Page 33 of Bound by Desire
“Damn, you’ve grown up, boy. Never thought I’d see the day that the scrawny kid would come in here a full-grownman.”
“I wasn’t scrawny,oldman.”
“And I’m not old,” he fires back, then tilts his head to the bags. “Go on. We’ll talkafter.”
I nod then make my way over to the bag. My gaze falls on the woman with blue hair again, and I liftmychin.
She shakes her head, a small smile playing on her plump lips. Fuck,thoselips…
I break away, go to the bag, strip my shirt, and begin to lay it all out. The anger, not being good enough, the never being what my father wanted—nothing else exists except for those thoughts and my fists connecting with the bagrepeatedly.
Taping up would’ve been the smart thing to do, considering I feel the blood from my hands from last night’s fight. It doesn’t stop me from laying it all out there,though.
I feel the eyes on me, but block it all out and let the pain come through each of thestrikes.
ChapterTen
Me,like everyone else in the place, can’t keep my eyes off Deke as he lays into the bag. Each of his movements is calculated and precise. I’ve been around enough fighters to know that Deke’s form is one of someone well-trained. His cut body also tells me that he works outregularly.
With each thrust into the bag, his back muscles contort and move. Not to mention the sexy as hell angel on his back. It’s almost like she’s dancing with eachmovement.
I can’t deny the man is hot. He has a temper, obviously, but if my family would have accused me of hitting a relative, I’d be pissed, too. Yeah, I overheard that. Wish Ihadn’t.
This, though, the way he’s striking the bag, moving his feet, his drawn down eyes, seems tobemore.
Not yourbusiness.
“You gonna stare at him or finish?”Charlieasks.
“Can’t help it. He’s nice tolookat.”
Charlie finishes putting his paddles back on. “That boy has so much potential. Knew it when he left. Still know it now. Wish he’d live uptoit.”
“What doyamean?”
He sighs. “Came here five or so years ago. Got into some trouble with drugs. Bad ones. His folks put him in rehab. First time didn’t stick. The second time, he got out and left town. Left everyonebehind.”
“Don’t ya think there was areason?”
“Said he needed to get clean.” He throws a thumb over his shoulder, indicating Deke. “He look like an addict to you?” I shake my head. “My guess is he cleaned up his shit when he left, but still don’t know exactly why he took off, and definitely don’t know why he’s home now. Bet his momma’s happy, though. She misses him like you wouldn’tbelieve.”
“You seem to know him well.” Charlie’s never mentioned him. Really, why would he? There was no reason in any of our time together todoso.
“Nah, there’s more to that boy than anyone will ever crack. He’s deeper than he leads on. More going on in that head. But he won’t let it out. Punching shit gives him the out.” He turns back to me. “You gonna put up orshutup?”
“Put up,oldman.”
“Ya know, I’m gettin’ tired of you youngins sayin’thatshit.”
“Fits you.Ready?”
For the next twenty minutes, we finish my workout. I’m wringing wet with sweat. Luckily, my focus is on each throw and not the many grunts off in thedistance.
I sit on the bench, chugging a water, towel around my neck that I just used to wipe off all the sweat pouring out of me. My breathing is starting to calm down, and my body feels damn good.Wellused.
Charlie moved over to Deke after finishing with me. They have idle chitchat, but Deke doesn’t look too much like a talker, and Charlie realizes it andmovesoff.
Syd, the receptionist, has drool running down her face. I really can’t blame her. He’sdamnfine.
