“You know it.”
“Kiss the girls for me,” I say with a wistful smile. His and Christi’s girls are adorable. They’ve been together as long as I’ve known him. They married straight out of high school. Jay is easy on the eyes, but no one steps out of line when it comes to him. Christi is a body builder and trust me, she isn’t a bitch you want to mess with.
“I will. Stop worrying about Kline. He can handle himself and Charlie.”
Easier said than done. Jay’s Kline’s best friend and one of mine too. Him and Kline were in kick boxing classes together in middle school. Jay has always been around; like the other brother I never knew I needed but am glad to have. I can go to him for anything. He manages Hot Bodies. Some say the gym is owned by Parker Garrett, but Jay just shrugs when I ask and says it’s privately owned.
My brother has so much more than bragging rights riding on his fights. I know even if he isn’t confiding in me. He’s quiet as we walk to the gym and I leave him to his thoughts. His shoulders are slumped and he isn’t walking with his normal swagger. The bad ass fighter walk.
A lot of the fighters in the underground and Pro circuit workout at Hot Bodies. Their presence definitely makes for some nice eye candy while I stand behind the counter. Most guys don’t even look my way. They know who my brother is along with my ex and don’t want to burn that bridge. My brother however doesn’t respect the no dating friends’ restriction he’s put on me after shit with Royce ended so badly.
He’s been screwing around with my best friend, Tiffany. I swear if he hurts her I’ll twist his nuts off. I told them I will not be involved in their shit. Tiff can cry to me duh, but I won’t get in the middle. Their relationship is fresh so we shall see how it goes. I’m not hopeful. I guess that makes me a shitty friend, but I know them both. They aren’t good at doing the whole committed relationship thing. Kline doesn’t like to answer to anyone and Tiff can get super clingy early on in a relationship.
She’s super cool at first, but at the first sign of a guy getting serious about her, she’s practically pulling out bridal magazines. God love her, she really wants to get married. My brother isn’t the marrying kind.
I’ve been witness to too many of his failed attempts in the past.
We part ways at the door. My brother goes straight to the leg presses and I make my way to my pole class after clocking in.
When I first signed up to help out for this class I was so nervous. The class is on the other side of the weight benches only separated by a glass partition. So while we are working the poles, the guys working out get their eyes full. It’s been a real confidence booster though. Now that I don’t mind getting ogled like prime meat.
I figure if they like what they see I might really have shot at getting signed as a cage girl with Lucky 7 Promotions. They are the real deal. The Pro circuit. The company is owned and ran by a young mogul, Parker Garrett. To say the man is sexy would be an understatement. He’s one of Vega’s most eligible bachelors. He’s the talk of the fighting world. His company is rising fast and becoming one of the most viewed events worldwide as far as online presence goes.
They are holding an open call for cage girls in a few days. I’m so nervous and excited. My next goal is becoming a fitness model. One of the girls my brother screwed around with was featured on a few book covers. I was shocked when I saw her face on the front of a romance novel in Target. That would be such an honor and so freaking cool to do.
I smile at Sug as she waits for everyone to get in place. She is such a character. Pole dancing is her day job; at night she’s shaking what her momma gave her at some gentlemen’s club on the strip.
She has offered to get me a spot, says I have what it takes to make some serious cash, but I would probably embarrass myself. I pull my yoga pants and my tee off leaving me in a sports bra and booty shorts. The advanced class is first on the schedule this morning and things get hot and sweaty quickly.
“All right ladies. Stomachs in and bootys out,” Sug sasses with a wink. We usually teach as a pair because the class is so large. I take the days that Sug or Yvonne can’t. Yvonne works here part time; the rest of the time she is going to nursing school.
The music starts low and slow as we go through our stretches. The more we move the faster and louder the music thumps in sync with our routine.
I steal a glance to the weight room and it’s filling up. It usually does when we have class. I giggle to myself and shake my head seeing a few of the fighters my brother spars with watching. One time a guy dropped a weight on his foot and broke his toe. I felt bad for him, but he should have been paying attention to his work out and not my ass.
One of them being a new guy in town. I feel the heat of his gaze traveling my body as I hook my knee around my pole. I catch my reflection in the mirror that lines the wall behind Sug, and I have to say I move fluidly. When I swing around the pole I don’t see him, and I get lost in the music, working my body hard.
I’m determined to sign with Lucky 7. It would be so awesome to get a deal with them.
After class I cool down with a water and go over the leg presses to check in with Kline. I snap a quick selfie and hashtag it: #Training #Lucky7 #CageGirl.
The new guy, I think his name is OZ winks at me and says, “You can work that pole, I got one you can slide down too.”
My cheeks flame with embarrassment. I’m not used to getting hit on so openly and in front of my brother. I look away right as my brother smacks him in the gut and warns, “OZ! That’s my sister you dirty fucker.”
“I meant the pole at the station.” He grins and I remember that he’s a firefighter. He’s only been a here a few months. He’s a transfer from St. Louis. I remember Kline saying something about staying away from him because he’s a womanizer.
Tribal tattoos snake up his forearm, highlighting his bulging biceps. With all American looks and blond hair, OZ is sexy, but man when the guy opens his mouth, not even his gorgeous baby blues can save him.
“I have a big hose too!” he chuckles and darts out of the way before Kline can clock him.
I shake my head still blushing. A few wispy strands tumble from my bun. I check my Instagram and holy shit! OZ hearted my selfie. I cast a side glance, peeking from the veil of my hair, but don’t see him.
“Please don’t tell me you are smiling over OZ?” Kline doesn’t seem to know whether to laugh or be disgusted, based on the confused expression plastered on his face. His dark brown hair is tucked around his ears. His dark green irises narrow on me as he folds his arms across his sweaty pecks.
I raise my bro
ws with a mischievous smirk. “What if I am? I am a girl who likes boys. OZ has charisma and a long hose.” I crinkle my noes on the last part giving away my true feelings.