37. Wilder #2
Maybe this wasn’t the greatest idea on the planet. Me, being alone with a practical stranger to spar with. If only Malic hadn’t run away and disappeared for an alarming amount of time that I won’t look into.
I want to be free from responsibility for five fucking minutes.
I have to get myself together when I’m around other people. Including Oliver. I live a dangerous life. Something he doesn’t know anything about. He’s a civilian at Greenwood. Not yet associated with anyone. Well, maybe not for long. He could be in our enemy’s sights soon and living beside them.
Discreetly, I get my phone from my pocket and call Malic one last time.
It rings and rings, eventually reaching his voicemail, which isn’t set up yet.
I haven’t seen his ass since he left the graveyard.
I know he’ll show up again. At some point.
My only problem is, will he bring more problems with him again?
Like a few nights ago when he tied up the suspicious ass doctor, and we ended her life.
The last thing I need is Malic bringing more problems to our doorstep. Especially with Oliver here.
Shoving my phone in my pocket, I move around the car as Oliver gets out, staring up at the gym with wide eyes.
“This is new?” he asks, peeking over at me in awe.
I smirk, shaking off the grief holding me back. Pretend until you feel nothing. Pretend the world isn’t falling the fuck apart around you.
It’s odd to see Oli without his glasses. I can see straight into the depths of his green eyes and count the freckles dotting across his nose, giving way to his—wait.
No.
Fuck. I swipe a hand down my face. I’m doing it again. I’m…confusing myself with Oli’s soft features, wanting to run my fingers over his soft cheeks and jaw.
Time to change the subject.
“Built about four years ago,” I say, gesturing to the brand new building sitting in front of us, surrounded by older, decaying buildings on the brink of ruin. “There was an old grocery store here before, but it was in ruins. So we got the land, knocked it down, and then built this.”
“You and Malic?” he asks, cocking his head curiously, soaking up the information.
Not technically. This is all Boss’s territory. Every last block in this vicinity is his. And he has plans for so much more. Although he hasn’t told us exactly what the future holds.
“Kind of. Our boss owns it, and we run it for him.” I shrug.
“Cool,” Oliver says, looking up at the building while squinting. I feel like there are more questions he’s not asking, but I let it go. “Should we, uh, go in?”
“Y-yeah,” I stutter and then clear my throat as my cheeks heat.
Seriously? What is wrong with me today? It has to be the funeral that’s got me all fucked up.
Because I can’t seem to keep my cool around Oliver anymore.
There’s something there. Maybe something between us?
I can’t fucking tell. All I know is, Malic will want to initiate his ass the moment we step through those doors.
I wave him on. “Yeah, follow me.”
I take Oliver through the front double doors and lock them behind us.
“This is our reception area. Most guys sign in with a card…” I trail off, grab my small ID badge, and scan it into the system.
“It has all their info and tells us who is coming and going. So if you’re ever interested in signing up—” I leave my words hanging, a glint of hope infusing into my words.
Oliver nods a few times. “That might be cool. I’ve needed a gym to check out.” There’s a nervous energy about him when I gesture for him to follow.
“I can show you around more, too. If you want. We have a lot of amenities here, if you’re undecided. But you don’t have to sign up today,” I rush to say, like a babbling schoolboy trying to impress someone. Seriously, what the hell is happening to me? I’m a fumbling idiot.
“Yeah, sure,” he agrees quickly, eyeing the front desk. “You guys have merch?” He raises a brow, pointing to the sweatshirts and sweatpants with our logos on them hanging behind the large reception area.
“Yup. Water bottles, sweatpants, sweatshirts, and keychains. Want one?” I laugh, gesturing to the clothes.
“Maybe,” Oliver says with a shrug and a smile breaking over his lips.
“Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the workout areas.” I wave for Oliver to follow me as I take him through the various spots we have available. Weight areas. Cardio areas. Machine area.
“You’ve got a pool?” Oliver asks, peeking through the glass of a door.
“Yup. Nothing but the best for us.”
The Shades minions. Almost everyone who comes here is associated with Boss and his gang.
Not everyone, though. We have a few civilians simply coming to work out.
We are open to the public. Anyone can get a membership.
But it’s widely known that if you’re here, you’re with us.
I wonder if Oliver knows that? Considering he was seen at our rivals’ graveyard party, and word on the street is he put his name in their stupid jar.
“This place is pretty nice,” he says, looking up and around, taking it all in. “Want to show me the sparring room?” There’s an eagerness about him when he rubs his hands together that has my adrenaline spiking.
Hell, yes. I’m ready for this, too.
“Sure,” I say, gesturing for him to follow me again. “This room is usually empty. Mal and I practice here a few times a week, and then we have the open gyms on Thursdays,” I babble more as I throw open the door that leads into the separate sparring room.
“Holy shit,” Oliver mumbles lightly, walking into the room behind me. His green eyes pop wide as he takes in the entire space filled with sparring mats, a full boxing ring, heavy bags, speed bags, and walls lined with soft mats.
“Pretty impressive, right?” I laugh, crossing my arms. “We got the ring over there. The mats over here. The hanging bags and everything. It’s fully functioning.”
“You don’t hold fights here?” He raises a skeptical brow.
“Nah. Just against each other for fun. That’s what the Coliseum is for.” For now, at least. I’m sure once we graduate from college and really sink our teeth into the Shade’s lifestyle, we’ll find another venue to frequent. Or shit, have one of our own here.
I shrug, removing the cigarette from behind my ear and rolling it between my fingers. “So what do you want to start with? Mal and I usually warm up with the bags and stretch. Then, we move to the ring and spar a little.” I gesture to the ring across the room, watching as his eyes light up.
I know Oliver is a good fighter. I saw the damage he did to Brutus.
God, he fucking knocked him out cold with one punch.
Not after that asshole got a few cheap shots in.
I’m glad someone finally put him on his ass, because he’s been a wallflower since.
Well, almost. I know he and Mack are probably planning some bullshit retaliation.
Whatever. I know Oliver can fucking take it.
“Warm up sounds good,” Oliver says, continuously looking around the room. “Then the bags and then…”
“We can spar in the ring if you want. We got all the equipment. Gloves, headgear. Whatever you need to protect yourself so you don’t get hurt.” Not that I’d intentionally hurt him. But a little blood between friends never hurts.
A smile splits across Oliver’s face, making him light up. “Okay, yeah.”