Read In The Cage for Free Online

But at the place of my choosing.”
    “Okay.”
    I’m at the corner of 21 st Avenue and Garnet. There’s a kids park here and I’m sitting watching Diego. You wanted to have coffee with me. Well here’s your chance. I’m sitting nearby the taller of the two climbing structures. I’d like a Grande Café Mocha with an ad shot, please.”
    “Coming right up.” Jake replies cheerfully. I’ll see you in about a half hour.”
    When Jake finally walks up I am seriously in need of it and the eye candy his presence provides me. This afternoon he wearing a pair of relaxed fit, boot cut Levi jeans and a white athletic cut tee shirt.
    “You done staring?” He asks. “Wait, how about, take a picture it’ll last longer.”
    “I’m afraid you might break the camera.” I reply.
    “That’s not what your eyes are tellin’ ya.”
    “Oh? And what do you think my eyes are telling me?’
    “They’re wondering when you can get the kid outta here so you can tap this ass.” He replies.
    “Oh my god I’m actually wondering how long I gotta sit here pretending to enjoy the coffee before I can disinvite you.” I reply.
    “Hey it’s a free country.” He says. “ And a free park.”
    “Freedom’s overrated.”
    “So are looks, apparently.” He says. “How’s the kid?”
    “Diego’s fine.”
    “Can I ask you something?”
    “Depends…I may just tell you to shut the hell up.”
    “That’s bold words for the hot guy who just brought you a cuppa Joe.”
    “You want it back?” I ask, indicating my cup. “I can stick my finger down my throat you know…”
    “It’s okay, you keep it.”
    “So what do you want to know?” I ask him.
    I’m finding it difficult to be mean to the guy. He’s so damn good looking. Normally I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to a stranger…but then again, is the man who helped me find my son a stranger? I kinda think we’ve moved beyond that now. He’s more like a knight in shining armor.
    “What have you been doing coming to the bar practically every night?”
    “Wow…right to the point huh?”
    “Well it’s kind of intriguing. A beautiful woman suddenly shows up in a dive bar and starts ordering drinks. You didn’t even look like you were waiting for anyone or looking for anyone either. You just sat there and drank. People come to the Carburetor for the biker atmosphere. They get drunk and brag about their bikes. Then there’s the MMA guys. The washed up fighters no longer in the circuit but can’t shake it from their blood. Once a fighter always a fighter. So where do you fit in?” Jake asks.
    “That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out. Somebody slipped me something and it’s pretty much scrambled my brains. I’ve lost some time…significant amount of time and it’s freaking me out.”
    “Is there anything I can do to help?” He asks. “I’m serious, if you need anything call me even if it’s just a friend to talk to call me.”
    “Thanks Jake…and thanks for coming this morning.”
    We end up talking for a while but I make sure to steer the conversation away from my sudden appearance in his bar. That brings up too many questions that I’m not prepared to answer yet. I’m not sure I trust him that much. Every time he comes near me my nerves sing. It’s like he lights me on fire; in a good way. If this were any other time and place I would be thinking about getting to really know this guy and trying to determine if he is relationship material or not. That of course begs the other question. Do I dare get involved with someone who I think is a fighter. Has to be one. Somehow I think I’ve seen him fight on TV but I’m not sure about that. If he is an MMA guy, which is likely given his guns and the place he works, he’s probably on the Juice. Anyone who messes with that shit eventually ends up like King and Boomer and I can’t have that in my life anymore. To make things even more confusing, my gut is totally telling me this is a good guy despite