Flint: Book 1 (Freedom In The Cage) Page 5

  “We met because of your temper; we almost faced a lawsuit here at the gym because you jumped in. How do I know you won’t do it again? I don’t, and neither do you.”

  “I can argue the fact, but the truth is, if I can’t show you, you will never know,” he runs his hand through his hair with a long sigh. “What if we fight for it? We fight for us. Would you be willing? The winner gets what they want. You can walk away from us and be the best fighter you can be, but we do this together if I win. We don’t have to choose one or the other. We are stronger together.”

  Jade contemplated his offer. It made her queasy, but it also made her burn.

  “Done.”

  Chapter 12

  “Let’s do it now. No need to prolong this at all,” Flint sounded off at her.

  “Flint, you know this is ridiculous, don’t you? This is so unnecessary.”

  “I’m going to give you what you want. Now prepare to fight as if your life depended on it. Truth be told, mine does.”

  Flint steps into his fighting stance. He throws a jab her way to provoke her to get into hers. Jade hesitates, but eventually complies. Flint leans in for another jab. She strikes back. Jade taps him on his chin. Flint wasn’t expecting that.

  “Come on. This is what you want. Fight for it. Just know that I am fighting for us. I still believe we can do this together. I know I am happiest with you. I just need you to see it.”

  Jade strikes a blow to his stomach. Jade was using all her might to land the blows. She knew she was no real match for him, but she soldiered on. Maybe, just maybe, she would get lucky.

  Flint was careful not to hurt Jade, although he wanted her to feel that he was there. If this was truly what she wanted, she was going to have to earn it. He danced around in the ring a bit. With a quick movement, he closed the gap and pulled her back towards him. Her back was to his front, a part of her was turned on, but she tried to remain focused. Flint held her there for a few so she could feel the strength of his arms, and then he released her. The two went back into their fighting stances. Without warning, Jade jumped and did a perfect roundhouse kick to his chin. Flint felt it coming, and he tried to bat her foot away, but he missed it by a mere second. Her foot connected with his chin with force. He staggered back. Dropping down, he kicked his foot out to kick her foot from under her. It worked. Both crashed down on the mat. Flint quickly topped her. Pinning her down with a stronghold at first. He loosened his grip just enough for her to slide her hand first, then her whole arm up to break free of his hold. She pulled his arm around his own neck into a locking position. Flint taps the mat. He has had enough.

  Catching their breath, they stand to their feet.

  “Why?” Jade questions Flint, raising her voice. “Why did you back down. You were determined, yet you allowed me to win. Did you realize at last that it takes more?”

  He stands there with a bewildered look upon his face until he smirks. Shaking his head, he says.

  “I love you without question. I gave you what you wanted. You won, fair and square. Do with it as you will. I won’t ever have you blaming me if you don’t follow your heart and dreams. For some reason, you feel as if you must sacrifice it all to have the very things you want most. You fought hard against me, so I know you feel strongly about your decision. I won’t force you to choose me. I will always support you, no matter what or where it takes you.”

  Jade had never had a man to think so highly of her and act unselfishly. She wished she had already completed her goals and was ready for a man like him. Her mom’s words held steadfastly in their place at the forefront of her mind. Pushing the thoughts from her mind to the side, she listened to her heart.

  Closing the space between them, removing her gloves, throwing them to the mat, she cupped his face with her hands. She lowered his head to meet hers as her lips caressed his. Jade knew that she had to figure it out. She had to find a way to keep him in her world. She couldn’t do it without him. Before she realized she was lost in his kisses, his sweaty, sloppy kisses. Flint had brought his arms to caress her back.

  “Umm,” Stone had walked upon them. He didn’t want to startle them, but at the same time, he needed to get their attention. “Hey dude, I would ask if you’re ready, but I think I have my answer already.”

  Jade dropped her hands from his face like a child who just got caught by their parent for messing up. Instinctively, she wiped her mouth as if she could wipe away the evidence of wrongdoing.

  “Listen, you guys are grown. Just don’t bring drama to the gym. Aye, Flint, I just wanted to let you know that you have your first fight. If you accept, it would be coming up pretty quickly, so training would be intense.”

  Flint moved to exit the ring after adjusting his trunks. He was slightly embarrassed by his half erection. Jumping down from the ring, he waited for Jade to follow. Stone continued.

  “I personally think you should take the fight. It would let you gauge where you are and how well you’ve trained. The opponent is a kid named Diablo from the eastside. I’ve seen some tapes of his training. He is okay, but I think you are better. That’s just my opinion. I think you have more fight in you than him. Once you decide why you are fighting and focus mentally, you are unbeatable.”

  Flint was smiling at what Stone was saying, but he knew not to take it lightly. He knew he had lots of work to do and so much more to learn.

  “If you think I should take the fight, then I will.” Flint looked over at Jade. He didn’t like the expression her face displayed. “If you think I’m ready.”

  Jade had been quiet since Stone walked up on them. She wanted to tell Flint to wait and take another fight. She didn’t think he was ready, but she kept silent. She didn’t want to ruin it for him. After all, she just fought with him so that she could be free to make her own choices as well.

