Chapter 3: The Champion

Tamara

I got home in record time and my sister met me at our apartment door. The gorgeous Oriental woman was checking her phone messages, flipping her inky dark hair over her shoulder.

"Oh good, you're up and functioning again," she said happily, checking her immaculate nails. "I was about to call up Kenneth or Randy to get you out of your funk. I told you that going to an MMA gym was a bad idea. It's the fastest way to get your feelings hurt. But never fear, little sister, I have tracked down another gym for you. Lionel even says-"

"I have a boyfriend and a date tonight… Sort of," I blurted before she could start in on one of her lectures about the state of my life. Peggy was always going on and on about how monotonous and routine my life was. I could admit she was right. I was comfortable with my routine of work, exercise, home to dream of my dream job, and then sleep. It seemed that routine was about to change. A guy like Keith would never be content in my quiet little life.

"What?" my sister gaped at me. I groaned, knowing that I had exactly zero seconds to explain myself before she staged a full blown intervention with all ten of my siblings.

"One of the men at the gym decided that I'm going to be his girlfriend from now on. He is playing a gig at Nu Vida with his band and he insisted that I come see him play tonight. I don't know what to do! I don't have clothes that fit me anymore and I only have until 8:30 to come up with a hairstyle and I don't have any makeup and-"

"Wait, wait, wait," Peggy huffed a laugh. "First of all, breathe. Second, what do you mean 'he decided'? Relationships are a mutual decision last time I checked. Third, Nu Vida? There's no way you're going to Nu Vida on your own after dark. Arthur would have a fit and Teenu would murder us both if I let you go!" I cringed at the names of our oldest brother and sister. They were like a second set of parents, only worse since they were privy to all the siblings' dirty laundry. And neither of them were married, too busy keeping an eye on the rest of us.

"I'm not going to Nu Vida on my own. I'm going to meet a bunch of the fighters at the gym and we're going to carpool there." She raised a perfectly made up brow at me, her body language screaming 'do better'.

"Your gym is in Ghost Town, sis. You think I feel better about you roaming Ghost Town late at night on your way to West Oakland? Have you lost your mind?"

"But Peggy, I have to go," I whined at her. "I've never been invited to anything before. And Keith will be so disappointed if I don't show up to his gig! He's my boyfriend. I have to go."

"Tamara Frost Saunders…"

"I have to go," I said stubbornly, staring at her with the same stubbornness that got me through the worst four years of my life. She tried to outlast me, but none of my siblings could outlast me in a staring contest. Mom said that it was the result of my iron will. Most times I was a pushover, but when I got an idea in my head, I could not be stopped.

"I swear if I didn't love you so much…" She finally sighed, walking away in a huff and I smiled as I walked into my room. Considering my closet, I sighed in despair. Just as I suspected, nothing would fit me. 75 pounds was a lot to lose. I was down at least three dress sizes and I hadn't dress shopped since I started working out at Redemption. What was I going to do?

"Alright, little sister. Let's go," Peggy came up behind me. "If we start now, we should be able to find you a few good clubbing outfits and matching under clothes before we're due at your gym."

It was my turn to gape. "What?"

"What? Did you think I'd leave you to your own devices? Miss 'I need to be in bed before the sun goes down'? Lionel and I are coming with you to Nu Vida tonight. I need to make sure you don't end up mugged or molested on the wrong side of town." I squealed and hugged her.

"You're the best sister ever!" I exclaimed. I quickly fixed up my lunch and breakfast for work the next morning, sighing as I realized that I was going to be ridiculously tired during my shift tomorrow. "It's my last in this stretch," I mumbled to myself, setting out my clothes so that I could just grab and go in the morning.

"Ready, Ladybug?" She teased me, using our mother's nickname for me. We set out from our shared apartment and I drove us to a trendy little boutique my sister knew in the Bay area. We hunted for a few hours and got me four clubbing outfits, complete with lingerie. We stopped at Sephora on her insistence to get makeup, something I hardly ever wore, and then home to dress me for my first ever date.

