Repair Me (25 page)

             
I was impressed that even at a chilling night like tonight, he was still willing to show it off. “Ready?” I tossed the wet rag to the sink and his hand instantly reached for mine. “We gotta get going.”

☼

              Stepping from Davien's bike, I looked around the lot where we had parked. It was packed with vehicles of all sorts. People were gathered and eager to get in the large brick building. “Hold my hand” Davien yelled over the noise. He looked at me with serious eyes “Don't let go”.

             
I spot Scott, Natalia and Khloe at the side of the building where Natalia was directing us to follow. Everyone was pounding on the front door to the brick building that we were approaching. The crowd of people was obnoxious and loud. “Hurry the hell up.” Natalia yelled out as she tried to stay calm.

             
Davien held my hand tight and pulled me closer to his side as our steps grew faster. “Justin's lettin' us in the side door. Gotta hurry though.”

             
I saw the shadow of Justin appear through the darkness outside. He was waving us in as we ran inside. Justin immediately closed the door behind us and flipped a pad lock. “Fucking packed tonight” Justin's voice was energetic and his breathing was fast. His fingers flew through his blonde buzz cut as he wiped the beginning of sweat from his forehead. The place was packed outside and the building smelled light a sweaty locker room.  “Come here, Baby girl.” I looked around our group in shock as he pulled my hand from Davien's. He took me to the corner of the small hallway where we were waiting. “Stay next to Davien, don't leave his side, don't drop his hand.” He placed his hands on my shoulders as he stared at me. “And, Baby girl, keep your eyes on me. Only me. Don't worry about the fight. Just keep watching.”

             
“You better not get hurt.” He didn't respond, just smiling as he led me back to my date. I could have killed him for putting me in this position. And he actually found it funny.

             
The noise grew louder when the front doors opened. My heart was racing as Davien walked us to the front row of people. This wasn't like a boxing match on TV with pretty little seats for viewers to watch. We were literally in the basement of an old building. The lights were dim as everyone pushed their way through the eager crowd. Threatening words were exchanged just over my head and people were pulling money from their pockets as they put their bets in.

             
I spot Vince in the very middle where they were prepping for the guys to enter. Noticing us, he nodded his head for his acknowledgment. Davien had pushed us through until we were as close as possible to the ring. My body sat right along a pathway that no one dared to cross.  People were pushing against me as they all fought for the closest spot. “Ignore them, Avery.” Davien warned as I looked over my shoulder. Crowds of people around my age were rough and raring for the fight to begin. I repeatedly wondered if the ring was safer than the actual audience itself.

             
The guys in the room were dressed similar to Davien's look of the night as the girls wore trampy clothes with their breasts hanging half way out of their shirts. I was proud of Davien for keeping his eyes on me. Quite a few girls stopped at his side and asked for an autograph as they recognized him from The Pits. He willingly signed anything other than bare skin. A group of girls that simply laughed at my holding hand to Davien, pulled their shirts high enough to expose their bare breasts. Davien smiled and shook his head with amusement as he turned down their request, leaving the girls to pout. I felt awkward yet relieved as Davien ignored the groups of aroused fans.

             
Across the path, one girl was sitting over a large guy's shoulders as the girl behind the couple yanked the shouldered girl's hair back. The two instantly exchanged words as the guy broke the two apart. Agreeing to leave the view open, the girl crossed her arms with her jaw open and shaking her head with irritation.

             
Natalia was loud, energetic and outspoken, but she was a saint compared to the eager girls in this crowd. The crowd that was waiting for 'My fight'. The room had no place for another body to fit and it was so loud that I couldn't even hear myself think. Until we clearly heard the announcement of Justin soon to be entering. “Everyone get ready, the fight's about to start.” The crowd grew wild again with screaming and obnoxious finger whistles. “Coming to the ring... let's hear it for Justin 'JAWBREAKER' Borman..”

             
Justin came running from the back room as he jogged down the path next me. He had his fists in the air and a black robe covered his back. His fists were held high with his overly toned arms. His calves flexed each time he stepped. He stopped at my side and kissed my cheek. Over the cheering crowd I could hear his words “This one's for you, Baby girl.” Jogging to the middle of the ring, Justin held his gloved fist in the air as everyone screamed with eagerness of the fight. I wasn't sure who they were betting on, but the crowd cheered as soon as Justin hit the room.

