Abel kissed her hand, staring at her somewhat strained expression. “I like the new you,” he offered, biting back the urge to use the stronger L word. Unbelievably, after the last few days with her, it was what he really felt like saying now.
Chapter 7
Two days. It’d been two days since Abel had seen Nellie. The very next day after getting back from San Francisco, he’d been at her place again. She told him about having pushed a few things aside on her schedule to make time for the unexpected trip and that she had her hands full now, making up for it. With the fight less than two weeks away now, Abel had heavy nonstop training that he had to make up as well. Between that and a few radio interviews he had to tape in the evenings, the last two days had been crazy, leaving no time for visits. He was doing his damnedest to keep his mind off her. Not wanting to blow it with her now that his feelings had changed so dramatically, he had to admit that what Noah had warned him about might happen. It was killing his concentration, and he knew more than anything how something like this could so easily throw his training out of whack.
The last-minute hustle with the major promotional appearances was all lined up as well. He’d do the late show in a few days, and then later that week, he’d be off to New York for the shows Andy had lined up for him and Felix to do together. Felix had just recently announced his next bout. It’d take place next year, but Andy said it was never too early to start promoting.
Of course, Abel’s first thoughts were to run it past Nellie. These next couple of weeks he’d be so damn busy training and promoting he knew his time with her would be very limited. Even after the fight, Andy had all kinds of shit lined up for him to do. This was exactly why, before he’d gotten involved with Nellie, he insisted he didn’t have time for a relationship—because he didn’t. But he was determined to make time for Nellie if she asked for it. He’d already asked her to come with him to New York. Unfortunately, she was busy meeting with some of the sponsors of the mixer she was coordinating on the same days he’d be in New York.
Both Gio and Noah had warned him in not so many words that he should shut down his social life from here on until the fight. It was what they all did when a fight was just around the corner, something Abel had always advised as well. Their concentration should be one-hundred percent on training, and they didn’t need anything distracting them from it. Noah had even told him to stop reading or even watching any of the tabloid shit. He didn’t have to ask Abel twice. He’d stopped reading the bullshit a long time ago. But cut Nellie out for that long? He couldn’t even bring himself to stop thinking about her now.
Even on his way to pick up Noah for their run, she was all he could think of. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could hide his feelings for her, but until he was sure she was feeling the same way and he was certain he wouldn’t be shooting himself in the foot by making her run in the opposite direction, he had to. When Abel had mentioned to Noah as casually as he could that Nellie would be joining him in San Francisco in place of Andy, he hadn’t missed the skeptical expression on his nervous friend’s face. He didn’t entirely buy that Abel had chosen her for her coordinating skills alone.
The very next day after Abel’s trip, Noah had annoyingly questioned where he was going. Once again, Abel hadn’t slipped into basketball shorts as he normally did when he was headed straight home. Abel knew it was partially concern about his needing to get as much rest as possible now that the fight was so close. But he also knew his questioning had to do with Noah’s continual concern over Abel’s involvement with Nellie. Abel wasn’t about to tell Noah that, after spending the last three nights with Nellie, he was off to her place again, so he referred to a date again leaving out who it was with. Noah hadn’t asked with whom, but the relief on his face was telling enough that he assumed it was with someone else.
Just as he reached Noah’s, he got a call from Andy. As the fight approached rapidly, he hardly went a day without hearing from Andy anymore. But the last couple of days Andy had been so busy in New York that he’d only gotten the few texts from him confirming the dates of his appearances. It was refreshing. Too much of Andy was tiring.
Abel took the call before getting out of his car. “What’s up, Andy?”
“I finally got a chance to watch the coverage of Frisco. You looked good, but what the hell’s with this Nellie chick?” The humor in his voice made Abel uncomfortable. “They’re making her out to be some kind of bad ass. I sort of got that, you know, when I talked to her on the phone. But I thought maybe it was just me. She’s the same one I’ve met before, right? Noah’s wife’s friend?”
“Yeah, same one,” Abel said, offering nothing more.
“I heard what she did at the press conference. Laid the law down for them reporters,” he laughed again, making Abel roll his eyes, wondering if there’d be any point to this anytime soon. “Then I saw the photos they got of the two of you at the airport. She looks a lot different than I remember—hot. So are you banging her or what? They’re already speculating.”
“That’s none of your business,” Abel said, getting out of the car, feeling even more defensive about this than usual. “Why are you even asking me? You know I don’t talk about that kind of shit.”
“Because I got the feeling she didn’t like me very much. That alone was kind of a turn on, and when I heard what she did at the press conference, I was even more intrigued. So seeing the photos just now,” he laughed even louder this time, “I nearly got a hard-on. If you ain’t doing her, I’m seriously thinking of giving her a call.”
Abel stopped walking and struggled to keep from telling Andy what he really wanted to tell him: that if his scrawny ass even thought about it, Andy would get to feel firsthand what all his opponents who’d hit the canvas face first had felt. But he held back. He had a feeling there was more to this. Andy knew just as well as anyone else that Abel wouldn’t be sharing any details of his personal life with anyone. So he knew his sneaky publicist had gone about it a different way.
