Knuckle Up

Weird proposition

“Congratulations. I saw your fight yesterday,” I lifted my gaze from the computer screen when I recognized Clay’s voice. “How’s the jaw and lip? You took quite a punch in the first round,”

I lifted my shoulders. “I think I’ve gotten used to the jabs I am receiving from competing in the underground fight clubs,” I remarked with a slight tone of sarcasm.

“I noticed your fighting style and I wondered if you can help me out,”

I arched an eyebrow at his question. “What for? Jared signed you because he saw and still sees a champion in the making. You don’t need me to toughen up your fighting skill. It’s me who has to ask you to help me out,”

Clay chuckled. “Nah, I believe that I have to up my game and maybe do that yoga thing,”

It was my turn to giggle. “If I haven’t forgotten you said that you would rather fix your soul by using your fists,” I pointed out with a grin touching my lips.

He responded with a smile. “Why haven’t Jared signed you? Does he even know that you can turn him into one of the successful agents in not only the town but the world?”

“He is one of the most successful agents,” I jogged his memory. “And Jared knows more than you know,” Jared is the kind of person who doesn’t miss a thing and he is very supportive.

“What are you doing working behind a desk when you can be out there?” He asked at the same time Jared’s office doors opened up and he walked out his client.

“I am doing what I love. Just at different times and under other conditions,” I enlightened him.

“Those conditions turned you into one hell of a fighter,” Clay complimented.

I agreed. “It did,” The underground taught me a lot and helped me pave my own way to what I want to become.

I met Jared’s gaze when Clay went over to shake his hand. “I was just asking Sabrina to teach me her moves,”

Instantly a smile appeared on Jared’s face. We haven’t spoken a single word after Jared took me out for dinner and paid for everything. Even though I offered to go half with the bill. There was something coming alive between us and it’s been there for so long that I was nuts to think he didn’t feel the way I did.

I don’t know what ignited that spark but I was curious to find out what jolted it to live.

Jared’s chuckle was something I will never be able to wipe from my mind. “That’s going to be tough considering you’ve got to learn to tame your rage since Sabrina knows how to control hers,”

“Yoga?” Clay questioned.

I nodded. “I was the same in the beginning. Kept rejecting the thought of doing something that doesn’t involve pushing weights and getting my heart at a certain peak in under just a minute, but it’s truly a good way to relieve the tension in the muscles and head,”

Clay shot Jared a look I couldn’t figure out. “Do you mind if I ask Sabrina ask? Maybe take her to the gym and have a spar session with her,”

I looked away from them feeling like I didn’t have to be a part of this conversation but on the contrary, they were talking about me.

“You don’t have to ask me out on a date to have me teach you moves. Just meet me at the gym after five and we’ll see what we can work with,” I didn’t want to leave Jared with an awkward decision. More importantly. I didn’t want to tease Jared by hanging out with other guys and using them to get a reaction from Jared. I like him too much and I won’t be able to get it over my heart to hurt him like that.

I would rather just sit on the sideline and watch him. Dream about touching and kissing him than choosing to misuse another person.

Clay looked thrilled with my suggestion but it was Jared that I was concerned about. I raised my gaze and caught a glance at Jared’s face. He genuinely looked relieved and I almost thought it was the chance for me to realize he was sharing the same feelings for me but I couldn’t decipher if it was true.

Jared invited Clay into his office once Clay was thrilled with the idea that I was going to help him out. They took a while conversing in Jared’s office and while waiting for Jared to finish up—I decided to refill my mug. The kitchen was filled by a few coworkers and they did a poor job of covering their opinions.

I took my refilled mug and headed back over to my desk where I found Jared locking up his office—ready to go home. I wasn’t aware he was going home at this hour. Usually, I am fully aware of his plans.

I placed my mug down on my desk and at the same time, he turned to look at me. “Going somewhere?” I asked pulling out my chair and kicking off my heels.

“I have to pick up J.J from the airport,” He replied staring at my feet. “The heels hurting you?” Jared asked and I couldn’t help but smile at his acknowledgement.

“They’re new. Of course, they are going to hurt for a while,” It’s never easy to look pretty.

“Why don’t you take off early? Your work is done and I will only be back tomorrow morning,” Jared offered.

“That’s kind but I have to work my hours to get paid and I still have a few things to finish up before calling it a day,” It sounded like an excuse and I don’t know why I didn’t jump at his offer.

“I promised Clay that I would persuade you to leave early to get in a training session with him,” Jared confessed and it took a lot not to let a grin slip.

“It’s as if you want to push me into spending more time at the gym than at your office doing my job that pays my rent,” I remarked and noticed he was failing miserably at suppressing the urge to smile.

He came closer to my desk and rested his hand on the desk. “I don’t want to be the reason for keeping you away from what your true meaning in life is,”

“I am happy here, Jared. The feeling of watching people getting their dream made into reality is more than I can ask for,”

“What about your dream? How about we change your dream into reality?” He was playing dirty by using his business moto to make me feel bad bout not chasing what I want out of life. I would love to sign a contract with a legal fighting company. UFC is one of the top-rated fighting companies in the world and every fighter’s dream is to be able to join it. Including mine.

“You are aware of what my surname is going to do for me, right?” Maybe I will get people to support and follow me but I will also get people who will find ways to judge my every move.

“Sabrina,” Jared sighed. “If we as humans continue to live according to other people and listen to their opinions—our lives will never be really ours. It’s your life. Your choices. Your opinions. When you die, you have to ask yourself the question, will you die happy with the thought of things you missed out on in life because you listened to people’s opinions instead of your own?”

“If I may ask, why didn’t you go back after you healed from your injury?” I asked Jared as it has been always on my mind.

Jared was a great fighter. He had the self-control required to kick ass and win fights. He wasn’t arrogant and only competed because he had a problem. He was naturally talented and not many are.

“Because I was angry. Angry that a person who I trusted took advantage of me and stole my earnings. Fighting wasn’t a solution for me to fix what I’ve lost. Helping others avoid making the mistake I’ve made became my new resolution and it help me get over my rage,” he explained.

“Why did you fight me in the underground?” I’ve been a fighter for a fight club for years and he has never shown his face until a few months ago.

“I heard about this Athena fighter who kicks ass and I wanted to see for myself. I signed up to fight her and it turned out you were her,”

I smiled as I thought back to that night and how it was an honour to fight him.

“I know the underground became your safe haven, Sabrina. You can be whoever you want to be but UFC, EFC or Invicta FC can also give you what I want,” Jared noted.

I nodded. “I know but I will only be given a real chance if I use my real name and people will either hate me or love me. They will judge me on who my father was and not who I am,”

“You can still fight under your Alias, Athena,” He suggested.

I shook my head. “No, I can’t. You know the rules. I have to use a name and a surname,”

Jared disagreed. “You can use Athena, we just have to make up a surname for you,”

“That’s perjury, Jared,” I pointed out.

“I know, but we have a reason. We can discuss it with the presidents of the fighting clubs,” Jared suggested.

“What surname will I go with if I decide to do it?” I asked.

Jared shrugged. “You can use mine,” He offered and I thought I misheard him but he gave me a serious and narrowed look.

I laughed. “I can’t do that,"

He stepped away from my desk. “I am only making a proposition. The choice is up to you,” He winked at me and moved away.

“I have to get going. J.J is probably marching up and down and swearing at me,” He walked away but paused for a second. “Think about it, Sabrina and let me know,”

Sabrina Dobre. Hmm. It does have a nice ring to it. I shook my head to get rid of the ridiculous thought but somehow it stuck and now I won’t ever get rid of it.