Page 72 of Ethan's Sky

Scrubbing my hands through my hair, I decide once and for all, I need to forget about all things Skyler and get my head into training and running my damn business. The only problem is, no matter how hard I work, how long I run, or how many punches I throw…she’s still there.

It got even worse when she walked into my gym this morning looking like any man’s wet dream in her little cropped shirt and tight as fuck spandex shorts. She set up sparring sessions with Anna and Kieran to work with her on self-defense. Then she spoke to Violet and paid her membership in cash for the year along with a six-month contract and advanced payment for Kieran to become her personal trainer.

My fucking trainer.

Walking downstairs into Knock Out’s, I look around and see the small group of people who’ve already claimed their machines and started working. It smells stale. Like sweat, determination, and a little bit of bleach.

Home.

Knock Out’sismy home. My gym. I own it. Well, me and Kieran O’Rourke own it. He’s a cranky Irishman, with a deep love of whiskey, women, and fighting. He’s also one of the best trainers in his field. On top of his general responsibilities here, he’s also my personal trainer. He gets me in top condition before every fight and shouts at me to get my head on straight from my corner whenever I lose focus.

You’ll have to share his time now that he’s Sky’s personal trainer too.

Fuck.

My first fight with Kieran in my corner was the week of the four-year anniversary of Emily’s death. I was walking a fine line when it came to self-control. I was depressed, frustrated, and angry at anything and everything that crossed my path. When the night of the fight came up, I was fit to be tied. Kieran took me aside, told me to take all my rage, all my pain, the injustice I felt for my sister and unleash it all in three rounds. So, that’s what I did. I leveled my opponent after two rounds. It felt great and I washooked!

The following week, I took my share of the winnings and invested it into the gym, becoming partners with Kieran and I haven’t looked back.

There’s an apartment above the gym. That’s where I stay most nights. I like having my own space. I rarely crash at the clubhouse anymore. Staying here makes more sense when I’m training anyway. I have everything I need here. Most days I get my cardio and a shower in before the gym even opens. I like having this place all to myself.

“Hey Ethan.” Violet, one of the girls we have running the front desk greets. Her name fits her, with her long, purplish-red hair. We tease her about it all time.

“How are you doing today, Vi. You look tired. Everything okay?”

“It will be. Carter’s still battling a cough and keeping us both up at night. Mrs. Kendricks is watching him in the apartment for me so I could come back and work. I’m sorry to leave you shorthanded the last few days.” She twists the bottom hem of her shirt in her hand. She appears nervous like she expects me to yell and be pissed. I’ve never yelled at her and certainly wouldn’t be pissed at her for taking care of her kid. I had a single mom. I get it.

“Kids get sick, Vi. It’s fine. I’m, sure he needed his mama more than we did. We managed.” Her face pales and her eyes have a glassy appearance. I’ve got no clue what the hell I said to upset her.

Shit. I’m scrambling to say something to make her feel better.

“But I am glad to see you’re back. I have a mountain of paperwork to get to and a sparring session with Kieran and the guys.” Her lips quirk up slightly. She lets her shoulders relax and lets loose of her shirt.

“Thank you for being so understanding, Ethan.” She says smiling, though it still doesn’t reach her eyes it’s better than those tears I saw forming in them before.

She lets out a long breath and says, “It’s going to be a busy one. The yoga class upstairs is full. Kieran has his first appointment downstairs now, and you have the Martin twins at nine.” I nod.

The Martin twins are twenty-one and show real promise as fighters. I’ve been working with them for the last few months. They’re debuting at the amateur fight night in November. Kieran and I decided to split our time training them so I could keep my own training schedule on point since I’ll be fighting the same night as one of the main cards at the event. I’m mentally preparing for the workout I’ll be putting them through when something she said suddenly registers.

“Who’s Kieran’s first appointment today?”

I’m cut off and Violet seems to completely forget I’ve said anything when Declan strides through the front door calling my name. He stops just short of Violet and smiles wide. “Hey Violet. You’re looking pretty this morning, sweetheart.”

Violet’s cheeks stain with a soft blush. She bites her lip, looking back and forth between me and Declan.

“Um, hey yourself. I’ve, uh, got to get back to work. A lot to catch up on. So, um…I’ll see you guys later.” She scurries down the hallway to the linen closet where we keep all the cleaning supplies.

Declan chuckles at her retreating back.

Men have always seemed to intimidate Violet a bit. Declan still does, although I think it’s for a different reason than the rest of us. She used to get scared whenever any of my brothers would come into the gym until she realized they’re not all that scary. Well, not to anyone who doesn’t deserve to piss themselves in fear.

Violet’s a little shy, but she’s coming around the longer she’s here. When she first came in to interview for the position, she was nothing but skin and bones. She was thin and pale, had dark circles under her eyes, and a few bruises she tried to keep hidden from view. Since starting work here, she’s gotten with Anna, our women’s self-defense expert and started working out, eating better. Her confidence is growing little by little. She’s put on some weight and has a little sass to her now. It’s fun to watch her get riled up around some of the guys.

I don’t know the whole story, but I knew something was off when she came in looking for work and to be paid cash.

It’s not easy for single moms, I would know. My mother worked herself to the bone to take care of Emily and me when our dad left us.

But Violet is doing a great job and her little boy, Carter is quite the kid. He’s almost nine years old, or so he keeps reminding us. He wants a superhero party and a leather jacket like the Kings all wear when it’s winter.

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