Harley
Erik just had to mark his territory in front of all the other testosterone meat bags at the gym. Especially in front of Bobby who was clearly checking out my dirty pillows. It wasn’t even subtle.What a neanderthal.I won’t lie, a part of me likes it when Erik proudly claims me before all others.When I enter Uncle Steve’s office, I’m surprised to see him talking with The Beast. That’s not his real name, and it’s not a very original nickname, but the man is a fucking beast. Not just in size but fighting styles and stamina. He’s been setting up some amazing fighting events once a month, all legal of course and putting himself in as the warmup entertainment. He takes on about five to ten challengers and fighting them in whatever technique they choose from his list of known styles. I went a few months ago, it was epic, made a few bets and came out with a bit of walking around money but that part is all hush hush.“Hey, sorry, I didn’tErikThe feeling I had in my gut when I watched Harley walk out of the gym made me feel uneasy. I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was, but she felt a little off.I refuse Bobby’s offer to drive me home hoping a run might help clear my mind. It doesn’t help at all and by the time I reach the back door to the courtyard all I can think about is seeing Harley in the morning, having her safe in my arms and kissing that sexy, bulgar mouth of hers.When I open the back door to the courtyard, I see both Marcos sitting by the fire pit drinking beer. They’ve been waiting to ambush me this entire time, and by the looks on their faces they mean business.“Hey guys, what’s up?” I try to hide my amusement.“Sit down Erik, have a drink.” Marco hands me a beer while the other motions to a lawn chair they’ve prepared for me to sit at.I take the bottle, sit down and wait for the interrogation to begin.“We are here to listen.”“
ErikAfter that dream, I couldn’t sleep so I ran. I ran for hours until my body burned and by the time, I got to the café everyone was up getting ready for our communal breakfast.Harley never came into the café that day. I never heard a word from her or saw her before I left for the airport, and it’s probably for the best. I thought about what I’d say to her while I was running when I saw her, none of it nice. Every word designed to hurt her, and it hurt me to think of saying these things to her, which didn’t make any sense after she spent the night with John.I’m assuming Vanessa told her I had found out, and booked a flight. Now she’s keeping her distance, waiting for me to just leave so she doesn't have to deal with the mess she made. I was wrong about her.Sam spent the morning trying to convince me that something wasn’t right about the whole situation, and that Harley would never not show up to work without at least calling. Sam was trying to call her all
HarleyI hang up the phone after leaving the message on Erik’s voicemail. I look around his old room. He didn’t have a lot of stuff with him, now there’s even less of him in here. He just left. He just fucking left without even talking to me.After the night I had I came as soon as I could to the café to find out Erik had already gotten on a flight to LAX.Vanessa told me he overheard her stupid comment and assumed that I was fucking around with John behind his back. She apologized profusely, but to just leave without at least talking to me? That’s fucked up. I almost didn’t believe them when they all told me he left.That exfiance really pulled a number on him.The message I left would clear things up if he ever listens to it. I could never do that to him. I wouldn’t. I love him, though I’d never be able to say it out loud, I know it’s true.I lay on Erik’s bed, and everything just comes bubbling up to the surface. I can’t hold
ErikFive Months LaterWe get off the conference call with Magnus. That asshole always rubs me the wrong way, every God damned time. If he wasn’t an old friend of my father’s I’d have no qualms with ditching him and his entire company off our client roster, but it’s not only up to just me.Simon sniggers next to me. “Erik, you really need to relax.”He starts to gather his sketches.He’s not wrong. Ever since I returned to Oslo I’ve been so tightly wound up and snappy that I’ve gone through four assistants, all quitting after just weeks at the company. I suspect the current one whose name I don't even remember is hitting send on her letter of resignation right now after my outburst this morning. I don’t even remember what it was about, but it sure felt important at the time.Simon stops to examine me and sighs. “You need to figure out a way to get closure on this. It’s festering, and it’s seeping not only into your work life, but
ErikWhen I pull up outside The Beanie it takes a few minutes for me to go inside. Just looking at the place brings back so many memories and emotions. The longer I look at it the more I realize I was happy here. Jack was right, I needed this place; it did heal me after my mother’s passing. Not just the place but the family that lives withing it’s walls.As soon as I step inside both Marco’s eyes zero in on me, and they lose their shit. They start spouting what I assume are obscenities at me in Italian and all heads turn in my direction as they come to escort me off the premises.I don’t budge. “Where is Harley? I need to speak with her.”“Ti ha lasciato, figlio di puttana.”“Non è qui, vattene!”Sam and Vanessa appear in the doorway of the kitchen to see what the fuss is all about. There are a couple new faces I don’t recognize, but no Harley.“Where is she?” I look to Sam and Vanessa.“She’s gone.” The words g
HarleyThe warehouse is packed tonight. I’m not surprised, it’s the last series of fights for the season. Good thing too, I’m getting over the whole thing. It’s really helped to rebuild myself after everything’s that happened, but I feel like it might be time to start a new chapter.But first, there’s one butt left to kick for the title: Kevin fucking Flanders. I love the guy but that won’t stop me from pummeling his ass in the ring.I say title but it’s just bragging rights. They’re not exactly underground fights, we have medics standing by but it’s not like they’re legitimate national fights.Dan, AKA The Beast, did an amazing job fixing this place up. It used to be an old shoe factory, now it’s a mix of night club, bar and cage match arena with a luxe industrial feel. Right now, Dan’s in the cage taking on one of his challengers for the warmup entertainment. Every 10 minutes he’ll fight someone new. If they win, they get 5 grand cash.
ErikThis isn’t exactly what I had in mind when I came to win back my woman. Whether I win or lose in the ring, it doesn’t matter. The look in her eyes just now gave me all the hope I needed. It was fear and concern all rolled into one.It doesn’t mean that I’m not going to try to win of course. If I make it to 10 minutes, it’s a draw.As much as I’m doing this for Harley I need to focus on the task at hand. I saw this guy fight a little earlier, he’s not bad, just a bit of a showoff. If I can make him tired and angry, he’ll unravel, so I do what all good boxers do; I wait and assess his weaknesses.The Beast is bigger than me. A little slower. A little clumsier. I dodge his shots, he dodges mine.What is that? He’s not entirely focused? Maybe he’s hesitant to hurt me for Harley’s sake? He lands a jab. Fuck, that’s not it. Focus you idiot.All I need is one good uppercut. We dance around for what seems like eternity. I look at th
ErikAbout four whiskeys later, I sit at the bar wallowing in my misery. The woman next to me has been talking at me for God knows how long.The bartender slides over two shots of tequila, a saltshaker and slices of lime my way. I look at them suspiciously and look up at him.“I didn’t order these.”He just smirks and leaves. And then it hits me, Harley.I look up and see her walking towards me in a red, low-cut dress that slays me right there on the spot. And those stilettos, I didn’t know she even owned heels like that. I can’t help but ogle her as she saunters over.The woman next to me eyes Harley as she approaches. Harley ignores her completely. In the animal kingdom the predator does not concern itself with prey.As I swivel in my stool to face Harley the woman takes a hint and leaves. I think she said something, but I don’t care enough pay attention. I leave my elbow leaning on the bar and we stare at each other i