The Falcon Ridge Series Book 2 Not Just A Girl

(Chapter song ‘When I Grow Up' by Pussycat Dolls)

SARAH

Jayson wasn't kidding when he said Luke wasn't a happy guy in the mornings.

His favorite thing to do is yell. He yells everything. He barks orders and his temper is short.

He kind of scares me. I'm hesitant to spar with him because I don't want to make him mad. The unfortunate part about that is, he's impatient.

"Come on, Sarah! Get off your fucking ass and hit me!" He's just thrown me to the ground for what feels like the hundredth time. I'm out of breath, my ribs are still tender and I've had enough of his yelling.

"You know. I'm right here. You don't have to keep yelling at me." I pant.

He gets up in my space real close. "I'm here at 5 in the fucking morning to train you before I've even had my fucking coffee. I will yell at you as much as I damn well please!" He glares into my eyes.

I bite my bottom lip, slightly arching back. He eyes my face up and down and turns. "Now, you going to hit me or what?"

"Ok." I blow out a breath and I run at him. When I get in the zone, I swing a left then a right and he blocks.

"More power. Shift your weight." He instructs as I try to land a blow.

"Keep your eye on your target. Look for an opening."

"How's it going?" Jayson comes out from behind me.

Luke stops and I land a right hook right to his nose. It happened so quickly, I didn’t have time to register what was going on.

"Fuck!" He yells, bending over as his nose gushes blood.

"Oh, God! Luke, I'm sorry!" I bend down with him

He's whining in pain. "It's fine... It's fine... Fuck!" He stands and lifts his head back to stop the bleeding.

I turn to Jayson, who actually looks like he's fighting a smile. "I see things are good here."

"Yep. Uh... Sarah's... getting better." His voice sounds nasally as he stammers, holding his nose.

Jayson walks up to him. "Let me see."

He holds Luke's face in his hands and swings his head side to side, examining his nose. "Hold still." He puts his thumbs on either side and gives a quick twist.

"Fucking Jesus!" Luke breaks from him and bends over again.

Jayson chuckles. "Broke his nose. Nice."

"Luke. I'm so sorry." I apologize again.

He waves me down. "It's fine. If it's OK with you, Jay, I've got a splitting headache and need some fucking Tylenol." He stands wiping the blood off his face with his shirt.

"Go on. I'll finish up." Jayson chuckles as he claps him on his back.

Luke’s eyes narrow at me. "Nice hit. You only get one." He warns then walks off.

Once Luke's gone, Jayson turns to me. "So, you can fight."

I smirk, arching a brow. "Yeah. If you can call that fighting."

He crouches. "Come on. Try and hit me."

I cross my arms. "Are you going to just run away again or is this real training?"

He stands and gives me a snarky look. "I didn't run away."

I smirk. "Oh, yes you did."

"I had work to do. You're not the only one on the field." He crossed his arms.

"Ok. Sure." I scoff.

"Just... hit me." He crouches again.

I rush him with swings. Just like Luke, he's also blocking them. "Change it up. Keep me on my toes."

So, I do. I lift my leg and kick him hard in the chest.

He goes down with the wind knocked out of him. "That was good." He says fighting for air.

He stands up, rubbing his chest. "Do it again."

I repeat the move. He grabs my foot before I can connect and flips me onto my back.

He stands smirking, while I groan in the ground. "Again." He barks.

I get up and come at him again.

As I swing, he barks. "Now, block."

He swings at me and I try to block his blows. "Good. Dodge." I swing under his arms.

"Excellent. Watch my feet." He drops and swings his leg out, but I didn't get it and he swept my legs out from underneath me. I groan after landing on my back again.

He extends an arm. "That was really good."

He lifts me up and I brush myself off. "I still ended up on my ass."

"True, but you know for next time." He put his hands on his hips. "You pull all that together, you'll be a fighter in no time."

"Doubt it." I pick up my water bottle and take a swig.

He does the same. "Don't sell yourself short, kid. You have some talent. You could really do well here."

