TKO: Total Knock Out (TKO 1)

That arrogant, perfect, sexy blue-eyed asshole is her brother.

Chapter 3

Garrett

I wake up this morning to find my sister sitting in her usual chair at the kitchen table, slowly nursing a cup of coffee. This is typical for Whitney, but this morning she looks nervous as she twirls a strand of hair around her finger. I can’t recall seeing her do something so girlie before. Normally, she’s never nervous. I mean, she’s dating Howard from the gym for crying out loud. He’s built tough, muscles are etched into his skin like a tattoo. He used to fight, but now he trains us. I never would’ve expected them to end up together, but she softened him up and he fell head over heels for her. He hates watching her in the ring though. Every time she steps in there, he’s ringside cringing and keeping a watchful eye on her. If she ever got hurt, he’d probably want to even the score and beat the shit out of her opponent. But she’s as tough as I am, and rarely loses a match. Must be that Johnson blood we have running through our veins.

When she sees me, she startles, glances up at me, and gives me a half smile. I can tell something’s wrong, and I tell myself if Howard hurt her, he’s going to pay; no one gets away with hurting my sister.

She’s tugging at the fabric tablecloth, anxious, and I pull her hand into mine wondering what’s going on with my twin sister. We aren’t identical twins; we’re fraternal which is why people that don’t know us can’t tell. As kids we were inseparable and had each other’s backs no matter what. I got into more fights than I like to admit to because of Whitney. She was always sassy, and I always had to kick some guy’s ass when she stuck her foot too far into her mouth.

“Hey sis, what’s going on?”

“I wasn’t sure how to tell you this.” She frowned, biting her bottom lip. “I’ve wanted to for a week now. But I just…I want you to remember I love you, Garrett…so much.” She pauses before adding, “I’m pregnant. Howard and I are going to move in together.”

She keeps talking, but all I hear is, I’m leaving you alone in this apartment and you’ll never have to see my bras hanging all over the bathroom anymore. Thank you Lord!

“You’re going to have this apartment to yourself, so that should make you happy right?”

I snap out of my thoughts, nodding my head. “Yeah, Whitney, whatever makes you happy. A baby, huh? I’m going to be an uncle? Howard’s excited?”

She instantly beams and starts rattling on and on, talking with her hands like a damn girl; she doesn’t usually blather on like this with so much dramatics.

“Oh God, Garrett, he’s thrilled! I know I’m not showing or anything but he talks to my belly and kisses it, and ah, he’s so amazing!”

I can’t imagine Howard doing being all mushy like that, but I guess becoming a parent brings all that shit out in people.

“That’s awesome. I’m happy for you guys. Why’d you seem so upset though?”

“I wasn’t sure how you’d take it. I mea

n, we’ve lived together for years now and soon it’s just going to be you. On the bright side, now you can bring all the women here you want.” She slaps my arm trying to get a rise out of me. I know she’s kidding, but she also knows I don’t bother bringing women home.

“Yeah, this place is gonna turn into a regular whore house as soon as your gone,” I tease. “Let me go put an ad in the paper and get a sign made to put on the front door. A little red lamp in the window, maybe.” Whitney smacks my arm, hard. Which makes me think of what she’s been doing for a living. “Um, you’re not gonna be fighting anymore right?”

“Do I look stupid, Garrett? I’m pregnant. Looks like it’s just you, Jack, and Lance now.”

“Hey, I was just checking. I’m about to head down to Lou’s, you coming?”

“Howard’s picking me up. But thanks anyway, big brother, I appreciate you.” She leans in and kisses my cheek as I shake my head, laughing. I was born about three minutes before she was and when we were younger I always made it a point to throw it in her face that I was the older sibling. She was my little sister, and still is. To me, she will always be the little girl with pigtails making mud pies in the backyard. After she runs to the bathroom, I sit there and wait my turn.

Scrolling through my phone, I realize it’s turned into nothing more than a little black book for me. Looking at the girls’ names in my contact list, I realize I don’t remember most of their faces. Sex is a quick fix for me, which is why I don’t bother bringing them home; bring them home and shit gets complicated. Who knows why I even bothered getting numbers. Going through the list, I delete a bunch of them, and now there’re maybe ten contacts inside my phone. Sometimes I just have to put a chapter behind me; I won’t talk to most of these girls anymore. Call me a pig, but that’s the way it is.

Whitney emerges, and I jump in the shower. When I’m done, I run the towel over my hair once, then just leave it. I’ll be covered in sweat later, so it doesn’t really matter. I shouldn’t have even taken a shower this morning, but I went to the bar last night with Lance, and afterward my body reeked of the bar, and the sex I had with some chick in the closet.

Lance’s been out a lot more lately. His family is going through their own turmoil; they have been for awhile. His dad just lost his job and even though he should be saving his money to help pay bills in the house, and his mom’s medical bills, he deserves some time to himself. That’s exactly why I didn’t let him pay for a single drink last night. He was able to clear his mind; it was nice to see my best friend smile again.

But this redhead kept throwing herself at me. She was sexy as hell with her little black dress barely covering her ass. When we went into the closet, it didn’t take much for me to fuck her and leave. She was ready the minute I slid that dress up, and the fact she was commando made it that much easier. Convenient as hell, no strings attached.

I like the no commitment thing. We both got what we wanted then she was off doing her own thing on the dance floor. Maybe I’m a selfish bastard but I have a good heart. It’s just caged where it should be, where none of these ruthless women can get to it.

Once I reach Lou’s, I walk in to find Whitney just hanging out. I know it must be pretty awkward for her to walk in and not be able to spar around with me or one of the guys. Howard is talking to Jack and Lance on the soft mats, and once I take my shirt off, I’m standing beside them.

I clap my hand on Howard’s shoulder and congratulate him on the news Whitney shared with me this morning. Once that’s out the way, we pair up and begin going through our normal training routines. Howard decides he’s had enough, he retires to the office and Whitney plays supervisor.

For almost a year and a half it’s just been the five of us here at Lou’s. The sign still says Lou’s Gym, but this place is far from just a gym. Howard is big into the fighting scene and recruited Jack. Lance found out through Jack and jumped aboard to help his family out. Once I caught wind of what was going on after my parents’ death, I had to get in on it and I am pretty damn good. I’ve only been defeated maybe ten times in two years. I’m quick on my feet and if the opponent gets a shot in, they’re a lucky bastard.

The door opens and all of us turn. Hardly anybody ever comes in here. I spot this beautiful girl in pink shorts and a dark gray shirt. Poor thing must be lost; maybe I should go see if she needs any kind of help. This isn’t a place women randomly walk into and I can’t help but feel a little concerned for her.