Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,21
recognized myself. I hardly looked like the girl that was afraid of her own shadow.
“Oh my gosh,” I breathed, poking my face. I half expected for the image in front of me to shatter.
It didn’t.
“You have some serious skills,” Rollo high-fived Piper.
“Thank you so much,” I told them. “You guys are the best. You didn’t have to come over here and-”
“Stop before you make me cry,” Rollo held up a hand and pretend to sniffle.
“You’re welcome,” Piper said with a smile, “but you better get going.”
“Crap! I’m going to be late!” I exclaimed, clamoring out of the bathroom and down the hall. I grabbed my purse. “Thank you again,” I said to Rollo and Piper. “I’ve got to go. Lock up behind you. Love you guys!” I called, already out the door.
I started my car and drove at least five miles over the speed limit the whole way to Fight For It.
I was still four minutes late but it was better than ten. I parked next to Jared’s Toyota in the back lot but he wasn’t in his car.
Instead of going inside, I stayed in my car.
Excitement bubbled in my stomach and I couldn’t help but smile. In the short time that I’d met Jared, he’d turned my world completely around, making me feel things I hadn’t felt for a long time. I could only begin to imagine the affect he’d have if I opened up and let him into my heart.
A few minutes later, I saw him walk out the back doors. He wore a pair of jeans and a knit, black, long-sleeved, shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His hair was wet, making it appear black instead of brown. A red gym bag was slung across his shoulder.
He looked up and saw me sitting in my car and a smile broke out across his face. I couldn’t help smiling in return.
“Hey,” I said, getting out of my car.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t show up,” he ducked his head down, and went to the back of his SUV. He opened the trunk and dropped his bag in.
I pulled my jacket on. “I wouldn’t ditch you. I’m not that kind of person.”
He finally looked up at me.
“Oh my God! Jared! What happened to you?” I shrieked, looking at him in horror.
He shrugged and leaned against his car. “It’s part of the job description.”
“Job description?” I asked, staring at the purple bruise around his eye and another on his jaw.
“You didn’t know?” he asked, puzzled.
“Know what?” I was completely at a loss.
“I’m a MMA fighter. I’m this place’s pride and joy,” he motioned back at Fight For It.
“What’s MMA?” I asked, even though I felt like I should have known the answer.
Jared chuckled, and scratched his jaw. “Mixed Martial Arts.”
“So… you’re like paid to fight people?” I questioned.
“Yeah, basically,” he groaned, looking sheepish.
“Oh,” I whispered.
“I swear, I’m not a hot head,” Jared smiled. “I just happen to be very good at-”
“Beating people up?”
He winced. “It sounds really harsh when you put it that way.”
“Your job is to hit people, Jared. It seems to me, you’d have to enjoy hitting someone to do that,” I took a disgusted step back.
“Katy, wait,” he begged. “I’m not a bad guy. I would never hurt you, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”
I swallowed. “Jared,” I looked around the deserted parking lot. A street light flickered. “You must have violent tendencies-”
“Jesus, Katy, I’m not like that. In all the time you’ve been around me, have I ever gotten angry?”
“Well, at the club-” I started.
He snorted. “I was defending you, Katy! Did you really want the bastard’s hands all over you?”
“No,” I shrugged.
“Exactly, I wasn’t hitting that guy because I just felt like it. Don’t judge me, or what I do, you don’t know me, Katy.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
Jared took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “Is tonight totally fucked up or do you still want to go out?” his brown eyes met mine, and there was something reflected in his chocolate orbs. Something, that almost looked like fear that I would say no.
“Yes… I still want to go out… with you,” I said, looking anywhere but at him.
“Good,” he replied, and I could hear the smile in his voice. He walked around me and opened the passenger door of his car. “Hop in,” he nodded.
I blushed and put one foot in front of the other. “Thank you,” I whispered, as I attempted to climb in the car. Jeesh, this thing was tall,