Concealed Affliction (9 page)

“When Brock told me you two had only been working together for a few months, I wasn’t expecting you to be this far ahead. Did you train with someone before then?”

I take a swig of my water before answering.

“Nope.”

He too takes a drink of his water before studying me.

“Good way to get your anger out then.”

I look at his incredibly blue eyes and nod my head.

“That it is.”

We silently stare each other off for a few moments, me taking in his chiseled face and broad shoulders, and him trying to figure me out before he breaks the silence.

“Hand to hand. I want you use your arms more. Your legs will get someone down, but you need more upper body strength.”

This isn’t news to me, I recall Brock saying the same thing. My jogging keeps my legs in great shape, but I don’t do much with my arms other than when I was training with Brock.

We practice a few of the moves I’m familiar with, and to my surprise I feel like I’m back in Indy at Fist. Obviously these two developed a technique together because their moves are quite similar.

I see Denny’s right hand coming at me. I know this move. He’s going to fake out and use his left to grab my arm and spin me around before it forces me to my knees. I move quickly and dive low, bringing my left hand up to block his move and jabbing my elbow back into his stomach.

Clearly he could kick my ass if he really wanted too, but that’s not what this is about. I don’t wait for a second to pass before tugging on his arm and bringing my foot down on his leg.

“Fuck. Damn Elle, you’re full of surprises.” Denny chuckles.

I know I didn’t hurt him, but I’m thankful I got him down to one knee, even if he wasn’t giving it his all. I brush the hair out of my face and the sweat off my forehead.

“You and I both know you could’ve kicked my ass by now.”

Denny stands up and uses his shirt to wipe the sweat off his brow. As much as I enjoy going to bed with Ryder, I’m not dead. I move to sit on the bench and discreetly admire the black ink that is partially hidden behind his shorts while he cleans himself up.

“Yes, I could have. But I’m not most men, Elle.”

No, he definitely is not.

“I make a living doing this, you pull on a regular man what you just pulled on me, and he’d still be lying there.”

“Yes, let’s hope so,” I say in a low voice, not meaning to but it just came out. I ignore his questioning gaze and quickly change the subject.

“I appreciate you doing this Denny. I’m not sure how often you have time, I used to train with Brock three nights a week.”

He runs a towel over his face again before tossing it on the bench.

“Well that explains it. Most guys went three times a week. Women only went for the self-defense classes a few times a month.”

I shake my head as I recall the group woman I hope to never see again.

“Well, I’m thankful I never have to work out with those PTA moms again. What’s your schedule like, and do you want the same fee I paid Brock?”

Denny rubs the back of his neck before he looks at me.

“Not sure the boss man wants us making cash out of this room, Elle. I’m doing this as a favor to both Brock, and Ryder.”

That gets my guard up.

“I don’t want any favors Denny, and I don’t do handouts. If you have a life to live and this is taking up that time, let me know. I came here because I thought this is what you were doing while you guys were out of work, not because you owed someone something.”

He holds his large hands up in a placating gesture.

“That’s not what I meant girl, but either way I’m here most nights anyway. Or at least I have been since we got back to Jacksonville.”

“Well if I had of known that I would’ve come sooner. Brock said you guys had the week off, or at least until tomorrow I assumed when Ryder gets back, so I didn’t want to disturb you.”

He looks at me, a little confused.

“Thought Ryder was with you? In Indy?”

This is more confirmation that something isn’t right, I can feel it in the hairs on the back of my neck.

“He left early for Chicago.”

Denny averts his eyes from mine and stares at the boxing ring for a moment before speaking again.

“I’m here a lot Elle, you want to work with me just call or text when you want to come in. Mondays I usually work out in the morning. Today was an exception. Other than that, I spend a lot of nights here.”

He seems lost in thought so I don’t disturb him or ask more questions. My questions will be saved for when Ryder gets back. I take off my gloves and grab my bag.

“Thanks. I’ll be in touch.”

He nods his head and grabs his own gear before heading to the back room.

I make my way toward the exit wondering what in the fuck is going on with Ryder Callaghan that even his men don’t know why he’s in Chicago.

I get in my truck, very much on auto pilot and nearly hit a pedestrian on my way out of the lot. I curse my thoughts of Ryder, and force myself to focus on the fact that I’ve found someone else to add to list of people I can trust.

My time with Denny may have been short, a little over an hour. But it only took me five seconds to determine whether he was a good person or not. It’s all in the eyes, and a little in the way people carry themselves. After experiencing both good and evil, I think I’m a bit of an expert on character.

