TKO: Total Knock Out (TKO 1)

Raegan

Things could have been handled better, but running was the only thing I could do. It’s all I know to do. The baby shower went well considering I’ve never planned or attended one in my life. Whitney got so much for the baby and it looked like Garrett bought out the entire diaper section from Wal-Mart. This baby was in good hands, and has wonderful parents who will love him or her unconditionally. But the baby also has an ass for an uncle; I won’t tell them that until they are old enough to understand what an ass is. Even so, I know Garrett will be an amazing uncle to this baby. He was so excited during the shower, and so cute—.

I catch myself yawning on the way home and all I can think about is lying across my soft bed, pulling the comforter over my head and succumbing to a peaceful sleep. I start thinking maybe I should have spoken to Garrett more; Lance screwed that up with his musical performance.

When I arrive home, the house almost seems too quiet. Nearly to my room, I can almost smell the clean, cotton sheets.

But as I move across the living room—

“Where the hell have you been?” Fuck. Dad scared the shit out of me.

“A friend of mine had a baby shower.” I need to get to my room fast; I can feel it coming, his fury is building.

“Bullshit.” He shoves something toward me. “What are you doing, working the street corner? Selling your body like some cheap whore? You were raised better than that.”

My jaw drops as I recognize the shoe box from my closet, containing every penny I’ve saved from the fights. The money that was going to release me from this hell. Before I can answer him, he opens the front door and throws the box into the yard. The wind carries the money away like a pile of leaves, scattering all over the neighborhood. It’s gone, and he took it away from me. Tears stream down my face, my hands balled into fists at my sides.

“What the hell did you do that for?” I screech. He didn’t even flinch, like he’s been waiting for me to snap. Waiting for me to explode. “That’s MY money, not yours, you bastard!”

He lunges forward attempting to tackle me, but without thinking I sweep his legs from underneath him. Once he hits the ground, I climb on top of him, connecting my fist with his face and anything else I can get to. He tries to fight back and he may have gotten a hit in, I’m not sure. The adrenaline pumps through my veins, and I want to stop, but I can’t; I can’t and I won’t. He deserves this and so much more.

“You’re trash, do you hear me? You’re no daughter of mine.” He pulls at my hair causing me to scream in pain. Before my face can smack into the ground, I turn to push the brunt of the hit into my shoulder. I wince in pain as I swing my fist toward his face again. Just when I’m getting ready to hit him, a strong arm catches me, yanking me off him as though I’m a rag doll.

My body lands on the ground with a thud as I try to control my breathing. The metallic taste of blood fills my mouth and I spit trying to get it out. My shoulder aches horribly from hitting the ground. The blue police lights flash, and I curse under my breath. Who the hell called the police? I can hear Dad’s voice, but it’s faint, and I can’t make out what he’s saying. Click—I hear the steel cuffs open.

He’s being arrested. Thank you God.

A distinct voice comes from behind me. No, it can’t be. No way in hell.

James?

In an attempt to catch my breath, I turn to see him standing there in an officer’s uniform. When did he join the force? By the way the other officer was talking to him, he must’ve been in training. I’d almost rather they shoot me now and put me out of my misery, but now that James is here, he knows what Dad has done. Surely, he’ll take my side. He has to.

“Sir, are you sure you want to do this?” The other officer sounds skeptical, and I’m dragged back into the present, everything becoming clearer.

“I’m sure.” My father’s voice is gruff, filled with venom. “She attacked me. Arrest her.” My cold gaze meets his and the bastard had the nerve to smirk at me. He thinks this is a game. No way will James put handcuffs on me, he knows better. He knows everything.

“You heard him, Brice, cuff her and let’s get this over with. Our shift is almost over, I have a wife to get home to.”

As he clicks the cuffs into place, James leans a little closer and whispers, “I’m so sorry, Raegan.”

As he recites my Miranda rights and leads me to the car, I don’t even look back at Dad. James opens the car door for me to climb in. The back seat is hard, uncomfortable. I look up at him with a tear stained face.

“You don’t have to do this, James.” My voice is hoarse, pleading. “You know what he’s done! Whose side are you on?”

“This is my job, Raegan. I’m not picking any sides. You had your chance to get away.”

“I screwed up, is that what you want me to say? I screwed up by not being able to move past what I saw on your phone. Not that you care, you’ve obviously moved on. Do you love her?”

“Yeah, Raegan, I do love her.” The words hurt worse than any punch to the face ever could. “I didn’t think I could love again after you. I made some mistakes, I know that, and I’m sorry. I still love you, you know, I always will. You’re the first girl I ever loved.” James leans closer. “I don’t think he’ll press charges o

n you, so everything should be fine. I don’t think he would really do that to you.”

The door closes, and I know there’s no going back. Ever. The other officer makes his way back to the car and James hurries to get in.

“I am so sorry, Raegan, you have no idea. I wish this wasn’t happening.”

Here I was, sitting alone in the back of a police car after being arrested by my ex, lusting over a guy I pushed away, a guy who was probably done with me already. What started off as a good day turned into the worst night of my life. All my money was gone, Dad provoked me to fight him like a grown man, and my ex arrested me. Fuck.