I narrow my eyes. "Why do you do that?"

He gets a curious look on his face. "Do what?"

"Act like you care, but then act like you stand me." I told my arms and kick out a foot.

"I'm a trainer. I'm supposed to encourage." He grabs a towel from his trainers bag and wipes his forehead.

I shake my head. "Nah. I'm not buying it. One of them is fake."

He groans. "Listen, kid. I'm just doing my job. Quit thinking it's anything else." He picks up his stuff and starts to walk toward the Alpha building.

"Ok. If you say so. Later, Alpha." I smile and he shoots me a scowl.

I've definitely gotten under his skin. How deep, I don't know yet, but poking the bear seems to be working on some level. There is cool guy in there and I think I just saw him.

I'll have to see how far I can take this.

****

I'm sitting with Ash, Sam, Shane, and two guys we met a couple of days ago.

First, there's Hayden. He's cute, with stylish dark brown hair and hazel eyes that look almost like gold. Very tanned. He's not my type really. He tries for the bad boy image, but I see right through it. He's a big softy.

Then there's Sean. With his golden blonde hair and tanned skin, he looks like he's from California. He has ink up and down his arms and a charming smile seated in chiseled features. Very hot, but I'm not feeling it. It's like being with Sam.

"We need something fun to do." Ash mumbles, poking at her food.

Sean leans over. "I heard about a club that's in Caledon. Apparently, it's a great party."

I contemplate. "I could use a party."

Sean pulls out his phone. He looks up the club. "It's called Feral. Looks pretty awesome and it's not far from here." He flashes his phone around to show the red and white lighted club.

"I say we do it. Friday night." I grin.

Ash bounces in her seat. "This is going to be so fun."

"You got to help me pick something to wear. I'm not really good with all the girly dress up stuff." I look at Ash.

She leans back. "Don't worry, girl. I got you."

****

Friday afternoon, I'm sparring with Sam. I use the moves that Luke and Jayson have taught me so far. Finally, I'm able to knock somebody down on purpose.

Sam sits up and puts his arms on his knees. "How did you get so good all of a sudden?"

"Natural talent." I smirk, flipping my hair over my shoulder.

He stands up, dusting himself off. "Yeah, right." He scoffs.

Just as we were about to go again, Jayson walks by. "You two need any help?" He says in a low, commanding voice.

"No. We're good." I grin with my hands on my hips.

Sam crosses his arms. "Says you. I can't seem to stay on my feet."

"Giving you a run for your money, is she?" Jayson arches his brow.

He waves Jayson off. "I'm just off today." He totally lies. I'm kicking his ass. I guess he didn't want to seem like a wimp.

Jayson chuckles. "Alright, then."

He was about to leave when I stop him. "Hey. A bunch of us are going to Feral tonight. You want to come?"

"Me?" He points to his chest.

"Yeah. I don't see any other Alphas around." I smile.

"I don't know. I'll think about." He turns and walks away.

"K, bye." I stand there watching him continue down the line.

Sam joins my side. "Think he'll show?"

"Oh, he'll show. I know he will."

****

"This one?" I hold a dress up to my body. I'm going through Ash's closet. She never goes anywhere, long term, without an arsenal of dress up stuff.

Ash shakes her head. "No. Not flashy enough."

I pull out a silver dress.

"Ugh. Too flashy." She scrunches her nose.

I pull out a blue, spaghetti strap dress.

"Perfect!!" Ash says.

I take off my shorts and t shirt and pull the dress on. I turn and look in the mirror. "You don't think it's too short?" I tug at the bottom.

"It's perfect!" She grabs me and sits me down. "Put your hair up and you'll look gorgeous."

After we both got ready, we met up with Georgia and a few other girls.

The boys met us in the parking lot. "Damn, ladies. Dressed to kill!" Hayden drools.

"Of course." I say with confidence even though I never do girly stuff.

Sean slides up to Georgia. "You ready, sweet cheeks?"