“She’s a friend of mine and for personal reasons not looking to get involved with anyone right now. So as her friend, I’m telling you right now that, other than for business reasons, you stay away from her.”
Andy was quiet for a moment. “But you’re not involved with her in any other way than just business, and she’s a friend.”
“Isn’t that what I just said?”
“I’m just trying to get it straight in case, you know, she and I hit it off or something—”
“Stay the hell away from her.”
Abel’s tone was far more lethal this time. He was done with indirect warnings. In case there was any doubt, Andy should know now that if he didn’t take the unmistakable warning for it was worth he’d be in a world of pain.
“Got it,” Andy said, sounding a little too smug. “As your publicist, you know, we’re gonna have to talk about this, though.”
“No, we’re not.” Abel assured him. “I’ve already told you all you need to know.”
Andy exhaled loudly but then chuckled. “Okay, I’ll call you later to give you more details about New York. I’ve got lots to tell you.”
As soon as Abel was off the phone with him, he tried to shake off the weird mood Andy had left him in. He also needed to get his mind on something else. Thoughts of Nellie had momentarily ceased when he and Noah began talking strategy and pushing Abel’s endurance even harder now. Then Noah brought up the cocktail mixer and what an awesome job Nellie had done getting all the participants together. Irritatingly, she was immediately at the forefront of his thoughts again.
Little Jack, Noah’s toddler, scurried into the front room in his pull-up diapers. Roni wasn’t far behind, holding his pants. “Get over here, you little stinker,” Roni laughed. “I swear,” she said, looking at Abel and Noah, “this kid would live in his underpants if I let him.”
“So let him,” Noah said, grabbing Jack and spinning him upside down. Jack laughed so hard that he squealed. “It’s supposed to be a hot one
today.”
“No, I have to get him fed and ready,” Roni insisted. “We’re meeting Nellie at the mall again in a few hours.”
“That’s right. I forgot about that,” Noah said, spinning Jack right side up again. “Sorry, little man, looks like you’re going shopping with momma. I’d help you out of it and keep you here with me, but I gotta whip uncle Abe’s ass here into shape.”
Roni immediately shot Noah a look. With a regretful smirk, Noah winced. “I mean butt, son. Whip his butt into shape.”
Abel tried but failed at being his “aweless and indifferent” self. Even something as insignificant as this about Nellie had his full attention. He thought of all the times in the past that he’d been around Noah and Roni and heard Roni speak of her friend. He never would’ve imagined feeling like he did now—hopeful that she’d share more about her best friend. His eyes met Roni’s for a moment as she squatted down and helped Jack into his pants. But with a lift of an eyebrow, she brought her attention back to helping Jack, who was struggling to get his leg in the right hole.
“What do you think would be best to wear to a Slightly Stoopid concert? This is Nellie’s second attempt to find something for it. Last time we walked out with nothing. She’s kind of worried about looking out of place.” Roni looked up at them again, and Abel couldn’t be sure, but it almost felt as if she were asking him, not Noah. “Concerts at the House of Blues are generally not the dressy kind, right?”
“I’ve only been there a couple of times,” Noah said, standing up. “Both times, I wore jeans and a t-shirt. Most of the guys were dressed just the same. Of course, the ones there to pick up dress a little spiffier. But concert or not, girls typically dress up a little more than guys.”
Roni was still looking at Abel curiously. Done helping Jack with this pants, she shrugged and stood up too. “I suppose you could dress up anything, even a pair of jeans if you wear the right shoes and top. I’ve never been to the House of Blues,” she said as she walked away into the kitchen, holding Jack’s hand. “Maybe someday someone will take me,” she smiled playfully at Noah before picking up Jack and sitting him on his high chair.
“Next time, for sure,” Noah said. “I’ll look into it, and next concert we’ll go with her.”
It didn’t even dawn on Abel until he and Noah were headed out the door. Roni wasn’t going to the concert with Nellie. He was anxious to ask Noah about it but knew his interest would spark suspicion. Noah would no doubt start up with one of his perturbing lectures about why getting involved with Nellie in any way right now was a bad idea, so he refrained.
They headed out to Griffith Park, where they usually ran a good four to five miles. Today they’d be doing twice that since they were working on Abel’s endurance. Noah filled him in on more of the details of the mixer on their way, giving Abel an excellent excuse to get back to Nellie and her concert Friday. “So that meeting we’re having Friday night with the director of PR,” he said, avoiding eye contact with Noah so his question would sound as natural as possible. “I guess Nellie won’t make that meeting like we talked about if she’s gonna be at a concert Friday night.”
“That’s right,” Noah turned to him, but Abel kept his eyes on the road. “I forgot the meeting was Friday night. Hmm.” Noah was quiet for a moment then went on. “If it were anything else, I could probably get Roni to see if Nellie could skip out on her plans or postpone them, but I know she won’t for this.”
Now Abel turned to him, the curiosity beating out any attempt to not appear too interested in Nellie’s plans. “Why’s that?”
Noah shrugged. “I guess it’s because it’s Nellie’s first real date in a while. Roni’s all excited for her.”
