Page 111 of Fighting Jacob

When my eyes lock on my alarm clock, I nearly fall over backward. It’s a little after noon. “Fuck!”

“I was going to suggest we do that after we work out, but if you want me to come there now, I can.”

“Shut up, Jacob.”

His deep chuckle sounds down the line.

“I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

I dump my cell on my bed before rummaging through my drawers for the gym shorts Jacob requested last night. I search my drawers, my closet, and my laundry basket before I finally locate them stuffed in the back of my underwear drawer. They’re short enough to be classed as panties, but still, did they have to be in the last place I checked?

After changing my clothes, I throw on my gym shoes then scurry for the door. I’m halfway out when I catch sight of myself in the mirror in my entryway. I nearly left the house without an ounce of makeup on.

What the hell is this man doing to me?

After applying foundation, mascara, eyeliner, and lip gloss at a record-setting pace, I bolt out of my apartment. Twenty minutes later, I saunter into Hank’s gym like I don’t suspect I triggered a speed camera on the way. I’m just praying a speeding ticket is the only fine I get.

The farther I go into Hank’s Gym, the more confused I become. The usually deserted space is at full capacity. There are boys of all ages using the outdated equipment, and there’s a line for those waiting. If I hadn’t spotted Hank in the middle of the fraying boxing ring, I would have believed I was in the wrong place.

“About time you showed up.”

I shift on my feet to face Jacob, who is tying the laces of a boy I’d guess to be no more than five or six. “There you go, Matty. Go tell Rick I’ll be there in a minute.”

Matty thanks Jacob for his assistance with a toothless grin before charging toward a boy standing ringside. Because I'm struggling to work out what parallel universe I'm in, I don't notice Jacob sneaking up on me until his arms wrap around me and his lips are on my temple. He's not cuddling me how he cuddles Emily. He's hugging me from behind—having my back like he does Noah's.

“Who are all these boys?”

“They're from Hopeton House. I’m hoping that teaching them how to fight will show them the discipline needed to be a fighter. Their rough start means they need to know how to protect themselves, but Hank will teach them how to respect the craft so they won't use it unless needed.”

My heart rate doubles when I scan the room. A handful of the older boys would be mid- to late teens, but the one Jacob was helping is only a baby. It tugs at my heartstrings that he doesn't have a home to live in.

“Matty is the youngest. He’s five.” Jacobs points to the little boy waiting to box a bag bigger than him. “Then their ages increase until we reach Drake, who’s seventeen.” He gestures his head to a blond boy sparring with Hank in the ring. “And this is Chloe.”

When his eyes drop, I follow the direction of his gaze. There’s a little girl with gorgeous curly hair peering up at me. “Excuse me.” She tugs on my shorts. “I need to go to the bathroom really bad.”

My eyes dart to Jacob when she crosses her legs like she’s seconds from bursting. With a cheeky grin and a cocky waggle of his brows, he backs away with his hands held out in front of himself.

“Jacob!” My eyes soundlessly beg for him to come back. I don’t do kids, especially not ones about to pee on the floor. “Please come back.”

Chloe tugs on my shorts for the second time. “I’m really busting.”

Realizing the skirt she’s wearing is most likely the only one she arrived with, I usher her toward the women’s locker rooms. “Quick.”

When I curl my hand around hers, I send a private prayer to God, praying she’s toilet trained. If she isn't, Jacob will have more than one messy situation to clean this afternoon.

Chapter Fifty-Four

Jacob

Lola is adamant she doesn’t have a maternal bone in her body, but after seeing her interact with the kids of Hopeton House, I’m not so inclined to agree. She shot daggers at me after she returned from the bathroom with Chloe, but she’s smiled more times than she’s scowled the past two hours. That might have something to do with all the attention she got from the teen boys. She thought they were eager for her boxing tips. In reality, they were gawking at the scandalous amount of skin she’s showing.

I would have warned her the gym was going to be brimming with minors if I knew that when I requested she wear my favorite shorts. I only came up with the idea of teaching them how to fight last night after talking to my dad. Although I don’t appreciate the horny eyes on Lola all day, she’s a guarantee they’ll return next week. They’re not the only ones who’ll suffer hours of grueling drills if she’s here for their visual stimulation. I’ll be standing right next to them.

I just hope she’ll still be here after I tell her what happened last night. . .

After spending a couple of hours with Noah and Emily, Rachel arrives at their room to collect me for our date. Noah smiles like a smug prick when Emily’s eyes seek anything but Rachel’s gaze. She’s mortified.

Just as eager to suffocate the tension hanging thickly in the air, Rachel tilts my way. “Are you ready?”

---