Bain Read online

  Jade, one of the strongest women I knew besides my own mother watches over Samantha anytime I have an event or have to go out of town for meetings that concern fighting. Jade has also been head over heels in love with Lawson since I can remember, not to her benefit Lawson is completely blind to her feelings.

  I’m not the type of person to mingle in other’s affairs and yet I’ve even hinted to him at how I know Jade feels. Lawson ignores it and acts as if it’s all in my head. Jade also happens to be the only maternal figure that my Sammie has in her life. I couldn't thank her enough for all that she does for Sam and me. My mother has helped, too. It’s just that I know she’s at an age where all she wants to do is enjoy being a grandparent and relax during her retirement with my dad. I couldn't push Samantha on them.

  I quickly mix my protein shake and toss on a sweatshirt. My daily training consists of running the few miles to the gym and training there until it’s time to take Samantha to school. Jade usually stops over so I can run out for a couple hours, then picks me up at the gym with Sam so I can see her off to school. Over the years we’ve developed a routine of caring for her. Jade and Lawson are not blood, but they sure act it and I couldn't be more thankful.

  This morning I’m slacking on my speed while running, using time in my favor of when I reach the gym. Lawson said he was going to make phone calls last night. I haven't heard from him yet which has me believing that it must be exactly as the doctor had said in the hospital last night. Surgery is my only form of treatment, thus taking me out of matches for quite a few weeks

  I shouldn't have blocked that stupid fucking kick.

  As I stroll into Lawson's’ gym I spot a chick sparring with a male. Jude isn't as well trained as I am, but he’s been around the block a time or two and is a decent sparring partner. I’m taken aback because not only is she handing his ass to him, I’ve never seen her here before. This gym is my second home and she’s a new neighbor per say.

  I redirect my attention to finding Lawson since I haven't heard from him today. I make my way around the makeshift octagon, the weights, the mats used for training with grappling, the punching bags all the way to the back of the large Olympic style gym to Law’s office door. It’s more like a sweat-box that possess no windows for air circulation and holds but a small wooden desk where he conducts his business paperwork and phone calls and sometimes meetings with possible candidates for MMA fighting.

  He hasn't taken anyone new on since me and I was a risk for him. Not any longer though, I laugh to myself.

  “You happen to get a hold of that doctor you were talking about last night?” I ask him as I enter his office.

  He looks up from the paperwork has going over to answer me, “It’s not looking bright, kid. ER doctor was right. You're out of commission for at least six weeks. We need to get you in the operating room as soon as possible. I scheduled an appointment for you today at one. Jade will pick Sam up from school until you're home. Until then, I don't want you in the gym.”

  Pissed off at the gym comment I speak impulsively, “You can’t just kick me out of the gym because I injured my hand—you know that’s not fair. This is my life, what I do every single day. It’s a broken hand for fucks sake, Law. I didn't sustain a concussion or anything as dangerous.”

  “We’re not discussing this. I made my mind up long before you walked in here. If you get clearance from the surgeon to train, then I’ll allow you back in here. The doors aren't open to you until I have a note in my hand stating as such. I’m only acting on both of our best interests. Someone comes in here and I don't have documentation on hand that you're cleared, it’s my ass. You make your injury worse, that’s on you and it fucks things up for both of us. Go home and take a shower—you smell. Get dressed and go to the surgeons office. She already has your charts and X-rays from the hospital. I also made sure she has all of your medical history. Call me when you have the final word of what needs to happen.”

  I give in. When Lawson is on a roll like this, there’s no talking him out of it. His mind has already been made up and he’s not budging an inch. Dickhead. “Where’s the surgeons office located? Can I at least get an address before I’m kicked out?”

  Law doesn't answer in an actual reply. He just grabs a sticky note and scribbles an address down. I grab the note and shove it in my pocket. “Thanks.” Law nods his head.