  Chapter 13

  Over the next few weeks, Flint trained day in and out until his frustration began to eat at him. He didn’t eat or sleep, and it made a grumpy Gus of him. Everyone at the gym was aggravated with his surly attitude.

  “Are you going to be able to handle this dude?” Stone asked, and not for the first time. “There’s no harm in saying this isn’t for you.”

  “Nah, man, I’m good. I got this.”

  “Hmph,” Stone groused.

  “I’m just not used to it. I guess you started me off slower than I thought. I just need to develop a routine, and it will be fine. They said they have things taken care of at work, so all I have been doing is training. I don’t seem to be getting anywhere, though.”

  “Brother, I believe you can do it, but I told you that you were going to be pushed beyond your limits.”

  As Stone turned to walk away, he made a slick comment under his breath, “You just need to get some, to relieve that stress. Just don’t wait until it is close to the fight time. We are all going to be hurting then.”

  Jade was walking up as Stone finished his statement. She saw his snide grin on his face. Jade knew instantly that he had been teasing Flint. She had to admit she was worried that the pressure of it all would get to him. This was a road Flint hadn’t traveled yet.

  “You do know it doesn’t have to be this hard, Flint. You need a routine instead of just being here day and night. It’s going to take its toll on your body and your mind. You are going to burn yourself out, and even you can’t fight yourself.”

  “Part of the reason I’m doing this is for you. I want to prove to you that I have changed and that I can be a better man than the one you bandaged up.”

  “For me? I never asked you to fight. Don’t use me for that. You decided what you wanted to do without even consulting me when Stone brought it to you. The decision was already made. I saw it in your eyes. Besides, you’ve always been just fine with me. I never saw you as broken. That is something you brought with you, and until you deal with it and let it go, it is always going to be a problem for you and for us.”

  Jade stopped to take a breather, searching his eyes for und
erstanding—finding none. So many of their conversations had ended in fights as of late. The training part was great for them both, but she didn’t want him to get comfortable because they handled their issues. She was surprised that she hadn’t spazzed out on him already.

  “Look, babe, I know you feel broken, and you still have a lot of pain from your sister. If I could help carry the burden, I would. It seems the more I tell you you’re not alone, the more you act as if you are.”

  “You just wanted to walk away a few weeks ago yourself. Remember?”

  “Dammit, Flint, but I am still here. What do you want from me?” Jade moved to her fighting stance and waited; it was inevitable. Without warning, she punches him in the chest repeatedly before he responded, only countering with a block.

  “I don’t want to fight you. I just want to love you and show you who I truly am. I am angry. I have issues, but I’m here fighting for you. Always fighting for you.”

  Jade punches him again, followed by another swing. This time, she misses. With a quick motion, Flint moves to twist her around and pulls her to him. She feels his breath on her neck. He drives me crazy. Even when I’m supposed to be mad. Ugh.

  “I won’t watch you kill yourself, training only to watch you allow someone to hurt you. Follow Stone’s training plan and take a break from the gym for a day or two. Clear your head, go to work, take a shower, you stink.” She freed herself from his grip, flipped him, then hopped out of the ring to storm and out of the gym.

  Flint noticed that Annabelle, a gym client, watched from the doorway to the showers. In moments she was bent, putting her hands along the length of his back as if she were trying to help him stand.

  “Man, that was intense. Are you okay?” Annabelle saw an opportunity to strike up a conversation with Flint. She had kept her eye on him since he joined the gym. His vision was blocked by Jade, though Annabelle knew it, which did not stop her from trying to slide in when an opportunity presented itself. This one was designed just for her.

  “Yeah, we cool. Thanks for your concern. We just got some things to sort out. It’s all good.”

  Annabelle did not like being cut short. She tried to think of something else but was coming up empty.

  “Okay, well, if you ever, and I do mean ever, need to talk. I will be around,” With pursed lips, she walked away.

  Chapter 14

  Jade made it to her car and just sat there on the hood. She was trying her best to gather her thoughts. Loving someone is not supposed to be this hard. Why doesn’t he listen? I’ve never seen someone so pigheaded in my life. Hmph, he is probably saying the same thing about me right now. She only wanted him to be safe. Jade knew he could win his match, but he could get seriously hurt like Brick, and it was taking him forever to get himself back.

  Stone walked up on her slowly as she appeared oblivious to him being there. He knew better than to catch her off guard. She stayed ready to swing on most days.

  “Jade, can we chat for a bit?”

  “I’m not really in a talking mood, but I guess,” she said as she smiled a little. “I know you’re only trying to help.”

  “I don’t have to tell you what kind of pressure my guy is under right now, do I?” Jade shook her head. Of course, he didn’t. She had been down this road before herself.

  “This guy is fighting for his life. When we look at him, we think he has it all together, but we know what kind of baggage he comes with. It is a part of him that he must succeed. I think he is partially trying to do this and, within a short time, to somehow make his dad and his sister proud of the man he has become. Yeah, to you and me, that is downright silly, but he is not like either of us. This was not something he was built for, but I am in awe of the fighter he is becoming. The more I throw at him, the more he takes it.”

