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He shakes his head. “Same. I start work this week, so I'm hoping to have a quiet night.”
“Oh, you found a job?” I ask with a smile, hoping he got on with the company he’s been eyeing here. From the sounds of it, he’s a pretty experienced electrician and could likely have his pick of jobs.
He smiles widely. “I did. Got the job I wanted.”
“That’s awesome!” I hold up a hand for a high five, which he does with another laugh and another adorable blush.
“Thanks,” he mumbles with a smile.
The sounds of Ty’s workout once again fill my ears, and I can’t help it when my eyes dart over Noah’s shoulder to him.
Noah follows my gaze, and then turns back to me. He leans into me slightly. “So, I have to ask…” he says in a low voice.
My heart picks up its pace, and I don’t know why. I mean, I think I know why, but I also think I don’t want to know why.
“How did it go this morning?”
I run a hand through my hair and shrug. “It was ok,” I say, trying to sound nonchalant and not let on that I actually… enjoyed it. “Kicked his ass a few times, it was great.”
Noah raises his eyebrows with a slight smile but doesn’t say anything.
“Ok, fine.” I lower my hand with a dramatic sigh that is totally deserving. “I learned something. A few things, actually. I tend to get stuck in guard passing as I move through it too quickly, and he helped me slow down to think it through. I never had anyone strong enough in grappling to really train those missing pieces, so… I guess…” I sigh again, “this will be helpful.”
Noah smiles. “That’s great. So… maybe the rivalry is almost over?”
“No,” I snap, but quickly hold out a hand to grasp Noah’s shoulder. “Oh my god, I’m sorry, that was so rude.”
He laughs. “It’s ok. Clearly this runs deep. Maybe with some time…” he trails off with a small shrug.
I shrug too with a sigh. “Yeah, who knows,” I murmur.
“Well, at least you’re working together.” Noah turns towards the locker room. “You coming?”
I nod. “In a minute. Just need to put my gloves away.”
Noah leaves… but I stay right where I am for a moment longer.
Ty lands a low kick that is all kinds of deadly, and his expression barely changes. He just continues his drill, working to perfect what’s already great. As I take in his muscles and gaze at his ass, I finally admit it to myself.
He’s not just hot, I’m attracted to him. Like, I’d fuck him. And let him fuck me. Hard.
Fuck.
I rub a hand aggressively over my face and turn around to put my gloves in the locker.
Seriously, what the fuck? I hate him, why am I thinking about him fucking me? And why does it feel like there is something else lurking under the surface of this deep hatred?
This morning, it all felt different. For the first time ever, we were on the same page, and I think I saw the real him… for a brief moment. The hard exterior cracked, ever so slightly, and it wasn’t the Ty I typically see in the cage. Or even outside of it.
I can still feel his eyes on my skin, as he attempted to make sense of what I show the world. And that vulnerable feeling is lingering from when I told him it doesn’t have to make sense. Because I don’t want it to.
And as I stand here in the gym, watching him at the bag, his eyes are on me again.
Nothing about this morning, or in this moment as we look at each other across the gym, makes sense.
So, I want more of it.
The last box is finally put away, and as I flop onto my bed, I let out a big sigh. Moving sucks.
