Not The Same Girl

Chapter 23

When we reach The Ring, Gerry quickly opens the warehouse door allowing us to park inside before opening my car door for me. I smile as I take his hand before stepping out and giving him a quick hug. Hi Gerry. Hi sting, you look lovely. Thank you. I smile up at him before falling into step next to Mark as they greet each other. when we reach the back door, Gerry holds it open for us. Jackson is waiting outside the kitchen. And then he walks away I quickly take out my phone before calling Charlie. Hi Tiny. Hi Charles, are you guys here? Yeah we just walked in. Okay, go to the kitchen, to the left youll see a staircase Ill meet you guys there. Okay see you. then he hangs up. Youre friends here? I turn to Mark as we walk out of the kitchen towards the stairs with Jackson falling into step behind us. Yeah, you go up, Im going to wait for them here. Marks eyes flicker to Jackson before he gives me a nod and then heads up the stairs. Hi Sting. Hello Matt, how have you been? I smile up at the big man. Not bad at all. I heard you had a last-minute fight yesterday? He asks raising his eyebrow. Yeah something like that. Tiny!! I hear someone yell before I am lifted off the ground, Im in Charlies arms for about two seconds before Jackson rips me away from him and Matt pushes Charlie away, both men standing protectively in front of me. Shit, Im so sorry! I forgot to tell you. Jackson its fine, these are my friends, Charlie and Keith, guys this is Jackson and Matt. I quickly introduce as I make my way between the four men. Shit, I think he broke my shoulder. Oh, youll be fine stop crying. I turn towards Keith and Charlie. Im so sorry, I forgot to warn you I kind of have bodyguards when Im here. I say genuinely feeling bad, Im sure that wasnt a gentle push. Its fine Ray. Matt they will be with me for the night okay? I already told Mark. Sure Sting, just a bit of head up next time then I wont try and break your friends. Matt states with a wink. Im sorry Jackson. I mumble feeling bad because of the commotion I caused. Its fine Miss Johnson, I apologise for picking you up like that, I was just surprised. I smile up at the big man. No harm no foul. When I turn back towards the guys, they are looking at the big men behind me clearly there are a lot of questions running through their minds. Come on up, oh and Matt, Jake is coming tonight as well, I dont know if Mark only told you about the one night but when he comes please just let him up. Sure thing. When we reach the top of the stairs, I turn towards the guys again. Okay, you guys ready to meet everyone? Charlie shook his head, but Keith just shrugged causing me to smile. Come on. When we walk towards the big boys, Mark and Maurice immediately stand up to greet us. Mark, Maurice, this is my friends, Charlie and Keith. Guys, this is my stepdad Mark and his friend Maurice. I state after giving Maurice a hug. The guys quickly extend their arms towards Mark and Maury, So youre the boys Ray went to the beach with? And who she has been hanging out with so much lately? They quickly glance at each other before turning back to Mark, but its Keith that answers him. Yes sir, and another friend of ours, Brandon. Oh, yes, we know him as Spade. Yes, sir thats him. And youre the one who told off Landon today? Yes sir, uh, Raylan said she doesnt want to talk to him yet, so we got him to leave. I dont think I have ever seen Keith this uncomfortable, but to be fair Mark own his own can be pretty intimidating, add Maurice and fourteen other men staring at you, Im sure most guys would feel uncomfortable. Hmm very well, let me introduce you to the rest of the men who will be willing to kick your ass if something happens to my daughter. I stifle a giggle behind my hand when both Charlie and Keiths eyes go wide at Marks words. Enjoying their suffering, are you? I quickly spin around a big grin spreading across my cheeks when I face Jake Hi baby. Hi I mutter softly before launching myself into his arms causing him to laugh. I take it you are in a good mood. He states with a big grin on his face when he places me back on my feet. Yeah. I state a bit breathlessly as I scan him up and down, he was wearing a light blue V-neck shirt along with a pair of dark blue jeans and his white converse sneakers. When I meet his eyes again, he is staring at me with a raised eyebrow clearly enjoying me checking him out. You look stunning. I just blush before stepping onto my toes and when he leans down, I place a soft kiss on his cheek. You dont look to bad yourself. I whisper softly into his ear before placing a kiss beneath his lobe, causing a shiver to run through his body making me smile. I love that I have the same effect on him that he has on me. Mr. Forest, Mr. Delmonta. Jake greets and shakes their hands as they join us along with Charlie and Keith. Jake, always good to see you. Jake just sends a smile at Maurys words. Raylan, get some food for you and your friends if their hungry Ill cover the tab. Thanks Maury. I smile brightly up at him before leading the guys over to the sofas close to the railing. It is so much better up here than down there. Charlie states as he falls down onto one of the leather sofas with Keith sitting next to him. I just laugh while I motion for Jenna to come over. I take a seat next to Jake on the next sofa, he immediately pulls my close to his side and places a soft kiss on my cheek. When Jenna arrives, she places two beers for me and Jake on the small table next to our sofa before sending me a grin. Hi Ray, sorry guys I didnt know what you guys would like. She states looking at Charlie and Keith. Uh two beers will be fine for us as well. Keith answers looking a bit caught off guard. Great, Ill bring those right away, heres some menus Ill take your food order when I bring the drinks. She says with a big smile before handing each of us a menu and then running off towards the bar. Jesus even the food is better up here. Holy hell. I laugh at Charlie as Keith just shakes his head. Yeah, dumbass, the people who own the place sit up here. Are you eating? I ask Jake as I turn away from the two who are still bickering Yeah, I think Ill have the BigAssBurger. He states closing the menu. What about you? Small mac n cheese. I grin up at him. Of course, you are. I just shrug so I like mac n cheese, a lot, sue me. Here you go. I look up as Jenna places the beers on the small table next to Keith Now what would you guys like to eat? Were going to take the CrazyMeatWIthMeat Pizza please. Keith states smiling at Jenna who writes the order down on her little notepad before turning to us. A BigAssBurger for me, and a small Mac n Cheese for the lady. Thanks. Jenna just sends us a smile before taking the menus and promising the food will be ready in a few minutes. How was your day? I smile up at Jake and offer him a small shrug as I take a sip of my beer. It wasnt to bad, Landon was waiting for me by Suzi, but Keith and Charlie were with me so they kind sent him away. Jake tenses at the mention of Landon but when I place my hand in his thigh, he seems to calm down a bit. What are you going to do about him? He is trying to keep his tone light, but I can see the worry in his eyes. Honestly? I dont know. I dont want to be around him right now, but I dont think I want to lose him completely. I told him when I am ready to talk to him I will until then Im just trying not to cry the entire time. I say with a small shrug. Jake stares at me for a minute with concern in his eyes before sighing softly. If you want to stay friends with him you should baby, I might not like the guy, but I would never stop you from being friends with someone. I smile softly at him. I know J, but I just dont think Im ready to be friends with him at the moment. When Jenna returns with the food, we drop the conversation. What time is Brandon fighting? I turn towards Keith then answer. Well he is set for eight but there isnt really telling, some of the fights may be quick, and some might take longer than they anticipated for. I say with a shrug. Who is Brands sponsor? I hear Charlie ask Uh, Maurice, the man you met with Mark. Shit so the big guy of this place chose Brandon? I laugh slightly Yeah, Brandon is really good. The first three fights go by without much excitement from me, Marks fighter is only fighting tomorrow. When they make the announcement for Brandons fight all of us sit up a bit straighter focusing on our friend.