Chapter Eighteen
I’m walking on air for the next few days. As much as I wanted to take things further with Joey in his gym the other day, I’m glad we didn’t. And I’ll forever be grateful for the gentle way he treated me. For knowing without me having to ask that I needed a moment to recover from the intensity of that climax.
Sitting on his lap, safe in his arms, I’ve never felt more at home. A thought that scared me, but then I’d felt the hardness of his dick against my leg, even though he was trying to hold me so that it wasn’t touching me.
His restraint was amazing. Not that it would have bothered me had he taken it further. I felt bad after I left his apartment that he hadn’t got off. Although he disappeared into his room for a shower too, and I couldn’t help but imagine what he was doing in there.
We’ve been for two runs since that day, but not been back to his gym yet. He’s come over to Manhattan for it too, saying he has to head straight to Sam’s as his training ramps up.
Every time, he’s kissed me, holding me like I’m something precious, making me feel amazing. Then he turns into the other Joey and watches me to make sure I’m stretching before we start our run.
I have two nights off, and I’d hoped we could go out on at least one of them, but he is meeting his trainer this evening, so instead I agreed to go to McAllister’s with Brooke and Jenna. I like it here. Jenna’s Godfather owns it and he doesn’t stand for any nonsense in his bar. He has a lot of regulars. It never gets over packed or rowdy. There is always a safe, welcoming atmosphere here.
And whether they realize it or not, Jenna and Brooke always make sure they keep close and divert any unwanted attention. Even if Brooke was in a flirty mood, she would never bring anyone over to our table and interrupt girl time.
I have seen little of Jenna over the last month, but she calls and texts. Brooke assures me it’s because she is so busy with work, having had a lot of time off with the tour and her recovery. With Adam being back from his tour, she’s spending a lot of time with him.
“He wants me to move into his place with him,” she says now, sipping on the cocktail one of Lou’s bartenders made for us. Lou stared at Brooke like she was nuts when she asked why there weren’t cocktails on the menu before the bartender stepped in and said he could do them for us.
“Move in? With a boy?” Brooke’s eyes widen comically, making Jenna roll her eyes.
“Are you going to?” I ask.
Jenna mulls it over, frowning into her glass.
“If you have to think about it that hard, it means you don’t want to,” Brooke says.
Jenna scowls. “No, it doesn’t.”
Brooke arches that brow of hers that says she expects you to be honest and do it quickly. No one can hide from that brow arch.
“I’m… scared.”
“Of what?” I ask. Jenna isn’t scared of anything. Hell, she fought my ex, inflicted some serious damage on him before… I shake that off again.
“It’s like… Huge.”
“We’re talking about moving in, not his appendage.”
“Oh my God,” Jenna bursts out laughing and slaps Brooke’s forearm.
“Think of the added benefit of rolling over every morning and hopping on that thing to your heart’s content. You should count yourself lucky.”
Jenna rolls her eyes. “Convenient dick aside, it’s a big step.”
“You know I’m all for independence and not needing a man and all that jazz,” Brooke waves a hand. “But he moved to New York for you. And, I’ll admit, that is sweet and shit. You know, he’s okay, even if he is overbearing, and he’s always there . But that is nice for you… Right?”
“Don’t strain yourself,” Jenna deadpans and Brooke just shrugs.
I’ve not known her long, but she’s never been in a relationship all that time. She dates a lot. Which I think is great. She’s young, beautiful, a successful woman in her own right. Plus, she has a thing for winding Adam up about how much more Jenna loves her than him. We all know she likes Adam for Jenna. All she wants is for her best friend to be happy. It’s as plain as the nose on Jenna’s face that Adam makes her happy.
“How about this? You move some stuff in, spend more time there, but hold on to your place?”
“That won’t upset him?” I ask.
“Why should it, it’s insurance?”
“It comes across like I’m not ready to move in," Jenna frowns.
“And?”
“Brooke…”
“Girl, I don’t even know why you’re asking us. You want to move in with his annoying ass? Just admit it, be a big girl. ”
“Shut up,” she laughs. Then her face sobers. “I do. I mean. Who would have thought that a world famous rockstar would want me?”
“Bullshit, he should be so lucky you want him.”
“That aside,” Jenna goes on as if Brooke didn’t interrupt. “I love him. So much. And it would be amazing to take that next step.”
“Sounds to me like you want to.”
Jenna looks my way. I reach over and squeeze her hand. She’s never lived with a guy and I get that it’s scary. I still remember how scared but excited I was when I moved in with Michael.
He owned his house, so it made sense for me to move in with him. I know now it was another way for him to take control of me. Without him and the security of his home, I would have nowhere to go.
