I want to. I want to get naked and feel his hands all over me, but there’s no way I’m showering in the open. Not when there’s a room full of boys next to us. I shake my head. “I’m fine just watching.”

I retrieve my phone from my back pocket. Mason is going to hate what I have to say. Seth’s fight is in six days. I dial Mason’s number and he answers immediately.

“Olivia? Hi. How’s your Dad?”

“He’s good. They’re letting him go home today.” Darryl sticks his head into the bathroom, relieved to see us on opposite sides. I feel myself blush because Seth is so exposed, but neither of the men seems to care. Darryl hooks a blue towel onto a towel holder and with a swift nod he leaves.

“How are you holding up?” Mason asks.

Seth shuts of the shower and walks over to his towel. I admire his body while he walks. It’s perfection. Every muscle clad limb is perfectly tight, shaped and muscular. He runs the towel over his head, across his chest and down his arms before wrapping the towel around his narrow hips.

“She’s—he’s—I’m fine.” I stutter, becoming flustered by Seth. I feel like a moron. He isn’t even touching me and my brain is foggy. Seth notices my hiccup and he smiles his trademark smile at me. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“I’m listening.” Mason replies cautiously.

“I’m going to Boston and I need some time off.”

Silence.

“And after that, assuming things go according to plan, I need more time off to go to Las Vegas.”

Silence.

“Mason?”

“Yeah, I heard you.” He exhales. “You’re going to put his career ahead of yours?”

“It’s not really a career, I mean, I’m only a receptionist.”

Mason’s tone darkens. “Only a receptionist? What business runs smoothly without a receptionist? As far as I’m concerned you have the most important job at this practice and what about your dad? He’ll need your support.”

I don’t want to divulge everything to Mason. He’s my boss. When an employee asks for time off the only role the employer has it to say yes or no. None of this digging around in personal information crap.

“My dad was the one who convinced me to go to Boston.”

“And if I say no?”

There it is. “Then I have no choice but to quit...”

“Really? Just like that?”

I nod, aware he can’t see it. Seth leans against wall beside me, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You know, I was wrong about you. Here I was thinking you were a mature adult, but you’re far from that. You’ll risk your job just to follow your new boyfriend around—it’s actually immature. Are you that afraid he’s going to be unfaithful to you, is that why you go? Because he's an animal and can't keep is dick in his pants for five Goddamn seconds?” Mason's tone is icy and it sends a cold dread through my ear and into the pit of my stomach. Strangely, there’s an urge to cry pushing at the base of my throat, but I press my tongue to the roof of my mouth to stop it. It’s not about Seth. I know he wouldn’t be unfaithful to me. Sure his promiscuous past makes the odds stack up highly against me, but they’re invisible to me. I want to cry because I’ve upset Mason so much. It’s not his fault he’s so mad. I’ve messed him around a lot the past few weeks and he’s been beyond accommodating. That amount of stress would get to anyone.

“Yes or no, Mason. That’s all I want you to say.”

He takes an eternity to answer me. “No.”

And that’s it. My two year long employment is done and I’m officially unemployed... it really doesn’t feel good. I swallow hard. “Thank you.”

I hang up and tap the phone in the palm of my hand. “So that’s that.” I sigh.

Seth’s arms engulf me, pulling me in close. “We’ll work something out once the tournament is over in a few weeks. Until then let me take care of you. I’ll cover your rent and electricity—food—whatever you need. It’s the least I can do.”

That sounds nice, but I can’t do it. The thought of being so dependent and leechy makes me nauseous.

“It’s okay. I have a good amount of savings. It should cover me for a month maximum. I can sort something out by then.”

He chuckles and his chest vibrates under my cheek. “You are stubborn.” He squeezes me tighter against him. “Whatever you choose to do, I’ve got your back.” I tilt my head and gaze into his brown eyes. “Always.”

