(Pic of Riae)

The dimly lit gym was straining my eyes, as I finished the few sets I had for myself. Sweat pooled between my legs, after running over my black sports bra and shorts. More then enough machines to work every muscle to the bone. Punching and kicking bags, hung in a well spaced out area in the back. Mirrors lined two of the walls, showing every angle.

    The black rubber mats, cushioned under my black and grey sneakers. Grabbing a jump rope, spacing my feet before starting out slow. I had moved from Indiana where my mother lived with her boyfriend, to the interesting city of cape cod. It was a change for me, and even more so now, that I was working in my fathers fighting gym.

    Him and my mom split up a few years after I was born, I was to young to remember why. But they told me time, and time again it wasn’t my fault. The gym was large, with two stories. The lower half were people checked in, bathrooms were on both levels. The ring was upstairs, looking over the lower level of the gym. Lockers were set up in both bathrooms. My fathers office was on the top floor, along with mine.

    A few vending machines, places right as you walked came in. I had already known everything about fighting, being I use to work at a smaller gym in Indiana. On my free time I worked doing tattoos, having a few myself. My art was away to express myself, my father didn’t seem to mind them as much as my mother did. Dad was a well build fifty year old, his black hair intensified his looks. Deep green eyes like me, held peoples attention even if they didn’t want it. His knuckles had seen a lot of punching bags, along with a few faces.

    Being the youngest child out of six, and the only girl. My brothers were somewhat into the fighting, I had watched them a few times in junior matches. Bradley was the oldest, looking just like dad. All my brother were big boys, packing on the muscle and working out in their free time. On top of that they all worked at the junk yard down the road, since it was another thing dad bought. Craig was the second oldest, and tall standing a good 6ft. Blue eyes and brown hair. Next was Grant followed by his almost double Leo. They weren’t twins, but everyone took them for one. Matching green eyes with dirty blonde hair like our mom. Vick was the youngest, and closest to me. He could have been my double, with matching green eyes and chocolate brown hair.

    Tom also known as our father, was like some kind of guru for my brothers. They looked up to him, and their late night talks about fighting and sports were nothing new to me. I had to admit it was better then listening to my mothers new toy, talk about the depths of the lawyer world. He had a big name to up hold, since his father was a even bigger lawyer then him. It was just another reason why I was proud my father was a fight trainer. Had he been a lawyer or a doctor, I might have been screwed. My tattoos didn’t make getting a job easy, and most often then not I was looked upon like a rebel. Or some kind of delinquent, far from the case. Having an associates degree along with a bachelors, dad had said he didn’t rise stupid.

    My brothers also had a few degrees under their belts, and would laugh when I start spewing unknown knowledge at them. I lived on my own, but would eat dinners at dads with the guys. It was like family time, only better. Cause I could still go home, sleep in my own bed and wake up to silence. Instead of screaming men in boxers or tightie whities. The thought made a shiver run over me, last thing I wanted to wake up to was the sight of all five of my brothers in their underwear.

Kill me…..

Its been about two months since I started working for my dad, mostly I do paperwork. Only getting to work out when the place is closed. Dad wasn’t ready for the on slaughter of males to come at me with ‘can I date you’ and ‘where have you been all my life?’ It was funny cause he still saw me as his baby girl, even though I am well over the legal age limit. He did however give me three older men to work with, they still fought and looked better then some of the younger guys who trained.

    I finished off my sets, as I started for the showers. Washing the smell away, and twisting my hair into a bun. Flicking the rest of the lights on, announcing we were now going to be open. Turning the OPEN sign, over the door. Before unlocking everything, putting a dollar in the soda machine hitting 2C watching the water drop. Dad walked out of his office, giving me a look.
    “What?” Sucking the water.
    “Ummm” He growled, turning to walk down the stairs.

Well this should be swell….. Rolling my eyes.

    “Riae, I’ve got two new guys coming in. I’m going to hand them over to you”
    “Really?” Almost chocking on the water. He’s never even giving me the time of day, about getting a new client.

    “Yes. Don’t let them intimates you. I got to interview them yesterday while you were at the tattoo shop. If they start shit you tell me. Understand?”
    “Sure thing” Grinning like I just won the lottery. Growling out his frustration he walked back upstairs. I did a happy wiggle dance before, returning to my composed self. This was my time to show I could train, and not just the older crowed but the tough boys. The ones who talked shit, and could put their money where their mouth was. Gleaming in pure joy, I tossed the empty water bottle into the blue bin.

    First to walk in was Sara, she managed the check in sheet. Along with taking calls. She was cute for an older woman, mostly getting hit on by the older crowed. However her small frame and delicate looks were not to be messed with. Just like the boys in here, she could bite back. I witnessed her rip apart a twenty nine year old hot shot, from the lower Westside like he was a puppy. By the time she was done with him, he was all but crying. Then like nothing happened she handed him a cookie, and sent him on his way.

