Hammer's Fall (The Breakers' Bad Boys)(54)
“I have three new flavors for you to try. You can tell me which one you like best.”
He grinned at her, dark eyes shining with anticipation. “This is the best job ever.”
With her heart feeling lighter than it had all afternoon, she laughed and put her arm around his shoulder. “I’m glad you think so.”
Chapter Eleven
Hammer focused on the rhythmic sound of his fists pounding on the heavy bag in the gym, letting his mind drift as he ignored the stares of the other people working out around him. He was still a little pissed off that he had been conned into taking this little trip to Vegas. Frustration ate at him, making him hit the bag harder in an attempt to stave off the tension that had been building ever since Rhino and Leanne had come to collect him.
It was fortunate that the press conference he had been talked into attending was being held at one of the nicest hotels on the Las Vegas strip, if not the best. When Hammer had arrived last evening, he had been pleasantly surprised to see that the Palace Hotel had temporarily refit one of their large spaces they normally reserved for conventions into an MMA training facility for the benefit of the CFL fighters who were staying there. It made sense since the hotel would also be hosting the championship fights next month in the Palace Arena that was attached to the hotel, and was sure to bring in a lot of business in from people in the fighting community.
When he had entered the gym, he had spent a good half an hour talking to some of the guys, saying hello to old friends and meeting some of the new blood to the sport. Hammer knew he was an icon to the sport even though he was retired, and he never minded taking the time to talk to some of the young fighters to point them in the right direction. Then again, there were always one or two little shits who thought they knew it all. He took it all in stride, but he’d passed on getting into one of the makeshift ring to spar with anyone, heading over to the bags instead to clear his head.
Years ago, at the start of his career as a professional CFL fighter, he used to love this type of thing. He loved being a fighter, but most of all he loved winning. Over time the attention lost its shine, and he began to resent the lack of privacy his lifestyle afforded him. While other champions continued their drive for frame by making movies or other endeavors that kept them in the spotlight, Hammer realized that all he wanted was normal. When he was injured, it had been like a sign for him to move on with his life, and he was damn glad he did. Living in Breakers was the life his life now, and all he wanted was to run his gym and be with Kali.
Just thinking about her made Hammer’s heart ache, and that pissed him off even more because he was stuck in Vegas until the following night. The thick chains attaching the heavy bag to the ceiling rattled as Hammer slammed his fists into the bag, over and over again. He felt that familiar sting in his wrapped knuckles each time he made contact, and strangely, it soothed his temper little by little until he was left with the joy of having a good, hard workout.
“Giving the young bloods a hint at why you were nicknamed the Hammer?”
Hammer grabbed onto the big bag, holding it as he looked over in the direction where the voice had come from, and he shot his friend, Adam Rever, a blank stare.
“The way you’re hammering away at that bag, I don’t know whether to say hello or run like hell,” Rever said with a sigh. Despite living in L.A. now, Rever hadn’t lost the Southie accent he’d acquired from growing up in South Boston.
Panting for breath and dripping sweat, Hammer finally grinned. “Wanna give me a hug?”
“Fuck off.”
Hammer let out a laugh. “Good to see you, Rever.”
“Yeah, well, it’s not like you really gave me a choice in the matter. I believe you said I should get in my car and get my ass to Vegas or else,” Rever said, irritation clear in his voice. “What the hell? I thought you said no to Rhino! Hell, I said no to him for you, too!”
“I did,” Hammer snarled, losing his smile. “He brought Leanne to Breakers.”
“Shit. That is one scary woman, no wonder you caved.”
“Tell me about it. Listen, let me get cleaned up a bit, then I’ll meet you somewhere. They gave us access to the gym locker rooms down here, so it shouldn’t take me long,” Hammer said as he began to unwind the wrist wraps he had over both of his hands.
“Come find me at Oasis. I’ll be the one drinking at the bar.”
Hammer chuckled as his friend left. Gathering up his stuff, Hammer made his way through the training area, avoiding the other fighter. He headed to the locker room where he took a quick shower. He’d brought a bag with a change of clothes in it and carried the bag with him as he walked through the casino area until he reached the lavish bar, Oasis. The hotel was set up like some lavish palace in the heart of the desert, and Oasis fit the theme perfectly. He couldn’t help thinking that Kali would love the hotel, and he made a mental note to bring her back with him soon.