Chapter Six
One Week Later
My truck comes to a stop as I throw the gear in park and sit behind the Cage. Staring up at the tall brick building, my mind is flooded with memories. Before leaving for the job in Syracuse, this had been my sanctuary, the place I went, not only to train, but to think. Now, it’s just a building I’ve avoided for the mere fact of running into my brother.
It’s been a few days since the blowout with Hank and I can’t keep stalling the fact that I need to be in here training. I’ve attempted to go to another facility, but I wasn’t able to give it my all. The frame of mind I need to be in . . . it just wasn’t there. I need to be in my gym, with my trainers and under the roof I grew up learning about the sport. Regardless of how my brother feels about me or the situation with Taryn, this is where I have to be.
Cutting the engine off, I step out of my truck and walk through the parking lot toward the back door. With determination flooding my veins, I open the door and step foot into my home away from home. With each stride I take through the hallway, I can feel, smell and taste the blood, sweat and tears I’ve poured into myself over the years. Sounds of clanking metal from the weights, grunts and pounding from the fighters within the cage set my mind into an upbeat frenzy. I love this. This is my life. A life I was meant to live. Through and through I may only be a man, but in heart, mind and soul . . . I am a fighter.
As I approach the front desk, I am greeted by both Traci and Jamie’s beautiful smiles. These two women are the ones who have kept many men and women happy and motivated every day they’ve walked through the front doors. The Cage isn’t just a gym, it’s much more. Between the girls, the trainers and Birch, once someone walks through the doors, they are a member of the family for life.
So many times I’ve come in through the back door wanting to turn around and walk away. Whether it was a difficult day at work, a troubled relationship or the lack of desire to lace up my gloves, the men and women of this place show their support in ways that I’ll never be able to doubt myself. They have given me the strength when I’ve felt I was at my weakest. I can’t give up. I refuse to fail. I won’t let them down . . . ever.
Taking the last few steps toward the desk, I set my bag down by my feet and extend my arms out to the ladies. As they both move from around the counter, I’m greeted with a warm embrace.
“Trenton, we’re so happy you’re back. We’ve missed you here,” Jamie squeals with excitement.
“Yes, we have missed you. So glad you’re back. Birch just stepped out for a meeting downtown, but will be back later this afternoon. Why don’t you lace up your gloves and I’ll let Gus know that you’re here,” Traci remarks with a look of pride.
“Thanks, ladies. I’m glad to be here and get back into the cage. Let Gus know I’ll be out in a bit to start my session. I’m sure he’s gonna want me to hit the weights and cardio for the next few days,” I remark with a laugh while resting my hand on my stomach.
“Please, don’t you dare suggest you’re out of shape? You look amazing,” Jamie responds with a wink.
“Yeah, we’ll see about that once I step into the cage. I’ll catch you two later,” I conclude before grabbing my bag and heading toward the locker room.
Pushing through the door, I find my old locker with the lock still intact. I’m not sure why I’m so surprised, but I am. The fact that this place kept a part of me with them while I was gone, it’s a feeling of reassurance and the exact reason why I need to put my gloves on and get back in the octagon.
I don’t have time to waste. I need to be ready. I’ve worked too hard for too long to let any fight slip through my fingers.
Opening the locker, I reach in and grab everything I’ll need over the next few hours before tossing my bag within the metal closet. Shutting the door and closing the lock, I pop my ear buds in and crank up the sounds that I know will motivate me through my workout session.
As the music starts blasting within my ears, I exit the locker room in search of Gus. It’s go time and there isn’t a moment to waste. I need to get back into the groove. I have to start my training in preparation of my win.
After a long rant from Gus and a hardcore training session, I just want to sit back and relax with a much needed beer. Strolling through the doors at Dukes, I look around the large space and catch a glimpse of Mike and Traci sitting in one of the far off booths. I can’t help but watch as the two of them sit closely together while they talk, laugh and enjoy one another’s company. They truly look so great together. I’m thrilled Mike has finally found someone who can give him everything he needs and appreciates the disaster he has walked away from.
A smile spreads across my face to see two of my friends so happy and in love. I’ve missed being here in Brooklyn. I’ve missed them and so much of my hometown. A pang of guilt hits me hard in the center of my chest. It’s been too long since I’ve sat down and talked with my best friend. Even after everything we’ve been through, I know I should have confided in him. Besides Taryn and Ma, there wasn’t anyone who I’ve shared the past few months with. Maybe if I allowed myself to let it all out, have someone else hear the thoughts that have been staging a war in my head, then maybe, just maybe I’d have been able to gain a bit more clarity.
Just as I’m about to step forward toward the bar, I make eye contact with Traci. Sliding herself out of the booth, she waves her hands frantically with excitement for me to come over. I raise my hand, indicating that I don’t want to intrude on their afternoon and turn my head toward the bar.
I really don’t want to be rude, but I also don’t want to impose on their time together. Looking back in her direction, I see she’s stopped moving and has planted her hands on her hips. She’s giving me a look, a look that says not to argue with her.
God, I love that woman.
Taking a few steps in her direction, she begins to move and meets me halfway with her arms spread wide.
“Trenton,” she squeals, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist.
Reaching my arms around her shoulders, I pull her in for a squeeze of my own.
“Hey, Traci. I was just gonna grab a beer and something to eat before heading home,” I respond.
“Well then, your timing is perfect, we were just about to grab a bite to eat ourselves.”
“I don’t want to intrude,” I respond.
“Don’t be silly. You’re never intruding with us. Now come on,” she says with a giggle as she pulls me to their booth.
Meeting Mike’s gaze, he nods toward the other side of the booth for me to take a seat.
“Hey, man, good to see you. Glad you’re back and not fist fighting with your brother.”
Giving him a stern look, I’m sure he gets the point that I’m not at all amused by his comment. I know the shit that’s been shuffled since that day at my Ma’s place. I know that there is a lot to uncover and to fix. I’m just not ready or prepared to think it all through just yet. I have other things to worry about. I need to keep my mind clear and all my attention on training.
“Didn’t mean to ruffle any feathers, it was just a joke,” he responds in an apologetic tone.
“I get it and it’s not an issue as long as you don’t bring it up again,” I state before waving the waitress over to the table.
After ordering a beer and a burger, silence fills our small space. I feel like a dick and I’ve come to terms with the fact that I am a dick. As much as I know I can confide in Mike, now is not the time or the place. I’d much rather talk about the good things happening. The excitement that has been boiling up in Traci’s smile since the moment I saw her today.
“Well, guys . . . spill. I need you to clue me in on everything that I’ve missed.”
Together the dynamic couple look into each other’s eyes and the smiles that pull from their lips are wider than the Hoover Dam. I’m anxious to hear about the life they are building, the baby on the way and how well Mike has been doing at the Cage. It’s moments like this that make life worth living. What they have, what they’ve gone through and the future that they will share together . . . it’s exactly what I want. I want it with Taryn. I’ve wanted that life with her since the first day I saw her when we were kids. There was no doubt in my mind that I would marry that girl. Now as adults, what we’ve been through, it may all have just been a childhood dream with random hiccups and amazing sex along the way.
Shit, Trenton. Get her out of your head.
I need to stay focused. I have to push away anything that could distract me from my training and the upcoming fights. That’s all I need to do, but damn it if I can’t keep her from constantly crossing my mind.
I’m at a loss.
I’m screwed.
I’m fucked.