Flint: Book 1 (Freedom In The Cage) Page 4

  “Hmm, that sounds good. Let me get one too, with fries, please.”

  “Can I get you anything else? Something to drink, or is this water fine?”

  They both asked for tea with lemon. The pair seemed to share similar tastes, Flint noticed. After Mary brought their food to the table, Flint could see Jade relaxing a little more. To break the ice, he asked her how her date went. She told him not bad. Jade looked up at him to see his response.

  “The date was okay. He wasn’t bad company until he kept going on and on about himself and the fact he was done so wrong by his ex. It became boring, to say the least. I truthfully shouldn’t be hungry, but for some reason, I am,” she stated as she looked down at the sandwich on her plate. Picking up the sandwich, she took a bite. She wasn’t worried about making sure they were girly bites. This was a date where she wasn’t trying to impress anyone, and it felt good.

  “Well, Flint, tell me something about you that I don’t know,” Jade inquired sarcastically with a smirk on her face.

  Flint welcomed the conversation. He told her about his childhood and family.

  “Life wasn’t always easy. If you think I’m bad or competitive, you should have met my sister.”

  “You have a sister? And she’s more competitive than you? I don’t believe it,” and she started laughing as she said it. Flint looked as if he were shocked that she would say such a thing.

  Flint felt comfortable enough to tell Jade about his sister and the accident. She realized that was what was fueling him to go extra hard. He was missing a piece of himself. Her heart went out to him. That had to be hard to feel like you aren’t complete. That is a love that Jade never felt as a child or even as an adult. For most of her life, she was a loner. She and her sister only started getting closer when she confided in her about her husband being abusive. Unfortunately, it was at a time when Jade couldn’t help her. She was doing a tour in Kuwait. Jade thought that Mya was dramatic on the calls. Thomas never seemed controlling or abusive when they were together. She would never forget the call from her mom telling her that her sister was gone. Jade broke down and cried like she never cried before. After putting in a request through the Red Cross, they were denied due to Kuwait’s tumultuous political climate. No one was granted leave until things calmed down. Their camp was taking on gunfire, and they couldn’t risk a chopper full of soldiers being shot down or hijacked. Jade didn’t like it at all, but this was the life she chose. This was one of the times where she hated it.

  Her eyes began to fill with tears as she told Flint the story. He fought back the urge to reach for her. She was finally opening up, and he didn’t want to scare her off. They were making some progress. Flint could tell she had been hurt not only by her sister’s murder but by life itself. In that moment, he wished he could wipe her tears away as well as the sadness that came with them.

  The pair chatted for what seemed like hours. Mary warned them when it was getting close to time to leave.

  “Listen, folks, it seems as if you are enjoying yourselves, but I have a family to get home to. I’m not rushing you, but….”

  “Mary, Mary, Mary, we will be happy to leave, but we were enjoying your company so much we lost track of time.” Flint joked. Mary smiled, showing off her gap-filled smile.

  Looking at his watch, Flint noticed that it was getting late. He had a business meeting in the morning with a huge client. This was a meeting he couldn’t put off on one of his associates. The client asked for him—personally. It was a tech giant from Okinawa that was interested in merging with Marshall Industries. It would be a massive win if Marshall Industries remained in control. However, it would still prove to be very lucrative if it were offered at fifty-fifty. Jade broke his concentration.

  “Alright, let’s wrap it up so Ms. Mary can close up. Tonight wasn’t so bad,” she says as she stands to leave.

  “Oh, you thought the day was over? It’s not even midnight yet. I thought I’d keep you out long enough to see the sunrise,” sensing the daggers piercing through him, he added, “Not like that… geez, give me some credit. I was talking about let’s take a walk through the park. I’m sure if a mugger attacks, you will protect me.”

  Jade punched him in the arm.

  “A regular wise guy, I see. Well, one of us has to be able to fight. I’ve seen the results of yours and buddy, I tell you, it’s not looking too good.”

