25) He's training for a match

I bring the inside of my cheek between my teeth and lean my back against the bar counter

of the gym, turning my back to the waiter at the exact moment he leaves my Mojito on the table.

I grab the glass in my fingers to bring the straw between my lips and enjoy this

moment of solitude.

Taylor didn't even show up this morning, while Ian has been locked in his office since

when I walked into the gym. I'm sure Ashley couldn't wake up because of last night, even though I tried to call her before I left

the apartment I now share with her.

I must admit that without my friends the gym seems asleep and empty, albeit today

there are more customers than usual.

I look around for a couple of seconds, minding other people's business until my

eyes end up on the figure of my boss.

I straighten my back instantly and harden my expression for his attitude of

last night, while I squeeze the straw in my teeth so hard that at times I risk swallowing

a piece of plastic.

I close my eyes when he starts talking to a man who at first glance looks like is one of his own

clients, while Matthew bends his knees slightly and throws two empty punches, probably to

show his client how to do it.

Once again I can't help but put on an angry expression, remembering

the way he flatly refused to give me boxing lessons.

'Ask Ian .'- he said, as if I were so familiar with Ian to tell him that there is a

man who haunts me and who lives in my own condominium.

I don't know what he meant, but he made me realize he's too bastard to help me,

even though that's what he seems to do whenever Paul is around.

"He's training for a match." - I let the straw slip out of my mouth and lift my up

eyes to the sky when Hardin takes his place by my side, but I decide not to

give him a greeting, since he has realized my existence only now.

'He's training for a match'- his words repeat in my head as I half close

my eyes and bring the straw back between my lips, while I adjust the tail with my free hand.

"It's over, Hardin." - I hasten to clarify before I can say more, but I'm sure he did expected such a reaction from me, in fact I hear him sigh heavily and

stare at my profile with his repentant expression that makes me want to

to slap him:

«Are you angry?» - he asks after a little while of silence, while I continue to study from afar the movements of my boss with the intent to learn something from him without him noticing it,

but when I realize that Hardin is still by my side and he's not going to

detach until I reassure him, I hasten to walk away with my Mojito between my

fingers:

"No." - I answer absently before turning my back and heading towards the ring on which

Matthew trains slowly, without ceasing to suck the clear liquid of my cocktail.

I keep staring at Matthew's monstrous back as he starts throwing away punches

so quickly that I frown and squint to see how he places his arm.

I thought clients spoke well of him just because he looks like a Greek god, albeit a

a little more muscular, but looking at his sweaty shoulders and the contracted muscles of his buttocks

become more voluminous, leaves me breathless again in front of his image.

I remain paralyzed and I become so small when I find myself under the ring that I forget

even to have a cocktail in my left hand, while the straw slips out of my lip again.

I take advantage of the fact that I'm not the only one admiring him right now to continue on

studying his moves, this time trying not to distract from his chest going up and down

under the wet undershirt.

"You don't know what ideas I'm getting at this moment." - I take my eyes off the figure of

Matthew to peek at the two customers by my side, who are starting to mumble

while they stare at the gym manager working out in the company of his colleague.

"I must have his number." - the words of the other make me twist the corners of my mouth

down, but this time I can't help myself as I bring my eyes back to Matthew,

who now tries to avoid the blows of his colleague, as they move together towards the ring,

taking steps back in our direction.

" I wouldn't do it if I were you." - I turn my head back to the brunette next to me, attracting

the attention of both of them, even if the other raises an eyebrow and crosses her arms over her chest

with arrogance:

"Why?" - she asks with such an annoying tone that I refrain from punching her as I little learned in the five minutes I stared at Matthew, but I try to

hold back and, without taking my eyes off the two vipers, I point the index finger at the two boxers on

the ring and press my lips together with fake compassion:

«They are together.» - I nod at my words, while the brunette takes an offended grimace and

confused at the same time:

"He's gay?" - the other asks after a couple of seconds to make sure she understood, but I don't think twice before nodding at her words as they both look back

towards the two boxers, assuming a terrified expression soon after, then hurrying to

turn their back on me and walk away quickly.

The grimace on my face goes from annoyed to satisfied as I decide to go back to

watch the show in front of me in peace, but I understand why the two women are

gone when I meet Matthew's eyes, who now rests his hands on the ring rope,

grabbing it between his fingers with force, while he looks at me from above so pissed off that I understand

he has heard everything, including his colleague, who instead looks at me amused and hurries to

wink at me as if he understood the real reason why I lied to their clients, but

when Matthew's puddles darken more and more without leaving mine,

I hasten to turn my back on both of them and go back to my office before my boss

decides to fire me.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I slam the door behind me and I finally feel safe,

although I haven't learned much from Matthew's movements in those few minutes I have spied on him, partly because I was distracted by those stupid clients with perfect physique, but

also because that man is too fast.

I bring the inside of my cheek between my lips, and then hurry to fix the hair gathered over my head and glance towards the door to make sure I'm alone.

When I understand that the next client who wants to consult me is not going to

show, I decide to spend the rest of the afternoon closed within the four walls that

surround me at this moment, making an effort to imitate the movements of Matthew from time to time.

I should have signed up to some other gym to take self-defense lessons, maybe

karate, since boxing doesn't seem to be the one for me.

"Should I start worrying?"

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