Be part of its beginning

"Have you ever thought about...?''

"Don't go on, Genna.''

Dad intervenes. His voice is hoarse from sleep.

''He's her boss and he's too old for her.''

''Age doesn't define a man. He's successful and handsome. You're young, so boys shouldn't be a problem.''

I pull my hand away from her, insulted.

''Jake is young, handsome and successful.''

''But Jake's looks won't last long when he's constantly getting beaten up by men bigger than him. He can only be successful for short periods of time in his line of work and it's not something he wants to raise his kids on. I mean, how long have they been playing? It's fun, isn't it?''

Dad pushes the button on his bed and slowly pulls himself up to a sitting position.

''Who cares if it's fun or not. Jake's a good kid. He saved my life.''

''Yeah, but it was more of a "right place at the right time."

Are you kidding me?

''That doesn't mean you should be any less grateful.''

A helpless anger runs through me, making my throat curl tightly around my words. My mom says a lot of unhelpful and hurtful things, all with good intentions (or so she says), but nothing she's said has bothered me to the point of getting really angry at her, until now. I look over at Dad, he too is shooting daggers at Mom and I realize that this is not the time or place to argue with Mom about Jake. If she wants to be uptight and ungrateful, that's fine. Let her be, but it won't change my mind. Ever. I've seen under Jake's hard, arrogant shell. I've seen his soft side. I've seen him vulnerable and wounded. There's more to him than meets the eye. So much more.

''Anyway, Dad, when can you go home?''

The pink blush on Dad's cheeks fades and Mom snorts, hating the change of subject.

''Hopefully, after lunch, I'll have to wait two weeks before I can go back to work, but after that I should be fine. I've been encouraged to do more cardio and eat better foods too. Boston is definitely off the table for me now.''

I try to give him an encouraging smile, but even I felt his sympathetic curl.

''I'm sorry. I know how much it means to you to go to Denver...''

He waves his hand like it's no big deal, but I know otherwise. I was so upset at the gym yesterday when Jake and I said I couldn't go.

''It's okay. At least one of us is going.'''

I blinked. Oh. He means me.

"I'm not going either, Dad.

"Why not?

He's just as confused as Jake was when I told him.

"Did you and Jake have a fight?

I swear I hear Mom gasp with hope.

''No. I have work to do.''

''And Jake's okay with that?''

I shrug.

''He's not too happy about it.''

Mom takes her chance to jump into the conversation.

''Those kind of fighters are very stubborn.''

Dad rolls his eyes.

''He didn't hit you or anything, did he?''

''What the hell, Mom?'' ''No, he didn't hit me. He would never do that.''

She crosses her arms tightly over her blue knit jacket and I hear her tap her heel on the hard floor.

''It breaks easily, that's all I'm saying.''

''Honey.''

Dad says, pulling my attention away from Mom's face.

''You should go. You only have a short time before it turns pro. Then you can skip as many as you want, but at least be part of its beginning.'''

Dad's brown eyes flick to his hands nervously and then back to my face.

''When you're at the gym, he's distracted by you, and when you're not there during training, he's preoccupied with his thoughts, trapped in a distant world. As soon as Darryl blows the whistle and finishes the workout, he can't get out the door fast enough.''

His words make my insides swell. At least he can see how much Jake cares about me.

'He can't even go to a fight without calling you into the locker room before continuing. I don't think he can stay away from you.''

He turns his attention to mom.

''If you'd open your eyes a little wider, Genna, you'd see that Jake worships the ground our daughter walks on. He admires it. Initially, I knew he wasn't the kind of man I'd want around my daughter, but I can tell through his fights, his training, everything, that when he cares about something, he gives it everything he's got. You should feel honored that Sandra has someone like him who respects and protects her, because when we die, and we will die, we should want our daughter to be protected by someone who will protect her as fiercely as her own parents would...and Jake is that guy.''

I have never respected my father more than I do at this moment. I know he likes Jake, but I didn't know he would completely trust him with his only daughter and that means more to me than words can describe. I kiss my dad on the cheek and walk out of the hospital room, leaving mom's defeated pout behind me. The clacking of my shoes sounds in my ear as I run down the hallway.

''Don't run!''

A janitor calls behind me, but I ignore him. If I stop before I reach my car, I might come to my senses involuntarily. After I see Jake, I'll call Jason and tell him I want some time off because I want to be with Jake. I want to be there to support him, rain or shine, win or lose. If Jason won't let me...then I will quit because life is too short not to have what you want. When you think back to your childhood or even your life last week, you don't remember the hours you slaved at work or did things you hate. You remember going out. You remember being with your friends and loving life. I want to look back on my life and have no regrets. If Jake becomes a distant memory, I want to be able to honestly say I had the time of my life. Jason may take my job, but I will live on. Alive.

I know Jake will end up at the gym any minute and I want to catch him off guard. When I see Jake's car in the parking lot, I pull up next to it and practically jump out the door before parking my car. My seat belt catches me in my seat and I groan. I should probably take it off. I unbuckle my seat belt and manage to get out of the car on the second try. I push through the glass doors and enter the main area. I see Jake sitting against the boxing ring in front of his entire team and everyone's attention is on me. My entrance wasn't exactly subtle. Jake is covered in glorious sweat and glistens all over. He stands abruptly, concern clear on his face and takes a step forward. I run to him, my breath coming in short, short gasps.

''Oh, is that all...''

I jump and crash into him, crushing my mouth against his and ignoring our audience. I wrap my legs around his waist and squeeze him against me with everything I have. My fingers run through his damp hair and I run my tongue along his plump lower lip.

''Maybe we should go.''

Jackson suggests as I pull away.

Jake's eyes search mine, trying to decipher what the hell is driving my actions.

''I'll go to Denver with you.''

I tell him.

He tries to stifle his smile, but it spreads across his face with full force.