Page 49 of Fight
I led the way through the kitchen and laundry room to the door, leading into the garage.As we stepped into the room, it was pleasantly cool, surprising for this time of year, especially because garages are typically not insulated or cooled.
Looking around I could see no sign of the garage door we'd seen outside."How odd."I commented.
"He's finished it, I'm betting with insulation and its own cooling system.It's the only reason I can think of to wall over the door."Devon said.
"This is beyond sweet."I looked around, not moving to do anything.
Devon tapped my arm."Come on, the mats are over here.Let's get them laid out and start warming up."He led the way to the rack holding several mats.We each grabbed a couple, and laid them on the floor, creating a good sized area for the two of us to grapple on.
Once we had the mats laid out, I started stretching, warming up my muscles so I wouldn't pull anything and hurt myself.I heard the door behind me open and close and caught a whiff of Raine's scent so I didn't bother to turn around until I heard the sound of skin smacking together.I turned and looked at both the men, but they looked like nothing had happened.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"Raine asked innocently.
"One of you hit the other, now tell me what's up."
Devon couldn't contain his laughter anymore."I found the sight of you stretching like that more than a little distracting, and your brother didn't appreciate me noticing quite so much."
Realizing what must have happened, I rolled my eyes and muttered "Men!"as I went back to stretching.When I was done, I turned back to the guys.
"Are we gonna get this over with?I wanna kick back and have a beer and I can't do that until we're done."I stood, my knees bent slightly, ready for an attack and beckoned them forward.
Devon and Raine looked at each other, then back at me.Devon shrugged and advanced.
"You realize that no attacker is going to come at you like this.With you expecting it, and ready to fight him off, right?"He walked with flexed knees, half expecting me to attack him, instead of waiting for him to come after me.I couldn't really blame him for his caution; it was something I would probably do.
Devon lunged, feinting, before falling back and waiting for me to dive in defense.When I fell for it and dove toward him, he wrapped one arm over my back and around my torso, pinning one arm beneath his and the other between our bodies.
"What are you going to do now?"He taunted.
I lifted my feet off the floor, leaving him holding my entire weight.The unexpected move caused him to lose his balance, nearly falling on top of me.As he fell I pushed my feet back to the floor and threw my whole body back, breaking his grip, and freeing myself while throwing him to the side at the same time.
I turned and watched him hit the floor, as I stood beside him.
"That's one."I gloated, dancing out of his reach.
"I'll give you that one, let's see if you can do it again."He stood back up, and looked at me.
He feinted again, but I didn't fall for it this time.I stood back, waiting, watching.I knew eventually he'd make a move and I just had to wait for it.After several tries, he realized I wouldn't be tricked into making the first move again, and he made one himself.He came at me, bent low, his shoulder aimed at my torso.I knew if I let him hit me, it would knock the air out of me and he would take me down.I stepped to one side, bringing the bottom of my folded elbow down on the back of his neck while using one leg to sweep his feet backwards out from under him, knocking him face down on the mat.
"It's not your ass, but I think that counts as two."I bounced around on the mat gleefully.
"Why are you counting?"Raine asked.
"Because Devon said I had to knock him on his ass five times before we could go do something fun instead."I danced around Devon as I spoke.
When Raine stepped up behind me and wrapped both arms around me, he caught me by surprise.He had my arms pinned to my sides as he hugged me against him.
"Hey, that's cheating!"I cried, before flinging my head back, making him loosen his hold slightly to avoid being smacked in the face.I was lifting my leg to reach back and kick him in the knee when Devon shouted.
"Don't hit him, Nickie!"
Raine and I both froze for a split second.I turned, Raine's arms still around me, to look at Devon, he was slowly making it to his feet.
"You'll hurt him, and he doesn't heal like I do."
"Let me go, Raine."I said over my shoulder.He let me go without argument."Did I hurt you, Dev?"I approached him carefully.
