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Though, now that’s all ruined because Micky called yesterday to tell Charli the bar has been reopened and her shifts are starting up again. Charli was thrilled, and of course, I was thrilled for her, but only because she loves the place so damn much. Otherwise, I would have kept her to myself.
So, here I am, Thursday after training all day. I’ve decided to wait to get a new truck until the end of the competition. That way, I’ll know exactly how many extras I can afford to put on the big bastard. Which means I’ve been running to and from training, which isn’t too bad in the mornings, but after a day of vigorous sessions with Cole, it really fucking sucks.
It starts to drizzle outside, which refreshes me and makes me feel brand new, so I push myself a little harder. I run through the back streets rather than sticking to the main roads as my headphones blast in my ears.
I get lost in my thoughts as I run, and when I realize I’ve taken a wrong turn, I stop and glance around, trying to catch my bearings, which is when I see it.
The perfect home.
A for sale sign is perched in the front yard, daring people to check it out with the realtor’s details below, and as I look over it, I know this is the one. After working out where the hell I am, I save the details on my phone before taking a quick picture of the house for Charli.
I find myself hovering out front, picturing my whole life here. Carrying Charli over the threshold, starting a family, and growing old. There’s space for a garden and a tire swing hanging from the tallest tree. It’s fucking perfect.
Unable to wait another minute longer, I break into a sprint, racing back home. I quickly clean myself up before heading down to Micky’s to find my girl. I was going to go down there to walk her home later, so what if I’m a few hours early?
The place is packed, and I have to boot some drunken idiot off my favorite stool before I can sit down and enjoy a beer. Charli’s face lights up the second she sees me, and I can’t wait a second longer. I pull my phone out and slide it across the bar, watching her intently, waiting for her reaction.
Her eyes widen, and I know she sees it like I had. Our whole future, right there on the screen. “Holy shit, it’s everything,” she breathes, looking up at me, her eyes brimming with emotion. “Are you sure about this?”
“I’ve never been so sure in my life,” I tell her.
Her eyes flick back to the picture on my screen one more time before she leans across the bar and fuses her lips to mine in a deep kiss. “Do it,” she tells me, grinning wide against my lips. “Call the realtor.”
I stand in my new living room with Aaron as we wait for Charli and Zara to hurry up and get ready. I swear, the moment Charli discovered makeup, she went crazy about the shit. She’s fallen in love with it so much that she wants to study cosmetics too and offer that as a service in her salon. You know, when she gets one. But if that’s what my girl wants, then I’ll make my way through the darkest pits of hell to make it happen.
Glancing around the living room, I can’t help but take it all in, thinking of all the different ways Charli and I can make this house a home. We’ve been here for a week now, and while it’s incredible and everything we wanted, neither of us came equipped with many possessions. We have a couch and a table, and that’s about it. The rest is a work in progress.
Aaron ducks into the kitchen and grabs two beers from the fridge and offers me one as he takes a seat. “Nah, man,” I say, shaking my head. “Not with the fight tonight. I need a clear head.”
“Yeah, sorry, man,” he says, retracting his outstretched arm. “I should have known.”
“No dramas,” I say, flopping down on the couch, realizing the girls could be a while longer.
“Who are you up against tonight?”
“Some kid called The Dark Shadow. He’s pretty good,” I tell him.
“Oh, yeah. I caught him last week. The kid is fast.”
“I know,” I laugh. “Hence why I need a clear head tonight. The guys I’m up against are getting better. Stronger. Their hits are starting to fucking hurt.”
“Yeah, but they don’t have anything on you,” he says, acting as my number one fan. Right after Charli, of course.
“True,” I say, adding to the ever-growing giant which is better known as my ego. “But all it takes is one punch. If I miss even the smallest move, they could take me out.”
