7

"Try and keep both your feet planted on the floor, Rose." I tried but I noticed my feet lifting a little as I punched not too hard.
Unexpectedly, he placed his hands on my hips, causing me to tense up a little, my heart missing a beat. He held my lower body down a little so I couldn't move my feet, allowing me to punch at the bag correctly.
"That's it, Rose, keep your body aligned," he said, his large hands still holding onto my hips from behind.
I punched the bag, beginning to get a stronger rhythm.
"Keep your elbows tight," Gage instructed, his hands then going to my arms, planting them by my sides. "And your wrists straight." I did as he said, determination written all over my face as I punched the bag, his hand going back to my hips.
Beginning to get breathless, I noticed my wrists beginning to hurt. "Damn, my wrists," I breathlessly told him, my eyes flickering over to his. He smiled at me, "yeah, that's normal. Your tendons just need to get used to it."
"Careful," Gage gently told me as I hit the bag. "Don't use full strength. You're just starting."
"Okay, Rose." Gage said after a few minutes of hitting. "Try and get quicker punches. Hit it harder."
I did as he said, my fists colliding with the bag quicker, with more force. My heart was beginning to burn and I was starting to sweat, heat overwhelming me.
"Don't hesitate, come on, Rose," he encouraged me as I punched as hard as I could, small determinate grunts leaving me as I hit the bag roughly, taking out all my anger on it.
"Focus on your breathing. Don't let yourself get too heated up."
I tried my hardest but it was a lot of things to remember at once. His hands held my hips down, helping me as I tried to maintain a balanced breathing pattern to help me.
"Come on, Rose! Punch it! Hit it!"
"Take out your anger on it!"
"Punch!"
"You can do it, Rose!"
"Rose, keep going!"
"Come on!"
"Oh, my gosh!" I breathed out as I took off my gloves, leaning against the ropes as I wiped my face with my hand, exhaling loudly. Gage chuckled, watching me as he scratched the back of his neck.
"Good work out?" He questioned jokingly with a smile as he came closer. I nodded, smiling.
"Thanks for teaching me, Gage," I thanked genuinely, "I really enjoyed today."
He waved it off, smiling too. "No worries."
"Can we do this again?" I asked with a beaming smile. He playfully groaned as I chuckled, watching him. "Okay, yeah," he positively answered, his eyes twinkling as they gazed at me.
"What made you dye your hair red?" He curiously asked me, glancing at my hair tied into a high ponytail. I shrugged, licking my lips as I looked at him. He wasn't too far away.
"I wanted a change, plus, I wanted to show the world that I was confident and strong. Dyed it red," I told him, honestly. "Are your eyes naturally grey?"
Gage nodded, a cute smile on his face. "Yeah, my dad's eyes are grey."
"Ah," I acknowledged, smiling at him. "They're beautiful, Gage. Every time I see you, I can't stop looking at them."
Then I found myself getting lost into them once more. Gage's face was attractive and his eyes were striking to me. I couldn't stop gazing into his ice eyes. I licked my lips, barely noticing how much closer we were to each other.
My eyes slowly dropped to his lips and his hand gradually went to my cheek, caressing it softly. My head leaned into his warm hand a little as I gazed at him, hypnotised.
He leaned in and I closed my eyes, finally feeling his soft, natural lips. His rich lips were like a movie; so perfect and intoxicating me.
We pulled apart a few times, small little kisses on each other lips and his hand slid down to my waist, pulling me slightly closer as I placed my hand on his broad shoulder, kissing him back.
What am I doing?
Gage is my friend
Friend
I barely know him
Friend
But he's so sweet and handsome!
What about Cris?
Oh, Cris
I can't do this to Cris
What about Gage?
I'm not even in a relationship
Gage
Cris
Oh no
What have I done?
Our sweet kiss was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening.
Gage and I automatically moved away from each other. He cleared his throat, going to the the other side of the ring and taking his water bottle, drinking if. His muscular back was facing me.
I turned away, my hands on the ropes as a million thoughts ran through my mind.
Gage or Cris?
Cris or Gage?
Why am I even thinking of this?
Oh no
Rose
What have you done?
"Match tonight."
Cris - it's Cris
My eyes went up, following him as he came down, only wearing some shorts and a vest so his bulging muscles were on show.
His eyes met mine and I gave him a smile. "I'll come and watch," I told him, my heart racing and aching as a bad feeling came into my chest.
Cristiano looked at me curiously. "Did you box, Rose?"
I nodded, "yeah. It's really energising."
"I'm glad you like it," Cristiano smiled, going under the ropes and onto the ring as Gage packed up some stuff. My heart was beating so fast, I could feel it vibrating in me, every single beat.
I bit my bottom lip hard, my eyes wandering to Gage who was avoiding looking at me.
"Gage, did the dick reply?" Cristiano asked. I didn't know what he was talking about but I stood there, my head aching with thoughts.
"No, the stupid ass didn't," he normally replied, his eyes meeting mine. My breath hitched and he looked away, putting the gloves in a bag. "How is he always on his phone but he can't reply one damn message?" Gage added, rolling his eyes.
"I know," Cris agreed, tightening the bag chains.
I licked my lips, feeling sick. "I'm gonna go up and shower. I'll see you guys later," I said quietly, going under the ropes and jumping down the high boxing ring.
"Thanks, Gage, for the lesson," I said, my heart hurting my chest as it pounded against it. He looked up at me and gave me a genuine smile. "It's fine."
I gave him a small smile, struggling to keep calm. "Cris, good luck," I told him, his hazel eyes flickering over to me. He smiled, "thanks, Rose."
I turned, beginning to walk up the stairs shakily.
"Rose?" I heard Cristiano call. I looked down, stopping, not so far away from the door.
"Yeah?"
"Nice ass."
~~~