  “Wait, that first time didn’t count. They outnumbered me terribly,” seeing the disbelief in her eyes. He shook his head and led her from the restaurant. “Besides, you didn’t witness the fighting, only the aftermath. How do you know I didn’t damage them too?”

  Holding the door for her, he smiles.

  “These hands are dangerous.”

  “Let’s go, Rocky,” Jade joked with him, shadowboxing as if she was punching a punching bag.

  Even though he knew she was playing around, he was always amazed. He could never deny that she possessed some major skills. Jade always seemed so effortless when she sparred. She was a natural.

  “Alright, so who’s waiting for you at home?” Flint inquired. He had tiptoed around the idea of asking and decided no time like the present. He soon realized he made the right choice.

  “If you must know, no one really. My focus is on other things,” Jade answered without hesitation.

  Flint opted to head back towards the gym instead of extending their date by wandering aimlessly in the park. As much as he enjoyed her company, he didn’t want to overdo it and apply too much pressure. Jade was thankful when they headed back. She was having a not so bad time, but her anxiety was starting to flare up. Jade didn’t want Flint to freak out on her because she started overthinking every little thing. By the time they reached the parking lot, they were both full of smiles.

  Jade spoke up first. “Thank you for pushing this. I had a good time.”

  “Do you have any regrets?” Flint reached for her hand, surprised that she didn’t pull away.

  “I told you before, this isn’t what I do. I don’t get involved with those I work with. I did it once while in the military, and it was a disaster. I just know I can’t go through that again. Gene was kind and sweet in the beginning. Within months he turned cold and possessive. I couldn’t speak to anyone without him getting annoyed or trying to fight someone. It was so bad; I was more than happy to come back home to help my mom out. So, to answer your question from a bit ago, just my mom. To be honest, that is the way I like it. Less drama and heartache, especially after what happened with my sister.”

  Flint, no longer being able to control himself, pulled her close to him for a hug. The hug lasted longer than it probably should have, but he wasn’t relieved until he felt her let out the breath that she probably didn’t know she was holding. He was content that he could be the strength she needed. No one should carry that much pain around, although he understood. As he began to release her from his embrace, she held on. Jade raised her head just as he was moving his head, and their lips touched briefly. They both relinquished their holds and jumped back from each other. This was all new to them and was uncharted territory. Flint raised his left eyebrow and tried to search her eyes for confirmation that it was okay. Jade was searching his at the same time. The duo received the answer they were looking for as they both stepped in closer, closing the gap between them. They appeared to be compelled to try that again. Flint touched her face gently then, with quick action, brought his lips to hers.

  Her lips are like satin sheets.

  Jade’s senses were immediately thrown out of whack; it had been so long since she was kissed. She wanted to credit this euphoria to that fact, but truth be told, Flint was an amazing kisser. Finding every sensitive spot without being overbearing. Making love to her mouth and her mind without touching beyond her face. No one had ever done that before. The butterflies were enough to give her pause to pull back. Touching her own lips with her fingers to make sure it was real. Sensing her buyer’s remorse, Flint began to apologize.


  “Uh, I’m sorry…well, kind of,” he said, stammering on his words. “I’m sorry if you are offended, but I’m not sorry that we kissed. I have wanted to do that since I first laid eyes on you. For that part, I cannot apologize. I know you said no in the beginning, but can you at least think about it?”

  Jade turns and opens the door of her pearl white 2018 Honda Accord and slides into the driver’s seat. Without words, she closed the door and drove off slowly. Flint was left watching her taillights until they were out of sight. Before he could get inside his vehicle, his phone was vibrating. He pulled it from his pocket and read the message.

  “We can try it.”

  Flint smiled as he started his car and drove off in the direction of his place. His mind filled with thoughts. He wanted to respond to the text, but he resisted. Flint didn’t want to appear too eager, although his excitement was through the roof.

  Chapter 10

  Jade couldn’t believe that she agreed to give things a chance with Flint. He was a nice guy and all, but it went against her original mindset. He was just so damn sexy, though. The first few days, they were trying to keep it hidden from Stone. They didn’t know how he would react.