    Pushing my office door open, flopping into my chair. Tapping the mouse, I went over my sheets. Dad had sent me the info on my new clients. Owen and Van were their names, brother by the looks of their last name. Scrolling down they had trained with some good, trainers. Won a few fights, but lost a few as well. I was going to have to see them fight, before I could asses what they would need work on. My older clients didn’t come on Mondays, and I was free for more often then not.
    This was a welcome to my boring route. Looking at the clock on the computer, I realized I need a coffee. Hitting sleep mode, grabbing my leather jacket, before heading to dad’s office. Knocking once before opening the door.

    “I’m going for coffee want one?”
    “Yea” Nodding as he was talking on the phone. Smiling I closed his door, jogging the way down.
    “Morning Riae” Sara smiled.
    “Morning, I’m headed for coffee want one?”
    “No thanks, I got mine” Showing off her black travel mug. Pushing the door open as two guys walk in, looking me up and down. Laughing I walk to my favorite coffee shop. Its small but makes the best coffee around, and there also the only shop in walking distance. The door to the shop rings, alerting Heather, the owner.

    “Morning Riae. The usual?” Her bright white smile, shines off her many earring piercing.
    “Yea, dad needs one as well” Pulling out my wallet.
    “Sure thing. How is the old bastard” Grabbing two cups.
    “The same” Giggling as I drop a ten.

Dad likes his coffee black with four sugars, while mine is a iced caramel latte with three sugars and cream. The machine makes the buzzing sound as she adds in my ice.  Dropping mine off as she fills dads, adding the four sugars. The shop is a deep rich brown color, all threw. While the chairs have a hunter green fabric, the chalk boards are dressed in colored chalk. Displaying the flavor of the month, or deals. Heather’s hair matches the dark wall, while her apron matches the seats.

    “That it love?”
    “Yes ma’am” Waving her buy. I never take my change. As a reward of some sorts, Heather gives me a whopper of a gift card for Christmas. Sipping the iced treat, as the summer heat is crawling up fast. A few more men start for the door, before seeing me. Grinning as both my hands are full, they pull the door open for me.
    “Thank” Walking in as I hear a whistle. My father is on the floor, yelling at some of the younger guys when he hears this.   
    “Hey keep you wolf contained” Growling at the men. Chuckling I hand him his drink.
    “Dad chill” Sipping my drink.

    “Little bastards” Grumbling as he pulls the tap back on his drink.
    “Your such a badass daddy” Kissing his cheek. A flash of teeth, cause he loves when I call him that, then going and yelling at the guys. Heading back up to my office, I need to go over the rest of the info on Owen and Van. Taping the mouse, scrolling as I sip causally. An hour passes and I’ve caught up on all their person info, along with their techniques. They seem to be lacking in the defense department, their punches are strong along with kicks. But they don’t do well in blocking which hurts them when there appoint gets into their hole.
    “RIAE” My father screams.

Groaning I get up out of my seat, looking out my door.
    “What?” Glaring at him. I’m not a dog, you could call me on the phone.
    “I need your help” Waving me to come down. Groaning again, I take one last sip. As I know my drink will be all, but warm by the time I get back up here. Jogging down the grey mental stairs, coming to his side.

    “Yes?” Folding my arms.
    “I need you to spar with Justin” Shaking his head.
    “Come again?” Making sure I heard him correctly.
    “Justin, he needs a partner. And you’re the only one I got open” Justin is a pretty good fighter, and I know all about his over powerful kicks.

    “Fine, but I want tomorrow off” Walking to the lockers.
    “No, you’ll have the new clients in tomorrow” I stop and turn around.   
    “Just how many days a week are they coming?”
    “Six” Gruffing it out, as he looks away from my dagger throwing eyes.
    “Damn it dad, you know I work at the shop” Stomping back to him.
    “Then come in when their here and then go back to the shop when your done” Grinning as if he just solved everything.

    “Your….awww” Throwing my hands into the air. Walking to my locker, changing into a new set of sparing clothes. Taking a mouth guard, pushing it in before stepping onto the mats. We spar on the lower level, and fight on the top. Justin is good looking, and knows it. His spiky blonde hair sticks out like a hedgehog, while stunning water like eyes captivate a weaker woman. Personally I don’t see what all the fuss is about.

    “I’ll go gentle beautiful” Blowing a kiss my way before pushing his mouth guard in. Rolling my eyes, as I take up my stance. Mentally going over everything my father has taught me, my feet spread into the right formation. My hands hang just a little lower then my breasts. Justin bounces up and down like a sugar high kid, before throwing out a few kicks. Blocking two before side stepping out of the rest.