouldn’t last long before it would be soaked in sweat and hindering his motions.
Kuba smiled as Diesel approached. “Damn. He’s gone already, huh?”
“Ran for the car,” Diesel said with a laugh as he stepped onto the mat. He moved to retrieve the hit mitts Jayme had discarded in his rush.
Kuba waved him off. “Nah. We were finished with that. It’s time for holds.”
Diesel fought back a groan. This was nowhere near the first time he had worked with Kuba doing the actual fighting.
This part wasn’t about taking a hit. Diesel was strong.
He could absorb the blows through the padding.
Diesel was also quick, so he could block kicks with the mitts.
But resisting being pinned was a different matter.
Kuba had skills that Diesel could never match.
“I have no idea how this helps you when I’m so easy to take down. You definitely need someone at least somewhat equal to Dread.”
Kuba bounced on his toes. “Dread is easy to take down. Honestly, you’re tougher than he is.”
Diesel shot Kuba a disbelieving look. “You don’t have to flatter me. I still plan to help.”
Kuba shrugged, looking every bit as serious and determined as always when he worked.
“I’m not fluffing your ego. With Dread, you don’t want to get hit.
That’s why blocking is such a huge portion of my training.
That motherfucker hits like a semi. If he gets a solid one in, you’re out.
He will knock you all the way into next week, leaving you wondering where all the time in between went.
But if you can dodge his fists and get a grip on him, he’s down.
Can’t break a pin to save his damn life. You’re a lot harder to pin than he is.”
Okay. Diesel had said Kuba didn’t need to flatter him, but dang. His ego was kind of fluffed. Kuba was a real athlete—like, for real, for real. He was a champion for a reason. No one could beat him. It was kind of cool to think he didn’t make winning easy for Kuba.
They circled each other on the mat, eyeing each other. A heartbeat before Kuba pounced, a small smirk touched his lips.
Diesel easily avoided the move. “Oh my God. You have a tell.”
Kuba immediately froze. “The hell I do.”
Diesel tried hard not to smile. He wasn’t trying to be an asshole. Diesel was simply shocked he had caught that. “You do. Come on. Let’s do it again. Maybe it was a fluke.”
They got back into things. Again, the smallest of smirks and an easy dodge. “Seriously. You have a tell.”
Kuba looked angry and ready to fight for real. “I’m not fucking around here, D. This is my career.”
Diesel felt guilty, but he saw what he saw. “I’m sorry. This isn’t a joke.” He glanced around. There was a recording system set up just for Kuba to study his weaknesses and improve. Diesel motioned in that direction. “Let’s turn that thing on. We’ll try again and maybe I’m wrong.”
With a sharp nod, Kuba powered up the system and got things rolling. “Okay. Let’s test this.”
They didn’t waste time, and again he smirked. Diesel jumped backward. “Okay. I’m not fucking crazy. We have to slow this down and watch this.”
Side by side, Kuba opened the app on his phone and then mirrored the screen so they could study the clip on a large TV on the wall. They moved close.
Diesel looked so hard at the screen that his eyes nearly crossed. “There.” He leapt forward and pointed at the screen. “Right there.”
Kuba rewound in slow motion before moving forward in slower motion.
“What the fuck?” Kuba moved inches from the screen and continued to study the recording clip by clip.
“No. What the actual fuck?” He tossed his phone onto one of the leather recliners meant for viewing the screen.
“One more time. It’s still recording. Let’s do this. ”
They tried again. Same results. “Fuck me! This can’t be real.
If nothing else ever goes right in my life again, I can’t lose to Dread.
” The spite in Kuba’s words caught Diesel slightly off balance.
He knew the pair had some sort of crazy rivalry, but that was pure hatred Diesel heard in Kuba’s tone.
“Hey. Knock, knock. The door was unlocked, so I assume you’re in business.”
The smile that exploded across Kuba’s face as a tall guy strolled in was breathtaking. All signs of rage vanished. He met his visitor halfway. “Well, goddamn, Chipper. I haven’t seen you in ages. Happiness looks good on you. Where’s that sassy better half of yours?”
“Back at the hotel with the kids. We wore them out at zoo today. I figured while I was in town, I’d check in while they’re resting. We’re taking them to some artsy crap tonight.”
Kuba laughed. “Aren’t these twin boys under a year old?”
Chipper’s smile never faltered. “Yeah. Nine months. Baylor is pretty adamant about starting their love of creativity early.”
Kuba nodded along. “I can see that about Bay. Hey.” He motioned Diesel’s way. “This is my bodyguard, Diesel.” He quickly glanced Diesel’s way. “Diesel, this is Chipper. He retired as the light-heavyweight champion.”
Diesel stepped forward and shook Chipper’s hand. The guy looked like one of those guys everyone liked. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Chipper nodded. “You too.” He switched his gaze back and forth between them, as if it was important to him that no one felt left out.
“That’s one of the reasons I stopped by.
I heard some rumors Dread had pulled some shit that forced you to hire security.
” He eyed Diesel. “It looks like you hired someone who can handle himself.”
Diesel smiled.
Kuba nodded. “It’s mostly for show. Some of Dread’s little buddies thought it was cute to try to run my ass over while I was out jogging one day.
Dad got pissed and hired Diesel. Not that I’m complaining.
He’s awesome. In fact, he noticed…” Kuba paused and seemed to think it over before starting again.
“Since you’re here, maybe you could do me a favor and hit the mat with me.
D is pretty damn skilled at sparring, but there’s a theory I need to test that he can’t help me with.
I’m pretty sure it’s in his contract somewhere,” Kuba added with a laugh. “I can loan you something to wear.”
“Sure. I just need some shorts and I’m in.”