             
“Coming next, let's hear it for Steven 'STEEL' Hyde.” The crowd cheered, but not nearly like they did for Justin. I was sure that Justin's fans were present as Steven's must have followed him from his local area.

             
Justin was jumping in his corner as Vince had a speech with him. He looked back, ignoring Vince and spot me again. Watching me intensely, he used his two fingers and directed them back and forth pointing them at my eyes and returning to his self repeatedly. Before returning his eyes back to Vince, he winked at me and I nodded my head. I wasn't sure what was going on with Steven as my eyes never left Justin. I wasn't sure if I ever blinked I just stared at him continuously as Davien gripped my hand tightly.

             
There were many announcements over the loud speakers, but I didn't make any of the words out, I was too busy watching my prize. Vince smacked Justin on his shoulder, before he approached the center of the ring. As my heart was racing, it grew faster. I spot Steven when he hit his glove to Justin's. He was at least 4 inches taller than Justin and his build was wider, but Justin was solid and his fists were made of gold.

             
A loud bell rang and every head to my view grew taller to watch over the ring. My eyes stayed on Justin though. “I can't watch, Davien.”

             
Yelling over the crowd, Davien warned me. “Just do it, Avery. He'll be fine.”

             
The two men bounced at each other, waiting for the next man's move. Steven attempted to hit Justin's face, but ducked just in time. Keeping one fist in front of his face, his other attacked the other man. It went on for long seconds that seemed like eternity. I blinked with strength every time Justin caught a hard blow. His face was still swollen from the previous day with Anthony, but he didn't seem to care.

             
My jaws clenched to the sounds that came from the men. The loud pounds over powered above crowd's screams. I could hear each punch, every jab and every bone being tangled. At one point while the two men danced around each other, Justin nodded his head quickly at me. I knew he was watching me just as much as I was watching him. I held Davien's hand with my left hand and my right hand covered over my chest as I hoped for the best.

             
The guys went to their corners for quick moments as Vince covered Justin's slightly bloodied face with a greasy petroleum over his right brow. Justin continued to jump in Vince's face as he was eager to return. “Keep watching, Avery... I'm not washing this man's clothes.” Davien joked over the noises. I wasn't laughing though, my eyes were caught on the mess that I involuntarily watched.

             
Just as the guys met at the center ring, Justin received a hard blow to his forehead, causing his head to fall back slightly. He shook his head as I covered half of my eyes. My breath was panting into my hand as I lowered it for full vision. The two men continued as they repeatedly gave blows to each other. Steven taking the majority the hits from Justin.

             
I watched as he stared deep into Stevens eyes and Justin's nostrils flared. With a huge blow, Justin knocked Steven's jaw to the side. Steven shook at his knees as he tried to catch balance, but Justin threw one last punch to the opposite jaw and with a loud thud, the other man was on the cement ring.

             
Justin threw his gloved fists in the air and ran to me. Throwing his gloves to the floor he pulled me from my feet and held me against him. “You did it, Baby girl,... you fucking did it.” He pulled my face to the side and kissed my cheek tightly against his sweat covered face. Every girl in the building watched us as they assumed we were probably a couple. “50/50, Baby girl!” Davien rubbed at my back as Justin lowered me back in place. Vince came running to our spot.

             
“Holy shit, Justin, he's knocked out.” Justin looked back and laughed as he saw the two men squatting over Steven. Scott was holding Natalia from behind as Khloe stood as close as possible. “I'm grabbing some drinks... are we still meeting up at your house Scott, Davien?”

             
“Yeah, we'll meet you there.” Davien yelled over the thinning crowd.

             
“C'mon guys while we can. Scott hold on to Natalia's hand, Davien hold Avery's” Vince instructed us over the noise. Then Vince's hand reached for Khloe's. He held her hand to his lips and kissed it, causing all of us to make a double take. I kept my smile to myself.  “We gotta get you guys out the door quickly.” I looked back and Justin was already exiting into a private back room.