***

I hardly see Seth the next six days. He’s so busy with training and preparing for this weekend. Even I’m nervous. We leave today and Seth should be here in twenty minutes to pick me up. Sadly, Selena can’t come this time. Her dad has requested she start doing something with her life and put in extra hours at the firm. She’s all distraught about it, but now she has researched a few courses she can study, she feels a little better, but her dad still suffers her cold shoulder. My phone rings, pulling me from my thoughts. I leap of the couch and run to the kitchen bench where I’m charging my phone. I pull the cable out and answer it.

“Hey!” Selena’s cheery voice squeals. “I’ve done it! I know what I’m going to become!”

“What?”

“A police officer!”

I almost laugh out loud. Selena, a police officer? I don’t think so. She hates cleaning because she always breaks a nail. I’m pretty sure you can’t have long, strange colored nails as a police officer... dress code and all that.

“A police officer? Really?”

She sounds almost offended. “What’s wrong with that?”

“I’m trying to picture you chase bad guys and shoot guns. No offence, but it’s not looking pretty.”

She snorts. “Yeah, well, I’ll show you. Anyway, you’re leaving today and I’m so bummed. I wish I could come… I’m going to miss Jackson.”

I open the fridge and grab two small bottles of water. “Gee, don’t miss me or anything.”

I cross the kitchen floor and into the lounge room. I place the two bottles of water on top of my little purple suitcase.

“You know I’ll miss you! That goes without saying. How long will you be away?”

“I’ve told you twice already. We’re going to stay a few days in Boston and if he wins, the next stop is Las Vegas for a week or so.”

“His fights are really close together...doesn’t he need time to recover or whatever?”

I don’t know a lot about the tournament, but Darryl did tell me that once he goes pro it can be months between fights. Until then, Seth has to avoid getting hit as much as possible. So far, so good. I’m yet to see a fist connect with his face. “I don’t know how it works.” I mutter.

There’s a soft knock on the door and my nervousness kicks up a notch. “Hey, I gotta go now, but call me in a day or two, yeah?”

“Yeah, alright. Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Love you.”

“Love you.” I hang up and slip my phone into the front pocket of my lemon colored cardigan. I like this cardigan. It was a gift from my Nan before she passed away. My favorite outfit to wear with it is a pair of white jeans and a white lace top. I race to the door and throw it open. Seth looks as drool-worthy as ever. How he manages to wear a pair of jeans and a plain grey t-shirt and still look amazing is annoyingly beyond me. His hair glistens slightly, like he’s showered recently. His skin looks smooth and soft and I really want to reach out and touch it. He drinks me in with an amused smile on his face.

“You’re like a coconut-lemon bonbon.” He laughs, leaning on the door frame.

“Ha. Ha.” I deadpan.

He steps forward, his eyes burning confidently into mine—no—lustily. “I love lemon bonbons.” His smile turns cocky. “They melt in your mouth.”

I feel a hot red flush creeping up my cheeks and he notices. His eyes sparkle, looking perfectly amused with my reaction and he steps forward, allowing his hands to slide into the nape of my neck. Then, he kisses me, teasing me with his teeth as he nips at my bottom lip. He steps forward, sliding his other hand down my side before cupping my ass and squeezing me against him. I know he’s doing this to work me up, knowing very well that I can’t do a damn thing about it. He pulls away and catches his bottom lip between his teeth. “Mm. You taste better than any kind of sweet.”

I groan. “You’re going to make this painful for me, aren’t you?”

He nods his head. “Imagine what it’s doing to me.”

I step away and roll my suitcase to him. I lock my door and follow Seth down the stairs to the car. My suitcase easily slips onto the empty back seat.

“Jackson isn’t coming?” I wonder aloud.

Seth opens my door and I climb in. “Yeah, but he’s riding with Darryl and the others.”

