Smoke

CHAPTER 6

I decide to run back to the apartment and grab a book just in case I happen upon some place to sit down and relax for a while.

I learn that as long as you keep your eyes up off of the ground, the city is quite a mesmerizing place. There is something around almost every turn; from the architecture to a small garden.  

I even come across the most amazing tasting rainbow bagel. Holy s**t, I don't know what steroids this bagel is on, but I'm not complaining.

I can't help but smile, thinking about how I am basically in a whole new world out here. I can't wait to discover something new and beautiful every day. That's what helps me get through my tough days. The challenge in finding something beautiful around me so that I can look forward to another day...another beautiful thing.

I'm not sure how long I've been walking now or where the f**k I am at this point, so I decide to check my phone. It is 4:00 PM and I have a missed call from my mom and two texts from Lily. I'll have to call my mom later to let her know how the move went. I click on Lily's name to see what she needed first, and oh how I wish I hadn't.

"Party at the frat house Friday!!" The next saying, "Yes, you have to go."

I roll my eyes dramatically before responding back, "Lily, I'm 25 years old. I'm basically a f*****g grandma to those people."

"If you're a grandma then that makes me one too, so shut your face. Besides...He didn't think I was a grandma this afternoon. ;)"

"I don't even want to know.. "

"So, it's settled! You're coming! I need my designated best friend to make sure I don't get myself in too much trouble. ;)"

I start to type my protest, but she beats me to it. She knows me too well.

"Do NOT even try and talk your way out of this one. You're going. End of story! Love you xx"

With that, I know there is no point in arguing. I am going to lose this battle no matter what I say. I shove my phone back in my pocket and stop in my tracks. I am staring at a familiar sign that is plastered on the windows of the building I am passing, in big red letters.

I pull out the sliver of paper from my back pocket and look back up at the red sign in front of me for Crown Boxing. After confirming it is the same place, I slip the paper back into my pocket and push open one of the massive glass doors to head inside.

As soon as I walk in, I am smacked in the face with the smell of sweat and men's body spray. The gym is actually pretty nice. It holds a black and red color scheme throughout the entire place. There are basic machines you'd find at a normal gym on the left-hand side when you walk in. However, this gym sports a huge boxing ring, that's smack dab in the middle of the room unlike most others. It is then surrounded by all types of punching bags, lining the mirrored walls on the right-hand side.

I notice the guy to girl ratio in here is about 20 to 1. Not really sure how I felt about that quite yet. The girl I do see is f*****g shredded. She looks as though she could knock me out with a swift flick to the forehead. If that isn't intimidating, then I don't know what is.

I clearly haven't been seen yet, so I make my way over to the ring where a group of guys are sparring. I decide to hang back and be nosey when I hear the group in some intense 'bro talk'. I can't help myself. I always find it so entertaining to listen to, so I prop myself against one of the empty machines a little ways back.

"Dude you got rejected. Just suck it up and move on."

"Yeah, I have never seen you get like this over a girl, mate."

"What is so different about this one? I don't get it."

The guy who is clearly the target for all of the hounding questions, throws his last punch before stepping back for a breath. "I don't know man. This one is just different. I've never met anyone like-"

Wait...I recognize that voice...

His sentence is cut short by one of his friends, who has shoulder length, blonde hair; punching him in the shoulder and motioning for him to turn around; clearing his throat, signaling to halt all conversation. 

Shit! I am caught. 

The guy whose back is facing me, peaks over his shoulder and his eyes grow wide. They are those eyes that bored into me the night before.

"No f*****g way!" The guy with beautiful caramel colored skin exclaims - much louder than I believe he intended, because it causes a few heads to shoot his way all across the gym.

It is him. Dawson - and he was talking about me...right? I feel my face turning beet red due to the sudden, unwelcome attention from the crowd, before they slowly start resuming their workouts.

This must be one of his gyms. Crown...King...Ah, I get it.

I look back up towards Dawson and he is ripping off his gloves, tossing them to the side of the ring before ducking under one of the ropes and hopping down; making his way over to me. Shock and disbelief are still evident all over his handsome face.

I start to head over to the desk, hoping to put a little distance between us and the onlookers.

"Um...hey?" I say hesitantly. Not really sure what to say in my state of bewilderment.

