May 15, 2020 edited 

Not perfect but better...No plot changes

The next couple of hours flew by. I got my homework done, ate a small dinner since I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up throwing up after my training. I had a strong suspicion M1 would be working me all that much harder to get me to quit so I wouldn't want to do this anymore. He was in for one hell of surprise. By 6:45 I was in the training center with my music pumping and hands taped. No one was in there once again so I concentrated on my music as I picked up a skipping rope and started my warm up.

Seven o'clock sharp M1 walked in with Nick on his heels. I walked over to turn down the loud roar of my music to a more reasonable volume. I worked better with music playing. "Were you even born when this was popular?" The song was from Metallica. "Nevermind. Nick is here so you will spare with him so I can see what you know from a third party point of view. That way I will know where to start." M1 announced. He stood there with his arms crossed standing in a white T-shirt that strained over his muscles and a nicely fit pair of jeans. Now where Nick held smugness and attitude M1 held confidence. It was a confidence that tipped the scale of him being attractive to yummy. His dark brown sunkissed hair was brushed back in an easy style where his soft brown eyes were calculating. Even with his size I suspected he could move like water.

I guess I starred a little too long since it took someone to clear their throat to grab my attention. Shifting my eyes to Nick, who now stood there shirtless with a pair of walking shorts hanging low on his hips. His golden tan chest was smooth but defined. Traveling lower to his strong six pack which lead to a trail of soft hair moving lower to disappear under his shorts. Yeah he was hot alright. A smirk grew on his face as he watched me check him out. I was just happy that it took a lot for me to blush. I got control of that a couple years ago.

I hung up the rope I was using and slipped off the oversized T-shirt I had on, leaving me once again in a pair of spandex short shorts and a sports bra. M1 growled. "What do you have against wearing clothes?" It was really starting to bother me the way he looked disapproving on what I wore. It was that knowledge that pissed me off more.

"The less clothes and the tighter the clothes gives your opponent less chance to use it against you. Get over it!" I snapped. I don't know why I felt the need to explain myself to him but it was always there.

This time he really looked at me as if he was looking through me. It was unnerving. "How often do you find yourself fighting? And why?" He asked, generally confused.

"Can we just get on with it?" I snapped, ignoring his questions. Why I fought was none of his business.

After a minute of no one moving or speaking I was about to scream at them both but M1 finally spoke up. "Don't pull back your punches. Nick knows what he is doing. Nick, just offence right now. I will tell you when to change it up." M1 said before he said, "Begin."

For the next forty five minutes I did what M1 told me to do. I attacked and did not hold back. I was actually impressed that Nick was able to counter most of my moves even if they were just by a fraction. The familiar burn rushed through my body as sweat dripped down my spine. When M1 said it was time for me to be on the receiving end I was tired. I was actually happy to see Nick's smirk and hear him call me Love and Doll because it helped me fuel my anger which gave me strength. At first I was annoyed he was pulling his punches but after another 3 minutes I was secretly grateful. He was strong and could really fight. I wasn't stupid enough to think I could easily take him on, well not any more. His hits were hard and I haven't even felt his full on hits yet.

It just proved to me that the first day we met he could have easily slipped out of my hold when I had him against the wall. It was either the surprise he had when I first did it or he knew how to play it down. I think it was more the latter. In the last couple of minutes I let my guard down twice. One that ended up with a kick to my thigh and another a punch to my upper arm. I knew I should have called it then, I was getting really sloppy but I was too damn stubborn. It was the last punch that came flying at my face, I was too exhausted and sore to defend myself fast enough. One second I was on my feet and the next flat on my back seeing black orbs in my vision. I was so out of it that the pain didn't register yet.

It took a second to register the swearing and feet running towards me. There was a light touch of a hand on the side of my face and another hand on my chest. I think that was to keep me down since I was stupid enough to try to get up.

"Will you just fucking lie there and shut up for once. Dammit Mac just relax!" Oh surprise surprise I seemed to piss of M1 again.

"Shit Mackenzie I am so sorry. Shit!" Nick sounded worried and maybe even a little scared.

I felt a cool cloth on my forehead and an ice pack on the side of my face. It was much welcomed and seemed to calm down the pounding sensation. "All is good. You know I have been hit before but damn you hit hard." I said looking up at Nick to see concern and guilt flutter across his face. "Hey take the compliment I don't hand them out often." He looked shocked at my words then a true smile lifted his lips. It wasn't his usual smirk and it was nice. "Ok guys I'm fine. Seriously. I just need to work harder on my weight training so I don't get as tired so fast." I said more to myself than to them.

