“Um, here?” My voice cracked, making me look like a wimp.
“I need to see what I’m working with. I need to know how far I need to go to help you build muscle.” Marcos looked in Diego’s direction again. “Diego is working toward fighting in the light heavyweight class.” He leaned toward me and squeezed my arm again. “I’d like to see you fighting in that class too.” I nodded. “So, let me see what I’m working with.”
Marcos put his other hand on my bicep and nudged me off the bench. I faced Marcos and looked over my shoulder to see if Diego was paying any attention. Thankfully, he seemed to keep his eyes to himself. All of the moisture left my mouth, and it was hard to swallow. I felt hot and then ice cold as I toed off my ratty sneakers. I looked over my shoulder again at Diego and then back at Marcos quickly when I felt him take hold of the bottom of my shirt. He raised his eyebrows and let go of my shirt.
“I think it’s a bit soon for that,” Marcos said.
What? What did that mean? What was too soon? Did he mean me stripping, or something else? I stood still while I looked at him and I tried to figure it out. Marcos’ hand went to his crotch, and he didn’t even try to hide it when he adjusted his dick in front of me.
I need to get out of here.
“I’m growing impatient, Nathan. Let me see how much work we need to do. Let me see the muscles. Like I said, you’re not too big for me to put over my knee. I’d hate to do that to you on your first day, but I require you to listen and respect me.”
I nodded and swallowed a few times as I pulled my shirt off. I undid my belt and jeans and let them fall to the ground. There… He could see the muscles. He didn’t need to see—
“The rest of it, Nate.”
Fine. I shoved my boxers down and as I stepped out of my jeans, I pulled off my socks with holes in them. I felt like I had a fever as I looked down at the pile of my clothes at his feet. Marcos reached for my jeans and pulled the belt from the loops. He held it up by the end without the buckle and pointed to the worn holes I’d made in the leather so it would fit me.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Holes I made.”
“Why?”
I knew what he was getting at, and it made me mad. He knew we didn’t have money. I felt my body temperature rise even more.
“Why, Nathan?” Marcos sounded irritated.
“I made the holes so it would fit me and keep my pants up.”
“Why didn’t you have a belt that fit properly?” Marcos kicked my jeans away from him. “Why didn’t you have pants that fit?”
“We didn’t have money to spend on unnecessary things.”
“Clothing for a kid isn’t unnecessary,” Marcos growled as he stood.
He picked up my worn-out jeans and walked toward a trash can. He stepped on the foot lever, and the lid popped open.
“Holes at the seams of the pockets. Frayed bottoms.”
Marcos dropped them in the trash and then tossed in my belt. He laughed and shook his head as he picked up my socks and boxers. After he added them to the trash, he picked up my T-shirt and shoes and tossed them in the trash. Marcos walked over to me and looked me up and down while I glared at him.
“You didn’t have money to spend on clothes that fit because your father had other things that he decided were necessary. Booze and gambling, Nathan.”
I lowered my head to quickly rub my eyes and wipe away the tears from my eyelids. I took a slow, deep breath and tried to control myself.
“I’m going to give you what your father wouldn’t provide for you. Basics you shouldn’t have gone without. Clothing. Food. A warm bed each night. Affection. You and Diego have a lot in common.”
I swallowed hard and breathed slowly but deeply as he walked around me. I closed my eyes when he put his hands on my upper back. His fingertips slid gently across my skin, igniting so much anger.God, please don’t let him bring it up.
“Where did these scars and marks come from?” he asked.
If I didn’t answer, he’d only ask again and would eventually pull it out of me. I was pretty sure he knew anyhow.
“Dad,” I mumbled.
Marcos stood by my side and pressed his body against mine to hug me. It was probably an attempt to make me feel better or something, but it felt strange and really awkward.
