Kash
AFTER SPITTING BLOOD, I SWING out, hitting Zack with a right hook, shaking him up and causing him to stumble back.
I stand still as he circles around me, looking for his opportunity to strike. I’m giving him one chance and then I’m taking his ass out. This has gone on for too long.
These people came for a show and that’s what I give them, even if it means me taking it easy in the beginning, giving my opponent a chance to get a few hits in.
Fighting to catch his breath, Zack swipes his left foot out, but I lift my leg up right as he tries kicking it out from under me. This must give him a reason to try harder, because before I know it he swings out with his elbow and connects it to my right cheekbone before following up with a right hook.
I falter back a few steps, but I’m able to catch myself and connect my right fist to his jaw, sending him back against the ropes.
Blood splatters across his face, causing him to spit red onto his chest, before he comes at me, knocking me against the ropes.
He punches me in the ribs a few times, cornering me in, before I plow my knee into his gut and swing out with my elbow, hitting him in this nose.
He’s worn out now, completely out of stamina and I know what I have to do. There’s no way he’s going to give up before it’s over, no matter how exhausted he is.
I need to put him down.
Standing straight, I flex my shoulders and wipe the blood from my lip, before swinging out one last time, my fist connecting hard with Zack’s already swollen jaw.
Cheers of excitement fill the warehouse as he drops to the mat, knocked out cold.
Adrenaline courses through me as I throw my arms up and look around at all the people here to see me tonight. This warehouse isn’t the biggest, but it’s cram packed and I’ve come to recognize some of the faces over the months.
As much as I enjoy it though, I don’t allow myself to get swallowed up by it and let it consume me like some fighters do. Fighting isn’t really what I want to do.
Training and helping others is my main goal.
I don’t even give myself a few seconds to catch my breath, before I make my way over to Zack to check on him.
One of his guys is standing over him and squirting water over his face to help him wake up, so I give him a few minutes to gather himself before reaching down and helping him up to his feet.
“Good fight, man,” I throw one of my arms around him as I hold him up and encourage him to keep fighting. I’ve known this kid for years and the feeling sucks knowing that I probably broke his nose during this fight. “You’ve got a lot of heart and that’s exactly why you deserve to be in that ring. Got it?”
He nods his head, showing appreciation as I check on his nose. It’s definitely broken. “Appreciate it, man.” He stops a second to catch his breath, before speaking again. “There was a slim chance in hell I’d beat you tonight, but I wasn’t going down without a fight. Your father taught me well and once you take over this place and get all set up, I’m hoping you’ll train me too.”
“Of course, man.” Mention of my father has me fighting back my emotions. It’s moments like this that made me stop fighting after he passed just after my twentieth birthday.
It’s been three years now, but I still struggle with his absence. He was a huge part of my life and every little reminder that he’s no longer here kills me.
But it’s time for me to man up.
Every win brings me closer to the money necessary to get my training gym up and running. It’s been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid and I used to watch my dad train his men.
I always thought we’d open a gym together in the future, but that dream was crushed when he got sick and passed away.
I took a break from fighting shortly after that and just picked it back up in hopes of finally living that dream and making him proud.
Stripping became my biggest income toward making that happen a while back, but these fights are only going to make the process move faster. It’s the only reason I’m fighting.
Not for the afterparties where everyone gets shitfaced or the pleasure of dominating someone in the ring. For the money.
By the end of my second fight, I’m completely drenched in sweat and every inch of my body aches with every single move I make.
Not only from the fights, but from the training and dancing I’ve been doing this whole week, leading up to tonight.
And these fights, are nothing compared to the fight I’ll be training to take on in a couple of weeks. It’s going to take a lot more preparation and dedication than what I’ve been doing for the last six months since I’ve come back.
Fighting in the warehouse is just a warm up to the big guys, I’ve been working my ass off to fight.
That’s where the real prize money sits.
“Good fights, man.” Abe appears next to me, his face swollen and bruised from his fight earlier. I can tell with one look in his eyes that he’s ashamed he messed up his chance of winning tonight. “These other guys didn’t stand a chance against you. Even they knew it. Congrats.”
I smile and nod my head, before patting his back. “You’ll get your win next time, man. Just let my ass know if you want to set up more training sessions. I’ll make time for you, but you’ve gotta show me you want it. Got it?”
He nods and forces a smile. “I might need that. I need to get back on track. No more late night partying for my dumb ass. Especially before a fight night.”
“Alright, man.” I throw the strap of my bag over my shoulder, ready to get out of here before I can get stopped again. “I have an appointment to set up. I’ll see you Monday morning for training.”
I’m just on my way out the door, when Callie rushes over and throws her arms around me, stopping me from walking.
“Congratulations on your wins tonight! Watching you fight is even better than watching you dance. I’m impressed, Kash.”
