2

PHOENIX

I had no plan on coming back to this place again after what happened in my life years ago, but after almost six years, here I am. I’m back. In fact, I even bought establishments and a house. I can’t stand staying at our old house—it only reminds me of a tormenting past.

I was surprised to hear from my father’s lawyer that I was included in his Last Will. After what I did to him, he still considered me as a Williams. There’s still a part of me that still hated him for what he did to Mom, to my family, and to me. Hate is a strong word, but it did change my life.

After working for my brother’s company for four years, I started my own business for three months now. When I bought the new house in Hillside, I know I will be staying here for a long time.

I bought three establishments and made a few changes; from staffing, interior, foods, menus, and supplies. I’m surprised by the profits for three months. I guess I made the right decisions after all.

When I check my watch, it was time to go to the gym to release the tension in my muscles. I haven’t fucked anyone since I moved in here. I’m surprised at myself that I’m able to last this long without jerking myself off.

When I was in New York, I always get laid when going to a bar. There was always a willing woman for a one-night stand. I don’t like relationships since my college girlfriend for two years cheated on me as a hockey player. I guess she wanted a puck. I played football in college for three years until I injured my shoulder and lost my chance for NFL drafting.

The gym isn’t far from my house and the traffic here is not so bad, unlike in New York. I’m also planning on buying this one if the owner is interested in selling it.

“Phoenix, are your ass ready to get kicked?”

I look and grin at Garrett already wearing his gym gear. “Kick my ass? Or I’ll kick yours?”

Since I stopped playing football, I buried myself in kickboxing out of frustrations—it did help me a lot, but I never competed. I had already injured the AC joint, and I’m not gonna add another injury to myself.

“Let’s start, shall we? Don’t you need a warm-up, Phoenix?” He smiles and helps me wrap the bandage around my hands.

Then I shake my head.

“Let’s start then,” he says, and I position myself.

He’s a kickboxing trainer. I’ve known him since we were just kids, and he never left this town. Now, he’s engaged to his girlfriend, Maya.

After a few tackles, punches, and kicks, I’m already sweating and catching my breath. My muscles ached, and I’m drained, but he doesn’t look exhausted at all.

He chuckles when I raise my hands up to give up.

“Fine, you just kicked my ass. You must be taking steroids. How come you’re not drained?”

He laughs. “Phoenix, you may be doing this for years, but this isn’t your job, and I do this for a living. But I’m impressed, you’re really good, man.”

“Thanks.”

“So, how’re your businesses? Are you planning on buying this one, too?” He motions his finger around.

“I’m interested in this place actually.” I remove my bandages.

“Good for you, man. Are you seeing someone?”

I look at him, creasing my brows. “Not interested. I have businesses to run, not looking for someone to ride on.”

He laughs. “Still brokenhearted Phoenix, I see. You never moved on.”

I shrug. “I moved on already since she cheated on me, but I never found someone worth my time.”

He pats my back. “Okay, then. We can grab a drink sometimes. How about dinner at our apartment? I’ll invite some friends so you can meet them.”

“Of course, just let me know. And I wanna meet who made you a pussy-whipped.”

“She would love to meet you.”

“Thanks for tonight, Garrett!”

After taking a shower, I change into a shirt and faded jeans. I head down to the parking area that only a few cars are left. I place my gym bag inside the trunk and lock it.

When I walk towards the driver's seat, I notice someone leaning against the car who looks like crying. As I walk closer that’s when I take a good look. It’s a woman.

“Are you okay, miss?”

She jumps.

When she turns to look at me— Shit! She’s really crying.

Fuck!

She’s beautiful. Her blonde hair looks messy while staring at me with wide blue eyes. Jesus, those eyes!

Pain and surprise glint in those innocent blue eyes. Her nose is small but cute. She has high cheekbones.

Fuck me!

With her red full lips hanging open, a small cut with a trace of blood on her swollen lower lip catches my attention.

I want to touch and kiss those lips, but I want to kill someone who hurt her as well. I don’t notice my hands are already forming into fists.

She blinks many times, then clears her throat. “Um, yeah, I’m okay. Just lost my way while I’m uh, upset.” She smiles timidly.

“You look hurt. Your lips are swollen and there is a cut and still bleeding.” I point my finger to her lips.

She touches it with her finger and looks at it. “Yeah, my asshole of an ex kissed me and bit my lip.”

My blood boils in my body, and I clench my jaw harder that my teeth will break at any moment.

Releasing a huge breath from my nose, makes me calm a bit. I want to know who her ex is and punch him in the face till his eyes pop out from his head.

“No wonder he’s your ex. How did he even become your boyfriend in the first place if he doesn’t know how to treat a woman like you? Don’t you want to file a complaint?” I look at her with sympathy.

Suddenly, the memory of how my father hurt my mom flashes back in my head.

She shrugs. “He called me from a frat party to pick him up and send him home because he’s drunk and can’t drive anymore. So, because I’m stupid, I fell for his please and drove him home. He didn’t go out of my car, instead, he kissed me. When I pushed him away, he kissed me again and bit my lip. I threatened him that I would call the cops, but he said his dad is a lawyer.”

When she crosses her arms against her chest, it makes me suck a breath because she has the gorgeous tits I’ve ever seen with a little cleavage is peeking out from her two unbuttoned shirts. She looks younger and a foot shorter than me.

I walk closer and sit beside her at the hood of her car. “He’s really an asshole. I see you have bad tastes in men.”

She laughs.