… …

"What do you think?" I asked as I walked into my sister's room at 6:45. I needed enough time to change if she didn't approve. Plus, she threatened to do me bodily harm if I didn't show up in her room so she could do my makeup by this time. The lilac dress I had on was conservative compared to my sister's slinky royal blue number. With a bardot neckline that showed the top of my breasts and hanging sleeves halfway down my muscled upper arms, the abstract textured A-line dress fell to mid-thigh. Combined with my favorite black Goldie Espadrille Wedge Sandals that went with everything, and a small black clutch, I felt powerful and sexy. Especially with my long, long hair in a sharp updo of my own design, surrounded by a large lilac scarf to hide my fraying edges. I was about due to touch up my locs. That's what I'd be doing after this stretch of shifts.

"God, how can you make a smoking hot ensemble like this look so damn adorable?" I deflated instantly. And here I thought I looked like a sex goddess.

"I'll… I'll try one of the other outfits," I muttered.

"Too late," she chuckled, pulling me the rest of the way into the room and sitting me on the edge of her bed. "You'd just make those other outfits look just as adorable. You are an adorable little package Tammy. Now sit still while I work my magic." I sighed but inside I was glowing. I rarely get compliments like that from anyone. Peggy was a supermodel compared to fat, plain-jane me. Once she was finished, I looked in the mirror and almost didn't recognize myself. Where were the circles under my eyes from lack of sleep? Where did that color in my cheeks come from? My eyes looked larger than normal and vulnerable. And even with all that, my usually plump lips looked even plumper and sinfully red.

"What have you done to me? Keith's not going to recognize me like this?" I said in a high-pitched voice.

"You don't like it?" she asked innocently. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"I didn't say I didn't like it," I finally admitted. The doorbell rang just then.

"Good. Now go get the door. I want to pose on the couch for my man." This time I couldn't resist the eye roll. Peggy and Lionel had been a thing for the last nine months. The man had even suggested that they get a place together, but Peggy wouldn't do it, afraid to stick me with a loser roommate after she left. A familiar twinge of guilt niggled my gut, knowing that she was putting her life on hold for me.

"Stop pouting, Ladybug! You're going to ruin the effect. Now stop worrying about my love life and open the door."

Wondering if my sister was psychic, I went to the door. Being on the first floor had its advantages.

"Hey Lionel," I greeted him, enjoying the way his intense brown eyes widened as if he suddenly remembered that I was a girl. "How was work? Sorry about the change of plans; my sister is a tad overprotective." I pushed the door closed since he'd forgotten it in his shock and led him around the antechamber wall and into the living room. Peggy was laid out on our couch like the vixen that she was. And just like any red-blooded male on the planet, Lionel was unable to resist the obvious invitation. As he went to partake, I headed back into her room to grab my purse and take one last look in the mirror. Was I really adorable? Even with all this extra weight still on me?

"Stop obsessing, sis. It's time to go." My eyes found hers in the mirror and I grinned. She grinned back and the two of us left the room.

… …

We reached Redemption at 8:30 on the dot.

"Damn, girl. If you weren't taken, you would be by the end of the night." I blushed hard enough to contribute to global warming as a giant black man came up to me, grabbed my hand, and kissed the back of it. "Obsidian, my lady. I'll be escorting you to the venue."

"Peggy Saunders," my sister broke into the moment, effectively coming to my rescue. "I'm Tammy's sister. My boyfriend and I will be chaperoning tonight." He gave her a wry look before taking her extended hand and kissing it. Then he looked at the two of us closely. "Sister from another mister?"

We both groaned. Sometimes we forgot about that. "We're adopted," I huffed. "Mom and Dad have eclectic tastes in children. Shall we go?" The man seemed to take the hint and we set out for Nu Vida. He held the door open for me, causing me to flush again. Lionel took that hint and helped my sister into the back seat.

"Where are you from, Tammy?" Obsidian asked once we were on the road.

"My family is from Wyncote. It's a suburb of Philadelphia. How did you know that I'm not from around here?"

"You have an East Coast swagger," he smiled. "And you are pure stubborn nerve. Not many women would march into a MMA gym in the middle of Ghost Town and just pick up a set of weights. What led you to do that?"

I stared down at my hands. "I was sick of being so overweight and I figured you people would leave me to my own devices and I wouldn't have to worry about anything while I achieved my goal."

"Leave you to your own devices?"