  “Stone, you know I get it, but I see him doing too much, and it is pushing me away. I was already hesitant to do this with him because of you-know-who. He scarred me for life, at least life before Flint.”

  “I told you Lucas was damaged goods from the beginning. You just had to test the waters and got yourself a stalker who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Do not get me wrong, I know there is no right or wrong when it comes to matters of the heart.” Rubbing his chin, he asked, “Whatever happened to him? I wonder?”

  Stone didn’t seem to know that Jade knew he escorted Lucas out of town and threatened that he would have him to deal with if he ever stepped foot back into town. Being a man, Lucas tried coming back about two months later only to run into Stone. That was probably the worst day of Lucas’ life. When he was finally released from the hospital, he had several broken ribs and a broken wrist. Jade knew all too well what the man in front of her was capable of.

  “You got jokes, huh?”

  “All I’m saying, Jade, is ease up on him just a little. He is going to crash, hopefully not burn. Be there for him when and if he does. He is going to need you more than ever. The days leading up to a fight can be the scariest of all. One just truly never knows how the chips may fall. He is going to need you to be there. Continue guiding him as best you can, I will always do the same, and he will be just fine.”

  “Okay. I will keep my mouth shut and be supportive…” She trailed off as she realized they had never officially discussed or given a title to what they were doing.

  Sliding down off the hood of the car, she hugged Stone.

  “Thank you. As always.” She dared not say he was right; he loved that crap. The omniscient Stone. But he was correct. She had to let her man be a man. It was later than she thought. “I gotta go see mom.”

  “Give the woman my love and tell her to have a plate ready.” He winked.

  “You got it.” She smiled.

  On her way home, Jade thought a lot about what Stone and Flint had said. It was then and there that she realized that she was in love for the first time. By the time she arrived home, she was in a better mood than she had been just an hour before. Her mom greeted her with a warm hug.

  “How was your day?”

  Immediately Jade knew that Stone had called her mom to give her a heads up that she wasn’t in the mood to not take anything personally. She silently thanked him.

  “Today was rough, Mom, but Stone helped me get my thoughts together. I told you about Flint a little the other night.”

  “Oh yeah, I remember you telling me about him.”

  Celeste saw the worried look that overtook Jade’s face. She wanted what was best for her child. She always had.

  “Jade?”

  “Yes, Momma.”

  “What does your heart tell you? Listen to it carefully.”

  “But Momma, you told me to never settle. Never give up on what I want in life.”

  “Who says you have to give up one for the other? I told you don’t let anyone or anything keep you from doing what you want to. You have every right to be happy.”

  “I realized something important today on the way home.”

  Celeste’s eyes widened with anticipation.

  “Well, are you going to spit it out?” Celeste chuckled quietly after a few awkward moments of silence.

  “I’d like to invite him to dinner so you can properly meet him. And by the way, Momma, I love him. I didn’t want to at first, but he wore me down.”

  “Did you tell him that you want to fight?” Celeste asked with a raised eyebrow. “Did you tell him you have a famous mother? Okay, well, not so famous.”

  “That’s the hard part. He wants to fight, and so do I. We will have to find a balance between the two. I do not want him to be hurt, and he doesn’t want me to be either. What if I do what he did and try and intervene, or he does it to me? It could be disastrous.”

  “Stop with the what-ifs. Everything going to be just fine.”

  Jade hugged her mom and felt better almost instantly. She went to her room to shower, and afterward, she called Flint to apologize.

  “Babe, I’m here to support you, and I always will be in your corner. You want thi
s fight and the next. I’m right here by your side.”

  Flint sighed through the phone.

  “Oh yeah, by the way, Mom said to invite you to dinner. So, when are you coming over, before or after the fight?”

  They talked some more, and Flint agreed that he would come over to formally meet Jade’s mom the next evening. By the end of the conversation, they both felt better about where they both stood. For the first time in their relationship, they acknowledged their feelings. It was the first time they said the words I love you out loud to one another. They both admitted that it felt good and it felt right.

  Chapter 15

  As the weeks started winding down to the fight, the more nervous Flint became. He and Jade had been making real progress since they shared their feelings. When Flint met her mom, Celeste gave her approval as well. That made Flint feel more at ease. She encouraged him about the fight.

  “You will win, just keep your head up, and protect your face. Always watch out for the takedowns. If my girl is working with you, you will be just fine. She learned from the best,” Celeste grinned as she shuffled off to her room. “It was nice to meet you, don’t stay up too late!” she called over her shoulder.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he called back.

  Flint took the next three weeks off from work to finalize his fight plan after he had gone back for a week just to make sure the empire was still intact. He was pleased. Everything was running smoothly in his absence. He was looking at James to be a successor to him, eventually. James was his younger cousin and the closest thing to a brother he had. This was something that no one knew. Of course, he didn’t feel the board would be receptive. It was okay for him to go hang out at the gym if they knew he would be still answering calls and coming in to address any issues.