"What?" M1 one said, pulling my attention back on him. "Mac do you know you to have been at this for 2 hours? I should have stopped this over 30 minutes ago. I am actually impressed you were still fighting as strong as you started. It was just the last couple of minutes your energy seemed to die off. It just happened so damn quick. I am the one who is sorry for not stopping this sooner."

"Hey big guy not your fault. Don't stress. I am the only one who knows when I should stop or push myself. All is good, now would you let me up?" I had enough of being on the floor with them both above me. I wasn't sure if my legs would hold me up yet but sitting was better than laying on my back. Even though everything hurt I felt amazing. Relaxed. At peace. This was part of the reason I fought. To feel this. It was like my own personal high.

"Can you sit? Can you stand?" This was Nick hovering over me now. His smile was gone and the concern was back.

"Yes and let's find out." I answered. They both placed a hand on my lower back and gently but firmly grabbed a hold of an arm as they pulled me into a sitting position. The room spun around once before settling. Another few seconds and they helped me stand. That was not the best idea but I locked my knees and stood on my own. I knew I wasn't ready to walk yet. My body hurt all over and the throbbing pain on my check bone was back. There was no doubt in my mind I would have a lovely shade of blue or black there by tomorrow.

I heard M1 going on about taking me to the doctors before I started to focus on what they were saying. "Hell no! I'm fine. I need a shower and some ice and all will be good after some sleep." I wasn't lying. I knew I would be better tomorrow. Hell even though I hurt all over I haven't felt this good in a long time. There was no anger coursing through my veins. There was just a peaceful numbness. M1 was saying something else and I just nodded. It wasn't till I felt myself being lifted and carried in a bridal style by M1 did I realize what I agreed to. He either carried me to my room and let them stay for a bit or I had to make a trip to the doctor. I guess I was having guests.

The walk back to the house was quiet. Once we made it inside I heard a couple gasps and some whispering but couldn't make out what they were saying not that I cared. I rested my head against M1's shoulder and let my heavy eyelids close. Once we reached my room he was about to put me on my bed before I demanded I need a shower first. He wasn't happy but I won the argument and that was all that mattered at that moment. I was sweaty and I smelled worse than the boys locker room. There was no way I was climbing in my bed like that.

As soon as the door shut I reached in to turn on the shower. Getting undressed was a little bit of a struggle due to the clothes sticking to my body and the exhaustion but I managed. Stepping in the shower I let the hot water beat against my sore muscles. It felt wonderful till the hard spray hit the side of my face. Oh yeah I was going to have a nice bruise if I hadn't already. Taking a little longer than usual due to my soreness I finally finished and stepped out to dry my body off. Wiping off the mirror I gasped at the already black and blue bruise that covered half of my cheek. Knowing there wasn't much I could do I grabbed my toothbrush and cleaned my teeth. Forgetting I didn't bring in any clothes and figuring the guys, well M1 wouldn't appreciate me walking back in my room naked I tightly wrapped the towel around my body and stepped out of the bathroom.

I spotted Nick sitting on my bed first and then M1 pacing back and forth. Both their eyes shot to me immediately. Nick hissed when he looked at my cheek and M1 grunted then snapped. "What do you have against wearing fucking clothes!"

"Jezz you sound like an old man. It was either this or me come out her naked so fucking deal with it! My room, my rules. Plus I sleep naked so if you don't like it there is the door!" I snapped back.

With the new found information I just revealed I felt Nick's eyes roam my body with his smirk firmly in place while I watched M1 face grow to a shade of pink. Nick cleared his throat interrupting the tension that started to grow. "Here, get your ass in bed. I have some cream that will help that bruise of yours and an ice pack." Nick stood and pulled down the covers.

I followed his instructions without a word, proving to myself I was not a 100%. Keeping the towel securely around my body I climbed in and Nick pulled the blankets up to my neck. Lying on my side he gently rubbed the cream he seemed to produce out of thin air on my bruised cheek. At first it hurt but the cream quickly numbed the area. Once he was done he gently placed the ice pack on my face.

"Do you want me to take the first shift?" Nick asked as my eyes started to shut. I was about to ask what he was talking about but M1 piped up.

"No I got it. Go get some sleep." Immediately after I heard the door shut softly darkness consumed my body where I fell into a dreamless sleep.