             
We were parked next to Scott's Jeep and Natalia and Scott ran together as Vince pushed us through the crowd. He held Khloe's hand and as Scott hit the button to release the door locks, Natalia jumped in the passenger seat and Vince helped Khloe to the back. I was stepping behind Davien and he started the bike up. Lacing my fingers together, Davien pulled my arms tighter around him. I noticed Vince continuing his conversation with Khloe and I joked with Davien. “You guys should be called 'The Charmers' not 'The Pits'.” We both chuckled.

             
“Shhh... don't let the secret out.” He pushed the kickstand and with a push of his feet, the bike jumped to the line of vehicles leaving the lot. “Hope you don't mind everyone coming back.” His voice was questioning my permission.

             
“Not at all.” I replied as Davien fought to make his way through the piles of cars. Steady steams of attendees sped from the lot, leaving with harsh comments to others and lines of people following each other at assumed after parties. Holding Davien tightly, I looked back at the thinning crowd.“Holy crap... it was packed in there.”

             
“Yeah, it gets wild in there. It was nice having you with tonight. I know that Justin is thrilled with you.”

Chapter 13

             
Scott and Vince made it home with the girls. Scott and Natalia were in the living room 'catching up on things'. Or possibly their lips were at least. Vince was flirting with Khloe in the mean time. Sitting on the kitchen counter, Vince munched on a handful of chips as Khloe stood nervously chatting with the long haired Ricci. I could tell by the sparkle in her eyes that she found Vince as charming as we all knew he was. Her arms crossed over her upper abdomen as she attempted to cover her curves.

             
Jumping from the counter, Vince brushed his hands on his pants and poured  drinks for the two of them. Vince was extremely handsome but he had a little rougher body that the band members, yet just as big of a heart as the other 3 guys. As Davien and I entered the kitchen, Vince was handing Khloe her drink, she smiled with appreciation.

             
“Hey, Khloe. I see you guys are, um, getting to know each other” I laughed at my sarcasm. “Vince, you better be good with her. She's a good girl.”

             
Vince shot his eyes at me in surprised embarrassment. He held his hands up, one holding his drink. “Ah... all innocent here.” He looked at Khloe's redden cheeks “Right, Khloe?”

             
She pulled both of her lips in as she tried to hide her embarrassment .“Yep.” Her short answer was shaky as I pulled my arm over half of her back, slightly rubbing for comfort. “He was just getting me a drink.”             

              As I walked away from Khloe, I opened the fridge to pull out a jug of lemonade as I saw Davien's brows shoot up. He took my place and wrapped a warming arm around Khloe. “Let me know if the asshole bothers you.” He looked at Vince as they both exchanged smiles. Khloe stayed quiet, feeling awkward between the two men. 

             
Wanting to have a talk with Khloe, I asked “Hey Khloe, wanna come downstairs with me?” Vince shot me a half dirty look as I pulled his flirting from him. I held my hand out, guiding her to the stair way. She followed me with a nervous smile. I could hear Davien smacking Vince's hand, most likely with a high five. As we made it to the basement living room, I sat at the couch and tapped at the next cushion for Khloe to join me. I held my knees to my chest as we got comfortable. “So do you like Vince?”

             
“Yeah, I think so.” The heat returned to the shy girl's face. Her speech was quiet as she smiled. “I mean he's really cute and funny.”

             
“He's a good guy. He's the 'responsible guy' of the group.” I told her with my fingers as quotes. “I think you should give him a chance.”

             
Her smile grew wider “I don't know, I think he's just trying to be nice. I don't wanna make myself look stupid.” She shrugged her shoulders.

             
“Stupid?” I shook my head at her comment. “Vince isn't one to flirt. I can tell he's doing a little bit of that with you tonight.  He kissed your hand and now he's smiling at you like he found his first crush.”

             
The stairway door opened with Vince shouting down the steps for us to hear. “Avery, what the heck are you girls talking about?” Khloe and I both smiled.

