Friday rolled around. I didn’t want to ask her out over text, so I opted to wait until after work to do so. I was going to take things slowly. The days of the constant fucking were over. I was ready to move on…I thought.
I was still feeling uneasy about the prospect. I attributed that to just my nerves getting the best of me, I haven’t dated seriously in a while, settling a broken heart with the British citizens who wanted to get down with an American brat. I wasted my youth, filling holes by filling holes. But I was reaching the point where I wanted more. And I deserved more. I ignored my anxiety and got ready for work.
As I walked out of the locker rooms, Carter was leaning against the wall, seemingly waiting for me. “Hey, champ,” she said cutely, tapping my sides.
I looked back at her, shooting a smirk at her. “Sup. You look good.”
She rolled her eyes while chuckling and walked with me to the ring, watching the students chat amongst themselves. They seemed to be excited. “God, you got the news?”
“Huh?”
“Jim got a guest. He really didn’t tell you?”
I shrugged. I didn’t see him when I got there. I must’ve caught him on a smoke break. “Not a clue. Who is it?”
“Anthony Thomas. A champ looking over your training? That’s huge.”
My face dropped subtly when I heard the name. There was no escaping him. Hopefully, we’d never interact much after the fact and he can just focus on the students. “Yeah, huge. Listen, you free after work?”
“Nah, I got some stuff my parents want me to prepare for Christmas Fest. Why?”
I stammered, attempting to improvise. “I-I can still drive you home, right?”
“Yeah, I was gonna Uber, but if you’re offering…” Carter poked my chest and smiled at me. “Perfect.”
Jim came in with Anthony while I kept my head down, answering a student’s question about which arm to apply a headlock. As long as I kept myself busy, we’d never talk. After introducing him to the class, that’s what happened most of the day. He was there, perfect body and all, helping the main group work out. The most he did was shoot me a glance. Carter and I mostly helped people who wanted a one-on-one. For a split second, I thought it would be smooth sailing.
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Until Jim called the group over. Anthony leaned in his ear to whisper something as everyone gathered.
“Well, looks like Anthony here is in the mood for working,” Jim said, a prideful smirk on his face. “He wants y’all to sit back, and take notes as he works with one of ours. KRIS!”
My shoulders slumped as I remained in the back with Carter. She shot me a smile and a thumbs-up as I entered the ring. I shook Anthony’s hand as he grinned at me. After Jim left the ring, we circled each other, the invisible bell in our heads ringing.
We clashed in the center with a collar and elbow tie. I used my strength to overpower the man, pushing him into the corner. Once trapped, I sank in the headlock, wrenching it in harshly. I was annoyed and I showed it. He wants to see me so bad he’d stalk the place where I worked? Fine, but I’ll get a receipt. “We going rough?” Anthony asked while he matched my insanity by pushing us into the center and picking me up for a back suplex, landing on my shoulders.
I wasted no time to get back and went back to the collar and elbow tie. Anthony was much swifter than me, getting behind and locked his arms around my waist. He was going for a suplex, but I stopped it with my legs and rolled under his legs pushing him down for a victory roll pin. He kicks out at two.
We get up for another reset. The class cheered on as we circled each other each other. That fucking smile he always had made me wanna deck him, but I kept it professional. We locked in once more and this time he gets me into a headlock takedown, squeezing my skull. It was tough, even getting my shoulders down for the quick one count. We rose to our feet, head still locked in the clinch. We took two steps and I launched him off the ropes, I dropped down as he ran over me and I took him down with a big clothesline. I got up, but he launched a punch at me. I ducked under and got behind for a suplex but…
As soon as I squeezed his waist, the fucker moaned quietly, only so I could hear it. I was stunned, a combination of guilt and self-awareness waving over. I noticed how close I was like my crotch riding against his ass. Taking advantage, Anthony ran and bounced off the rope, using the momentum to fall on top of me, and grabbed my legs for the pin. I stayed down for the three count.
I sat up, sighing as I let myself get distracted like that. I grit my teeth and got up, ignoring any attempt to have him help me up. I tapped his shoulder to keep appearances and left the ring, getting the cheers and admiration from the students. Jim shook my hand after clapping for Anthony. “Damn fine work, son. It was almost like you really wanted to hurt ‘em!”
I nervously laughed and brushed it aside. “Thanks, boss.”
I broke off the crowd to the loving arms of Carter, getting me into a friendly headlock and brushing my hair, laughing.
***
Work was over. As I offered, I drove the girl home. I was building the courge to make a move, say anything about Chrismas Fest. “Hey, Carter…”
She looked over, looking beautiful under the dim lighting as I parked near her parent’s home. “Yeah?”
“You got anybody taking you to Chrismas Fest…?”
“No, wh-” Her face slowly lit up under the realization. “Bro, don’t tell me you’re gonna ask me out.”
I choked out a laugh. “Oh shut up! Answer the question.”
“Of course. Very last minute, but I expect nothing less from you, Kris. We can go tomorrow.”
“Great! Until then…”
“Until then.”
Carter leaned in, causing me to meet her halfway for a kiss. We stayed there for a moment, letting the Christmas season wash over us as we embraced each other. She went off into the cold, leaving me to my thoughts.
Well, I had a date to plan.