5th Street: Noah

Chapter 12

The next morning Roni’s bedroom door had been closed when Noah got in the shower, but by the time he’d gotten out, it was open and she was gone. It was almost as if she’d waited for him to get in the shower to avoid him. But she’d at least thought to leave him a note on the counter.

In case you’re wondering, I’m meeting Nellie for breakfast, but I made you coffee. I’ll see you tonight at the gym.

She signed it with a happy face, and it seemed cheery enough, but Noah had to wonder if she was really over their little exchange last night. He’d felt like such an asshole afterwards, especially when he realized he’d made her cry.

There was no way he was going the whole day without talking to her. He’d give her a few hours—let her finish breakfast with her friend then call her, feel her out. The worst part about the whole thing was he was now certain that Roni still had feelings for Derek. Why else would she be so upset about his comment?

Her remark about his “holiday drive-bys” had kept him up most of the night. Had Hector’s stupid revelation really derailed all his efforts to prove to her that he was not your average twenty-year-old? She’d made it damn clear what kind of guy she would never get involved with, and judging from her tone, that’s exactly the kind of guy she now thought he was. Fuck!

He got a text from his morning client just as he got off his bike in the parking lot of the gym. He was canceling. Great. Now Noah had an hour to kill before his next client came in.

Abel and Gio were already in the office when he walked in. Abel was reading the paper. Gio stood next to him, toothbrush still in his mouth. The guy was always brushing his teeth. They both glanced up. “Everything okay?” Abel asked.

Noah pinched his brows in an attempt to appear oblivious to his meaning. “Yeah, why wouldn’t it be?”

Abel shrugged. “I hope my dumb ass brother didn’t cause you any problems.”

Noah pretended to think about it as if he didn’t even remember then furthered the act by opening his eyes wide. “Oh, last night? No, not at all.”

Just like that, Abel’s expression softened and he let it go. Noah knew he would. He’d never been one to pry. Pretty quiet about his own personal life, he stayed out of everyone else’s as much as he could. Gio would be another thing.

“Check this out.” Abel lifted the paper he was reading. “Felix is going for the title.”

“Sanchez? No shit.” Noah was relieved Abel had dropped the subject. He tossed his gym bag on the floor and walked over to take a look at the paper.

Felix was the first boxer from 5th Street to make it to the big time in over a decade. Most boxers with any real potential for winning a title usually left 5th Street for bigger, better gyms with trainers who were used to working with up-and-coming boxers—but not Felix. He stayed loyal to the gym he’d started out with. Not only that but he’d been a close friend to all of them, and he’d never forgotten his roots.

Even after he’d started to fight and win the bigger, more heavily promoted fights, he came back a few times a year to visit. He’d even gotten in the habit of ending his after-fight interviews with a plug for the gym. Jack said he’d noticed an increase in memberships ever since Felix started doing that. Each time Felix won another bout and mentioned the gym in the after-fight interview, there’d be a surge in memberships.

“Is that his girl?” Noah pointed to the tall girl resembling a runway model next to him in the picture.

“This week,” Gio said, finishing his brushing and walking back to the restroom.

“Yep,” Abel said with a grin. “I’m pretty sure this one is a different one from the one I saw him with on TV a few weeks ago.”

Abel filled him in on the details of the championship fight. If Felix won, this could mean big things for 5th Street. The press had already come by a few times and interviewed Jack about the alumnus of the gym who had made a name for himself in the boxing world. Felix was part of the reason why Noah’s clients were willing to pay so much. The fact that he listed Felix as one the guys he helped train sparkled on his trainer’s resume.

Noah had known Felix the least compared to the other guys. By the time he moved into the Fuentes’ home, Felix was already on his way to stardom. So Noah got to train with him for only a few months before Felix left town and went on the road. He moved his mother and brothers out to a better neighborhood, and they’d since only seen him when he’d swing by and make an appearance at 5th Street. Gio had been the closest to him. In a way, that’s why Noah and Gio had gotten so tight. It was almost as if Noah took Felix’s place in Gio’s life.

Gio walked out of the restroom, smiling. “Let me see that again?” Abel handed him the newspaper and Gio laughed. “Yeah, that’s a different chick. He probably has a different one in every city. Must be nice.”

Noah frowned, walking back to pick up his gym bag. He had to admit Felix’s lifestyle now was one he did envy a bit. Who wouldn’t? The guy had a real shot at the title, and from what he’d heard about the fat contract he’d signed with his promoter, money wouldn’t be an issue for him anymore. If he got the title, that would only make the pot sweeter. He’d be set for life. But the whole different-girl-in-each-city thing Noah wasn’t so sure about.

