Chapter 7
HE JUST MADE IT to the alley before he lost the burger and fries he’d eaten in the car on his way over.
The image of what he’d just done ran through his mind, causing his stomach to lurch again.
“Here.” His best friend, and lover, passed him a bottle of water.
He took it and greedily gulped the bottle down.
“You did it?” his lover asked, but the answer was obvious.
He nodded anyway.
“I wanted to explain…but, I can’t and it’s killing me.” He tossed the bottle into the dumpster. “That in there,” he pointed toward the apartment, “wasn’t me…which she pointed out.” Tears clouded his vision.
His lover gave a tug and embraced him. He was kept in the cocoon of his lover’s arms, where he felt safe.
It was only temporary, but he’d take whatever he could get while trapped between family loyalties and doing the right thing.
Chapter 8 ~ Stryker
SWEAT RAN DOWN MY back and my feet danced around the bag as my fists connected with the old leather. I’d alternated between the bag and the ropes since I’d arrived a few hours before. It felt good, and helped me focus because I sure as hell was having a hard enough time at concentrating. Hard being the condition I’d been in since last night.
Having Evie in my arms, rubbing her sexy little body over mine, had been a dream come true. She’d felt perfect. The soft murmurs she’d made while I gave her pleasure had been enough to send me over with her. My first orgasm with a woman and I stayed zipped.
The mess I’d made had been washed away with a shower once I’d gotten back to the apartment, to questions of where I’d been and with whom. I ignored them all and had been surprised when Patrick wasn’t there this morning to question me about the shattered door, and my whereabouts.
Everything went back to Evie though. Her smile, her scent, her small hands compared to my much larger ones. She was amazing, and I wanted her so much. I knew I could never have her. Her life meant too much to have her associated with me. She was too good. Her parents wouldn’t even want me near her because they’d know that I wasn’t good enough.
“That bag have a name?”
I stumbled when I heard Carter’s voice behind me. I turned and glared at him, but the grin he offered nearly had my lips twitching.
“Maybe,” I offered.
He chuckled. “You want to spar in the ring?” Carter nodded toward the empty one.
“They told you about the upcoming fight?” I asked, walking toward the ring.
Carter pulled his gloves on, making no move to get into the ring. “They did.” He frowned, and turned to sit on the edge of the ring. “What’s wrong with that picture?”
I rubbed at my forehead with my wrist and wondered whether Carter could be someone I trusted. He willingly kept to himself most of the time, unlike me who was forced to be alone. “I think they sense I’ve had enough, and want me to go out in a different way than I usually do after a fight.”
His eyes widened at one of my assumptions.
“Wouldn’t they lose a lot of money if you lost?”
“Or, they could believe that I’ll win and by doing what they’re doing, my odds could be set higher than usual, in which case, they’d make a hell of a lot more money than they would usually do.”
Carter nodded but he didn’t reply, so I climbed into the ring and waited for him to join me.
When he did, he moved closer and held his gloved hands out. My gaze met his and as my gloves met his, he whispered, “You ever need anything, I’m here.”
Carter tapped my hands before backing up and into position to start the sparring session except my heart wasn’t in this today. I needed it though.
Cameras were hidden throughout the gym and no one could do anything without security knowing about it. If it involved me, then management—whoever they might be—would be informed.
The only place without cameras was the locker room and showers. No windows large enough for me to fit through.