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Elijah and Adão cheer from the side of the mat and yell out encouragement as Noah moves to control my arm, and I anticipate he’s setting up for an armbar.
“Yes, Noah, make him tap!” Adão yells, while Elijah calls out, “Move out, Ty!”
And Noah makes his first mistake, by not controlling my elbow. I quickly snap it out of his grasp as I shift my body, sweep my legs out to gain side control, and get him in an arm lock.
He taps, and I release him.
“Damn.” Noah smiles as he sits up. “You’re a beast.”
“You are too.” I stand, and Adão pats my back.
“Nice one,” he says, holding out a hand to help Noah up. “You somehow know what we’re all going to do before we even do it. That’s a gift.”
I shake my head as Elijah nods at me seriously. “It is,” he whispers.
I chuckle, letting my eyes travel to the other side of the gym where Luca, Rosa and Seb are working with Max.
“So…” Adão brings my attention back to him, and he glances towards the others as well. “When are we going to get the story of what’s going on here?”
“What’s going on where?” I ask as I turn to grab my water bottle.
Elijah laughs. “Like we didn’t see you guys in the boxing ring?”
I shrug as I take a drink, and Noah smiles at me.
“All done?” Rosa asks as she approaches us with a grin. “Because we have plans.”
“We do?” Adão asks. “Do tell.”
Rosa nods. “I know it’s last minute, but I want everyone to come to my place tonight. A little Christmas get-together before some of us leave for the holidays. Max can’t as he is going to a party with his wife, but Luca and Seb are in.”
“Fuck yeah,” Elijah nods and smiles, “I’m in.”
“I’ll be there,” Adão says.
Noah smiles at Rosa with a nod, and I don’t miss the lingering eye contact.
Rosa turns to me. “Ty?” she asks hopefully.
I feel everyone’s eyes on me, and I glance over her shoulder to Luca across the gym. He is rolling up his hand wraps, watching.
The familiar feeling starts to rise. The one that tells me no, I can’t and shouldn’t do this. I’m only here to train and need to stay focused. Especially now that I’m creeping closer to achieving the next step in my plan.
But as I look into Luca’s eyes across the gym, I know that’s not true. I’ve been staying focused, while also letting myself experience something new, outside of the gym.
And it’s all been ok.
Rosa turns her head to see what I’m looking at, and when she turns back to me, she’s beaming.
I nod, as I take in her excitement and hope. “Ok.”
“Amazing!” Rosa steps forward like she’s going to hug me, and I can’t help it when I tense. She falters, and instead reaches out to squeeze my arm. “I’m happy you can come,” she says with a smile.
I give her a half smile back, feeling sorry for her. This is why I don’t do this… I have no idea how. I briefly question if I should back out and save everyone from the awkwardness.
But as everyone smiles and starts chatting about food and games to bring tonight, I realize that they don’t care. Even though I have been actively attempting to push these people away, they’ve remained patient and kept trying.
And I appreciate that.