I spent a few summers in university taking a psychology class so I could get to know people on a deeper level. Trying to understand what makes them who they are, and what shapes them into who they become. I’m not sure whether I should be grateful for the classes, or for my experience to allow me to be such a good judge of character, but either way I’m thankful for having met Brock West, and in turn his leading me to Denny Black.

Chapter Seven

Ten Years Ago
.

“Counseling on Campus. This is Gina speaking, how may I help you today?”

Week number five here at the center and I already want to drop my psychology class. I chose to take it as a bit of a filler, to eat up some of my downtime in the summer. That and my curiosity toward people as a whole made me interested in studying them on a deeper level.

I’ve always believed I have a natural ability to read people.  Not often am I wrong, or at least I haven’t been. I assumed volunteering at Counseling on Campus would enable me to put some of these skills to good use.

No such luck.

So far I’ve dealt with calls like, “my boyfriend of two months dumped me, and since he’s in most of my classes I need to change my major because it’s too hard to look at him every day.” And then, “I went to the spring mixer last weekend and ate a bad batch of mushrooms that put me in the hospital for two days, so I couldn’t finish my essay. Do you think I can submit it late? You know, since I was in the hospital?”

No! You dumb shit! You put yourself in the hospital!

Of course I can’t say that. No, I’m here to help. No matter how ridiculous your complaints are. So here I am answering the phone, hoping I can actually HELP whoever is on the other end of the line.

“Hi Gina. It’s Matty again. I asked for you specifically, I hope that’s okay?”

Ah, Matthew. He’s one of the sweeter ones that call. The guy sort of reminds me of the slightly dorky kid in school that gets a bad rap, but he’s actually incredibly sweet and very intelligent.

I’m sure Matt is not his real name, much like mine is not Gina. When you work in the center they ask you use an alias, that way the students feel more comfortable, and so do you in the event you did run into one another.

“Hey Matty boy, what’s shakin’?”

This is probably the sixth time I’ve talked to Matt. He calls frequently, always unsure of himself. Always asking if ‘that’s okay’ in regard to his decision making, always needing a second opinion. Or maybe it’s reassurance? Either way the kid has no self-esteem. He’s very polite and if I could guess I would say he either grew up with a father who never gave him a pat on the back, or he grew up without a family at all.

I know he doesn’t have many friends. He told me so. Matty prefers to do as much work from home as he can, taking most of his courses online.

“I just wanted to tell you that I had a really good day today, Gina. Someone made an anonymous donation to my scholarship.”

“What! That’s awesome Matty! Congrats! I still don’t know what it is you’re going to school for, but either way that’s pretty exciting. Are you going out to celebrate?”

I am certain the answer will be no. Matty doesn’t do crowds, much less people.

“No Gina, I have a lot to do. I haven’t been working as hard, knowing I wouldn’t be able to finish. Now I have a lot to get caught up on.”

Poor Matty. Such a sweet kid. Makes me wish I knew who he was so I could take the poor lad out and buy him a beer. If he’s even nineteen.

“Well Matty, my recommendation would be to go and treat yourself to a good meal and a cold one at The Tap.”

I reference my favorite watering hole, hoping the kid takes the hint and gets out more. I would even offer to buy him a beer, if I were allowed to meet up with the people that call in here.

“Thanks Gina, but I think I’m just going to stay in and get caught up on my school work.”

This is where some of these kids go nuts. I’m all for dedicating time to your studies. I’ve spent the past three years with my nose buried in the books here. However, one thing I realized over time is that we all need a break. Otherwise you’re bound to pull your hair out.

“Matty, you do whatever it is that you need to in order to sleep at night. But let me remind you, as much as I believe that school is a necessity in order to get a job, it’s also imperative you take some time for you. Remember that Matty. I know you’ve had a bit of a rough month. You had a few family issues, and then lacked the funds to continue your education. Just remember it’s totally okay to take five and do something for yourself. Okay Matty?”

He’s silent on the other end of the phone for a few moments before he replies in his usual soft, timid voice.

“Thanks Gina. Maybe if I get a little more caught up tonight I’ll take some time tomorrow for myself.”

That’s Matty. He could never outright say ‘no’ to anyone. If I told him to go and rob a bank right now, he’d probably do it. The entire time he would know it’s the wrong thing to do, but he’s a people pleaser.

“Anyway, I just wanted to share some good news with you for once. I’ll call you back soon, okay Gina?”