“I knew there was a reason I liked you,” Janie tells him as she loops her arm through the crook of his elbow.
Scott moves to Janie’s side, close enough to let her know this is exactly where he wants to be, but with enough space between them to keep it from getting awkward if things should shift.
“Marco, did you sign up for any matches?” Scott turns his attention to Marco.
“No, I’m not into the sport to compete, I just love it. Did you?”
“Yeah, I just hope I get placed with someone who is not with the gym. I’d love some fresh competition.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Elsie asks Scott and Marco.
“Evolutions is participating in upcoming exhibition matches, it’s done every so often. You girls should come and watch, it’s pretty exciting, and the guys love the support,” Scott answers her.
“Yeah, John and Brian are both competing. I’d like to go, do you want to go and watch, Babe?” Marco asks Elizabeth
“Yeah, I guess so. I think it will be exciting, but scary, at the same time. It’s not going to be the same as what they do when they spar, is it Scott?” Elizabeth asks him, her face animated with excitement and concern.
“No, it’s a lot more intense. The guys don’t hold anything back in competitions and exhibitions, and it gets down and dirty. It’s a place for the athletes to really show what they’ve got.”
“We should go, all of us, I know I am. I want to see it and I want to return the support the members showed for me this morning, at the race. That was an incredible turnout. You guys made it amazing, thanks so much,” Janie tells Scott.
“It was for the kids, but I would have gone anyway, just to see you in that running gear,” Scott wiggles his eyebrows at her.
“Did you like it, Big Boy?” Janie laughs at him
“Best way I’ve started my day in a long time.”
“It doesn’t look like we’re going to have to wait until the competition to see what John’s got,” Marco says looking over Elizabeth’s head towards the house.
All five pairs of eyes turn in the direction Marco is looking.
John is standing on the porch with Rico. And it looks like the match bell is about to ring.
“I didn’t know John invited him?” Elsie says with a nervous tremor in her voice.
“I’m not surprised. John always tries to make the newcomers feel welcome. He remembers being the new kid in town and how much it sucks,” Scott says almost absentmindedly, his gaze fixed on, what appears to be, two opposing opponents.
John is standing with his feet planted firmly and slightly separated, his chest is bowed and his shoulders squared. His fists are clenched at his sides and it’s obvious he does not like what’s going on. Rico has a sarcastic, cocky expression on his face, and is smirking at whatever he’s saying.
I cannot believe the balls of this guy! John thinks to himself, looking at Rico with disbelief on his face and anger quickly rising within him.
“So tell me army boy, how did you get a place like this again? On a service man’s salary? Hah, that’s funny,” Rico laughs at him. “It’s pretty impressive, Dude, even for you.”
“I’m a Marine, but I wouldn’t expect you to be able to remember that much. And it’s none of your business, Boy. Now, this is a party, and I’m supposed to be a host, don’t give me a reason to forget my role, understand? Boy,” John tells Rico coldly, as he moves close enough to his face to let him know he’s very close to getting what he’s asking for.
“It just seems kind of strange, you know, that you got a pimped out truck, this big house, and all that other shit, but you don’t work. You some rich, trust fund, kid or something?” Rico asks him waving his hand in the air in the direction of John’s house.
“I’m going to say this once, Negro, and I hope you can understand it, even though you come from, the ‘hood and shit, I’ll ‘splain it slowly. You are a guest in my home. Act like it. Understand?” John states, getting in his face and cocking his head to the side.
“We cool, Bro, no need to get your panties all up your ass and shit, hah,” Rico laughs and holds his hand out to shake John’s.
John takes Rico’s hand but it’s obvious that the exchange has been tense, and the underlying confrontation is far from over. Both men are probably resisting the urge to crush the other man’s bones to dust in his hand.
“We cool, now let me get you a drink, what would you like?”
John has regained his cool composure and relaxed his body, as much as a Marine can relax, with a hint of aggression still lingering in his face.
“Just some water, gracias.”
That surprises John. He was sure that Rico was the type of guy that liked to party and show off. He certainly dresses like a player with the expensive clothes, slicked back hair, expensive cologne and diamond studs in his ears. All he needs is a big-chested blonde bimbo on his arm and he’d look like a Mexican drug lord. The guy is good looking, he’s got to give him that, but he’s an asshole.
“Sure thing, and don’t worry, if you’d like to have a drink, we can call you a cab, it’s no problem.”
“Gracias, but I don’t drink. I like to keep my head clear, you never know,” Rico tells him with a wink.
Yeah, ‘cause you can’t be trusted, you think everyone else is going to put a cap
