A Fight For Love

Chapter 5

“Cage fighting,” Desiree said as she took a long sip of her coffee. It was the morning after Rochelle’s birthday and she was still feeling like she could happily strangle Taylor. After he broke the news to her, she had blanked out everything else he had said. She just walked back to the table and sat in silence. It was all she could do not to go crazy at him. When Taylor joined the rest of them at the table, she was not sure what story he had given them because she could see the genuine surprise on her sister and cousin’s faces when she told them about the cage fighting.

“Cage fighting?” Rochelle asked as she looked at her sister.

“Yeah, it sounds idiotic doesn’t it? And it is,” Desiree said angrily.

“But he said he was in a rock and hard place kind of situation,” Cynthia said.

“Of course he did,” Desiree said as she shook her head. “What the hell am I supposed to do? This is a, a dangerous thing, not to mention illegal,” she said.

“Oh it’s legal alright,” Cynthia said.

“What do you mean?” Desiree asked as she turned to look at Cynthia.

“Well, in some states like New York it is illegal but amateur cage fighting is actually right by the books. Unethical yes, immoral even, but there is nothing actually ‘illegal’ in what he is doing as far as the law is concerned,” Cynthia said.

“Well, that is not enough to convince me. I mean, why on earth would he want more money? I thought we were comfortable enough,” Desiree said shaking her head.

“Well, maybe he has other plans. Maybe expansion of his business,” Rochelle said.

“Well, if that is the case, he has over forty grand in the bank,” Desiree said before she took another sip. “This doesn’t make any sense,” she said.

“Well, in all fairness, the bruises were not that bad,” Cynthia said. Desiree turned around and gave her a dirty look. “Not that I’m taking any sides or anything,” she added quickly.

“I don’t want to live like this though, scared that something might happen to him,” Desiree said.

“Sweetie, there is absolutely nothing wrong with what Taylor is doing. You are just being a bit too cautious that’s all,” Rochelle said.

“Really? Would you be okay if Tony were the one fighting Neanderthals in some God- forsaken cage?” Desiree asked.

“Of course not. But that is only because Tony’s hands are softer than veal. Taylor is an ex-marine. That is extremely different,” Rochelle said unconvincingly.

“Either way, I am not okay with all this. Not at all,” Desiree said as she attempted to calm herself. Just then, Desiree’s phone rang interrupting her brief moment of serenity. She looked at the screen and then hit ignore before tossing the phone on the couch.

“Are you not talking to him?” Cynthia asked.

“What am I supposed to say to him? The only things going through my mind are just how much I hate the fool,” Desiree said.

“Have you talked to him at all since yesterday?” Rochelle asked. Desiree shrugged and then shook her head.

“I can’t…I just can’t,” she said. “I will, though, when I am ready,” she added quickly.

“Really? When will this be?” Cynthia asked.

“Soon. As soon as I can make any sense of this whole damn mess,” Desiree said as she stared despondently into the bitter dregs of her coffee.

“But, like Rochelle said, Taylor can almost certainly handle himself quite well,” Cynthia said. Desiree gave her a sad smile and took another sip. Just then, she remembered the last time she and Taylor made love. He had been specifically careful not to let her touch him. At the time, she thought that maybe he was just being careful, romantic in his own twisted Christian Grey way. She suddenly took one last sip and then jumped up from the couch. She went to her bedroom and took a quick shower before she slipped into a sleeveless high low top and a pair of blue jeans. She added a pair of brown peep toe heels and a matching brown jacket before she grabbed her purse and she walked back into the living room. She would have wanted to straighten her hair but she decided to go with the natural look. Given her current state, she didn’t think she would do a good job anyway. She pinned the curls back from her face and then walked out into the living room.

“Someone looks gorgeous,” Rochelle smiled when she saw her sister. Desiree touched a stray strand of her hair and beamed.

“Really, you don’t think my hair looks…I don’t know, messy?” she asked. Rochelle looked at Cynthia and rolled her eyes.

“Are you trying to get me to kill you? Your curls have always been the one thing that made me jealous of you,” she said.

“And her a*s,” Cynthia said, making Rochelle give her a dirty look.

“Really?” she asked.

“Well, you have told me that a number of times Roch. Remember?” Cynthia said.

“Hush now, never mind about that,” Rochelle said in an attempt to change the subject. “So, where are you off to looking all so beautiful anyway? I thought you would be staying in,” she said as she turned to look at her sister.

“I’m off to Taylor’s. I think it’s time,” Desiree said.

“What? I thought you were going to take some time to think it through,” Rochelle said.

“Actually guys, I think I will go see him right now. There is a lot we have to talk about,” she said as she made her way to the door.

“Really, I thought all you could think of right now was strangling him,” Cynthia said.

“Oh believe me, I still do. But I need to have a few answers before I do,” Desiree said as she walked out of the apartment. She suddenly had the urge to have a long talk with Taylor. She had the format of the planned discussion neatly mapped out in her head as she rode in the cab, but, as soon as she got out, her mind went blank. She had no idea what she was supposed to say first. She opened the door slowly and saw Taylor sitting in the couch playing what looked like Grand Theft Auto or Halo…well, she never really got a handle on the which game was which. She stood there looking at him for a long time. She was thankful he had headphones on. That gave her enough time to collect her thoughts. She had hardly gotten her words out when Taylor suddenly turned and saw her.

“Holy freaking sh*t! Dee, what the Hell? You scared the life out of me,” he said as he stood up.

“I’m sorry…I’m…I was just…” her words trailed off as she to find appropriate words to diffuse the tension. “I am sorry,” she said again.

“It’s okay,” he said as he put his headphones aside. “Can I get you something? Coffee? Tea?” he asked as he walked towards her. She shook her head and shrugged.

“I just want to talk,” she said.

“Sure, come on in,” he said as he looked at her walking towards him. “So, what’s up?” he asked. Desiree smiled and shook her head. “Dumb question huh?” he said.

“Very dumb question,” she said.

“Do you maybe want to sit down?” Taylor asked as he gestured tithe couch.

“How is Halo going?” she asked as she sat down. Taylor frowned disapprovingly and then grinned.