The Bad Boys and the Fighter

2 - Cole

I leaned up against the brick wall of the side of Jeremiah's townhome he lives in with his mother. My phone was pressed against my ear, ringing into oblivion. Of course my supplier was asleep and missed our meeting.

"Fucking dead man walking," I grumbled as I got sent to voicemail for the fifth time.

"Who?" Jeremiah asked as he exited his home and locked the door behind him.

"Matthew. We're all fuckin' waiting on him to tell us when the shipments coming in. I told the Ghosts I'd get them their shit this week. Apparently they have some business in the South they need taken care of."

His hands were shoved in his sweatpants pockets. "He'll text you. Don't worry."

I rolled my eyes. "That shiners nasty. What girl hits like that?"

"Don't know man," he replied as we started walking in the direction of the gym he trains at. There was no way Jeremiah would show up to school with that bruise on his face. He'd end up getting into a fight with half the football team over it, which means I would too. "She looked familiar as shit though."

The gym wasn't far from his place, so we didn't have much time to talk about anything other than business.

When we arrived at the gym, the sound of old rap music and men shouting greeted us. The building was nicely sized with a ring to the right. A couple punching bags were lined up against half of the left side of the gun, while weight machines made up the other half. Mirrors made up the back walls except for a door that led to the locker room.

We hadn't been there for long, maybe two weeks, and almost every day the fighting name 'Di Angelo' popped up, making us wonder who the hell it was. Until last night when she beat up Jeremiah.

"Boys!" Tanner, the owner of the gym greeted us. "What are you doing here this early?"

"No fuckin' way I'm going to school with this shiner on my face," Jeremiah grumbled.

Tanner let out a roaring laugh and gripped his shoulder. "Go to the bags, I'll set up a practice fight for you in a bit." He glanced at me, "What did you want to do today?"

I eyed the treadmill in the back corner of the gym before glancing at the bags. I needed to let out some steam. "I'll go to the bags, too."

He nodded in approval and left us to ourselves.

We were standing in the corner throwing punches in the mirror as a girl came stumbling into the gym nearly an hour later. She was nearly hobbled over, wincing in pain as she clutched her stomach. Her dark brown hair covered her face.

Tanner and Diego didn't hesitate to sprint over to her side. Yelling and commands was heard throughout the gym as the two boxers helped her into the locker room. Several moments later they each walked out, anger rolling off their bodies in waves.

"She's more hurt from them today than she's ever been from fighting before," Tanner stated to the group of worried looking men.

"Fucking Christ," Donny muttered, rubbing his neck in concern.

Diego looked down at his feet, "She needs fucking protection."

At this suggestion, Tanner eyed Jeremiah and I carefully and announced, "Everyone get back to training. What's important is that she's fine. Snake and I will handle the situation from here."

Several moments after we all dispersed, Tanner and Snake Mullens approached Jeremiah and I.

"Hey, is everything alright?" Jeremiah quizzed as he realized his arm from an impending punch to the bag in front of him.