Boxer Boy

Chapter 2

Brooke's P.O.V.

I strode my way down the sidewalk as I tried to hurry home. It was getting late and I didn't want to be outside walking home alone in the middle of downtown Phoenix. It was starting to get warm again as summer was right around the corner. I stopped at my Dads and I favorite pizza place and grabbed a medium pepperoni pizza. I thanked the cashier and walked to our apartment. I hustled up our rusty stairs and quickly unlocked the door. I set the pizza down and locked the door behind me. I grabbed a slice of deliciousness and shoved it into my mouth.

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and quickly answered it. "Hello?" I spoke with a mouthful of pizza. "Hey pumpkin!" my dad chirped into the phone. "Oh hey sorry didn't see who was calling. I got our favorite pizza for dinner when will you be home?" I asked. "Sorry hun but I wont be home until super late. That new fella that came in today is showing real potential so I thought I would stay a little longer and see what he has got." he informed me.

"Oh thats great" I said in a very monotone voice. "Are you ok pumpkin you have been off all day? Is this because Zach came into the gym today?" he asked.

I sighed "No" I lied. Ok it was only partially the reason. "Because if you want I will kick him out on his ass so fast his head will spin. You just say the word"

I laughed "No dad it is ok I can handle him myself but thank you for the offer though, wake me when you get home love you be safe!" I told him. "Always am pumpkin" and with that we hung up. I finished up two more slices of pizza and headed to bed. I tried to wait up for my dad but I felt myself slowly drift off.

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I slowly stired awake. The sound of sizzling pans and the smell of food invaded my senses. I sat up and rubbed my face. I stretched my numb limbs and got up. I opened my door and stalked over to the kitchen. I turned the corner to see my dad hunched over the stove working away. He must have heard my stomping because he spoke without even turning around "Good morning sleepy head" my dad joked. I couldn't even function a proper hello. "There is some coffee over there for you." he pointed. "This is why you are my favorite person" I praised as I ran to grab the coffee.

I couldn't function without caffeine in my system. "Hey I need you to come straight to the gym after school today we have a big event, don't be late!" he warned me. I groaned. "Ok." I huffed and headed towards the bathroom. "I'm going to take a quick shower!" I hollered towards my dad and went to open the door. "Oh wait Brooke-" it was too late. My father could not prepare me for what i was about to see. There standing in a towel was the one and only Harry.

The same Harry I happen to seriously be attracted to. I stood there in shock for a second and then let out a scream and slammed the door. I quickly stormed back to the kitchen "What the hell?" I screamed at my father as I threw my hand frantically in the air. "He is new in town and his apartment isn't ready until today so I offered him our couch." he shrugged.

"Dad he is a stranger that you just invited into our home without evening knowing him!" I yelled at him. I heard heavy footsteps head towards the kitchen. Harry came into my sight with some actual clothes on this time. Although I couldn't get his wet naked and toned body out of my head. "Well good morning to you to love." he flashed a smile at me.

I rolled my eyes "Do you always great you guests like that?" Harry questioned me with a smug smile. I heard my dad chuckle behind me. "Usually i greet my guests at the door not my bathroom!" I argued. Harry and my father snickered. "I do not condone this!" I pointed to him and my father. They both chuckled at my displeasure. I groaned and hustled back to my room and slammed my door.

Ok so I might be overreacting but I sure as hell didn't except to see Harry, a guy i was seriously attracted to, standing in my bathroom wearing a towel. Ugh why was he here? Of course he sees me at my worst too! Gosh, I don't even have a bra on! I could feel the pinks in my cheek grow. I quickly threw on my favorite band shirt and slipped on my tight denim ripped jeans.

I quickly applied some mascara and lip gloss and headed out. I opened my door and walked towards my bag. I walked right past Harry without saying anything as i went to grab my set of keys. "Bye Dad see you later!" I told him as I headed to the door. "Bye Brooke nice seeing you!" I heard Harry's deep voice rang out. I ignored him "Bye see you later honey remember don't be late!" he hollered as I slammed the door.

I hustled down the stairs and made my way to school as quickly as possible. I had just stepped on to school property when the first bell to class rang. I hurried to my first period. I had to grab my psychology book from my locker. I rushed to my locker and flew it open and searched for my book. Once found I slammed my locker shut and darted off to class.

Although I didn't get more than a foot away from my locker cause I slammed into a rock solid body which made me collide with the tile floor. "Ouch!" I groaned. "My bad Brooke." Zach's voice rang out, the same voice that use to be my home, my safe haven. Now all it does is remind me of how i'm a stupid 18 year old girl. He offered me his hand which I declined and stood up. I rubbed my butt to help ease the pain from the impact. "Hey so I was hoping we could talk?

Maybe after school today we could go to that coffee shop you love?" he asked awkwardly. "Sorry I can't I have to be at work straight after school today." I mumbled as I started to walk away. I felt his hand wrap around my bicep and give me a tug back "Brooke please I'm really trying here." Zach practically whined to me.

"What was her name again, Ashley?" my voice turned ice cold. He looked as if I had physically punched him in the face. He dropped my arm and took a couple steps back. I couldn't say any thing more and hurried to my first period. I knew what I had said was cruel but what he did to me was even worse. I just wanted him to feel the same hurt I did.

Finally school ended and I rushed to get out of this place. Every since Zach and I broke up I haven't really been the most welcomed here. I was frozen out by all my "friends", suddenly they were to cool to be seen with me and haven't reached out to me since. I still have my one best friend Morgan but she lives in Colorado at the moment. Its funny how I'm the one who gets cheated on but yet Zach still manages to have friends and keep his popularity status in check.

I clutched onto my bag as I made my way through the crowded school hallways. I exited through the front school doors and quickly made my way across the courtyard. I could see Zach and his group of friends on the other side of the building. I walked with urgency, determined to get to the gym as fast as humanly possible.

I could feel everyones eyes on me and it felt like how it was months ago. My quick pace turned into a full sprint as I felt the wind pick up the ends of my hair. I was sprinting down the sidewalk, increasing my speed, hoping to run off all my problems. I could feel a single tear slide down my cheek as I was running. Finally I could see the gym doors and once I reached them I physically collapsed to the ground.

My lungs were gasping for oxygen as I heavily breathed in and out. I could feel my legs shaking, clearly exhausted from my sudden decision sprint.

"Hey love you ok?"

My head quickly snapped up to see Harry shirtless with athletic shorts on and tennis shoes. I quickly stood up and a little too quick because my legs almost buckled beneath my weight. Harry reached out to steady me, his tight grip on my biceps sent a wave of sensation through me.

"Yeah I'm fine." I told him. He clearly didn't believe me but he released his grip anyways. My arms were tingly from where his hands were on me. We stood in silence for a moment. Just his presence gave me this butterfly feeling in my stomach.

I shook my head determined to get out of this trance he always seemed to put me in. "I gotta get inside my dad is waiting for me." I hurriedly told him. He nodded his head and didn't say anything more. I swung open the gym door and walked determinedly to my dads office. I needed to focus on helping my dad, not Harry. It is so hard though with his beautiful eyes and big muscles. I groaned internally this is not going to be so easy to shake off