My grandparents had moved into a much smaller place after I moved out. There wasn’t anywhere for me to stay, short of sleeping on their couch. Michael knew that all along.
Adam isn’t like that. He wants Jenna to move in so he can be close to her, not because he wants to take away her independence.
“I do,” she smiles. “But maybe it is a good idea to hold on to my place. The lease isn’t up for another six months. I can afford to keep paying the rent.”
“Or you could sub-let it,” Brooke suggests.
They talk some more about the logistics of that, plus the pros of moving into Adam’s mega mansion apartment on Park Avenue. By the end of it, Jenna is excited to let him know she wants to move in. He’ll be ecstatic.
I offer to go to the bar and grab more drinks for us. Lou makes sure we’re kept supplied, but the bar is surprisingly busy. As I wait to be served, I glance up at the TV on the wall behind the bar. I’m shocked to see Joey’s face. It’s not live. It’s an old fight that they’re showing a clip of .
My heart pounds as I watch him fighting. His face is so different from how I’m used to seeing it. It’s not rage though, it’s determination, focus. He wants to win. I’m surprised by my reaction. I would have thought it would freak me out, that I’d shy away from watching something like this, but I’m mesmerized by the way he moves.
For such a violent sport, he moves with grace but immense power. It’s obvious he is getting the better of his opponent, and I find myself wanting to see him win.
There is no sound, but when the referee steps in it's clearly the end of the round. The camera pans to Joey’s opponent and I suck in a breath. It’s Kelvin Marris. The man from the charity event we went to. My blood runs cold as the news report switches from the fight footage to Kelvin standing with microphones in his face.
He’s grinning around at everyone, not because he’s happy, because of the attention. It’s written all over his face that he wants to be adored. I don’t know what he is saying, but another picture of Joey flashes up on the screen and information about the upcoming fight.
That whole thing has slipped my mind. I’ve been so caught up in my own feelings and my training with Joey that I’ve forgotten this is on the horizon for him. He doesn’t talk about it with me, not once has he mentioned this asshole, even after what I did at the event.
My eyes lift back to the screen. It’s zoomed right up into Marris’ face and he’s glaring into the camera. There doesn’t need to be any sound for me to hear what he is saying. Reading his lips as he lifts a finger and points it straight down the lens. I know exactly who this message is for.
“I will win.”
“Hey.”
My eyes drop from the TV to the bartender, and I get the feeling he’s been trying to get my attention for a while. I apologize and put in our order. He says he will bring it over. The bar has quietened down while I’ve been watching the TV.
I head back to the table and let the girls know we’re getting table service. The conversation has turned from Jenna’s impending move to Elsa, a friend of Jenna’s from LA, who is coming out to visit them while on a job in New York.
We’ve not met, but I’ve been a part of the group chat where she has been involved. She seems fun and I’m excited to meet her. I do my best to appear as though I’m not distracted, but I can’t stop thinking about that asshole Joey is scheduled to fight.
When Jenna excuses herself to the bathroom, Brooke eyeballs me.
“What?”
I’ve not told her anything about what Joey and I did the other day. It’s private. I want to hold on to that a little longer before spilling the beans.
“You came back from the bar looking like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. What happened? Do I need to go kick someone’s ass?”
“No,” I laugh, breaking me out of the tension that gripped my shoulders. Brooke would too. As would Jenna. And Lou. My heart warms at the thought of so many people wanting to protect me now. “I’m just a little worried about Joey.”
“Oh,” she slides closer to me.
“He has a fight coming up. It’s with some asshole he has already fought. He’s mouthing off about beating him this time around.”
“You think he can?”
“Beat Joey? Not a chance.”
“Good, then don’t worry. Joey is a professional fighter, and the current champ, he’s got this.”
“Probably.”
“When is the fight?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t asked. ”
Brooke tilts her head. “Do you think you would want to watch it?”
“I’m not sure I could,” I answer. Although I stood at the bar in a trance watching the clip of the fight. Not once did I feel scared or ill. It’s not the same thing as what I went through. Two men in a controlled environment, with people who will stop it if it goes too far, medical professionals.
Watching that in real life? I don’t know…
“Well, if it’s in New York and you want to go, I wouldn’t mind seeing it. I’ll be more than happy to tag along.”
Take me, she means, but Brooke would never come right out and say that. I don’t feel babied by my new friends, I feel supported. Which is why I would hate the thought of ever not having them in life now.
“I’ll find out. And… maybe think about it.”