              I stood up and she attempted to follow, but I pushed her thighs back to the couch. “Sit down.” Her eyes widened at my command. I walked the steps as I watched Vince looking over my shoulder as he waited for his new friend. “Go down there and talk to her.” I pushed at his shoulder as I stepped next to him. Taking a deep breath as he followed the stairs and looking over his shoulder, I threw him a thumbs up.

             
Davien was pouring the vodka in a cup for me. “Made you a drink” He shot his eyes to me, giving me a devilish grin. I watched him closely, walking closer to the counter as he filled my drink. Handing me the cold drink, he reached for his and tapped our Red plastic cups together. “What the hell did you get them into?”

             
“Hey what ever they get themselves in or out of is not my fault. I was just loosening Miss Khloe up.” I laughed with guilt. “I think she really likes Vince.”

             
“Yeah and he's got the same feelings for her.” He took a long sip from his cup. Shaking his head the same way he did the first night I had stayed over. “Should have seen him when you took her downstairs.” Davien shot his eye from the stairway door and back to me. “Hey, I'm kicking his ass if he screws her on our bed.” I laughed, holding my stomach as I agreed.

             
The kitchen door came flying open, knowing there was only 2 guys that used the door and one was already downstairs. Justin grabbed my red cup from my hand, placing it on the counter. He wrapped his arms just above my thighs and lift me level to his shoulder. “Baby girl, you're fucking awesome.” He shoved a wad of money inappropriately down my shirt and fit it in my bra. A normal boyfriend would've killed Justin, but Davien just laughed as he shook his head at the proud fighter. I tugged at his hand as he attempted to reach a little further than needed. “50/50, Baby girl.”

             
“How much did you get man?” Davien questioned at how much was actually in my bra. With a forceful kiss to my cheek, Justin finally lowered me to my feet.

             
“Take her in the bedroom and check it out yourself, Bro.” Justin laughed at him with energetic pride.

             
“I would, but your buddy Vince is probably already banging Khloe down there.” Justin's eyes widened with surprise

             
“Who?”

             
“Khloe, Natalia's new room mate.” The two guys exchanged looks that only men could understand. “Hey it's Avery's fault not mine.”

             
My hands held at my chest even though my wad of money was far enough to stay secure. “Don't blame that shit on me, Davien.” We all chuckled. “They did it to their selves.”

             
Scott and Natalia finally finished reconciling as Scott approached Justin with his palm held high. “That's what I'm talkin' bout, Justin.” The two eager men jumped at each others chest. Justin still high with pride.

             
Natalia took one glance at my hand covered chest and took a double take. “I  see.” I held myself tighter as she tried to reach her hand as far down as Justin had already attempted to.

             
“No, he's getting it back.” I returned with my answer quickly.

             
“50/50, Baby girl. It was a bet and I don't cheat on my bets.” Justin shot dirty looks in my direction.

             
“Guess I better take it, I lost my cash at the fight. I guess I chose the wrong guy.” His eyes grew even wider.

             
“Better not have!” I laughed as he knew the truth. “Hey, Baby girl... can I talk to you in the other room?” Justin asked as he switched looks between his lead singer and myself. Davien nodded his head. I loved the fact that Davien had no problem trusting me around his friends. He had a relationship with his fellow band mates unlike any other friendship I had ever seen. It made me more comfortable since they were all so adoring of me. It was pure innocence, all though Justin sometimes even being completely innocent, took it to a much more flirtatious level. It drove Davien crazy, but he laughed along every time, knowing it would never go further.

             
“Keep your hands out of my girls shirt this time!” Davien warned him as his lips still covered in a wide grin. Justin shrugged his shoulders with his palms up as if he had no idea what he was talking about.

             
Following Justin to the living room, he crooked his finger in his direction to the corner behind the kitchen. With no sight of the rest of the crowd, Justin began speaking. “You've got a large sum of money under your shirt. I'm not telling you how much, but it's more than 10 bucks. Put the shit up, Baby girl.” He gave me a big brother speech “I'm not taking it back. I don't need it. I don't do this for the money. My bank is already packed. I do it the fun and I have no desire to move from the house with Vince. Some day I'll find a girl almost as special as you and I'll spoil the hell out of her. Until then, you're my lucky charm, Baby girl.” He over used my name, but with a seductive smile each time, I returned a smile back. I was the girlfriend he wanted, but I was taken. I was taken by an awesome man too.

