I paused before I spoke. “I promise.” I had a hand behind my back, and what Jet didn't know, was that two of my delicate fingers were crossed. We would cross that bridge when we got there.
“You have a really nice body, Jet. You must work really hard at maintaining it.”
“Are you checking me out?”
I grinned. “Maybe a little.”
“Nice. I do actually spend quite a bit of time on it. But it's all part of the game, ya know. You have a pretty nice body yourself, if I remember correctly.” I looked up to catch the wink he threw my way, and I blushed excessively.
I started the drawing the same way I had done the last one, by starting with a vague outline that I would fill in with detail later on. He stood there without moving for half an hour before we took a break, but by then I had most of the drawing completed. I just needed to add the shading and the final details.
We sat on the couch together, and I realized just how comfortable I was in his presence. I was no longer freaked out at the idea of being in the same room with him. Despite the obvious attraction he felt for me, he was on his best behavior. He swirled the wine in his glass before he looked up at me.
“So, what do you plan on doing with all this afterwards, Natalie? What career are you looking for?”
“I haven't decided yet. Before my program is finished, I will have to decide on which part of my art experience here I loved the most. At that point, I will specialize in that for a year straight, and then I graduate. I hope by then I can afford to freelance, and sell my work in galleries, but of course, that remains to be seen.”
“Do you know which one you are going to choose?”
“I have no idea. There is really something great about all of them. Writing will have to go by the wayside, I think. I just don't have a natural talent for it. But as for the rest, I can't decide yet. I will play out the rest of the year, and then make a decision for my final year.”
“That's so interesting. The idea of you being out there; you could be famous one day.”
“So could you,” I shot back.
He nodded chuckling. “Yeah, I guess that's true.”
“What would you do, Jet, if you got injured? What then?”
“Well, that's where I would have to say I have no idea. I've never even considered doing anything else. This was always all I wanted. I couldn't even imagine doing a regular job. I know it sounds juvenile, but I can't. I would probably have to go work at my father's company, which is actually the last thing I want to do, but it would be a guaranteed career, where I would one day own the company,” he shrugged, and I could tell that the idea of giving up his dream caused him sadness. I hoped he would never have to do such a thing. Seeing him fight the other day had made me realize that it could be very easy for a fighter to get badly injured?enough to end his career. The thought of it scared me, not for myself, but for him.
It was his turn to change the subject and get us back on track. “Well, let's get back to it, okay?” He stood up and headed back to his position, and I could tell I hit a nerve with my comment. I wondered if he would ever feel comfortable talking to me about his dad. That, however, was probably too much to ask, since I didn't really want him in my life long-term anyway. It was best to have him keep his personal life to himself. I did not want to feel anything for him.
I rose from the couch myself, and headed back to the drawing to finish what I had started.
Chapter Ten
Jet
“Here's the moment you all have been waiting for! Come on out, Jet!” It wasn't just their moment, it was mine, too. It was the moment I had been waiting for, as well. It was the time when adrenaline started pumping overtime. I felt jacked, and ready to kick some ass, and you better believe that I planned on it.
Coach was beside me. “Okay, Jet, are you ready to go?”
I nodded. I was more than ready.
The crowd, as usual, was losing its mind, screaming at me as I came down the aisle toward the cage. They called out my name in a fury, and it was obvious that I had some very loyal fans. I rushed into the cage and circled it, awaiting my opponent’s arrival. I saw my team going into my corner just as my opponent came out of the curtain and headed my way.
Bradley joined me in the cage, and we positioned ourselves in our respective corners and waited for the bell to ring.
With the ring of the bell, Bradley charged me. My head flew to the side from the impact of his punch. Blood spurted from my lips, and I took a step back to reset my position. I didn't step back far enough, however, as Bradley pummelled me with three blows at once, all to my face.
He swung again, but I blocked, and we exchanged jabs for a few minutes before the bell rang and we returned to our corners. Robbie applied something to my wounds, and gave me a drink of water, all the while yelling at me.
“Jet, get your head in the game, man. There is no reason for you to be taking any hits. We have prepared for this over and over again. Now get out there and ring that guy’s bell.”
I was nodding my head. It was about all I could do. I looked angrier than ever, and I was determined to do my coach proud. The bell went off, and we went at each other with kicks flying and punches slamming. I feinted to the side, and Bradley punched into the space where I had been. It was the perfect opportunity for me to come in with an uppercut to the face that connected so hard that Bradley staggered backwards. It took him a moment to recover his footing. He swung out his arm, but I ducked, and came back with a punch to the ribs, gut, and face, all landing perfectly.
I got the guy, but I also didn't expect him to stay put and swing a punch to my body, landing near my liver. I thought for a moment that I would throw up. I moved to the left, only to get another body shot, and I felt something twist in my back.