"Well, yeah," I blushed. "I'd been to three gyms before I found Redemption. At each one there were these know-it-all assholes who wouldn't leave me alone, insisting on showing me how to lift while warning me not to 'lift too heavy'. As if I hadn't researched and researched before starting my fitness journey. I just figured that a bunch of super fit, super buff guys… I'd be beneath your notice. That way I could coast under the radar and get my work done." The fighter laughed heartily at my explanation.

"Oh believe me, you were never 'left to your own devices', little one. You've been under constant watch since you first entered our gym, none so much as the Wall. We look out for our people. If we'd seen you lifting wrong or an amount that wasn't safe for you to lift, believe me, someone would have corrected you. Mostly we were impressed with your progress and your knowledge. You've worked hard and with the exception of the last two days, you haven't missed a day. I knew you were something special when you came in on Christmas day and picked up the ropes after what looked like a hellish shift."

Would I ever stop blushing around this man?

"Sounds like you guys have been taking an unhealthy interest in my sister," Peggy said belligerently. "How do we know this isn't some kind of set up?"

"Believe me, Peggy, Keith would kick all our asses if we messed with his girl."

"My sister is her own person. She-"

"She's been claimed by an alpha male. The Wall has wanted her since she walked into the gym six months ago. He's not going to give her up, not even for you, Mama Bear. You'll meet him later tonight after his set." A tense silence spun out for the rest of the blessedly short ride to the club. Once there, the Redemption team cued up like everyone else. We were quickly shown to the front of the line though. I half expected to be left behind or thrown out of line. All the women - my sister included - were slim or curvy in all the right places. I was lamenting my bulk when one of the bouncers grabbed my elbow.

"Hey, Babygirl. You looking fine tonight," he shouted in my face to be heard over the music, filling the air with an unpleasant odor of garlic and hot garbage. "I'm Charlie. How about you and me-"

Obsidian clamped a hand on his shoulder, causing the large man's knees to buckle a little. "That's the Wall's girl, Charlie. You ready to face him again?" Charlie's pale face turned ashen for a moment before he could hide his fear and he removed his hand from my person. We passed through the doors without further incident.

"Thank you for that," I said, standing on my tiptoes to reach his ear as he leaned down to hear me. God it sucked being five foot two and surrounded by giants.

"Don't mention it, little one."

"You monopolizing Keith's woman?" The Predator asked playfully, giving me a nudge that sent me a few steps forward.

"Careful, Ray," Renegade said, catching me as I plowed into him. "You don't want any parts of the Wall in a blood rage, do you?" The whole group erupted into cheers and laughter just as Keith's band was introduced on stage.

"I present to you, Coveted." They opened with a cover of Linkin Park's Bleed It Out that immediately got the club pumping. I was impressed. I looked around and noticed my chaperones talking with some of the fighters, but my attention was instantly drawn back to the stage where my boyfriend was doing his thing, beating on the drums. His eyes were on me as he played, making my whole body feel warm and cherished. I started dancing to the next song, eyes locked on him as I bounced and grooved to the music. By the time they took their first break an hour later, I was covered in sweat. I hadn't said a word to anyone, mesmerized by my man and amazed that such a powerful, passionate man would be interested in me.

The DJ's mix snapped me out of my trance.

"What did you think of their set?" Makayla asked as I fanned myself with the autograph book I'd brought with me for some reason. The truth was, I carried the book with me on the off chance that I ran into a celebrity, but I refused to admit that to anyone.

"I really like their music," I answered eagerly. "Their energy reminds me of-" Whatever their music reminded me of was lost to time as Keith snuck up behind me and laid claim to my lips. My shy touch as he molded me around him seemed to inflame him as he possessed my mouth. I moaned, forgetting everything - including where I was.

One minute. Three minutes. Keith kept dipping into my mouth, retrieving my shy, awkward tongue to do with as he pleased. I could only breathe him in, whimpering happily as he seduced me with his tongue and kisses.

Luckily for me, he didn't let me go when he finally released me from his sexy spell. I was leaning backward on him when I came back to myself. I could feel his gaze on my face even with my eyes closed. He caressed my face and neck as I slowly found my way back to him.

"You make me forget," he said softly in my ear when I finally remembered how to open my eyes.