  Before I leave the gym, I make note to stop and evaluate the woman still sparring with Jude. She’s a man’s wet dream. Tall—from my view maybe only a few inches shorter than I am. Her sandy blond hair is pulled back into a ponytail at the base of her neck. Her physique is toned and somewhat muscular. I could pinpoint the areas on her body that would benefit her if she were to tone them up more—if she were to be interested in wrestling as a profession. She’s thick, not a lean string bean. She carries a body that I appreciate much, much more. Healthy.

  If she were to work the muscles on her thighs a bit more, she’d be stronger on her feet. She wouldn't be stumbling each time Jude lands a strike. She’d be able to hold his strength.

  I stare, mesmerized at her capability of holding her own against him—landing a few hits to him, herself. I laugh (aloud) because she’s beating him. Except for me, I’ve never seen anyone who could beat Jude as well.

  Apparently, my laugh catches her off guard. She turns to lock eyes with me when Jude lands a direct punch to her face. She collapses on the mat and I haul ass into the octagon. I want to check on her and to kick Jude’s ass in one breath.

  “What in the ever loving fuck is wrong with you?” I scream at Jude while running over to the currently knocked-out female.

  “I don't know what happened! She was holding her own! All of a sudden, you appear and she loses all focus. That’s not my fault.” He begins to argue.

  “That’s not an excuse! You saw that she lost focus so why continue to spar? Go grab the first aid kit, before I kick your ass.” Jude stumbles away. I’ve never threatened him and we spar on a weekly basis. This though was uncalled for. He’s been doing this for as long as I have—albeit he isn't as talented as I am as he still has much to learn. However, Jude knows how things are done. He knows what sparring consists of. Moreover, she’s a woman. Fuck.

  I try to tap her face gently, but she doesn't budge. Her entire body is lax and I can see an imprint already forming on her cheek. It’s going to hurt like a mother…when she comes to.

  Finally, Jude tosses me the first aid kit in which I find smelling salts. Usually when people are knocked out they come to within seconds. Other times, smelling salts are necessary because they were hit with such a force. Those hits are ones that have the potential to cause concussions. I break apart a salt and hold it under her nose.

  She awakes in moments. Our eyes collide and her honey hued eyes glisten. Confusion plasters her face. It’s when she realizes what happened that she looks furious. “You!” She starts shouting at me.

  “Me, what?” I ask. I didn't do anything other than help her out.

  “Why would you interrupt our sparring session like that? You got me hit.”

  “Listen here, lady—I didn't do any such thing. There was no interrupting on my part. I was leaving. You got yourself injured.” I argue.

  Her pink bow-shaped lips scrunch up and she narrows her eyes at me in anger. I smirk. She’s a feisty little thing and I like it. Not only can she kick ass, but also she has an attitude to back it up. I respect that in a fighter. She has potential. I hope that Jude can help her reach that potential at its fullest.

  “You were laughing loudly—that’s why I looked at you. It was rude. We were sparring and you were laughing at me. You obviously wanted me to get knocked-out—why else would you have laughed, but to distract me?”

  “If you must know, I was laughing because you were kicking Jude's ass. I thought it was funny. You know, you're a woman, he’s a man.”

  “Either way, it was uncalled for and rude. Thanks to you I have a swelling face that’s guaranteed to mess up my jo
b interview that I have later.”

  I stand up and reach my hand out to her to help her up off the mat. She reluctantly takes it and as soon as her two feet are planted steady, she yanks her hand back. She quickly rubs the hand I had held on her pants, wiping my touch away.

  Lesbian, maybe?

  “Just put some make up on and they won’t know the difference. Promise.”

  She casts her eyes downward while her face flushes. “I don't know how.” She admits.

  What female doesn't know how to apply make up? I want to make it up to her—for what I did. Even though it wasn't my fault she was blasted in the side of the face, I’ll make better on the situation.

  “I know just the person. Come with me.” I don't attempt to reach for her hand because it’d become awkward when she wipes my touch off again.

