The Grind

Chapter Seven

I woke to the yellow shade of light sneaking through the bedroom window, thankful Ryan was courteous enough to grant me the day off so I'd be able to chase the unfolding action that today would bring. A barely conscious grumble paired with a drawn-out stretch woke the sleeping giant snoring into my armpit.

"Rise and shine, champ," I ran slow fingers over the spread of his back.

Instantaneously, the smothered ring of his cell vibrated somewhere hidden in the wad of covers, a patted hand smack thoughtlessly over the bed in little effort to locate it.

"Mac, what's up, big guy?" Colton paused as his trainer spoke on the other end of the call. "I feel good, man. I even squeezed in a good workout before bed last night too...." A boyish smile tossed in my direction, along with a flirtatious pinch to my bare bum. "Heat the sauna, and I'll be there in an hour. I got the suit in my truck."

He ended the call, and all too quickly rose to dress his beautifully naked body.

"What suit are you talking about?" I held myself up on my elbows watching him scurry around the room for his clothes.

"I was three pounds above weight yesterday, so gotta spend most of the day smotherin' it off in the sauna suit. Get dressed, this'll be good for your article. Cutting weight can get pretty intense."

I threw on leggings with and oversized sweater for the sake of time, knowing I'd be home to dress more appropriately for the weigh-in later tonight. I foolishly offered him breakfast, tossing my yogurt in the trash to avoid tempting the hungry bear in my kitchen.

"I'll only stay for bit. Just enough to get a good insight on the hot suit thing. But I don't want to be in the way today, Colt. I know how important it is to get into the right headspace." Although I would've indeed loved to spend the day at his every beckon call, helping to ensure he woke Sunday morning wearing the title of Middleweight Champion, I knew that wasn't what he wanted from me.

I didn't think of it as insulting, it was just the man he was. Sure, most nights we'd spent together he showed me glimmers of a silly, love-sick boy. However, I knew truthfully that the vast part of his psychological make-up was compiled with mystery, angst, and a touch of outright danger. But, it was those flickers of brooding fury that aided in my interest in him to begin with.

"Thanks for understandin', beautiful."

I waited outside the confines of the small sauna at the gym for nearly half an hour, talking with Mac about what exactly they'd have to put him through to shed those three pounds.

"He'll have to swallow a few more gallons of water, then we'll cut off the intake. He's gonna be spending a lot of time in the pisser this morning, Miss Liv." His trainer chuckled at the series of events that would take place, but we both understood the draining (quite literally) day he had ahead of him.

The sauna door swung open and Colton collapsed onto the cool of the floor, while I moved in panic to look him over, assuring he was still conscious.

"Liv, Liv. I'm fine, 'ight. Just hot, okay?"

I instantly felt ridiculous for my overreaction, and stood to my feet, crossing my arms tightly around my chest. "Alright. I think that's my cue to exit. You two have this covered. See you tonight, Colt!"

He didn't rise from the ground, instead remained sprawled wearily where he'd fallen, "Love ya', Liv."

I matched his line and waved to the pile of vast sweating flesh on the floor.

Secluded with my thoughts in the empty apartment was the last place on Gods green earth I needed to be right now, so I thought it wise to drive around with the sounds of a quiet radio. Lately, even amidst the newest developments in our relationship, I had found myself panged with the wonder of "where would we go from here?" Sure, the frequent time we were spending together had been made up of little work and mostly play, but I couldn't help but linger over the idea that what we had was a fluke? I mean, if we're being completely honest, I'm ashamed to say I even dwelt for a moment on the thought that maybe Colton was using me to get help with his glorified "big break." The article, no matter the result of the events ahead, would spotlight him in a big way. Bad publicity is better than no publicity, ay?