He walked to the back and into the locker room, feeling even tenser now than when he’d left the house that morning. What bothered him about his new way of thinking was that he knew it had everything to do with Roni. A few months ago before he’d met her, he would’ve completely agreed with Gio. What guy in his right mind wouldn’t agree? But Noah was no longer in his right mind, not since he’d let Roni invade his every thought. And the most infuriating thing about it was that because of Hector’s big mouth, if she hadn’t been convinced before that he was just like all the other guys his age—immature players who were in no way interested or ready for a serious monogamous relationship—she was now.

There were a few guys in there, and Gio strolled in, eyeing him with that smirk that Noah had a feeling had to do with Roni. Only Noah didn’t need to hear it right now. “What?”

“I didn’t say anything.” Gio laughed.

“Whatever it is, dude, I’m not in the mood for it today.”

“Why? Are you in the doghouse because of Hector?”

Noah wouldn’t even look at him. Instead, he opened his locker, trying not to frown. “Like I said, in case you didn’t hear me back there, no. I already told you it’s not like that with me and her. We’re just roommates.”

“Noah, come on. Who you kidding? The way you act when she shows up here every night ain’t no one gonna confuse her for just your roommate. And you know that’s what you want.”

Still refusing to turn and face him, Noah began wrapping his hands. Gio was damn right that’s what he wanted, but admitting it out loud would be another thing. “Hey, I can’t help what everyone else assumes.”

“Is that right? So is that why your face went white yesterday when Hector brought up Rita?”

Noah clenched his jaw. He’d hoped no one had noticed he’d felt nearly faint when Hector started in on him. He was still thinking about how to respond when Gio hit him with another surprising observation. “But her reaction was worse than yours.”

That was more than enough to persuade Noah to turn back and face his best friend. “What do you mean?”

Gio straddled the wooden bench between the lockers and leaned his back against the wall. “She seemed shocked at first, though I’m pretty sure she was trying to hide it, and then, I don’t know, hurt? She definitely wasn’t happy about it. Why do you think I threw the napkin at Hector and tried to make it sound like he was making that shit up? Of course, his dumb ass didn’t catch on until it was too late. Abel saw it too, man. He let Hector have it after you left.”

Noah stared at him. He remembered the change in her tone last night when she mentioned his “drive by” with Rita. Could it be possible that was the cause of her being upset?

When Hector first brought it up in front of her, his fear wasn’t that she’d be upset, but that it would confirm what she was thinking all along—that he was too young and immature and in no way someone she’d ever consider getting involved with.

He hadn’t even been sure until recently if he even wanted to be involved with anyone. Was he really ready for a serious relationship—ready to settle down? One thing he did know was he sure as hell didn’t want her dating anyone else. And the thought of her settling down while he was still living in the same house with her was a thought he wouldn’t even entertain.

Noah’s mind raced, replaying last night’s conversation, frowning when he remembered that she hadn’t really seemed upset until he brought up Derek. Was he really such a sore subject for her still? On Thanksgiving, she’d changed the subject, admitting she didn’t want to talk about him. After last night, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to bring him up again without making things uncomfortable.

She’d cried. Of that he was almost certain as he’d heard her voice give. Could she have possibly been crying about Rita? It made no sense. That would mean she had feelings for him—actually considered him a possibility. She made certain last night that he knew that wasn’t the case. So her tears were for Derek?

Tightening his jaw, he went back to working on taping his hands. “She never even mentioned Rita, so I don’t know what to tell you about her looking upset. Maybe it just took her by surprise that dumb ass Hector would say something like that in front of her.”

Noah wouldn’t mention the one comment she did make about it because then he’d have to explain that it’d been brought up only after he accused her of being jealous about Gio and the groupie. That alone would confirm what Gio was already insisting: that Noah was looking at her as more than just her roommate. Otherwise, why would he care?

“Oh, she was surprised. I’ll give you that. But there was more to it. Ask Abel if you don’t believe me. He even said he wouldn’t be surprised if you ended up sleeping here last night.”

Noah looked up at him again. For as much as he was trying to be indifferent about his nosey friend’s observations, Gio was making it damn hard. Only he knew Gio wasn’t just being nosey. He was worried and Noah knew exactly why.

The one time Noah had gotten his hopes up about a chick, his heart had been crushed. He was younger and a bit more naïve, but truth be told Noah had never truly been young in his life. By the age of eight, he’d been through more shit than some adults he knew. But as Jack had said to him once, “the heart is forever inexperienced.” So maybe that was his problem.

Ironically, Tessa, the girl who’d crushed him, was also older as well, and while the age difference wasn’t quite as big as the one between him and Roni, the difference between a sixteen-year-old virgin and a nineteen-year-old highly experienced girl was huge.

Having always been big for his age, Noah seemed older to Tessa when they first met. When she found out that not only was he three years younger than her but he was also a virgin, she admitted that being his first would be exciting. Being with a nineteen-year-old who professed to being very experienced had been beyond any fantasy that Noah had ever had about his first time. He never imagined the power any sex, much less mind-blowing sex, could have on a hormonally charged sixteen-year-old boy. After they started having it, he was like a lovesick puppy, following her around, doing whatever she asked, even if she didn’t ask nicely.

