Chapter 16
Javier was nice enough to take me to the gym that morning to pick up my car. I was glad it wasn’t Rey. For the past three weeks, I have stayed away from Rey as much as possible. What he said to me that day in the kitchen stung. What he thought of me made me realize he gave me a place to stay out of pity. He needed someone to work at the gym and was being a good human by not letting me sleep in my car.
I understand he is setting boundaries and laying down rules as his employee, but it hurts that he thinks so little of me. What did I expect? He caught me using the shower without permission and found me sleeping in my car after I lied to him.
I’m grateful he gave me a place to stay, but what he said was a slap to my face. It felt like a bucket of cold water dumped over my head. I would have walked out if it wasn’t for the fact that I had nowhere to go.
The best way to deal with it all was to avoid looking at him. I avoid him whenever I can. If I need to speak to him, I text him or use Javier. I’m determined to pinch every penny.
Since that first morning, I haven’t eaten out or cooked in their house. I stick to gas station food and one- dollar drinks. I eat ramen noodles and heat them on campus before I get to work .
The less money I spend, the sooner I can move into my own place.
I thought about learning ASL. I hated not being able to communicate. I’m sure others less fortunate than Rey need a job.
So when I needed an elective for my last semester, I saw that ASL was available and signed up for it. I made a goal to learn twenty to thirty words a week in addition to what the course requires. I also watch YouTube videos.
I have been going in and out of the office supply room behind the punching bags to the left side of the gym. From the corner of my eye, I can see Rey in the ring demonstrating to the guys how to use a rope with his chin tucked near his shoulder and weaving in and out.
There are times I keep hidden so I can watch him teach. I admire his passion in the ring and the way he cares. You can see the awe in the other members’ eyes when he steps into the ring. It is fascinating that he doesn’t have to say a word, and they all watch and listen. I admire the respect he gets.
I’m in the office reviewing the sign-up forms attached to the waivers, ensuring all forms are filled out and the waivers signed. Two guys attend Penn State, and I’m glad I don’t recognize the names. I’m trying to avoid anyone who knows Jimmy. Jimmy continues to send me random text messages that I ignore. I hope he will leave me alone with time and accept that nothing he says or does will get me to go back.
I look up when Javier walks into the office. “Hey,” he greets me with a smile.
“Hey. Did you need something?”
He takes a seat. “Are you okay?”
“Yep.”
I haven’t been upbeat or wanting to start conversations. I’m hardly at their house unless it’s to shower or sleep. I try to stay out of their way. I left my bedroom the same way I found it and kept my clothes inside my suitcase in case.
“Are you sure?”
I nod and try to give him my best fake smile. “Of course.”
He lowers his voice. “I don’t mean to be nosy, but sometimes I hear you cry at night.”
My cheeks flame from embarrassment. I didn’t think he could hear me.
I slide a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry,” I say. “I’m… getting over it.”
He thinks I mean Jimmy, but it’s the situation I’m trying to get over.
“I think you’re doing a great job.” He waves his hands around the office. “The office looks great. I’m unsure if Rey has told you how impressed we are.”
“He hasn’t, but thank you.”
He pinches his eyebrows, and his jaw hardens. “He hasn’t told you that? Sent a message?”
I shake my head. “No. But that’s okay. I don’t expect anything. You both have done a lot for me. I see that you’re working hard. Your dedication and drive to want to be the best. I know you’re going to win.”
He smiles. “You think so, huh.”
I give him a genuine smile in return. “I know it. I kinda sneaked a peek at the other guy’s last fight on YouTube.”
“Are you spying for me?” he teases.
I rub my lips together, trying to stifle a laugh. “Of course, I have to make sure my boss wins. I have to see what he doesn’t see.”
“I knew I made the right choice offering you the job.” He gives me a smirk. “I don’t regret it,” he says before he walks out.
Looking out the office window, I notice a pair of brown eyes looking at me from the boxing ring. I quickly avert my gaze. Not everyone has the same opinion.
