@rosesonbreeze HERE IT IS BUDDY ! FINALLY we are starting this angsty ride . . .
“ I am sorry. “ The rough, husky baritone apologized for the various shades of purple under the man's sapphire blue eye. Caked blood on the left edge of the dry lips, for it, Liam was sure it was his crimson. . . for the absorbed drops on the wife-beater glued on the sweaty muscular chest -- the exhausted man could not guarantee the truth about the ‘ donor ‘ . Callused palm set the bag with bloodied gloves, towel and a worn out jacked on the polished kitchen floor, overwhelmed with the need to sit down, finally rest the weary bones. However, strong muscles of the legs were determined to keep standing -- facing a pair of the eyes that could knock him down faster than any ruthless punch in the octagon.
“ I though you were asleep. Everything ok? “ Struggles, tiredness, injuries. . . everything was sent to oblivion and was replaced by the worry for Luisa being awake at this ungodly hour. Somehow, no matter how many times she already witnessed Liam’s beaten state, shame and discomfort gnawed at the man’s stomach. Not that he was not victorious in the matches, even more so -- there were more triumphs in the can that losses, but a whisper that often turned into demonic chant tortured him with the idea that no matter how hard he tried -- this was not what she deserved. A man that breaks bones for money, because the daytime job is not cutting it.
Being a wood-shop teacher was far from what he would call his passion, let alone his highest potential. Intellect residing in that handsome head captured and imprisoned by the world’s demand for a diploma -- not skill. A piece of paper that costed more than a house nowadays. Dreams of being a Engineering and Applied Sciences professor still like a chain on his ankles -- rattling devils piercing his self-worth with their rusty tridents. If Liam didn’t pour down all his financial gain into making Luisa happy, hell bent on providing her with everything he can, maybe he would finally start chasing the education train again.
But his mind was not wired like that, he was blind to his own needs, desires, necessities, or better said -- man’s biggest goal was to make his girlfriend feel appreciated, joyful and taken care of. Even if it meant constantly getting himself ‘ tuned up ‘ in the cage with other fighters, barely getting any rest between the work and fights. Observing the porcelain doll - like beauty, wide palms reached for her cheeks, but stopped just an inch from the tender skin when he noticed more scarlet drops on his fingers. Exhaling, Liam pushed the dirty hand in the back pocket of the jeans, allowing another problem to surface.
If only the smashed mug was the highlight of this evening -- far from it. Because of his ‘ expeditions ‘ to the MMA fights for extra cash, results on his skin finally caught the wrong attention in the school halls, getting the board to sent a supervisor -- who was not at all merciful. Even the principal, a good friend of Liam, could not mend the damage or prevent the fireworks of disapproval which ended in getting Liam suspended until the committee decides what will happen next semester. Right arm moved, propping himself on the counter, the man lowered his gaze. “ I. . . have to tell you something. “ the grapple inside his head evident in the tone of his voice.
“ Supervisor came by the school today. Someone. . . complained about my. . . “ clenching the fist, veins popped out on the thick forearm. “ Fighting. It didn’t go well. He suspended me without pay till the end of the semester until the board decides what will happen after that. “ it took his all to raise his head and face the woman he adored with every fiber of his being. Devoured by shame and fear that he disappointed her hammering its blades at the heart. Nothing would hurt more than to hear he had failed her. “ Baby. . . I am sorry. I will fix it. “ Crave for consolation was hauling inside the brawny chest. The need to hear the words slipping past her soft lips that she does not hate him for this, that she believes in him, that he can make it. . . And he would, for her.