I’m not sure Joey would want me there. Plus, I kind of riled up his opponent. Would it make it worse if he saw me there? I wouldn’t want to make life difficult for Joey.
Jenna comes rushing back to the table, her eyes wide and panicked.
Brooke jumps up and I rise slowly.
“What’s wrong?” Brooke asks.
“That was Nick,” she squeezes her cell phone. The panic quickly gives way to something else. “Adam just fell off an amp and cracked his head. He’s on his way to the hospital.”
“Oh my God, is he alright?” I ask, stepping closer and putting a hand on Jenna’s arm.
“Nick said he has a concussion, and he’s damaged his wrist, but he’s okay. Nick also said he was being stupid climbing up to show off. I need to go,” she grabs her coat. “I’m gonna kick his ass.”
I can’t help the chuckle and Brooke gives me a knowing look as she smirks. Jenna is upset, despite the small burst of anger, and we make sure she is okay before we head out. We’ve all been drinking, so can’t drive. Lou agrees to take Jenna to the hospital. She says she will be alright, so Brooke and I call an Uber.
Brooke sees me in to my apartment building before heading home herself. After making myself a camomile tea, I sit on the sofa and stare out of the window. I’m concerned for Jenna and hope Adam is okay.
My mind wanders back to Kelvin Marris. He looked furious in that last shot of his interview. His eyes were wild and I can’t help but think he would not be as controlled as Joey in their fight.
Joey already told me he hates re-matches. He called it a grudge fight. Part of me wonders why he agreed to it if he feels that way, but I don’t understand how MMA works.
Do I want to?
My phone buzzes in my purse and I go to get it, thinking it must be Jenna to let us know Adam is okay, but it’s Joey.
JOEY
Hey, how was your night?
MEGAN
A lot of fun, thank you. Did your meeting go okay?
JOEY
Sam is an ass, but yeah, it was fine. So are you busy tomorrow?
MEGAN
I’m off work until Thursday. I had nothing planned except some housework. Save me from the housework!
JOEY
???? Perfect.
I wait for something more, but the typing dots stop. Then the phone rings in my hand, making me squeal and almost spill my tea.
“Jesus,” I laugh at myself. It’s just Joey calling. “Hey,” I answer.
“Hi, sorry to call. I thought it might be easier.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m just having a tea before bed.”
He’s silent for a minute. Is he imaging me in bed?
“So I wanted to ask something, and you can say no if you want to. I’m good with it.”
“What is it? ”
“My friend has a new restaurant opening tomorrow night. It’s a whole thing he’s doing. He’s invited me up there and I wanted to ask if you would like to come.”
“That sounds amazing,” I say. “So why do you think I might not want to go?”
“It’s in Sag Harbor. He has an inn. The restaurant is attached to it. It’s never had a restaurant before, just the kitchen and dining area, so he’s excited about it.”
“Where is Sag Harbor?”
“The Hamptons.”
“Oh,” I bite my lip. That is quite a long way to go for a restaurant opening. In the evening. It would mean staying over.
“We can drive back after. Or my friend has rooms we can rent. However you want to do it, if you’ll come, that is.”
He sounds nervous. That helps to make up my mind. I’m not sure what the arrangements will be after, but I don’t need to think about that now. All I care about is spending time with Joey.
I’ve heard all about the Hamptons. It’s supposed to be beautiful out there. It’s not somewhere I ever thought I’d get to see, given how rich it is, how many celebrities go there.
“If you wanted to, we can make a day of it, see the sights, the beach, before we head to the opening. I don’t know about you, but some time away from the norm would be welcome right now.”
I want to ask why. Did he see that interview with Marris? Maybe his meeting tonight was about the fight, about Marris being a dick. And maybe I can help him take his mind off it.
“Count me in.”
“Seriously?”
“Don’t sound so surprised,” I laugh. “A day at the beach. Who wouldn’t want that?”
“The beach, huh?” he asks in a low voice.
“Well, and the company too,” I add, grinning like a loon.
“Phew,” he laughs.
We make arrangements and say goodnight .
Oh shit, I jump up and hurry to my room, leaving my mug on the kitchen counter as I go past. I grab my closet door open and stare at it. I don’t think I own a swimsuit. You need a swimsuit for the beach. I toss things around and panic when I realize what I knew already.
I call Brooke.
“What?” Brooke answers, sounding alarmed. It’s almost midnight. Shit. “Is everything okay?”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m just… freaking out a little.”
“About what?”
When I tell her, Brooke laughs. “I will be at your apartment at nine on the dot. Be ready. And bring your wallet and a no-fucks-given attitude, my friend. Joey won’t know what the hell hit him by the time I’m done with you.”