Around five o’clock, I see the two members who need to sign waivers walk inside the gym. When I read their profiles, they both have amateur fight cards but didn’t sign their waivers when they signed up to train here.
It is my job to make sure everything is completed and filed. They can’t train because it would be a liability if something happened and they got hurt.
I’m working on entering payments into the ledger for the week, so I wait to catch them when they walk from the locker room.
When they finally step out, they head to the boxing ring, where Rey and Javier work on technique. Rey has his headphones on, as always, and motions to Javier with his hands between punches. It takes a lot of effort, and I try not to look at him or the way his muscles flex with each punch.
They don’t see me when I approach. I reach the side of the ring where the guys are watching and tap the first one named Tommy.
He turns around. His eyes scroll over me suggestively, and it makes me want to gag.
“Um… I’m sorry to bother you. Your name is Tommy, correct?”
He looks down at the clipboard and quirks a brow. “Yeah, I’m Tommy.”
“I need you to sign this waiver right now, please. If not, you can’t train.”
“I’ll sign it after I’m done training.”
He turns around, giving me his back. What a dick. I take a deep breath and tap him on the shoulder again.
He turns around and licks his lips. He claps both of his hands like he is praying and says sarcastically, “Listen, you are hella fine and all, but I can’t talk right now. Maybe when I’m done. I can take you out and do whatever it is you want me to do for you.”
I roll my eyes, wanting to punch him. A guy with brown hair and a Penn State T-shirt walks up, his brows raised in recognition when his gaze lands on me.
He runs his fingers through his damp hair. “Yo, Tommy. Chill, man.”
Tommy looks over. “What, Ben? She wants me to sign some, and I don’t feel like signing shit right now.” He waves his hand to dismiss me. “Go back to the office and look pretty. I promise to swing by later.”
My skin flushes in anger. I have had just about enough of this asshole. I slap the back of the clipboard to his chest. His eyes widen. “I think you have the wrong idea. Sign it, or you don’t train.”
Tommy steps forward, causing me to step back. The clipboard falls on the mat between us. Tommy’s top lip curls in a snarl. My stomach curls in knots. From the corner of my eye, I can see Javier removing the Velcro and nudging Rey, getting his attention.
Ben steps between Tommy and me. “Sign the waiver, man. She’s just doing her job. Why do you have to be such a dick to her? Besides, do you know who she is?”
Tommy shakes his head. Who the fuck cares. Ben steps aside while another guy behind him tells Javier what happened. Rey’s expression hardens, but when I think it’s aimed at Tommy, it’s directed at me. I’m confused because all I’m doing is my job and saving him from a potential lawsuit. Rey has it all wrong.
Rey angrily points his finger toward me and then points toward the office, telling me to go.
“Your name is Ari, right?” Ben asks. Shit. He knows.
Ben follows me when I bend down to pick up the clip‐ board. “Yeah,” I say softly .
“You’re Jimmy Harding’s girlfriend.” I shake my head. “Not anymore.”
Ben hands me the pen from the floor when I straighten. “That’s not what he says.”
“Shit,” Tommy mutters.
Looking at Ben, Javier asks, “Who’s Jimmy?”
“Jimmy Harding, pro hockey player. Just got signed to the Flyers. Aria’s his girlfriend. They live together.”
“We broke up, and I moved out,” I say but don’t meet his eyes.
My eyes meet Rey’s hard stare, which penetrates me like lasers. His jaw is clenched, and he looks angry. I’m not sure what he’s thinking right now, but whatever it is, it’s not good. Fear replaces the knots in my gut when he walks out of the ring. He walks up to me and stands like a brick wall blocking my view. I swallow the fear rising like bile in my throat. My knuckles grip the edge of the clipboard. Anger and disappointment swirl in his gaze.
I step back when his eyes harden. Javier shakes his head at Rey, but he doesn’t care. Rey’s nostrils flare. I flinch when he lifts his arm to point at the office. My pulse beats hard in my ears.
I bolt toward the office. Javier runs after me.