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I let out a defeated sigh. Boxing was something I used to love, now it’s turned into something I have to do. I grab my keys and my gym bag and head out the door.
Let’s get this out of the way.
If I don’t train, I'll be getting a call later. I pull up in front of the gym that my older brother, Mateo owns. He just bought it this year, and he was so happy. Then somehow my dad got involved and things changed. I'm not sure what changed, but I have a feeling it has to do with The Wolves, otherwise known as the French mafia. I just wish Mateo trusted me enough to tell me.
Since my mom died, my dad became even pushier. Growing up, I was an angry kid. To help with that he put me in boxing. When I became good, that’s when things changed.
Opening the door to the gym, I take a deep breath. The mix of antiseptic, sweat and leather fills my lungs. That smell that fills every gym but seems to be more prevalent here at Mateo’s, brings me a sense of calm. That is the one thing no one can take away from me. I refuse. When I’m here I can push out all the white noise, and just be me.
“Hey, Dex. How’s it going?” Mateo greets me as I throw my bag on the bench that he’s sitting on. He's already started to wrap his hands, and I pull my tape out too.
I settle down on the bench and start the process of wrapping, “I’m good. Dad has been on my ass about the fight that is coming up.”
He blows out a breath as his face softens. He reaches out and clasps a hand on my shoulder. “I get it. It’s not easy. We will get through this brother.”
"Hopefully in one piece.”
“Dexter, I will always be there for you. In your corner at every fight," he says as a dark look comes over his face.
“I know.”
He doesn’t get it. He thinks he understands, but he can't. My dad has always been more lenient on my two brothers. Mateo is the smart one, so he doesn’t push him the same way, allowing him more room to make mistakes instead of killing himself everyday like me.
My baby brother, Alex gets ignored and is able to live his life on his own terms. I envy that.
As for me, I'm the muscle, I’m the one that helps him make the most money, whether it’s fighting or collecting debts from those who owe him. So he is constantly up my ass.Standing up from the bench after wrapping my hands, I immediately head toward the bags to start my drills. I texted Mateo ahead of time who usually trains me, that I only had time for a quick one giving him more time for his own workout.
My favorite part about training is the feeling of turning off my brain and only focusing on the physical. The way the sweat drips down my back, the pain in my body as I push it to it past its brink.
As my thoughts start to return, they always do so with Hazel.
What is she doing? Is she getting ready for me? I hope she wears that fucking sexy black sweater. It always makes her eyes stand out, but what I like the most is how it hangs off her shoulder, giving me a peek of her porcelain skin.
My tongue darts out wondering what it would be like to lick her. I shake the thoughts from my head and give myself a pep talk. "She is your best friend. You can't ruin your friendship by thinking of licking her," I mutter under my breath.
Plus, the need to keep her separated and protect her from the life my dad has brought me into is strong.
I smack my lips together needing water. Shit my throat is super dry, I must’ve worked that bag over harder than I realized.
Needing to focus on my workout, I start my jump rope cardio routine to work on stamina. As I pay attention to the way my feet bounce off the floor with every flick of my wrists, I can’t help myself. My thoughts inevitably turn to how bratty Hazel was with me, while we were on the phone earlier.
A grin comes across my face. She can’t help but be a brat, and of course, I can’t let it go. I always make it known to her when she starts to get an attitude with me. My hand tingles, every time with the need to give her arealpunishment.
I wonder what it would be like if I were to chase her. Pin her down and spank her. I can already imagine how her ass would look with my pink handprint on it.
“Hey, are you going to the carnival tonight?” Mateo disrupts my thoughts.
"Yeah, I’m meeting Hazel there. Are you?”
"No. I’m going to skip. I don’t want to deal with people more than I have to. The people in this town are so nosey. Always trying to fix me up,” he grumbles with a frown on his face.
I laugh at his statement. My brother is so fucking grumpy all the time, but he is not wrong. The people in this town are nosey, and they are always trying to hook people up together. They’ve had Hazel and I in a relationship since we were kids. Too bad that's far from the truth, no matter how I wish it weren’t.
The alarm on my phone goes off reminding me that it’s time to finish up and get ready to meet Hazel at the carnival. “Thanks for working out with me Mateo, even if it’s a quick one. I’m going to shower.”
“No problem. Have fun tonight with Hazel,” he says with a weird smirk on his face.
My brothers don’t understand our relationship. They don’t get that we are only friends. Just like the town they’re always trying to push us to be more. But they should know better. That it’s safer to keep her at arm's length.