She rolls her eyes. "Smooth one, Romeo."

Shane wipes his shoulders. "The ladies better be ready, because they don't know what's coming." He grins.

I scoff. "Yeah, disappointment. " Shane shoves me, almost knocking me off my heels. "Careful!"

"Never." He says in an evil tone.

Hayden looks at his watch. "Better get going if we want tables."

"Let's party!" I yell.

Feral is a short, two block walk from the training camp property. By the time we get there, it's packed!

I actually see a lot of faces from camp there. I guess word got out.

The bass music is thumping. There are people coming in and out of the front door that's being managed by a big, burly bouncer.

We're already dancing as we get close. All of us are hyped right up.

"You all from the center?" The bouncer asks with his arms crossed.

Ash grins, flashing her dimples. "Yep!"

"There's a lot of you guys tonight. Have fun." He waves us in.

I wink at him as I walk by. "Planning on it." Ash grabs my hand and pulls me in.

The guys all follow as us girls shimmy up to the bar. Hayden coolly leans on the counter. "What do you girls want?"

"Screwdriver, please." Georgia yells.

"Wine for me." Ash says.

"Whiskey on the rocks." I call out.

Hayden orders beers for all the guys and our drinks.

Georgia screams. "I love this song! Dance floor now!"

We all start bouncing and dancing to the dancefloor after the bartender gets our drinks.

The floor is packed and our little group is barely able to fit as we dance around.

I take a casual look around as I swing my hips to the beat and see a face I knew couldn't resist coming.

Jayson is posted up at a table with the three other guys and Wren.

He glances my way and turns back to his beer.

I was hoping he’d see me and at least smile, but I guess that must be asking too much. I sip my drink, dance and don't give him a second thought. Sean starts dancing up to me and we dance together for a song.

After a few, I lean to Ash. "I'm going to get a drink."

She leans to me. "Get me one!"

I nod and worm my way through the crowd. I slide up to the bar and wave the bartender. He brings my order and a large arm comes in beside me and slaps a twenty on the counter.

"Keep the change." Jayson yells to the bartender.

I turn with drinks in hand. "Thanks." I smile.

"Having fun?" He asks. His face still gruff, but I get the feeling this little gesture was to grab my attention.

"Yeah. This place is awesome. Wanna dance?" I ask and swing my hips his way.

He checks me out quickly then leans to the bar. "Ah, no." He grabs his beer.

"What, you're too cool?" I smirk.

He tips his beer back. "Something like that." He eyes me, turns and walks away.

"Bye." I shrug and dance back to the group.

I have a few more drinks as the night goes on and now have a sufficient buzz.

I'm starting to get hot and sweaty and need to cool off. "I need some air." I yell to Ash.

She gives me a thumbs up and I head for the entrance.

Once outside, I lean on the wall and fan myself. I hadn’t forgotten about Jayson. He was always in my sight. Maybe that’s why I’m so bothered right now.

"Pretty hot in there."

I whip my head toward the voice. Jayson walks over with his hands in his pockets.

"You following me?" I smirk.

"What? No." He leans his shoulder on the wall beside me. "Just out for air, too."

I eye him up and down. He's wearing a red, tight t-shirt that shows his muscles just perfectly and a pair of black jeans. "You look different without sweats."

"So do you." He looks at the ground.

I study him for a minute. "Did you want something?" I turn toward him leaning my shoulder on the wall as well.

He glances. "No. Just making conversation."

"You sure?" The corner of my mouth ticks up as I play with the strap of my dress. It may have been the alcohol that made me act more forward than I usually am, but I have to make a move at some point.

He watches me for moment then pushes off the wall. "Yeah. I'm sure. Enjoy your night." He gives me another once over then goes back inside.

I'm not totally sure what just happened here, but it feels like I'm getting closer to the Alpha. For once he didn’t flash angry eyes at me.

I could feel he wanted something more than what he was letting on. He only needs a little more nudging to fall off the edge and I'll be there to give him that push.