  I walk back into Lawson's office. He looks up and opens his mouth about to give me another set down. I cut him off, though, “Lawson, could you give Jade a call, please? Tell her to bring her bag of makeup. She has to do a makeover stat.”

  Law glances behind me before he jumps up out of his chair and runs over to the female. “My God, what happened to your face? Are you okay? Let me get some ice for that shiner.”

  “I’m fine—really, Law. It’ll be okay. It’s his fault, anyway. He interrupted my session with Jude.” She tells on me.

  Lawson looks at me. His patience with me today is fast wearing away. “You caused this?”

  “It’s not like she’s saying! I laughed because she was kicking Jude’s ass. She turned toward me and he caught her off guard. It was a simple accident that I’m trying to right. Now if you would please call Jade, I can be on my way. Tell her to bring Sammie, too. I’ll take her with me to the surgeons.”

  “We’ll talk about this later, but I’ll call her. Be ready to leave when she gets here. Use the locker rooms and shower—you still smell. I have an extra change of clothes in locker 38—use them. At this rate you’ll be late for the appointment that I made for you at the last minute.”

  Law walks out of the office with his cell in hand, calling my favor in with Jude.

  “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I didn't laugh with the intention of getting you knocked out.”

  “I’ll get over it. I’ll forgive you as long as I get this job.”

  “You can’t determine forgiveness on something that’s out of my control, that’s just not fair.”

  “Those are my terms so deal with it.” She stands grounded.

  “Guess I’ll get to that shower. Nice to meet you…”

  “…Rumer,” she answers.

  “Rumer…nice to meet you Rumer.” I try her name out on my tongue. I swear the name was created for her.

  Chapter Nine

  After working out with Jude all morning, we finally get the ring to ourselves so we can spar. “Dinner,” He says while walking to his corner.

  “Don’t forget your wallet.” I taunt back.

  I reach my corner, pause and he nods his head. I hold my hands up in defense, ready to block whatever move he’s going to come at me with.

  Right hook.

  Blocked bitch.

  He shifts his hands and leaves me guessing on his next move. I take the opportunity to land a hard kick to his chin. He falls. I raise my eyebrows as if to say ‘I’m winning’. I back away and allow him to regain his composure—no need to embarrass him on my first day.

  As I step back a few feet I see someone entering the gym.

  I know him.

  Well, not in the sense that we’ve ever held a conversation, nor have we ever met.

  But I know of him. Who he is? I’m sure that pretty much every single human being interested in the sport of mixed martial arts knows who Bain Masters is. He’s a successful up-and-comer, already making a name in the world of fighting.

  Undefeated.

  Sixty three fights and not one time has he been knocked out or defeated.

  On record at least.

  Who knows how long he did the underground thing, the way that most end up getting their name out there.

  I glance away from him and find myself looking into the eyes of Jude.

  “You do know that I could have knocked you out minutes ago, right?”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “Ogling at Bain isn’t going to win this for you. Get your head in it. You think that while you’re fighting for real your opponent won’t knock your ass out? They won’t think twice.”

  “I hear you.” I reply while landing a left hook on his jaw.

  “Bitch.” He taunts while aiming to land one on my face. I side swipe him while landing a brutal kick to his calf. He falls forward.

  That’s what you get.

  He jumps up quickly finding his footing.

  At the same time he comes at me, I hear a deep husky laugh. My eyes search out the culprit. The moment I find Bain staring back at me I also feel a painful blow to my face.

  My eyes close on their own will and I crumble.

  When my eyes re-open they’re met with midnight green eyes and the owner of said eyes is taking over my space. His hot breath meeting my nose, his eyebrows furrowed. And as I appreciate the art that is his face, I remember.

  He laughed.

  Fucking laugh at me.

  He also caused me to be unprepared for Jude’s hit.

  Fuck this shit.

