An Act of Redemption by K. C. Lynn

clipped in the ribs with enough force that almost knocks me on my ass.
    “Break!” Jaxson calls. I go to my corner and grab my water bottle, squirting the cool liquid down my parched throat. “What’s with you today?” he asks, walking over to me. “Your head isn’t in it like it usually is.”
    He’s right, it’s because I have too much shit weighing down on me. Shit that I have no control over and it’s driving me fucking crazy. Of course I don’t admit that though. “I think I’m doin’ all right, your ass hasn’t knocked me down yet.” I taunt with a cocky smirk. I take pride in that because there’s no doubt I’m a good fighter and I can handle my own. But these guys here are trained to kill with their bare hands, which is why I knew I would need them for this.
    Before Jaxson can say anything the new guy, Sarge, speaks up. “I agree. The kid is a damn machine.” He claps me on the back. “Listen, kid, I think we need to talk about your future after this is over. You could really be somethin’ in the professional world and I could be your manager. We would make boatloads of cash. It’s a win-win for all.”
    I grunt but feel a smirk twitch my lips.
    “You’re not helping, Sarge,” Jaxson grumbles. “And what did I tell you about that damn dog,” he says, pointing to the homely-looking canine with his tongue hanging out of its mouth.
    “What about him? I think he adds to our little circle here.”
    “He needs to stay away when customers are around. I told you that.”
    “Why? Look at how many chicks have been fawning all over him. He’s a pussy magnet and a perfect addition to your business.”
    Sawyer and I both chuckle but Jaxson doesn’t find it as amusing as us. “This place isn’t meant to be a pussy magnet,” he snaps before looking over at Sawyer. “See, this is why we should scratch the workout shit and make this place strictly for fighters. It’s starting to become a fucking dating service around here and it’s pissing me off.”
    I have to agree with him there. In the few weeks that I’ve been training I’ve had almost as much pussy offered to me here as I’ve had at the club, which is saying something. And, if I’m being honest, it’s getting harder and harder to ignore. I mean it’s been four years for fuck sakes, but I know what I need to make a priority right now and it isn’t pussy. Unless of course the one in question belongs to… Don’t go there, man, you will never get that privilege again.
    The entire thought pisses me off. Not in the mood for pleasantries any more I jump down and head to the punching bag, needing to hit something. Jaxson senses my change of demeanor and it isn’t long before he comes over and joins me. He holds the bag while I beat the shit out of it. I feel his eyes on me and know what he’s thinking.
    “I don’t want to talk about it,” I say, hoping that will stop him from bringing it up, but of course I know better.
    “You should have told me you ran into her.”
    “Yeah, well if we’re talking about sharing shit then you should have told me what you did for my mom and sister.”
    Silence stretches between us as I continue to punch.
    “So what, you’re pissed off that I helped your mom out?”
    I stop and finally look at him. “No, I’m pissed off that you didn’t fucking tell me. I could have at least been prepared. I wasn’t expecting to go back and see them like that. I expected everything to be the same, if not worse!”
    “And you’re mad that it’s not?” he asks, his tone incredulous. I don’t blame him for being confused; even I don’t understand what the fuck I’m feeling.
    “No, I just…fuck!” I run my hands through my hair, trying to find the right words. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m trying to say.” I take a moment to collect my thoughts. “Look, I appreciate what you did, especially for my sister’s sake. But if you want the truth, I don’t fucking like that you saw my life for