TKO: Total Knock Out (TKO 1)

That leaves Raegan and I alone and as elated as I am, I don’t think she is. She stopped drinking earlier but I found it humorous she drank the panty dropper again. The thoughts of the first time we were in here crosses my mind and I have to readjust myself so she won’t notice anything. If I could I would go back to that night and things would have gone much differently. No way would she have left my apartment and then disappeared.

“Raegan.” As soon as I say her name she looks at me with those blue eyes and for a split second I almost forget I’m upset with her. “I’m sorry, I know it’s not my business but I just…I do care about you. I know you find that hard to believe, and I’m sorry you had to see what you saw earlier with that girl. I didn’t know she was going to walk up and grab me in front of you. That was the old me. I’m not that guy, Raegan.” I run my hand through my hair and wanting to scream out of frustration. Instead I let out a heavy breath. “Look, I will fully support you but if anything happens to you, I swear…”

She places her hand in mine and gives me a meager grin. “Garrett, please, I’ll be okay I promise. You don’t have to worry about me. Look, I think I’m about to go. I’m tired. I told Lance I was only coming for a little bit anyway.”

“Come somewhere with me.”

She looks like she wants to say yes. “I have my truck here. I can’t leave it, Garrett.”

Lance brought me here, and I admit he was a complete genius with this plan to get Raegan alone with me. I ended up spilling my guts to him two days after she came home with me. I thought she left the gym entirely and I was crushed. I told him I couldn’t stop thinking about her no matter what I tried, and how my entire world seemed to stop once she walked into the room. He mocked me before finally admitting he understood where I was coming from. I’m not ready to leave her yet.

“I rode with Lance. Just trust me, okay?”

She looks pissed and when she realizes her hand is still in mine, she tries to move it away. One small squeeze of reassurance is all it takes and she keeps her hand in place while my heart gently flutters. What is this girl doing to me?

“Where are we going?” she asks as she starts her truck, turning down the radio.

“Go to the park up the road.” She doesn’t ask any questions, she just drives there. Her face in the moonlight is enough to take my breath away. “You’re so beautiful, Raegan.”

Shit, I embarrassed her. She turns her head away and whispers a thank you. I step out of the truck and open her door for her. She places her hand in mine as we walk to a bench that faces the perfect spot to see the stars.

“I wasn’t trying to embarrass you,” I assure her. “I’ve wanted to tell you that since I first saw you.”

She’s doesn’t say a word, hasn’t faced me yet. But I couldn’t wait one more minute or one more second without telling her. I’m panicking; I must’ve screwed up. Why isn’t she answering me? Unable to stop myself, I start r

ambling.

“You know, it killed me when you didn’t come back to the gym. I…I thought you left for good. Please tell me you weren’t avoiding me, Raegan. I was going to ask you out on a date that day and you never showed up. Please tell me it’s nothing I did.”

“You wanted to ask me out? I thought you didn’t date.” She appears confused by my confession.

“Things change, Raegan. I was going to ask you and I still want to.” I want to hang my head in defeat because I realize I sound like an idiot. She touches my face and stares deep into my eyes.

“That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” She brings her lips to mine and this kiss is far more amazing than our first. I crush my lips against hers, taking her in. She’s completely intoxicating and I want more.

She pulls away, meeting my gaze, but before she can say a word, I plead, “Don’t fight anymore, Raegan.”

“I have to.”

As much as I want her to elaborate, I don’t push it. The pain in her eyes is intense and I find myself stroking the side of her soft face with my hand, trying to offer some sort of comfort.

“Please don’t feel sorry for me. This is my choice.” Her voice is so soft and quiet, I barely hear her.

“I just want to help you.”

“Only I can help me, Garrett. I’m sorry.”

I stare up at the stars hoping for some sort of sign. Just then, a shooting star crosses the dark expanse.

“Did you see that, Raegan?”

She grins. “I did! I already made my wish, did you?”

The fire in her blue eyes burns tiny little holes in my soul. Her intensity takes me off guard.

“Of course I did.”

“Well, what was it?”