Page 42 of Alex
Amoment passes before Kyle laughs. “Are you fucking with me?”
“Afraidnot,” I reply with a chuckle, still a little overwhelmed at hearing him call mehis boyfriend.
Silencefills the room. “Makes sense,” he finally says. “You already bicker and nageach other like an old married couple.”
“Oh,”Ian scoffs, putting him in a headlock. “I do not nag. Take it back.”
“Justtoday you were complaining about his socks on the floor.”
“Theywere so nasty they could stand up by themselves! Here, I’ll let you smell one.”Kyle struggles and laughs as Ian pretends to lead him toward the hamper. Theyend up wrestling on the floor until they wear themselves out.
“Comeon, I’ll show you what real fighters look like,” I taunt, and Ian fakesoffense.
“Icould take you.”
“IfI was handcuffed and asleep.”
“Goodidea. We’ll test that later.” He drops a quick kiss on my lips before donninghis jacket and heading out the door.
Masonand Parker are both at the gym when Kyle and I arrive. Mason’s son Cody comesflying around the corner when he sees Kyle. “Kyle! Let’s go hit the punchingbag!” Laughing, Kyle allows himself to be led away by the rambunctious firstgrader.
“Youstuff him with sugar?” I ask Mason.
“Ifhe had sugar, you’d know it. He snuck a soda out of the fridge last week and Iswear he was climbing the curtains like a damn cat.”
Parkerand I laugh. Mason shakes his head and elbows him. “You won’t be laughing long,buddy.”
Parkergrins at me and announces in a way only Parker would, “I knocked up Macy.”
“Noshit? Congratulations!” I give him a hug and slap him on the back. At thisrate, I’m going to be ankle deep in nieces and nephews.
“Ihear you have some news, too, spatula.” Parker pokes me in the ribs, anannoying move he’s done since we were kids.
“Spatula?”
“Didyou or did you not turn Ian?”
Myhands land on his chest, shoving him. “I didn’t turn shit. He’s still figuringsome stuff out, but yeah, we’re seeing each other.”
Aglint shines in Parker’s eye and I know his next question is going to beinappropriate before he opens his mouth. “He let you fuck him?”
IgnoringParker, I turn to Mason. “So, you wanted to ask me about a tournament?”
“I’mtaking that as a yes!” Parker calls as we walk away from him.
“Hentonbroke his foot last night and he was supposed to fight an exhibition match inthe Students Against Drunk Drivers Tournament. They’re looking for someone totake his place.”
“Mason,that’s only six weeks away.”
“I’maware, but you’re in good shape. Besides, the guy you’d be fighting is green asfuck. You could take him on your worst day.” We sit on the bench and wrap ourhands. “Be a good way to get back into competing.”
“Fine,sign me up.”
Heslaps me on the shoulder. “Time to get your ass kicked.” With a snort, I followhim out to the floor.
Okay,so maybe I got my ass kicked. And handed to me. Between taking care of Ian andour Hawaii getaway, it’s been a while since I really fought. I’m out ofpractice. I’m not worried though. I’ve been here before after taking some timeaway and I always bounce back fast. My body may tighten up a bit and I may be alittle sluggish, but once you master a Martial Art, some things are automatic.Muscle memory kicks in and honed reflexes react with little or no thought. It’skind of awesome.
Kyleand I are just getting ready to leave when Mason flies past us, eyes the sizeof saucers. “Ev’s in labor. Macy’s taking her to the hospital. Take care ofCody, will you?” He throws on his coat and pulls his keys from the pocket.