  “I feel like I’m in the eighth grade, and we are hiding from our parents about our relationship. You aren’t embarrassed by me, are you?” Flint teased with an arched eyebrow.

  “No, stop that foolery. I respect the heck out of Stone, and this is new.” She gestured her hands back and forth between them. “Too new. What if it doesn’t work out?”

  Flint wasn’t in the mood to hear that. His business meeting from earlier didn’t go as he had planned. He was already sulking about that. Honestly, he was enjoying sneaking around to a degree.

  “What if I just talk to Stone about it?”

  “About what?” the look in Jade’s eyes was borderline terrified. “Just leave it alone for now, please. It will come out soon enough.”

  Flint agreed, and they continued to play the game.

  Jade, instead of being more relaxed at the thought of a relationship, her anxiety flared. She became more anxious and annoyed at the little things. A few of her clients noticed that she seemed tense and borderline angry.

  Evie, one of her younger clients, started to acknowledge that very fact.

  “Jade, what gives? You are normally this happy-go-lucky lady who I think has the world at her feet. Looking at you gives me hope that I can be strong and confident when needed. Well, until now. You have been a little crabby for the last few weeks.”

  Her words hit home for Jade. She hadn’t believed it to be or really thought in terms that it had been weeks already since she and Flint first went and grabbed a bite to eat.

  “Evie, I will be back to normal soon, I promise. There is just a lot going on these days.”

  Evie decided to let the conversation die off. Still, Jade’s mom was a different story when she arrived home late from a session.

  As soon as she opened the door to the house, Celeste started in on her.

  “Jade, come here, please. I am so glad you made it home okay. I was starting to get worried. You didn’t call.”

  “I had a late session, Mom. Nothing to worry about.”

  Patting the couch cushion, she waited for Jade to sit.

  “What is wrong, my love? These days seem to find you always with a frown on your face?”

  Jade tried to ensure her mom that she was okay. Just a lot going on balancing work and home.

  “Mom, in case you hadn’t noticed. The bills are increasing. Somebody has to pay for it. That somebody is me,” Jade snapped at her mom.

  Celeste attempted to stand, but she wobbled and caught herself, grabbing hold of the arm of the couch.

  “I know you would rather be living your best life, Jade Marie, but that is no way to speak to me. I know I’m a burden. Every day I am thankful for you and the sacrifices you’ve made. But if this is what taking care of me does to you…”

  “Uhhh, Momma, you are fine. I don’t mind doing what I do. I just don’t want to hear grief about it. Nor do I want to hear about what else I should be doing,” Jade interrupted her mom with an apologetic look on her face.

  Celeste was a woman of many talents. She had been an up-and-coming underground fighter when she was in her early twenties, before she got pregnant with Jade. In her home country of Vietnam, on Saigon’s streets, she had to fight for her life—literally. She entered into the fight clubs to raise money to leave Vietnam, but soon realized that she had a knack for it and grew a love for the sport. She had dreams of joining a club when she came to America, but she got pregnant by her abusive boyfriend, Shang. When he found out that she was having a girl, he wanted no part of fatherhood and providing for a family. He, too, had thoughts of the fighting world, but through a son who he could nurture and live vicariously through.

  In Shang’s day, he was a hardcore fighter, one of Saigon’s best, in fact. His ego got the best of him, and a fight went outside of the arena. Shang was left with one eye and a hole in his skull from a gunshot that nearly killed him when it was over. He often wished it had.

  Celeste became Shang’s personal punching bag until she finally left. The last straw was when he punched her in her belly while she was carrying Jade. She had enough. She packed a small bag and used her fight club money to get to America, and she put herself through nursing school. In the beginning, she would go to the gym when she could, but when she got pregnant with her second child, she knew it was no longer something she should entertain. The girls became her entire world.

  Celeste hated to see her child sacrifice so much, only to end up with nothing.

  “If there is a guy involved with this mood of yours, don’t let them stop you from your dreams. Don’t give up like your momma did.”

