It was so arduous.

Actually and figuratively.

Worst of all, I do not know how she feels about me. She was positively into it once I was touching her, however perhaps she was only a flirt. Or she likes me however doesn’t need me with the identical depth that I really feel.

Fuck, that is giving me a headache.

“Brooks, you able to work?”

I flip and smile, the ideas of Bailey pushed to the again of my thoughts in the intervening time.

“All the time, brother,” I reply, reaching out to grip his hand. “Good to see you, Derrick.”

Derrick is a fellow boxer, and whereas we have by no means been shut buddies, I take into account him an excellent coaching accomplice. I met him once I was younger and simply studying the game, and he is one of many few boxers I’ve at all times revered and listened to.

“How’s your boy?”

Derrick grins, the satisfaction apparent on his face. “He is good. Desires to take some boxing classes. He is ten and thinks he is the following Mike Tyson.”

Ideas of my very own son filter in—Ian, my nice disappointment. Derrick is aware of higher than to deliver him up, and few folks within the health club apart from him and Keith even learn about Ian. I raised him to be the perfect man I may, however at round sixteen, he began to indicate an entitled aspect that I would by no means seen earlier than. After he had a number of run-ins with the legislation, consuming underage principally, I had him come work for me after college to maintain him out of hassle. It labored for a number of years. He was nonetheless a brat, however he stayed on the straight and slender.

However then he turned eighteen and stole from me. My enterprise. Emptying the protected after hours and taking a complete week’s price of membership charges.

I used to be shocked. Not solely did he take the cash, however he lied once I confronted him … till I confirmed him the safety footage. It is like the child did not even know me, and the truth that he did not even look ashamed is what damage essentially the most.

So I reduce him off. Stopped giving him an allowance. Stopped speaking to him. However I wasn’t about to place him on the streets, and he nonetheless lived with me for a number of months. His grades have been nonetheless ok to get him into faculty, and I did what I assumed was proper—provided to pay his tuition if he moved out and did not converse to me once more till he had his diploma and was a greater man.

It damage like hell when he jumped on the probability. He was moved out throughout the week, and whereas the faculty stopped pulling cash from my account final yr, I nonetheless have not heard from my son. He’d be about twenty-four now. All I can do is hope that he is okay and can ultimately develop into a greater individual.

Derrick has a son of his personal, and his satisfaction for the child is obvious.

“Carry him by,” I inform him. “I will present him some fundamentals. Perhaps he’ll prefer it.”

Derrick nods, and we head over to a mat. I’ve at all times appreciated his work ethic. He is one of many few guys within the health club who works tougher than I do.

We begin stretching and speaking in regards to the new gear that is presupposed to be coming in. He is an awesome sparring accomplice, and earlier than lengthy, we’re up on our ft, fists flying. I do not discover anybody round me, focusing fully on Derrick. He is good, and some occasions he will get in successful, however I am faster. It is an awesome combat, and earlier than I do know it, we’re calling it quits.

I am nonetheless respiration arduous, and sweat drips from my brow once I hear her voice.

“Wow, that was unbelievable.”

I flip and see Bailey, her cheeks flushed and a bottle of water in her hand. She’s me with vast, impressed eyes, and the best way her gaze runs over my chest makes my coronary heart pace up.

“Thanks,” I grunt.

Bailey tilts her head to take a look at Derrick, her blond ponytail bouncing. “Who is that this? I do not suppose I met him yesterday.”

“I am Derrick,” he replies, grinning. “Are you becoming a member of the health club?”

“I have already got,” she tells him, flashing me a look.

“Nicely, welcome aboard,” Derrick says.

He provides her a wink, and it is all I can do to not punch him within the face. The sensation comes out of nowhere—Derrick is married and my buddy. However Bailey makes me really feel possessive in an all-consuming manner. Derrick doesn’t discover my swap in feelings and does not appear occupied with Bailey both, nodding at me earlier than leaving the ring.

“Hey,” Bailey says, stepping ahead.

I take the water from her, watching as she climbs up into the ring and begins her stretches. She seems to be attractive as fuck, and the exercise garments she has on are simply sufficient to cowl the bits that I need to see however do not disguise the truth that she has a killer physique. Tight, dusky pink shorts and matching sports activities bra. I really feel one other surge of anger that she was strolling round exterior with this getup on, different males wanting her over, till I discover the hoodie she has knotted round her waist. So she coated up in public however took it off as soon as she obtained inside my health club. Fascinating…

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