TKO: Total Knock Out (TKO 1)

Who am I kidding? In the whole week she’s been there, no matter how many times I try to smile at her or say something she has a sarcastic comeback, which I have to admit turns me on. I’d like to think we shared a moment that night she came over for pizza, but I guess not.

I don’t even try to spar with her because she hurries and runs to Lance and I cuss him under my breath. And just to be an asshole, he winks at me every time. He gives Raegan a hug and starts making bullshit conversation with her. I’m sure he does it because he knows I’m watching.

She looks beautiful with her hand on her hip in that tight black tank top and those short pink shorts. Her hair isn’t blonde anymore, it’s brown, and if I didn’t think she was sexy before, damn, I do now. I can’t hear what Lance’s saying but it must be funny because she tosses her head back, giggling, and the sound of her voice, I swear, is my new drug. It keeps me hanging on end and it’s all I want to hear. She looks over and gives me a slight smile before taking Lance down on the mat. He is one lucky bastard.

“Why don’t you just talk to her, Garrett?” Jack asks.

“Why don’t you mind your own damn business?” Just because he has a happy life at home with his wife doesn’t mean everything is simple for everyone else.

One hit, that’s all he gets in because he caught me off guard with his question. The next time he tries, he doesn’t get close. We have matches tomorrow night so no one is seriously training. No point in possibly getting hurt today and potentially ruining the match. Raegan isn’t ready yet, but I overheard her tell Lance she wants to experience every bit of it. I’ve watched my sister annihilate in the ring since she started and she is good. But the thought of Raegan getting hurt really bothers me.

When she says goodbye to Lance, I see the slight grin she gives me, those plump pink lips sliding into a near-flawless grin. She’s trying to make me jealous and its working. I see her expression fall for a second as she’s walking outside. She stops and looks across the street at the Starbucks. For a minute, it almost seems she’s upset but she blinks so fast I feel as if I were imagining it.

I follow her out and before she can close the door of her truck, I grab it and take a chance. “Hey, Raegan, I like your hair, when’d you dye it?”

“Thanks.” She looks distrustful, like she isn’t sure what to think of me. “I had it done yesterday.”

Time to go for it. “What are you doing tonight?”

“Probably just going home.”

“Oh, come on sweetheart, live a little. I mean, a week ago we shared a pizza and watched Grease.”

“No, Garrett, I shared a pizza with your sister too.” She laughs, but it sounds forced; she’s uncomfortable, I can tell.

“Yeah, I know Whitney was there too. But I thought maybe you’d want to hang out tonight, maybe have a drink at the bar with me?”

“I don’t drink.”

“Oh.” That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that one. “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I’ll see you then.”

She drives away leaving me standing there wishing for more conversation. I want to see her outside of this gym; I’ll take whatever I can get. I know she can’t deny the attraction. If she wants to play stubborn, that’s okay. I like a challenge.

***

Arriving early the night of a match is something I’ve always done. Howard taught us to always be early, and I like to be prepared before meeting my opponent. Lance and Jack were lucky. They don’t have to fight tonight; I am the only one up from our gym.

I see Raegan the minute she walks in through the double doors of the arena. Her eyes widen as she catches sight of the ring in the middle. She inches up on her toes to get a better look before taking notice of the crowd beginning to form. When the lights begin to dim, she turns, noticing Whitney and makes her way over. Whatever conversation they are having must have my name in it because every two seconds, I meet her blue eyes and hold them until she turns away again.

“Good luck, Garrett, I wish I was out there tonight. Get a hit in for me.” Whitney has it rough; she really wants to be in there. This is all she’s known for the past few years.

“You got it. As soon as I know who I’m against, consider it done.” I hate to sound cocky, but I’m good and I know it. Hell, I’m the best.

Raegan glances at me then turns away. This girl is a tease and she’s definitely going to be the end of me.

The lights dim and the crowd begins chanting different names. My name sticks out once or twice but it’s time to get into the zone. I put Raegan out of my mind and every other thing that could distract me from winning. As I look around, I notice the building is packed with people which means someone as good as me if not better is here tonight. Question is, who?

Blaize, the announcer’s voice, comes loud over the speakers breaking up my thoughts. “Well, well, good evening, all you lovely people! Ya’ll ready for a hell of a night?”

The crowd goes wild and my blood begins pumping. This is what I live for.

“Hell yeah, let’s get this started. Tonight we have Marley Liles against our very own Whitney Johnson….” Everything he says after that goes unnoticed, because Howard and I are up there immediately trying to get the fight removed. There’s no one to take her place and no way in hell is my pregnant sister getting in the ring.

“Blaize, man, she can’t do it. We told ya’ll this two weeks ago, find someone or Marley has to forfeit.” Howard’s face is red with fury, and the only thing that scares me is seeing him mad. I’ve only seen him like this once or twice before. The last time was when a guy broke a rule and should’ve been disqualified but wasn’t, and the lucky bastard ended up beating me. Howard’s face was crimson as he yelled at the referee and I think my opponent pissed himself. I ended up taking the loss but my big, seething cheerleader with his meaty biceps fought for a rematch. As he jabs his finger toward Blaize, yelling up a storm, I try picturing him with pom-poms—nah, wouldn’t work.

“I can take her place,” a familiar voice intones. “Isn’t that what I’ve been training for?”