Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight.
This is unbeta'd and unread. All mistakes are my own.
MA: This story will eventually have explicit and lemony scenes. If boy x boy relations offend you please don't read any further.
Author's note: I moved two time zones across the country and I'm kind of freaked out that I'm now back living in the same town I picked to base this story. I didn't know I'd be moving back when I started the story and I haven't lived here in over twenty years. Kind of threw me off my writing. Sorry for the wait.
-iwtfy-
As my fists hit their mark over and over my arms started to feel like they were filled with the same sand that's in the bag. I know I'm attempting to pound out my frustration and so far it isn't working. All it's getting me is sore arms and sore shoulders.
Garrett and Bella are out clubbing tonight and while I don't actually want to be at the club with them, I would have liked some company. Who was I kidding? I really want to be at dinner with Jasper. But why would he want me at a dinner with his girlfriend? Had I really been misreading his looks? I wish I had more experience so I could understand how this game was supposed to be played.
"Cullen. You need to pay attention to your technique. It's a good workout to be slamming the bag so hard, but it doesn't help you in the long run if you only get practice throwing wild punches. You'll never connect with your opponent when you give him so much time to weave."
Carmine, more commonly referred to as Anthony Junior, was the owner of Tony's gym and had stepped up behind me while I had lost myself in the workout. I'd been so preoccupied I hadn't noticed him until he'd spoken. Moving closer to the bag I tried to keep my punches straighter.
"Do you have a girlfriend Ed?"
Not this shit again. It always seems to come back around to that question. I redoubled my efforts to pummel the equipment.
"Nope," I breathed out. Here comes his enlightened piece of advice.
"Too bad. You could use someone to help you relieve some of your pent up stress. You know, with your looks, there are a couple of girls from the neighbourhood I know who'd be happy to..."
"No thanks." I cut him off before he could finish.
Carmine shrugged, my tone had left him no room to argue. "Okay Ed, then how bout I set you up with a sparring partner?"
My fists dropped and I turned toward him. "I've been a member for less than a month and you want to start me sparring? Don't you think it's a little early for that?"
"Ed, you've been coming here for years. I know you like to pretend to keep your head in a book but I've seen you watching the guys. Maybe you haven't been the one training, but you have the knowledge, you're in good condition, and most importantly, I think you need it. You need to throw some punches at someone."
Watching the guys, yeah that's probably true, but not for their boxing skills. I wondered what his reaction would be if he knew the truth. I'd probably get thrown out on my ass. I turned away from him and raised my gloves up again. "No thanks. I'm not ready to spar. I'll let you know when I feel more comfortable."
"Alright pretty boy, but don't leave it too long. And remember I know some girls." He waggled his unibrow at me and I forced my face to stay neutral. A grimace was pulling under the surface to escape. "Say hi to your bro for me."
I nodded and raised up a glove as a goodbye gesture and watched as he walked away. I didn't need anyone to fix me up with girls. Finding a willing female had never been a problem; I've always had girls throwing themselves at me and dropping less than subtle hints about sex. As you can imagine, it's never been a temptation. Guys on the other hand, they never hit on me. Garrett says it's because I walk around looking like I'd like to knock someone out. He says I don't give off the right aura for someone to take a chance on me.
I threw my punches harder into the bag.
Until now it hadn't really bothered me.
-iwtfy-
The drive back over the bridge was a further test of my patience. You can never predict when traffic might move at a snail's pace when you cross the border. Okay, that's not entirely accurate. You know it's going to be bumper to bumper when First Niagara lets out after a Sabres-Montreal game, but other times heavy traffic can be totally random. I hated these slowdowns when I used to drive back with Emmett and he would always have a good laugh at my impatience. My argument had always been that the gyms on our side were just as good as Tony's and the traffic was too much of a hassle. Now here I was doing the same goddamn thing.
I wasn't sure if I chose to join Tony's because I was comfortable there or if it was because I knew it would meet with my dad's approval. Edward Sr. was forever spouting off about the benefits of boxing in the tougher neighbourhoods. He said it made you a 'man' that much faster. Well, we didn't have any tough neighbourhoods in my sleepy quiet town, but the American city five minutes across the bridge had a lot of them.
The slow down did give me the chance to weigh the decision I had to make about Peter's offer.
He'd presented me the one opportunity that would tempt me into returning for another summer. You have to understand, I have a one-track mind when it comes to how I see my future. The only career I've ever been interested in was that of veterinarian. Even when I was six years old and they asked in class what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always without fail said veterinarian. No not animal doctor, veterinarian. Unlike most of my first grade peers I never imagined myself as a policeman, fireman or even as a race car driver. Over the years my career goals never changed, they only further evolved to a specific specialty – equine veterinarian.
So, when Peter talked to me over lunch and started to describe how his wife was tired of the endless never-ending days it took to run his practice, I had no idea it was about to be my lucky day. He hadn't yet run it by Charlotte, but Peter had proposed that I come back next summer and work full-time with him as his assistant. He wanted Charlotte to take a break and enjoy a summer off. He planned on sending her to Europe for some dream vacation she'd always harped on about. He even mentioned that he was going to pay for her sister to join her. I hadn't known Peter very well, but he seemed like a very caring husband and I figured he'd probably be a great guy to work for.
It was an opportunity I'd have to be brainless to turn down. Yet, even after spending the last twelve years in pursuit of this particular career, I couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of disappointment. Another year in the closet. The idea caused a sick feeling in my gut. Would it be worth it? When it came time to apply for veterinary school it would look awesome on my application. But, could I handle another year of lying? It was a choice I was struggling with.
I wasn't giving much weight to the third option, to come out of the closet and take the summer job. I don't think I'm quite ready for that scenario.
-iwtfy-
The next morning I wasn't the first person in the shed row. Jasper's profile as he leaned up against the tack room door sent my heart into flutters and I cursed the fact that I was never going to get used to being around him. He greeted me with an easy smile and I found myself unable to damp down the lust that immediately spiked through me. I quickly looked away and hoped he hadn't noticed the way I was geared to respond to any interaction with him with a tightening in my pants.
"Soooo," he drawled out. "I was hoping I could talk to you alone today?"
I couldn't look at him as my hand shook while I unlocked the tack room door. Alone? What could he want with me? What did Garrett say to him yesterday?
I'd yet to talk to Garrett alone since he'd been introduced to Jasper. Garrett's flirtatious reaction to Jasper was... well it had me worried. I'd never competed with Garrett over another guy; I'd never been interested enough in anyone to care. But this time I realized I hadn't been okay with my best friend eyeing Jasper like a new toy. I couldn't blame him, because fuck, who wouldn't, the guy was incredibly hot. Even with the knowledge that Jasper had a girlfriend didn't keep the worry at bay. As soon as I was away from them yesterday I'd texted Garrett demanding that he keep his hands off. It was the first time I'd ever made that request of him and if the barrage of texts from Garrett last night was any sign, he wasn't going to let up without an explanation. Not wanting to deal with my overzealous best friend I haven't responded. I had a bit of a reprieve being at work today, but I knew he wasn't going to let it go another night.
A light hand curled around my bicep sending tingles up my arm and I turned to look at Jasper. He'd been waiting for me to respond, and like a total idiot my brain had wandered off.
"Uh, sure?" I shrugged, my heart racing at the continued contact with his skin. "What did you need to talk about?"
-iwtfy-
Another chapter should be up in a few days.
Thanks for reading!