Callie’s been at Walk of Shame more than enough times for me to recognize her by face now. Not to mention, she’s been spending a lot of money on private dances from me over the last two weeks.
Her coming here tonight was just her way of trying to get me alone without the craziness of the hundreds of women at the club. More of a chance for her to get what she wants.
Which is me, naked, and on top of her.
“Thanks, Callie.” I offer her a smile, while taking my shirt and running it over my sweaty chest, watching as she practically salivates at the sight of my hard body. “Appreciate you coming.”
Not wanting to deal with her groping me and trying to work her way into my bed, I begin walking again in hopes she’ll take off with her friends and forget about me.
“Kash! Wait . . .”
Releasing a slow breath, I stop and turn around to face her, looking her over in her tight jeans and her very sexy V neck top with a laced-up front. Her huge breasts are spilling out everywhere. Cleary, she’s dressed to get attention tonight.
As tempting as she may look, I’m not looking for meaningless fun tonight. I’ve had enough fun over the years and it’s time to take shit more seriously. I’m a different man than I was when I first started dancing at Walk of Shame. I’m slowly beginning to see that.
“Me and my friends are going to the after party. Will I see you there?” Her eyes scan me over from head to toe, taking in my sweaty body, as she waits for my answer.
Unfortunately, she’s not going to get the one she’s looking for tonight.
I shake my head. “Not tonight. You ladies have fun without me.”
Disappointment washes over her eager face as her girls walk over to join her. “You sure? It’ll be fun. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Yeah,” one of her friends joins in. “We’re a pretty fun group. We’ll keep you entertained. Maybe you can invite a few of your friends, too.”
I let out a small laugh, feeling a bit teamed up on now. Double teaming might’ve worked in the past for me, but not now. “Sorry, ladies. I have somewhere to be. Not gonna happen.”
Before they can attempt to entice me anymore, I rush outside and jump into my lifted truck, checking the time.
“Shit.”
Pulling out of the parking lot, I dial Riley’s number in hopes she’s still at work.
I’m surprised when she answers it before the second ring.
“Did you win?” she asks immediately. “I’ve been staring at this darn phone waiting to hear news. Spill it.”
I smile into the phone. “Hi to you too, Riley.”
“Oh, please. I’ve known you long enough that I shouldn’t have to say hello anymore. Now, answer my question, Kash.”
“Yes.” I pull out into traffic and head toward Sensual Touches, hoping like hell she says yes to what I’m about to ask. “Think you can fit me in tonight for a quick rub down with one of your massage therapists? I feel like I’ve been hit by a damn semi.”
“Better hurry up. I’m only saying yes since you won tonight and I think you deserve it.” I hear her laugh into the phone before she continues. “One of my ladies is looking for some extra cash. I’m sure she won’t mind staying back for a bit and fitting you in for the night.”
“Thank you, babe. Be there in five.”
Hanging up, I speed up, taking the side roads in hopes there won’t be any traffic to slow me down.
The place closes in less than twenty-five minutes and I’m in desperate need of this relaxation tonight. I don’t care if it takes me dropping to my knees and begging this woman Riley mentioned.
I barely park my truck, before I’m jumping out and rushing for the door as if my damn life depends on it.
The woman leaving the parlor spins around to check me out as I hold the door open for her to pass me.
“Maybe I need to get a job here,” she says with a smile of admiration. “Thanks.”
“For what?” I question with a small laugh.
“Just for being so handsome.” Her face turns red as she waves and turns around to leave. “Damn, I wish I was single.”
Riley is standing right inside the door, grinning from ear to ear when I walk inside. “Couldn’t wear a shirt, huh? As if you don’t distract my clients enough already.”
“You don’t want me wearing that sweaty ass thing in here. Trust me.” I lean against the counter and wait for Riley to tell me which room. “I pretty much used it as a towel after my fight and tossed it in the truck.”
“And you’re telling me some girl didn’t steal it to take home and sleep in it? Surprising . . .” Riley looks away from the computer and smiles down at her phone when it rings. “Room four. Hurry up. Eden’s just grabbing some supplies from the back so do her a favor and be ready.”
“Eden?” My heart skips a beat at the mention of her name. It’s not a very common one.
“Hey, handsome. Hang on a sec,” she says into the phone, before answering me. “Yeah. She’s one of my girls that’s been away for a bit. You haven’t met her yet. She’s good though. I promise.”
A huge ass smile takes over my face as I picture the Eden I met the other night. “Sassy blonde?”
“Yeah, that’s her.” She looks surprised. “How’d you know? Did you come in when I was gone one day?”
I begin backing up, even more eager for this massage now. “Later, Riley. Tell Cale about my fights since I don’t have time.”
I ignore her question and hurry down the hall, wanting to get to Eden’s room, before she does.
Hopefully this will give me a chance to get to know the woman behind the sass . . .