TKO: Total Knock Out (TKO 1)

“Come out with me tonight. Not on a date or anything but just friends celebrating.”

I can’t help but scoff and laugh out loud. What are we celebrating? Marley practically handed my ass to me on a silver platter.

His eyes sparkle with hope that I’ll say yes and as much as I need to say no, my heart decides otherwise. Since when does my heart know what’s best for me? I’d have to tell Dad I’d be late and pray there aren’t any consequences.

“Uh, sure. I have my truck here so I can follo

w you wherever.”

His face lights up, sending chills down my spine. “You’re so cute, you know that?” His words make me blush. “Follow me back to my apartment and we can ride together, the place is right around the corner from me.”

Speaking is apparently foreign to me right now so all I can manage is a weak indication I understand him. Fuck me, I feel like a cheap plastic Barbie swooning over hot sexy Ken. But then, doesn’t Barbie always end up with Ken?

“Follow me out the back entrance, less people and we don’t have to fight the crowd.”

He reaches for my hand and as much as it scares me to, I trust him as I place my hand in his. I can’t see his face but I spot the corners of his mouth turn up as he leads us out into the night air. On the way to his apartment, I text my Dad who isn’t okay with me going out and having a life. I’m twenty-one years old, I’m allowed to have a life and there’s nothing he can do about it. I’ve been the perfect daughter, and I don’t even drink. Whatever consequences are coming, I try not to think about it. All I want to think about is spending this little bit of time with the guy who’s making me believe things can be good again.

Once we pull up at his apartment, I make sure to lock my truck out of habit and I slide in the passenger seat of his truck. I draw in a deep breath, slowly letting it out as he climbs in the driver seat. Oh my gosh, this is really happening. I haven’t died, but if I had and this is heaven, I’m fine with that. The leather seats are extremely comfortable and there isn’t a speck of dirt inside. He obviously takes pride in his vehicle; his apartment is just as clean as this. Cleanliness is next to godliness, and Garrett is pretty high up there right now. As he turns on his iPod, “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen starts and he’s grinning at me, singing along.

“Is that a fat joke, Garrett? Because I really don’t appreciate that.” His eyes widen before he realizes I was kidding.

“Seriously, babe? Not at all. What kind of guy do you think I am?” I am a little disappointed when he changes the song. “Absolutely (Story of A Girl)” by Nine Days starts playing, and I shake my head at him. “What? Don’t dis my song, okay? I won’t say anything about whatever you listen to.”

I try not to laugh; I just never thought he would be that kind of guy. I’m not sure what I expected though. “No, it’s a cool song, from back in the day. I can totally jam this. And for the record, I wasn’t really offended by that last song. You could have left it on.” And just like that he turns Nine Days up and begins to sing along. I’m seeing a different side of him now, and suddenly I wish we weren’t going to a crowded bar.

Chapter 8

Garrett

I park the truck at Joe’s and before she can open the door I’m right there being the perfect gentleman, wondering if she’s the one for me, the woman who can hold my heart—yeah¸ I’m over-thinking things. She offers me a slight grin as she jumps out the truck. “Thank you, Garrett.”

“Anything for you.” Did I really just say that out loud?

She follows closely behind me as we walk in. Several people see me and ask how the fights went. A girl or two I’ve slept with wander around, and I pray they don’t approach me tonight. I’m not in the mood for that, especially not with Raegan here. I notice Lance, and he immediately scoops Raegan up in his arms.

“Holy hell, hey girl, nice to see you out.” He glances over at me and I scowl at him. “With Garrett. Nice fight by the way, you held your own some kind of fierce.”

She squeals, throwing her head back and giggling. I hate that he can make her laugh like that.

“Okay, enough Lance, keep it in your pants.”

“Whatever, you dick, don’t get pissed because she likes talking to me.” He winks at her before turning to grin at me. I know he is just fucking around, but I can’t help but be annoyed; she came with me after all.

She follows me to the bar where I order a beer. “You sure you don’t want anything?”

“Just a coke. I told you I don’t drink.”

“That’s cool, I was just asking. If you change your mind let me know.”

I hand her the coke she wanted. Before she takes a sip, she grabs my beer; the way her lips touch the tip of the bottle makes me want to take a cool shower. She scrunches her nose, making the cutest face, and politely hands it back.

“Yeah, I’ll definitely drink the coke.”

“Well, nice seeing you guys tonight. Raegan, if he gives you any problems, you can come home with me. I see some hot mamas that look like they want to meet their new daddy.” Lance winks as he walks off.

What a fucking moron. I immediately feel like shit after thinking that because I know what he’s going through. He has his own way of dealing. When we see him slide right up to two gals and link arms with them, Raegan and I both laugh.

“Want to sit at the bar?”