The guys called him pussy-whipped, and in hindsight, it’s exactly what he was, but he couldn’t get enough. She became like a drug to him. He needed her, and he confused that need for love. When she dumped his ass for an older guy, he’d been devastated. Only even back then, he’d held off from admitting what he really felt. Gio was the only one to this day who knew Noah had actually cried for the bitch. He’d broken down and finally had to let it out and tell someone what he was going through.

Noah wasn’t himself for months after that. He began getting in trouble for ditching, and it was the only time in his life he’d tried drugs. Smoking pot and getting drunk was the only thing that helped numb the pain. Between Abel and Gio trying to talk sense into him and then Jack threatening to cut him off and not allow him in the gym anymore—the only other thing that helped get his mind off her—he stopped smoking pot and concentrated on training. Even with all the low moments his life had been riddled with, because this one came at an age when the magnitude of emotion with anything that went wrong was tenfold, it stuck with him and Gio for a long time.

But this was different. He’d yet to even touch Roni. At this point, it was looking like he never would. And though much like with Tessa, Roni was all he thought about lately; there was so much more to his feelings for her. Tessa had been every sixteen-year-old boy’s fantasy come to life. But other than the sex, there was nothing remotely profound about their relationship. Besides the unforgettable conversation he had with her when she admitted that being his first would be a turn-on, he couldn’t remember even one other conversation with her.

With Roni, their relationship was all he had—a relationship that was growing even still—stronger and deeper than any he’d ever shared with anyone. As much as he wanted more with her, he had to admit that the thought of ruining what they had now scared the shit out of him.

Noah shrugged, bringing his attention back to the hand-wrapping. “She was fine with it. She’ll be here tonight for her workout as usual. You’ll see.”

Gio stood up. “All right. Whatever you say. But if I were you, I wouldn’t let Hector in on how fine she was with it. Because you know the moment his ass gets a chance, he’ll be opening his mouth again. Let what Abel told him stand, even if things aren’t like we’re thinking, because that was some uncomfortable shit last night.”

Noah nodded but refused to comment any further. He knew Gio wouldn’t be mentioning it if he didn’t really believe what he had seen: that Roni had been upset about Rita. It just didn’t make sense. Then there was that cheery note this morning.

Gio walked out of the locker room, and Noah finished wrapping his hands. He’d just have to wait and see if she ever brought it up again. Or maybe he would.

He’d decided the extra hour he had that morning he’d spend on the speed bag, but there was no way he was going to be able to concentrate until he spoke with Roni. He wanted to make sure she wasn’t still upset with him for any reason. He had to know they were good.

He called her before walking out of the locker room, but it went to her voicemail. He almost didn’t leave a message but decided last second to leave one.

“Hey, Roni. It’s me, Noah. Listen. I wanted to talk to you about last night. I hope you’re not still mad at me. Can you call me when you get a chance? I’d feel better if we talked.”

Pressing the end button, he stared at the phone for a moment before dropping it in his gym bag. He pushed the whole thing into his locker and locked it up.

The relaxed training Noah had planned on doing with the speed bag turned out to be more grueling than expected after running into Abel out there. Abel said there were some things he saw Noah doing during the fight that he wanted to work on with him. He held the heavy bag for Noah while Noah worked the hell out of his lower jab. Abel thought Noah should’ve been able to take the guy down even sooner if he’d landed better jabs. Noah knew exactly why his head hadn’t been completely in the fight, but he wouldn’t mention it; instead, he went along and worked on his body jabs.

The workout had served to get Roni off his mind because he hadn’t thought about her until he walked into the locker room again. Anxious to check his phone, he pulled the gloves off as fast as he could.

“Hey, man.” Noah turned just as he’d begun to work the combination lock on his locker to see Hector walking up to him. “I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t know things were like that with you and Veronica. I hope I didn’t mess things up for you.”

Remembering what Gio said, Noah decided to neither confirm nor deny anything. He sure as hell didn’t want Hector opening his big mouth again, burning up any last shred of hope he might have of convincing Roni he was mature enough to handle her. “Nah, it’s cool. Don’t worry about it.”

“You sure? ’Cause I could talk to her. You know tell her—”

“No! Don’t say anything to her. Just don’t bring up Rita again.”

Noah got the locker open and dug in his bag for his phone. He frowned. The disappointment of not having any missed calls was a little too much. He had to fight the urge to call her again. He’d see her soon enough.

“All right,” Hector said. “But if you ever need me to say anything, I will.”

Noah threw the phone back in his bag and closed the door. “Just keep your mouth shut around her, and we should be good.”

They walked back out to the gym. Noah was determined to make it through the rest of the day without obsessing over Roni.