I smile. Alone time with Seth would be very nice. I’ve barely seen him this week and I’ve missed him like crazy. I’m excited to be leaving Portland and I’m especially excited for Seth’s fight to be over. I crave—no—I need to be close to him, in every sense.

As we roll onto the highway, a ringtone buzzes throughout the car and my attention falls onto the center console. ‘Mom’ is calling. Seth swiftly hits ignore.

“How is she?” I ask. “Did she end up going to the program?”

I glance sideways at Seth. His hands squeeze the steering wheel briefly.

“What do you think?” His voice is almost sad—disappointed. I look at my hands also disappointed.

“I was certain she would...”

He smiles a painfully fake smile without looking at me. “It’s okay. I’m done. When I picked her up from the hospital last night—”

“Wait, the hospital?” I sound more offended than worried and maybe I am. Why didn’t he call me?

“Yeah, she fell down some stairs at a bar and hit her head. She’s okay; it’s just a little cut.”

Noticing my apprehension he adds. “I didn’t call you because it was really late and I wasn’t in the mood for someone to feel sorry for me.”

A little harsh, but understandable...I suppose. “I just hate that you had to do it on your own.”

“I’ve been doing it on my own for years now. What’s a few more, right?”

My heart wrenches in my chest. There’s so much responsibility on his shoulders. Balancing finances, his career, strict diet requirements and intense training—how does he even function properly?

“You said you’re done? What does that mean?”

“It means I refuse to carry her through life like a child for a second longer. I contacted a rehab in California last night. The company picked her up this morning.”

I wait a while for his words to sink in. He sent his mother to rehab...on the other side of the country?

“California is a long way away, Seth.”

He shrugs. “I need her as far away from me as possible. Otherwise she’ll beg that I come visit and then she’ll convince me to sign her release. I can’t...not this time.”

Not this time? He’s sent her to a rehab before? I look at him. His jaw is clenched tightly, his features pulled forward into a frown. I don’t question him anymore. I can see that it’s difficult for him and so I say the only I can say. “You did the right thing.”

The crinkle in his brow smoothes out. I said exactly what he wanted to hear. No doubt he’s been playing some kind of emotional tug-of-war with his decision and I’m glad that I could ease it a little.

***

Boston is huge compared to Portland. The buildings are taller and newer. I practically squish my face against the cool glass as I try to get a closer look. I’ve never been out of Portland. Why haven’t I travelled? Seeing new places is amazing and it’s fresh. Although people are busily walking the sidewalks to get to appointments and important meetings, I feel like this place is untouched, like I just discovered it. Seth pulls up outside a very ritzy hotel and a man in an adorable black hat opens my door.

“Good evening, madam.” He greets me, extending a white gloved hand.

I glance awkwardly at Seth who’s watching me with a pleased expression. I take the man’s hand and he helps me from the car. Seth takes me from the man and tells him about the bags. Happily, the man nods and retrieves the luggage from the car. We enter the building through a gold rotating door and Seth keeps his fingers locked with mine as we approach his team in the lobby. Darryl, Jackson and the other three whose faces I’ve become accustomed to, but have no idea what their names are, are absolutely delighted to see that Seth and I arrive on time.

“I’ll check in.” Seth says, kissing the top of my head.

I admire the lobby while Darryl explains the plans for tonight and tomorrow. The lobby is vast and well decorated with marble statues and gold trimmings. No rugs adorn the floor and shoe heels clatter against the tiles all around me. There’s a delightful smell, like vanilla and rosemary and the classical music playing softly through hidden speakers makes me feel light and relaxed. This hotel is hands down the nicest place I’ve ever stayed. Oh, and imagine what the bath is going to look like—assuming I have one.

“Where are Don and Josh staying?” Jackson asks Darryl, sitting on the top of his own suitcase and brushing his hands over his jeans.

“Josh and Don are both across town in the Plaza hotel. Their management has assured me we shouldn’t have any run-ins before the fight. It’s a big city. The chances of us running into them tonight are slim.”