Jesus, my cock jerks inside my jeans.

I look at her when she sits beside me. I smell citrus with vanilla, maybe her shampoo, and she smells good.

“So, you come to this gym, huh?” she says, glancing at the building.

When she arches her neck, my mind instantly activates dirty thoughts. I want to run my tongue to the length of her neck, bite her earlobe, suck her jaw, and graze my teeth all the way down to her collarbone.

Shit! This is the result of being celibate for months.

She looks at me, maybe she notices me eye-fucking her.

I swallow and blink. “Yeah, two months ago.” I realize I don’t even introduce myself. “I’m Phoenix, by the way.” I extend my hand.

She bursts out laughing and wrinkles her nose. “Phoenix? Is that even a real name?”

I chuckle. “Yeah, Phoenix is really my name. Do you want proof? I can show you my ID.”

She shakes her head, then she shakes my hand firmly.

Her hand is so warm and soft, and it sends electricity to my entire body. My heartbeat races and my blood rushes through my veins, causing me to feel hot all of a sudden, and she gasps.

I look at her in the eyes—they’re wide with shock to the intensity of our touch. She licks her lips and breaks her gaze, then quickly pulls her hand back.

“Your mother is very clever in choosing your name,” she says merrily while clasping her hands together.

She doesn’t look at me anymore, and it tightens my chest. I feel disappointed. What the fuck is going on with me?

“Yeah, and guess what’s my brother’s?”

She stares at me and smiles. Holy fuck! The smile.

“Um, eagle?”

I shake my head

“Owl.”

I shake my head again, and she joins to laugh with me.

Jesus, this woman makes my heart flutter. Flutter? Oh shit! This never happened for a long long time, and now, I’m freaking out.

“Falcon, sparrow, raven.”

I laugh more.

“Pigeon, dove, quail, penguin.”

“Baby, you’re terrible at guessing games. It’s—”

She holds my hand innocently.

Fuck! My cock hardens just from her simple touch.

“Wait, um, uh... peacock, robin, mallard, kiwi? Um, a hawk?”

My smile widens, I nod.

“Wait, his name is Hawk?” She seems can’t believe she guesses it right.

She stands up and jumps up for joy. She’s not just gorgeous, she’s also funny. I can’t remember having fun like this for a long time and just having a conversation with a woman without hitting to get laid.

“Yeah, his name is Hawk.”

She sits beside me again and faces me with excitement in her eyes. “Is your mom’s name from a bird, too?”

“No. My mom’s Annabelle. Dad was Archibald.”

Her mouth turns into an O shape. Shit! She’ll find out who I am. Fuck! Dad was known in this place.

“Oh, then your mom should give you a name that starts with the letter A.” She taps her finger on her chin. Then suddenly, she stands up. “Oh, sorry, Phoenix, I really should go. I forgot I’ve been out for too long. Thank you for your time! Bye, Phoenix.”

She walks to the driver’s door, then waves. She’s leaving, she doesn’t even give me her name. Her headlights are on, and I have no choice but to stand up and wave back goodbye.

She gives me one last smile, and I rub the back of my neck when all I see is her car leaving.

I go back to my car feeling defeated. I sit there longer until I turn on the ignition like a hopeless. I’ll find you and make you mine. I drive myself all the way home. My mind lingers again on my mysterious girl.

I’ll not stop until I find her.

My home phone rings. That must be Mom or Hawk.

Before I can say hello, the voice of my brother echoes in my ear. “Phoenix, how’s life? Never heard from you since last week. Enjoying some pussies there already, and you forget to call your handsome brother?”

I snort, “I never forget you, big brother, but I’m sick of listening and looking at the ugliest face on the planet. I hate to break it to you, but I haven’t enjoyed a single pussy here. I met someone in the parking lot though, but because she’s so gorgeous, I forgot to ask her name.”

He barks into laughter. Something funny, big brother? He’d been like this since he found his woman and get married two years ago. They couldn’t keep their hands off of each other even when I was around, and it annoyed the hell out of m, but I love them both.

“Really? What happened to my playboy of a brother? Since you went back, you forget how to get laid. I can’t believe you last that long, brother? What happened to the dick of yours? Turning into a pussy already? It must be so hard for you, or do you develop an early erectile dysfunction?”

I roll my eyes at his absurdity because earlier it’s still perfectly fine, but he’s still laughing. “Just shut up and tell me why are you calling me, Hawk?”

He sighs, “It’s nothing, Phoenix. Just checking up on you, and I know how you hate that place. You can come back here anytime. You’re paying people to do their jobs, brother. Or are you not coming back because of the girl from the parking lot?” There is something in his voice that makes me smile. Excitement?

“Just shut up, douché. How am I even going to find her without her name?” I feel a twist in my stomach as I cower my body into my couch.

“Trust me, Phoenix, if you both mean for each other, your path will cross again. If you feel something toward her, that feelings will lead you to her.”

I smile alone, feeling a slight of hope. “Yeah, you’re right pussy-whipped. Thanks for the advice, Dr. Phil!” I take a deep breath and wish our paths will cross again.

“You’re welcome, dimwit. Got to go and make my wife come.”

“Jesus, do you really have to tell me?”

He chuckles, “Jealous? That I have a lifetime supply of pussy?” I can hear the amusement in his voice.

“Jeez, Hawk. Say hi to Izzy for me, will you?”

“Sure. Take care, okay? You know you can always come back. Love you, bro.”

“I’ll let you know soon. Thanks! Love you too, bro. Bye.”