  “You!” I shout at him. He jumps back a little, shocked I guess that I’d be pissed at someone like him.

  “Me, what?” He asks.

  “Why would you interrupt our sparring session like that? You got me hit.”

  “Listen here lady—I didn't do any such thing. There was no interrupting on my part. I was leaving. You got yourself injured.” He begins to argue with me.

  As much as he is blaming me for getting myself knocked out, he looks at me with respect. I must be confused—someone like him wouldn’t look to me with any kind of respect. Especially after I was knocked out. My father would’ve knocked me out again just for putting myself in that position. He then would’ve proceeded to tell me how I didn’t belong in a gym, let alone a ring with men or women. I wasn’t at that level and I never would be.

  I’d never be anything.

  To him.

  Or anyone else.

  “You were laughing loudly—that’s why I looked at you. It was rude. We were sparring and you were laughing at me. You obviously wanted me to get knocked-out—why else would you have laughed, but to distract me?” I refute.

  “If you must know, I was laughing because you were kicking Jude's ass. I thought it was funny. You know—you're a woman, he’s a man.”

  “Either way, it was uncalled for and rude. Thanks to you, I have a swelling face that’s guaranteed to mess-up the job interview that I have later.”

  He stands up, reaching his hand out to me to help me up off the mat. I reluctantly take it and as soon as I balance myself, I yank my hand out of his. I want to make a statement I wipe my hands on my pants, an act to show him his touch detests me.

  Men like him think that everything should be handed to them on a silver platter. That they’re owed shit because they’ve hit some celebrity status. I’m familiar with men like him.

  And that’s why I’m going to steer clear of him.

  “Just put some make up on and they won’t know the difference. Promise.”

  A woman should know how to apply make-up for the interview for the job they need. Sadly, I don’t. Mom was nonexistent. “I don't know how.” I shamefully admit.

  He looks down at me and pity swirls in the dark green depths of his eyes.

  “I know just the person. Come with me.” He starts to walk to the back of the gym to Lawson’s office.

  I stay behind Bain—cowering because I’m sure once Lawson hears how I got knocked out he won’t think I have any potential.

  “Lawson, could you give Jade a call, please? Tell her to bring her bag of makeup. She has to do a makeover stat.”

  I lo
ok over Bain’s shoulder to witness Lawson jump out of his chair. He runs to me and caresses my face, “My God! What happened to your face? Are you okay? Let me get some ice for that shiner.”

  “I’m fine—really, Law. It’ll be okay. It’s his fault anyway. He interrupted my session with Jude.” I tattle on Bain.

  Which then makes Lawson livid, “You caused this?”

  “It’s not like she’s saying,” Bain says quickly. “I laughed because she was kicking Jude’s ass. She turned toward me and he caught her off guard. A simple accident that I’m trying to right. Now, if you’d please call Jade, I can be on my way. Tell her to bring Sammie, too. I’ll take her with me to the surgeons.”

  Who’s Jade?

  Who’s Sammie?

  Surgeon?

  I decide to stay out of it. Not my business. Be here, but keep yourself locked away, Rumer.

  “We’ll talk about this later. I’ll call her. Be ready to leave when she gets here. Use the locker rooms and shower—you still smell. I have an extra change of clothes in locker 38, use them. At this rate you’ll be late for the appointment that I made for you at the last minute.”

  Lawson grabs his cellphone from the desk and leaves us alone in the office.

  “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I didn't laugh with the intention of getting you knocked out.” Bain apologizes.

  Oh my god, he apologized.

  “I’ll get over it. I’ll forgive you as long as I get this job.”

  “You can’t determine forgiveness on something that’s out of my control, that’s just not fair.”

  “Those are my terms so deal with it.” I steel myself. Let him believe that I wouldn’t get over it unless I got the job. I’m not some dramatic queen of a woman. Shit happens. If he was someone I cared about then I’d probably hold a grudge for a little bit. Only to teach a lesson.