"Hey! What are you doing here? I honestly thought I'd never see you again after last night." A gorgeous smile tears its way across his face.

"Disappointed are you?" I tease in attempt to ease myself more than anything.

"On the contrary. I'm pleasantly surprised. I almost convinced myself you were just a dream."

"Are imaginary friends common in your head? If so, that may be a deal breaker," I laugh, earning me a chuckle from him.

"So what you're saying is that I actually have a chance?" He replaces his smile with a mischievous smirk and runs his hand through his messy waves. 

I let out a small laugh and shake my head in amusement, shifting my weight to my other foot. "There's a small chance I suppose."

I am cut off by a large hand on my shoulder, causing me to whirl around on my toes. "Charlie? Holy shit...I mean crap. Hi! What are you doing here?"

He let out a large, guttural laugh and says, "No worries honey, we all have trucker mouths around here." I smile lightly, feeling my face heat back up again before he continues. "I always come here after my shift. What are you doing all the way over here?"

"Honestly? I got lost in my thoughts while giving myself a tour. Which in turn got me literally lost." I shrug, mentally grateful for the GPS on my phone.

I shoot a quick glance over to Dawson, who is intently analyzing the interaction in front of him. "You two know each other?" He asks, trying to hold back an emotion that I can't quite peg.

"Oh yeah, A-" My eyes grow wide and I quickly interrupt Charlie before he can answer.

"Yes! He just hired me actually. Great man right here." I blurt out and pat him on the chest. I wipe away the sweat that is accumulating on my upper brow. 

That was close! Mentally noting that I need to fill Charlie in later about me not giving my name out.

Charlie eyes me, before letting them drift down to my book. He gives me a bright smile and taps the spine of my leather bound version of The Raven. "Yeah, she starts Monday. You don't come across many girls like this one, anymore these days."

"No...you definitely do not." Dawson's look is unwavering. His gaze meets mine, and in this very moment, I would give anything to know what is going through his head. The genuine smile on his lips never falters and his eyes tear into me as though as though he can see right through my walls. There's something about him that is drawing me in...fast. Too fast.

Thankfully Charlie clears his throat, attempting to gain back my attention. I look his way and a knowing smirk plays on his lips, indicating he saw more than I intended him to see. "What are your plans this weekend, honey? My boyfriend and I are going out and since you're new here, I figured it wouldn't hurt to give you a tour of the night life."

"Oh...uh...well my friend is dragging me to this frat thing Friday before school starts back up. If I am still alive the next day, then I'm up for anything. If not, then most definitely another time. I'd love that." I don't want him being offended if I decline his offer for this weekend so I at least leave an opening for the future, hopefully.

He shoots me a triumphant smile and exclaimed, "Perfect! You have my number. Just let me know when works best for you. I have to head out though sweetie. I'll talk to you later." He gives me a half hug before turning to leave.

I give him a wave goodbye and awkwardly turn back toward Dawson.

"So your name starts with an A?" He wiggles his eyebrows at me like he won a prize.

"Hey, he's the only person in the city apart from my best friend who knows my name, and I had no choice but to give it to him - what with him signing my checks and all." I start fiddling with the book in my hands, gently turning it in circles.

"Which brings me back to my unanswered question. What are you doing here?"

I look over his shoulder to see his friends are still watching us closely, nudging each other and laughing.

Kol, who is standing there with a massive smile on his face, sends me a huge wave and yells, "Hello beautiful!" Dawson shoots his brother a glare in return.

I smile shyly and send him back a small wave.

Suddenly realizing I have to give my information to sign up for a class I say, "I...I was just checking out a few gyms around the area, deciding on the best fit for me," my voice betraying me.

"We are the best gym in the area," he says blatantly. "I mean it is mine, so you shouldn't expect anything less," smirking proudly of himself.

"Well I guess we'll have to see about that. Maybe I'll be back. Maybe I won't." I return a smug smirk to match his.

His face falls instantly. "Wait...oh come on! Really? I'm trying really hard here," he pouts, realizing he still isn't going to get my name out of me today.

"Try a little harder Romeo. Maybe next time." I give him a wink before spinning around and smiling to myself; pushing open the big, glass door to leave.

I hear a collection of laughter behind me from his group of friends; along with a very loud, "STRIKE 2!"