  Jade recalled her mom telling her the stories of some of her most memorable fights, and that helped to inspire Jade’s own desire to join this world.

  “I’m just trying to see where this is all going. I am kind of dating a guy. You’d like him. He is a fighter too, but not just a fighter if you know what I mean.”

  “Explain, child.”

  “Flint is great, he runs his own company, and although at first, he seemed a bit arrogant, once I got to know him, he is pretty awesome to be around. He is a man’s man, a protector of us feeble women,” Jade laughed, and Celeste did too. Jade leans over and hugs her mom, “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to act crazy. He is just different. I don’t want to blow it with my insecurities about men.”

  “Just enjoy the ride, baby. Above all else, never forget who you are and what you want. Compromise if you must, but never lose yourself. That way, you won’t have the regrets I do.”

  Celeste’s regret was that she didn’t fight for what she wanted. Her girls meant the world to her, but she could have done both, and she settled.

  Chapter 11

  During the time Flint trained, he found he had begun to calm down. He no longer needed to fight or go out looking for trouble. Stone gave him props for his dedication to increasing his knowledge of the sport and not just the physical aspects. It was hard to impress Stone, but it seemed he was doing just fine.

  “Flint, give me about fifteen, and we can spar.” Stone suggested heading for the back of the gym, throwing jabs into the air as he went.

  “That’s right go take your vitamins, old man,” Flint taunted.

  “I got your old man,” Stone smirked, waving him off.

  Flint entered the ring to warm up and caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned to see Jade as she joined him in the ring.

  Leaned into him, she whispered, “I can’t see you anymore.” Before quickly stepping back. Flint’s face turned ghastly pale, and she grabbed his hand. He pulled away. “Let me try to explain, please.”

  Flint couldn’t believe the happiness he found and held onto with all his might was in jeopardy. He tried to do everything right. No pressure, no telling Stone, no nothing. Everything that she wanted, h
e gave it to her. His business savvy even let him help pay some of her mom’s medical expenses without her knowing. Was that it? Did she find out about that? She couldn’t have.

  “Jade, babe, I’m not sure why you are doing this—”

  “I told you to please let me explain.”

  “You purposely told me here because you didn’t know how I would react. By doing it here and now, you almost guarantee that I will accept it and move on quietly.” He exhaled to try and catch his breath. “A part of me wants to know why, but the other parts don’t. There is no logical reason. I thought we were doing good. I was happy. Weren’t you?”

  “You don’t get it—happiness isn’t all it takes. Yeah, sure, it’s great and all, but there are other things I need to do and be focused on. You are a distraction. At this time, I have fallen for you, and that is not part of my plan. I’m sorry.” Immediately she regretted the truth of having fallen for him. How stupid could you be? That isn’t the way to get him to back off. Uggh.

  “Why won’t you give us a real shot? What do I need to do? Tell me, and I will do it,” Flint realized as he looked about. His voice carried. He needed to take a beat. Leaving the ring’s center to retreat to a corner, he barely made the walk as his legs gave way.

  He held the ropes only to feel Jade as she tried to help steady him. Flint yanked from her scalding touch.

  “I’m not weak, and I’m not broken. I wish you could see that.” She sighed. “Flint, it really isn’t you. I want to fight, and I can’t do that and be with you at the same time. I don’t think you would let me fight like I need to fight. You are always trying to jump in and save me, defend me in some way. I’m not weak, and I’m not broken. This is something I must do for myself. Why can’t you see that? The other side is you will be having a fight sooner or later, and you need to focus on that. I don’t need to be the distraction I know I would be for you.”

  “You really think we are stronger alone? You could not be more wrong. I have never felt more alive than I have since we began. The last few years have been rough. Yes, I was missing something, and a part of me still is, but my life is better with you in it. Yes, you have a point. Do I want to clobber anyone who puts a hand on you? Hell yes, but in my defense, babe, we haven’t talked about this before, so you’re not giving me a fair opportunity to show you that I can be chill.”