Double Full (Nice Guys 1)

“I’m going to a meeting, don’t wait up.” He grabbed his plate and walked from the kitchen, trying so hard to at least appear unaffected. If she ever knew she got to him, she’d pour salt on that wound every chance she got. “The wedding planner called, she needs to talk to you. She’s been trying to reach you for days.”

“You’re such a fucking pussy for going to those meetings every day. You’re a drunk, Colt. You’re never gonna make it. You’re just doing it now to piss me off!” Maryia stayed right on his heels, yelling at him as he wound his way to the entry.

“What, meth head? I’m sorry, I think you’re confusing yourself. Jonesing for another bump already? Makes you crazy inside to watch me eat food?” She hated anything to do with the wedding plans and food. Out of spite, he took another bite and she slapped the sandwich out of his hand. The pieces sent flying every which way. She reared back and slapped his face. He just barely moved away before the pointy toe of her hot pink Christian Louboutin pump made contact with his shin.

“I hate you!” Her nails were drawn, and she was ready to fight. Colt went quickly for the door. Scratch marks took forever to heal.

“Feeling’s mutual, sweetheart! Maybe our children will get your sunny disposition.” Colt went through the front door, barely making it out before she slammed the door and turned the lock from behind. She was ridiculous. He didn’t let the anxiety show until he stood alone inside the elevator. He fought against his need to drink. One thing he realized for certain… he was a complete alcoholic. His need to drink centered into his need to escape his fucked up, out of control life.

As the floors ticked downward, Colt thought back over the famous quarterbacks of his childhood. Did those guys really have this kind of life, hidden behind all the smoke screens of fame? How could anyone want this kind of life?

***

Unlocking the front doors of the gym, Jace glanced at the intricate window etching of his gym’s paw print logo and made his way to the security system, quickly disarming the device. Every morning since moving into this facility, he would smile with pride at those front doors. He loved the large tiger paw etched into the glass. It cost a bundle to create, but had been worth every dime. That large paw always put him in a better mood and set his day right just looking at the etched glass. Something about those hand-made doors made him feel more successful than anything else around him.

Now, with his attitude ranking somewhere between bad and just shit, Jace only focused on it being four thirty in the morning and still completely dark outside. He had left late the night before, probably close to midnight, but he really didn’t know for sure. Flipping the switch under the security system, the overhead lights came to life, forcing him to squint under their bright glare. Jace gave a jaw-cracking yawn while turning back to lock the front doors. He started every morning the same way, with a good hour-long workout before showering and beginning his work day.

February, even in Texas, meant cold weather outside. Winding his way to the locker room, he stepped inside and pulled off his sweats. Jace changed quickly into a pair of athletic shorts and a T-shirt. With his running shoes in hand, he went into the workout room. This room was available to any member of the team over the age of sixteen, and looked like any other gym’s workout room. Floor to ceiling mirrors ran all along the back wall. Drop down flat screens from the ceiling were positioned in the four corners of the room. Several treadmills, bicycles, and ellipticals were lined across one wall. The other side held assorted weight benches and free-weight stands filled with every kind of weight available on the market. Jace started one of the treadmills, letting it warm-up, while popping his iPod’s earbuds in place.

Sitting on a random weight bench, he slid on his running shoes. He ran a finger over the iPod’s screen, going through several playlists. This morning seemed to be more of a Linkin Park or Rage Against the Machine kind of day, he picked New Divide to start with, turning the volume up loudly. As the song rang through the earbuds, Jace jumped on the treadmill, began with a warm up, which quickly led to a five mile full out run.

Sweat poured from him with each mile he ran. The hard-edged music blared through his headphones. The long days of hard work and little sleep were beginning to take their toll. Jace stayed exhausted, but no matter what he did this time, no matter how he manipulated himself, nothing took his mind off Colt.

The interview happened five days earlier, and every minute since he’d looked at that stupid picture of his college days, Colt had haunted his thoughts. What the hell was wrong with him? It had been so long ago but the hurt and loss still messed with him. What happened to the strategically placed resolve he’d thought he had?

Things finally broke in his mind. The memories he barred came flooding back, crashing through the barriers he’d erected in his mind. He remembered the first full day they were in Hawaii together. He was lying on the beach, eyes closed, letting the soothing hot rays of the sun bake his body. He could still recall the sound of the ocean and the smell of coconut suntan lotion mixed with the salt water carried on the tropical breeze. Colton had called out to him from a distance. Jace propped himself up on one elbow, shielding his eyes from the sun’s bright glare, and watched Colt run along the water’s edge toward him.

Colt was stunning in every way. His muscular, well-trained, athletic body flexed and teased Jace’s senses as he ran. His short black hair, piercing blue eyes, and easy-going, charismatic smile reached straight out to Jace’s heart and stole it, right then and there. Every feeling toward Colt that he’d tried to regulate went into frenzied overdrive. That day on the beach in Kauai, Jace willingly gave his heart and soul over to Colt; they were no longer his.