When we eventually stopped training I lay down on the locker room bench panting. I badly needed to shower, and have sex. Definitely have sex.
I pulled my phone out of my bag and sent a text to the guy iv been fucking recently. I had to stop sleeping with him soon but he got the job done and that's what I needed.
Once I sent the text I tossed the phone back and shut my eyes enjoying the silence. I knew there wouldn't be much of this tonight.
The weekend was the time my neighbours got drunk. I didn't care but I still couldn't sleep through the noise.
"Hey" I bolted up disorientated and confused, i must have passed out but he didn't look too pissed "sorry! I shut my eyes for a second... sorry"
I sat up-right rubbing my eyes as he sat down next to me clearly unsure what to say. I didn't know either but he didn't have to sit down...
When I felt his eyes on me I turned to look at him but he wasn't looking at my face. His eyes locked on the long light brown bruise occupying my rib cage "that's fresh" I nodded moving my arm to cover it frowning "the desk scraped my stomach earlier when I fell, ill live" his jaw was clenched but he scanned my face quickly and looked away exhaling "OK"
He was a weird one alright.. I already knew he was going to be my friend. I didn't know much but I liked what I did know "you're phones ringing"
I looked down at it flashing with Joey's name and groaned. He could never just simply text back.. "boyfriend?" I laughed instantly making him look at me funny, how do I explain?
"Honestly? I only see him a couple of times a month.. needs must" his eye's narrowed but it must have clicked. Realization flashed on his face and he nodded.
"This you're night together?" I shrugged and racked my brain thinking of an answer. I told him the truth but I didn't even think about the line of questions that opened up..
"No.. not really, just randomly. I texted him before I passed out" he turned to me failing miserably to hide the grin on his face.
"Training got you all hot and bothered" I didn't expect that, it even sounded weird hearing it with his deep voice. My mouth opened to speak but I couldn't think of words so just shook my head in shame.
"No.. I mean? No, it didn't. Shut up" I stood and grabbed my bag heading for the shower. The hot water was definitely not what I needed but it got me away from that confusing godess.
When I emerged from the shower he was still there and I frowned pulling the towel tighter around my body "tomm-"
"Are you safe with this guy?" I frowned walking closer trying to fight a laugh off. He was almost acting like he cared.
"Yes.. he's not a fighter he doesn't use the gym. Basic mild mannered salesman" he bobbed his head and left without another word like it didn't matter that he wasn't elaborating. While I got dressed my mind ran 100mph. I hadn't known him long enough for anything I'm doing to be questioned by him.
I disregarded that thought and grabbed my phone to call Joey back. "Heeeeey" I frowned instantly, he was drunk.
"Hey, what are you doing?" I could hear people shouting and music blasting in the background so I pretty much already knew the answer "one of my friends are having a party. Maybe you could come and meet us?"
I laughed then stopped once it clicked he was serious, this guy was delusional "Joey.. I'm sorry but what we've been doing is... that's it for me" he didn't say anything for a minute and I started feeling bad.
"What are you talking about? No future?" Shit. I took to long to answer and he huffed in defeat "yeah OK. I'll be home around 5 if you still feel like meeting" the beep signaled the end of the call and I just stared at the phone in shock.
We already had this conversation so why he's acting like I hurt him is beyond me. We fucked the second time we met!! Groaning I tossed the phone back into my bag still on silent.
I had no intention of meeting him now. That's my night ruined. When I strolled out Tommy was waiting and smiled a little when he saw me "you waited?" He shrugged and stood when I got closer.
"Figured I could walk you back" he thought I walked, adorable. I chuckled and pulled my car keys out raising an eyebrow at him "or maybe you need a lift?"
A grin spread on his face but he nodded and bobbed his head to the door trying to hide his emotions. Try again, kid.
We never said another word but he walked me to the car and stopped "I'll see you tomorrow?" I shook my head beaming with the thought of being in bed all day "Nope day off. I have my day planned out with lots of bad movies and a stomach ache from eating too much icecream"
He laughed and shook his head turning to walk away "well save me some" I giggled but just stood there staring at his back as he strolled away almost careless.
He'd been through a lot you could practically see it in his eyes but I didn't even know the man and I knew he wasn't going to be talking about it any time soon.
Not that I'm in the position to be sharing life tales. He'd probably run a mile if he found out about me, or if Pete tells him.. I couldn't let that arsehole get one up on me.
"You two look cozy" I spun at the sound of Pete's voice and shook my head unlocking my car "Pete I'm not doing this OK? I don't have the energy to fight with you anymore"
He nodded walking closer, I instinctively took a step back but he held his hands up "truce?" The relief of those words from his mouth wouldn't be done justice by words.
"Yes.. jeez, yes!" He laughed and nodded taking a step closer. When I stepped away again he frowned in confusion "what's wrong?"
I shook my head adjusting the strap on my shoulder. It would be a lie if I said I wasn't starting to get nervous "Pete you hurt me.. I'm calling a truce on this war you started. Not us.. I can't be your friend"
He laughed raising an eyebrow "Leigh I don't want to be your friend, I want you.. like before" I shook my head and opened the car door but he kicked it closed.
"Leigh how many times do I have to apologize?!" A rage deep inside my bones erupted sending me off the cliff I'd been so desperately avoiding.
"Apologize? Are you fucking kidding!! You hurt me, then when I told you I wasn't going to fuck you again you started making my life a misery!!! You tortured me at every single turn and I took it because I was terrified you would tell everyone about me. Your feelings were hurt and I actually liked you before all this!"
I dropped my bag and pulled my top up showing him the ever darkening bruise on my stomach "this was you! Today" I let my t-shirt go and pulled my jean's up showing him a dent in my knee.
"This is from when you locked me in the closet, knowing my Claustrophobia would cripple me!!!" He genuinely looked like he was about to cry but I already had rage tears streaming down my face.
"I was your friend!!! Your only true friend and you broke me, over and over again" he flinched and dropped his head looking ashamed.
"I'm willing to move on from that but I don't want to be your friend anymore because I know what that leads to.. please, just leave me alone"
I've never in my life sounded so desperate and pathetic. He hadn't even done anything and he'd broke me, again!
"Leigh.. I'm sorry" I wiped my face and nodded. He didn't say anything else and walked back to his car driving off way too quick.
So many emotions running through my mind made my head throb in pain. Instead of climbing into the car I knelt down and leaned on it looking up at the stars.
"You handled that well" I sprung up too fast letting out a squeak but quickly recovered when I saw it was Tommy.
"Fuck!! Tommy" I held my chest and panted trying to calm down my jittery bones "what are you doing??" He shrugged giving me a pity smile.
"I saw him and ran back but you seemed like you were handling it.. are you OK?" I nodded and grabbed my bag throwing it in the back seat.
"Did you.. hear everything?" He shook his head and I relaxed nodding. Thank God for that!
"Yes.. a little" my happiness was short lived.. he gave me a guilty smile and leaned against the car "I was coming back but you exploded and stopped me dead in my tracks"
So he heard every word. Brilliant "Leigh I'm not going to question you if that's what you're worried about" I turned to look at him narrowing my eyes.
"No you aren't. None of us are.. no past stories, no bullshit. I know your helping me but if we're going to be friends then let's be the kind that could never turn on each other because we don't really even know anything"
His eyes narrowed but he nodded "OK. Deal" I relaxed again and swung the door open "food? So we can not talk about our lives?"
A grin slowly spread on his face before he bobbed his head and walked around the car climbing in.
This might just be the best damn friendship I've ever signed up for.