Chapter 37
Jared
Iwoke up to my phone bombarding me with text messages from the guys back home. I knew it wouldn’t take long for Kailey or Brittney to reach out to them in regard to me being here. I played it off, acting like it was all just a coincidence. Did Greg and Steffan buy it? It’s doubtful…
Walking into the gym that my new team manager owns, instantly a sense of calmness washes over me.
Dim lights, overhead fans going, controlled environment, and people who want to fight.
After seeing Kailey earlier, my mind and emotions have been all over the place.
The need to punch something or someone is overwhelming.
I look around the building; it’s already booming with loud music, and multiple sparring matches are happening, while other guys are training on machines and utilizing the jump ropes.
The salty, stale scent of sweat fills my nostrils.
I’m unable to control the wicked smile that spreads across my face when I spot Skyler in the corner, leaning into Brittney’s neck, kissing her.
After I drop off my gym bag, containing my cell phone and a change of clothes, in the locker room, I head directly for them.
I’m still in my black hoodie and sweatpants.
There’s a roll of hand wraps close to Skyler.
I grab it, and while wrapping my fists, I speak loud enough to startle Brittney and Skyler. “Hey! What’s up, man?”
Skyler’s stare jumps from me to Brittney, then back to me.
“Just saying hey to my girl; she stopped by before going out with her friend.” He grabs the back of her head, smashing his lips against hers, kissing Brittney desperately and deeply.
This kiss shows much more than just love; it’s ownership.
Brittney pulls herself away, breathing heavily, licking her bottom lip and smiling up at her man.
I always liked her; she was nothing but an amazing friend to Kailey and a good person in general. My stare trails back to my new teammate; something seems off about this guy. I hope he’s treating her right. “Oh, yeah? Anyone that I might know, Brittney?”
Brittney rolls her eyes before turning her body to face me. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Skyler laughs at her side, shaking his head slowly. “Babe, go easy on him. He’s my teammate and someone I hope to call a friend.” He holds out his fist, and I give him a fist bump.
“Yeah, go easy on me Britt.” Placing my palm over my heart, I give her my best doe eyes. Brittney’s face lifts into a small smile and she leans her body against Skyler’s. There’s the crack in her demeanor I was waiting for.
“Jared, I’m sorry. I know it’s been a long time. But truthfully, I don’t know what you want from me.” Shrugging her shoulders, her words come out fast. “Kailey’s moved on, and from the looks of the other night, so have you.”
What’s she talking about? Oof, the blondes… Putting my hands up in surrender, I say, “I get it. I’m just hoping we can all be friends. You know that I’m still friends with Greg and Steffan even after the incident.”
Her eyes turn into thin slits. “Did they know?!”
“That I’d be in Chicago? No. They knew I’d be gone for six months on a contract. I was going to surprise them with tickets to a fight here though. How was I supposed to know you and Kailey were here?” Shit. I hope my poker face is going strong.
Brittney doesn’t respond right away, just continues to blankly stare at me, trying to figure out if I’m lying. Finally, she looks away. “Okay, Jared, if you say so.”
Whew.
“Alright, babe, I gotta run. I’ll text you when we make it back home.” She looks from Skyler to me. “I have a feeling that tonight, us ladies will be needing several drinks.”
Skyler grabs her hand. “Wait, are you not staying at my house tonight?” His face is attempting to hold back the anger in his question. I’ve seen that look before.
Kissing his cheek, she shakes her head before pulling away. “Not tonight, babe. I told Kailey it’s a true girls’ night.”
I knew it; her girls’ night is with Kailey. Once Brittney leaves, I’ll definitely be grilling Skyler for all the information he’s willing to give me.
His grip doesn’t release her hand right away, and I could almost swear I saw her wince. “Oh. Alright, yeah. Okay. Call me if you need a ride or anything, got it?”
“Deal. I’ll keep you updated. Don’t worry so much.
Kailey and I’ve always been smart.” She smiles every time Kailey’s name leaves her mouth.
