“Katie is like every fighter’s wet dream. She's ridiculously hot, like fire with breasts. Her body is insane, and if all that wasn’t enough, she's one of the coolest chicks we know, by far. She can outtalk most guys about fighting, never mind the fact that she kills it every time she's in the cage. Most guys would kill to fuck that girl and claim her, and you barely seem interested. Our teammates are dying to date her, and you get the chance to go home with her, but instead you start making out for the hundredth time with a girl who flakes on you all the time.”
“Are you done? Why do you care who I sleep with?”
“I don't know. Katie was pretty upset last night when you left with Natalie. Do you care about that?”
“No, I don't. There has never been a thing between Katie and me. Maybe she always had some hope, but the girl had already asked me out, and I told her I was interested in Natalie. So if she continues to pursue me, how is it my fault if she gets hurt? I was just dancing with her last night, that's it. I had no intention of taking her home, whether Natalie showed up or not.”
Craig had walked back into the apartment in the middle of the conversation, but decided to stay quiet. He began to set up his kit while I pulled off my shirt. I got the mug of coffee I had made for him and passed it to him. He just smiled as he waited for our conversation to continue.
“It's Katie!” Kyle protested.
“So you date her.”
“Oh, I would if I could, but she's hot and bothered for you.”
“So you're really more annoyed that you can't have her.”
“No. Look, if you and Natalie would have started things off, that would have been one thing. But she's been dragging you around on a dog leash, and then fucks you and runs off like a guy.”
“She happens to be my girlfriend now.”
“Really? Since when?”
“Since today.”
Craig interjected himself into the conversation. “What's wrong with Natalie? I met her; she seemed really cool.”
Kyle threw his hands up in the air. “I think Jet can do better, and better has been stalking him, but he's just ignoring her.”
I just shook my head.
“After the stunt you pulled on Natalie at dinner that night, I'm surprised she is still talking to you. So she must really like you. Who cares about this other girl?”
“I don't, which has been my whole point here.”
“Just forget I said anything,” Kyle said.
“Look, I want you to back off of Natalie. She's my girlfriend now and I want you to start treating her with some respect. She's never done a thing to you ever, and you’re lobbying against her and trying to get me together with Katie.”
“I just think that Natalie is a bit flaky, that’s was all I was saying, Jet. She hasn't exactly been warm and fuzzy when it comes to you.”
“She's just been through a lot. Things are different now. I want you to know that.”
I lay down on the couch, and Craig went to work on me. I felt the little pricks as he inserted needles into my body. It felt weird at first, but that went away soon enough. I felt my muscles begin to relax as the acupuncture did its work. I planned on taking a hot bath right afterward, so I hoped this would do the trick.
“Well, I hope you're right, Jet, and the girl is gonna stick around.”
“Oh, she's staying put, don't make any mistake about that. Why don't you go after Katie since you seem so interested in her?”
Kyle snorted. “Whatever, man.”
“So you and Natalie are official now?” Craig asked.
“Yes. Thank God. It took me forever to get her to trust me.”
“Well, just don't blow it, because the girl seems like a keeper to me.”
I sat up with the needles still in my body. I felt good, really good at that moment.