             
“Thanks, Justin” I hugged him tight against me. “I love you like a brother.”

             
Pulling my face close to him, he kissed my forehead tightly, then pushed me back far enough to look to my eyes. “I love you too, Baby girl.”

             
At times I wondered if I would've dated Justin if I met him before Davien, but I remembered my saying that I always said. 'Things happen for a reason'. There really was an attraction between the two of us. We both knew it and we both fought that same temptation, but I would never take it where it didn't need to go. I wondered why he pushed me so hard to have to fight my feelings. My words came out before I gave myself enough time to think. I held that same thought in for weeks after weeks and I was ready to release myself. “Justin can I ask you something?”

             
“What's up, Baby girl?” His innocent eyes looked just as guilty as I felt.

             
“If I hadn't started Davien so soon, d-d-do you think we would have dated? Do you feel it too?” I stuttered at my words.

             
His head dropped and stood quiet, his hand covered his mouth as he nodded his head softly. When his eyes finally looked at me, they were teary. “Yeah, Baby girl, I know we would have.” I brushed a slight tear from his eye as he stared at me with the same mixed emotions that ran through my veins.  It really was true, we both had the exact same feelings. “I do feel it, a lot.”

             
“Why do you do this to me then?” I placed my hand over my heart and then over his chest. “Why, Justin?”

             
“I don't know? Guess it's as close as I'll ever get.” He bit his bottom lip as he let the truth out that neither of us wanted to ever hear.

             
“I love Davien so much and you know I would never cheat on him.” He nodded his head with agreement.

             
“I know you wouldn't. Ever!” We both shook our heads at the same time. “And I know he wouldn't either. He's a good guy.”

             
“You're killin' me though, Justin. You're more than just a friend, more than a brother. I can't fight the feelings I have towards you. But I can't and I won't. I just want you to know that.” He wrapped his wrists around my neck as my face fell to his neck. He smelled delicious, a man I could easily love, but not as much as Davien.              

             
“It's killin' me even more.” His mouth dropped to my neck as he nibbled his one and only taste he would ever get from me and I allowed it just to fight this feeling. To get it over with. The mutual temptation needing to be relieved. I wanted to stay there forever to hold that feeling, but the feeling just wasn't right. It wasn't what I had for Davien, I just knew it.

             
Looking over my shoulder to the kitchen, Justin took another glance from our view and ran his fingers through my hair, gripping me tight as he held my lips to meet his. I kissed him back, then as the feeling traveled down my body, I finally released our bodies after long seconds. “I can't, Justin.” He nodded in agreement. “I needed that though.” Oh how I needed it. Relief dropped from my chest as if it was the first time I had taken a full breath in months.

             
“We both did, Baby girl.” He smiled devilishly. “I just needed to test my friendship with Davien.  I have to say I'm a jealous man. He's got a good one.” I held both of his hands and we slowly pulled apart.

             
“You're a good guy, Justin. And you're a great friend to Davien.” I wiped Justin's final tear from his eye and then brought that same finger to brush my last tear away as well.
“
I love you, Justin.”

             
His lips spoke as softly as Davien's sometimes did. “I love you too, Baby girl.” We both knew what that 'love' meant. We weren't in love how Davien and I were, but we loved each other, like family or a true friend would. He sighed as we looked back to the kitchen. “I'm glad he came first though. He's an awesome guy.” Justin smiled a large grin.

             
We gave each other one last intimate look before returning to our group. Laughing, I finally asked .“So how much money is there anyways?”

             
He looked amused by my question. “Enough.”

             
Scott was leaning against the counter as he held Natalia from behind. Davien stood alone. I felt a sudden pain of guilt, but it passed quickly as I remembered that I was only relieving myself, relieving both of us. More than anything I was relieving my loving relationship with Davien. I needed that to prove to myself that even though the feelings were mutual between Justin and I, it wasn't meant to be. I could move on and we could still be amazing friends. Even that innocent, yet guilty flirtatious friendship we had. We knew it wouldn't go any further anymore.