"Forget what?" I asked, my heart calm and convinced for the first time all day that this wasn't some cruel joke. Nobody could kiss a woman like that and be joking, right?

"Everything." He smiled at me adoringly before claiming my lips again. Oh, I could get used to this. His mouth tasted like sin and forbidden pleasures. His hands on my body marked me all over. And I was still trusting him to take care of me as he stood comfortably with my weight against him. He was still plundering the darkest recesses of my mouth when a loud voice interrupted our play.

"If you're done kissing the daylights out of my sister, I'd like an introduction." Uh-oh. I knew that tone of voice well from our days back in Philly. Never had she had to use it with me though. My body immediately tensed to back away from him, but he held me firmly as he righted me.

"I am Keith Rochester, the drummer of the band Coveted and an amateur MMA fighter training at Redemption gym. And you are?" I whimpered, knowing what was coming next. But my boyfriend only held me steady as he watched my sister gather her wits from such an eloquent introduction.

"I'm Peggy Saunders, Tamara's older sister. I work as a paralegal for the Restmen & Bows law firm. My sister is precious to me. Don't hurt her." I know she wanted to say 'lawyer' to my arrogant boyfriend, but she couldn't. Not yet. She's still had another semester of night school and the Bar Examination before she could claim that title. The salary bump from that job upgrade would make her able to afford her own place. But again, that would leave me SOL. We'd argued about it until we were both blue in the face, and I'd finally gotten her to go to law school by promising that we would talk about it once she had her degree in hand. Two more months and we'd be having that discussion.

Oh joy.

"I take very good care of everything that belongs to me. Your sister is precious to me as well. The safest place she can be is in my arms." That brought Peggy up short. Hell, the Predator's girl practically had stars in her eyes, she was so impressed with his response. "Excuse me. I have to get ready for our next set." He kissed my temple before walking away like he hadn't just rocked my world.

He had Alpha energy; the crowds parted for him without a second thought. I was able to follow his progress straight to the bathrooms.

"Girl, you are in trouble," Sia said knowingly when I turned back to the girls gathered around me. "I remember that look from when I was pursuing Ray."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I blushed, turning away.

"Hey, it's okay," Makayla said gently, touching my shoulder to turn me back around. "Believe me, we've all been there. You should have seen me when I started dating Max. I was a wreck. Dating an Alpha is not like dating other men. It's nerve-wracking and it's okay to be scared."

"My sister has never dated," Peggy informed the group, blissfully unaware that I was going to murder her later. "She's the youngest of the Saunders and completely innocent in the ways of the world."

"That's not true," I protested as the group of women gawked at me. "I'm a nurse, for goodness sake. I'm perfectly aware-"

"You've never had sex before?" Amanda, Makayla's best friend and lawyer by trade, gasped, scandalized. "How old are you?"

"27," I admitted petulantly. "It's no big deal. I'm just not-"

"Keith is one lucky son of a bitch," the lawyer said entirely too loudly for my sanity.

"Could we not advertise in a sleazy bar that I'm untouched?" I growled at her. The woman had the good grace to flush and lower her voice as much as one could in a bar and still be heard.

"Sorry, Tammy. It's just… How? How is that even possible? How do you stand it? I couldn't imagine going a day without sex. 27 years? I'd go out of my mind! Do you, like, do other things instead?"

I know this stranger is only trying to help. I also know that I'm a little different than the average girl. But discussing my sex life (or lack thereof) with a woman I've only known for two hours is past the line for me. And the way she was looking at me like I was some alien species was making me very uncomfortable. I opened my mouth to tell her just that and my dear sister, who I spontaneously decided was dead to me, decided to open her big, fat mouth and make it worse.

"No, she doesn't. No boys, no toys. Tammy just doesn't think that way. I thought she was an asexual for the longest time, but she likes boys. Just not enough to-"

"Could we please stop talking about this?" I groaned. My face was on fire. I couldn't believe this was happening. "Seriously? We just met! And you," I whirled on my sister. "You didn't even want to be here tonight! Why are you discussing my sex life with a complete stranger?" I could have died of embarrassment. So naturally my impassioned plea fell directly into one of those group pauses that happen when a group of sentients get together in tight spaces. And of course, this attracted the attention of the guys we were with.

Because God hates me and delights in my suffering.