Yeah, I feel that too. But I want more than her name rolling off of my tongue…
I squeeze my fists at my side, trying to reel my mind back from memory flashbacks of Dimples.
“Jared.”
Hearing my name pulls my attention back to the real world, and I face Brittney.
“I’m glad to see you and that you’re doing well. I’m sorry for how everything went down. But I’ll always choose Kailey and fight for her. You get that, right? Please don’t make any chaos for her.”
Oh, how right she undoubtedly is. Chaos is exactly what I intend to bring to the table.
I slide both of my hands into the pocket of my hoodie and attempt to keep my features calm.
“Yeah, I do. Shit, that’s why I’ve always liked you as her friend.
Loyal to the end.” Skyler makes a grunt in the background.
Oh, he’s one of those boyfriends… Jealous of the best friend.
Yikes. I guess he hasn’t figured out yet how hard it’ll be to compete against Kailey and Brittney’s bond. Good luck with that, bro.
“Alright, get out of here so we can get some training in.” Skyler shoos Brittney away, and she blows him a kiss while walking backwards before turning around and heading toward the exit. Skyler checks out her ass until she leaves the gym, then turns toward me.
“So you’re the guy who broke KC, huh?” What. The. Fuck? My jaw goes tight; muscles throughout my body start to tense up, begging to release the anger that’s rising in me.
We both take a wide stance, stretching next to each other, before we enter the ring.
Bending over, leaning to my right foot then left, I casually respond without looking at him. “I’m not sure what you mean by that?”
“Oh, come on! I’ve known her for as long as I’ve known Brittney. KC has never really settled down with anyone. She fucks around and moves on. A woman only does that when she’s been heartbroken.”
I shouldn’t be happy to hear this, but holy shit, I can’t help it. Holding back my happiness, I look at him, and he’s already staring, waiting for a response. “She broke up with me.” Shrugging my shoulders, I bounce back and forth on my feet, punching into the air.
Skyler does the same movements next to me.
“That's why Brittney won’t fully move in with me.” He shakes his head.
“Can’t leave her bestie.” Annoyance drips from his tongue.
Hmm, I wonder if I can use this jealousy to my benefit?
Even though I don’t fully trust this guy, it wouldn’t hurt to have him in my corner.
Stopping my body mid-routine, I place my hands on my hips. “What if I could help you with that problem?”
“Oh, please enlighten me.” Skyler rolls his eyes.
“Well, think you can help me win her back?”
“Wait, you want her back? Why the fuck didn’t you say that sooner?! Let’s get this shit in motion, then I can have Brittney all to myself.”
Okay, that was a little too easy. Time to drop to his level and speak his language. “Yeah, after seeing her again the other night, I figured, why not try again? The sex was good, and she’s easy on the eyes.”
“What’s up, my guys?!” Beau walks up, stopping in between us, sweat dripping off of his face while he pats it down with a white hand towel.
“Nothing. This guy was just saying he needed some help in the lady department.” Skyler lifts his body up and into the ring. Bouncing around the ring, he motions for me to join him. “Let’s go, time to spar.” He stares toward the exit. “I’ve got pent-up energy that needs to be released.”
Beau grabs my shoulder before I head into the ring with Skyler. “What’s he talking about, Jared?”
Looking him directly in his eyes, I say, “I told you already—Kailey.”
He shakes his head, and his hand grips my shoulder. “And I already told you, no. Do you have a death wish? And you really can’t trust Skyler. Fuck.” His eyes trail to where said man is shadowboxing, ready to fight.
“Don’t worry about me. I can handle myself.” Rolling my shoulders back, my muscles are full of uncontrollable rage. This is how I was able to survive for the last five years. Attempting to control it all by fighting. “See you at your place tonight?”
“Yeah, man. Pizza and beer sound good for dinner?”
Walking past him, I lift my body into the ring. “Yeah. Sounds perfect.”
Skyler doesn’t wait for me to give him a signal; instead, he comes at me hard and fast.
Game. On.