Abel gripped the steering wheel, remembering how nonchalant Nellie had been back, when she’d mentioned the concert to him. Sure they had an understanding, but after the incredible time they’d had in San Francisco, it was hard enough to concentrate on anything else right now much less make arrangements to spend any of his free time with someone else. All morning he’d already been mentally making room in his busy schedule for when he could see her again. And she was going on a date—a first real date? What the hell did that even mean? Had she not mentioned San Francisco to Roni?
Logically, he knew he shouldn’t be upset. He’d agreed he’d be “game” to this, and at the time, he had every intention of this being just a fun thing—neither had a right to be upset or ask questions about each other’s personal lives. But he’d been certain this trip had been a game changer. He was more than upset, damn it. He was pissed.
He was afraid to speak for fear that even one word out of his mouth at that moment would be loaded with indignation so toxic that Noah would be all over it. He parked and got out of his car without saying another word: not about Nellie, not about his training, and not about the meeting Nellie wouldn’t be making because of her fucking date. All he wanted to do was run—run the annoying and unreasonable thoughts right out of his head. Visions of her doing what she had been doing with him for weeks after her date inundated him almost throughout the entire galling run.
“You okay?” Noah asked as their run finally came to an end.
Abel took a long swig of his water, still unwilling to speak. Catching his breath after drinking his water, he nodded.
“You didn’t overdo it, did you?” Noah’s brows were pinched, his eyes full of concern. “Something hurt?”
Yeah, his ego was crushed. But hurt was maybe pushing it—or not. “Nah, I’m good. I had a long night. That’s all.
“Another date,” Noah frowned. “I’m telling you, dude, you’re gonna have to cut down on the late nights or all-nighters anyway. This fight is no joke, and your body needs all the time to recoup from the extra training you’re doing now.”
They started back toward Abel’s car, the irritation still weighing heavy. “I’ll be fine.”
Out of nowhere, Noah chuckled. “Roni was a little pissed at you the other night. I was actually worried she might bring it up today.”
Abel turned to him, his forehead pinched now. “Pissed at me? For what?”
“I told her you had a date the night after you got back from San Francisco, and when she confirmed with Nellie that Frisco wasn’t all business, she was hot.”
“Nellie was?” Abel asked, feeling hopeful.
“No, Roni was. She still insists that Nellie’s gonna get hurt.”
Abel frowned, deciding to keep to himself who his date had actually been with that night. Noah would find out soon enough. Abel would spare himself Noah’s shrewd expression. “Well, if it pisses her off so much, why did you tell her?”
“Because I want her to get used to it, that’s why,” Noah said, looking at Abel over the roof of his car. Abel unlocked his door and got in, leaning over to unlock Noah’s door. As soon as Noah got in, he continued. “Roni tends to romanticize everything, and even with Nellie telling her she’s good with this being a purely physical thing, that she’s in no way looking for any kind of relationship, Roni’s still worried. Hell, Nellie even assured her again just the other day that she’s all about having fun and being a free spirit now with no one to answer to, but Roni still keeps insisting one of you is bound to want more eventually and that you two might sour up things for our little group. So I need to keep reminding her that it’s not happening.”
Abel didn’t think it possible to feel anymore aggravated than he already did. All about being a free spirit? Maybe she would be jumping in bed with this guy Friday night. Maybe that was who she really wanted to be now, and what he thought he saw in her eyes, felt in her kisses, despite her saying flat out that serious relationships weren’t on her to-do list, was just him being delusional. Maybe he shouldn’t give a shit about what she did when he wasn’t around, and he should just enjoy the incredible time he had with her. Evidently it was what she was doing.
Swallowing back the irrepressible jealousy, he revved the ignition to a loud start. He now attributed what he was feeling to his
overinflated ego. He’d been so sure the extra effort he made to take care of her needs—needs he’d suspected and she’d confirmed had been grossly neglected by her ex—would be enough to keep her from going out and having them be satisfied elsewhere. That and the fact that amidst the most grueling training he’d ever had he was likely in the best shape of his life. His body would probably never get any harder than it was now. He’d been sure she’d be highly appreciative of that and that it would go a long way in keeping her from “letting loose.” He didn’t admit it then, but now he had no choice because he felt ready to detonate. Only now he welcomed it. Anger was good. As long as it was ego-crushing fury, he could deal with this. Pain was completely different. He had no time to deal with that in his life right now.
“Yeah, well you can keep reminding Roni of that because I’m only in this for one thing. Nellie’s free spirit,” he said the venom in his words maybe a little too thick, “takes care of what I need without me having to deal with the usual drama of someone demanding more.”
The irritation only mounted now because, even as he stared ahead, he could feel Noah’s eyes on him. He knew he should’ve kept his mouth shut. “Good,” Noah said as they pulled out of the parking lot. “I’m not gonna lie, man. I was pretty worried about this in the beginning, especially with you making her your own personal assistant. But seeing as how you two seem to have this thing under control, it makes me feel better. You know Roni had this crazy notion that maybe you’d be a little ticked about Nellie going out on a date.”