Bloodlines//MJF

Chapter 16

"Ooo, spacious," Sam comments when she gets to the locker room. "You guys are welcome for the upgrade." She glances back at Max.

"Only the best that these arenas have to offer for us, Samantha," Max replies and drops his gym bag on the floor. "Please, feel free to explore your own little personal changing room." He gestures to the closest of two doors on the back wall.

"I will." Sam nods and walks over to the door. "Try not to be too jealous that I've got my own personal changing room, Max." She teases him.

"Just go get changed, princess." Max rolls his eyes.

He watches her disappear behind the door and shakes his head. 'God she's a pain in the ass.' He thinks to himself. But secretly Max knows that really he wouldn't have it any other way. He's become accustomed to having someone around that constantly challenges him. Sure, the rest of The Pinnacle are all his friends, but they don't give him a challenge like Sam does. There is never a dull moment for Max when she's around. And he's become addicted to it.

A few minutes later, Wardlow finally shows up with Dax and Cash hot on his heels. They all file into the locker room chatting with one another casually.

"Hey, where's Spears?" Max instantly notices that they are short one team member.

Spears is scheduled on the card tonight, and Max knows that he's never one to be late when it comes to working.

"He'll be here in a second," Warlow replies as he sets his bag down. "Stopped for a moment because his wife called him."

"Oh." Max nods and goes back to what he's doing. Blissfully unaware of the sinister plot of his enemy that is slowly starting to unfold.

Around ten minutes later Sam chimes up from inside her locker room loudly, asking if it's safe to come out. Sure she's seen Max naked plenty of times now. But she's not trying to add to the count, by any means.

"You're good, kid!" Cash shouts back just as he's finishing lacing up his boots.

Sam comes out to the main locker room dressed for success and with a look of determination in her eyes. She scans the room and her brow furrows upon seeing that Shawn still hasn't shown up yet.

"Wardlow, where is Shawn?" She turns to him since Wardlow is Spears tag partner for the night.

"Beats me." Wardlow shrugs. "He hung back to talk to his wife on the phone, but that was like ten minutes ago. He should be here by now." He slowly starts to worry.

"Dax, Cash, will you two go look for him?" Max starts to worry a bit as well. "He probably just lost track of time talking to her." He assures everyone, even though he doesn't believe it himself.

Dax and Cash both nod then head off to find their missing partner. Sam sits down with Max and Wardlow and shakes her head.

"I don't like it." She persists. "Since when is Spears ever late to anything?"

"I know." Max shares her thoughts. "But I'm not gonna jump to conclusions just yet and get everyone worried for no reason." He reminds Sam.

Sam nods, knowing that Max is right and everyone waits for Dax and Cash to get back. It doesn't take long for them to return, except for its only Cash that comes back.

"Cash! Did you find Spears? And where's Dax?" Sam is the first one to get to her feet.

"I couldn't find Spears anywhere." Cash shakes his head. "And what do you mean? Dax and I split up, he should be back as well." He glances around the room to confirm that his partner is nowhere to be found.