Sammy

I didn't run into Dante for the rest of that week. I thought I would see him the next morning Friday for our lunch delivery, but Kassie was the one who stopped by instead.

"Looking good!" She cheered on my novice fighters, as she made her way to the back room. I was working on some bookkeeping there, but Kassie's voice was so loud, it cut straight through the open door.

I knew she was here before she even made it to me. "The kitchen made all your favorites today!" He exclaimed, setting the bags down on one of the counters. The delicious aromas that filled the room was intoxicating.

"Slow day today, huh?" I asked. "I thought you might have made Dante your regular runner."

She quickly shook her head. "No, I mainly sent him here to keep him busy because I didn't want to put him out on the floor while his nose was that swollen. Why would I want to miss stopping by a gym filled with shirtless hot guys hitting each other?"

I chuckled at that. "You know your brother is one of those guys right?"

That made Kassie gag. "You always have to ruin things, Sammy." It looked like she was about ready to get back to work, but I stopped her before she could leave.

"I- uh, I asked Dante if he could take a look at the roof this week. Strangely enough, he knows a lot about that stuff. He agreed, but he informed me he wasn't sure about his schedule yet. I was just wondering if you had that figured out?"

Kassie paused to digest my words. "Since he's in a part time status, the hours will fluctuate. I don't think Howard has him down for this weekend however, if you wanted to enlist his services then." She explained. I nodded slowly.

"Yeah. Do you think you could pass my contact onto him for me?" I asked.

"For sure! I'll let him know that you're free this weekend. He mentioned something about buying a bed today. I know it can be difficult and pricy getting one around here. I was hoping I could help him out but I already gave my spare mattress to Grayson for his new place. That and neither of us really have a vehicle to transport anything with. I just thought I might bring it up because I know you mentioned you had an extra bed when you were moving in upstairs."

I grew silent for a moment, as I processed what Kassie was saying. Unfortunately, things were making a lot more sense now. "Yeah I've still got the spare bed. I wish there was a way I could get it to him, but it took me and three other guys to get it up there to begin with. Just thinking about moving that bed into those apartments on 88th sounds like a hazard for both me and my guys." I explained.

Kassie nodded. "Yeah I remember Grayson bitching about how heavy that thing was. With the way those old apartments are set up, who's to say it won't fall through the floor boards."

I know Kassie had meant that as a joke, but there was some truth to that statement.

"But don't sweat it!" She rushed out quickly. "I'm going to ask a few friends to see if they've got anything, and hopefully we'll get him situated soon. I feel for the guy, ya know? It can be challenging starting out in NYC."

"Very true." I agreed.

Those were the last words I spoke to Kassie that day, before she had to hurry back to work. Nonetheless, even after Kassie was gone, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I wouldn't wish those apartments upon my worst enemy, let alone someone who seemed as genuinely nice as Dante. The fact that he had to even call that run down place, a home, was really unsettling.

I decided I was going to also try everything I could to help.

-

I didn't hear from Dante the rest of Friday. When Saturday morning came around, I was nervous that Kassie may have forgotten to pass my information along. I didn't even have the time to remind her before she left Tidal Wave last night, because I had a late session with one of the younger guys Adrian.

Adrian had been dragging his feet these last few weeks, and with less than a month left before sections, that laziness wasn't going to fly by me. I had him practice until he collapsed on the mat from exhaustion. He took the punishment like a champ, which most of my men did. It was either that, or get the hell out of my gym.

When Saturday morning rolled around, I almost lost all hope completely. I had asked Grayson to give lessons today so I could free up my schedule, but that was quickly proving to be useless. Just as I thought all hope was lost, my phone lit up with a text alert on my bedside table.

A message had come in from an unknown number:

Hi Sammy, this is Dante. Kassie passed your number along to me- hopefully that was okay! I can stop by whenever you're free today, to get started.

I was already typing back before I could even finish reading that message.

Hi Dante, I'm glad you reached out. I'm free whenever today, and would love it if you could stop by as soon as you're available. The materials you listed are here for you when you're ready.

I thought it would take him some time before he got back to me, but another message flew in moments later.

That sounds great! I'm just waking up now but I could be there around 9:30 if that works?

I glanced up at the time again, and it looked like it was minutes away from nine right now. The gym wouldn't open until eleven so that gave Dante and I some time to run through where he'll start, and where I can help. I shot him a message back:

9:30 sounds great.

I was going to place my phone on the bedside table again, but it vibrated in my hand with another two text alerts.

Sounds great!

9:30 it is.

That made the edges of my lips twitch up into a small smile.

Dante

"Oh my god Dante, what is wrong with you." I groaned outwardly as soon as my finger hit send on that last text.

I had sounded redundant and overly eager all in one go. I was hoping Sammy just thought I was maybe clarifying the time even though he clarified the time. I sighed. Oh god, then the sounds great part after he already said that and I just-

I took one long deep breath.

Then another.

You've taken overreacting to a whole new level, Dante. Chill the fuck out. We have a roof to fix.

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