TKO: Total Knock Out (TKO 1)

“No,” he interrupted. “You threw up and had vomit on your clothes so I took your pants off and washed them. Here, I’ll step out so you can change.”

I grab my jeans and shove them on, more embarrassed than I’ve ever been in my life. At least I didn’t go home with

some random stranger. It could’ve been worse, and how would I explain that to Garrett?

Oh my God. Garrett. He must be furious.

“James,” I yell from his room. “Where’s my phone?”

He steps into the room shirtless, damn I can’t breathe, handing me the phone. I’m scared to look at the little screen. Drawing in a deep breath, I discover numerous missed calls and text messages. Deep shit, that’s what I’m in. Howard and Whitney called, then Lance, and the bulk of the calls were from Garrett.

I cringe as I open the text messages. What in the hell was I thinking last night?

Whitney: Raegan, where are you?

Lance: Where did you go? I can’t find you…Garrett’s going to shit.

Garrett: Raegan where are you…Lance said you disappeared. Baby, I’m sorry for our fight, please call me. I’m worried about you.

Lance: Call me, Raegan.

The messages went on and on saying the same thing. Wondering where I was. I slide the phone into my pocket to keep from reminding myself of last night. The one place I want to be is probably the last place I should be, but I ask James to bring me to the gym. More like I ask him to bring me to the Starbucks across the street, so I can walk to the gym.

As I climb into James’s truck, I try to prepare myself for the backlash that’s sure to come. Garrett’s already tried to call once this morning, and I can’t bring myself to answer. Seeing him is going to hurt enough.

“Thank you for helping me,” I mumble.

“I told you we’re friends, Raegan. I will help you anytime you need it. I would ask about your Dad, but after that night, I pretty much know. You have no idea how much I’ve worried about you.” He pulls out of the parking lot at his apartment building, and I swallow my fear, still trying to prepare myself.

“You didn’t seem that worried,” I mutter. “Adryian got her claws into you.”

“Raegan.” He sighed. “I tried to call you. I tried to talk to you and you ignored me. She came up to me one day and asked me out. What was I supposed to say?”

“Please, James, I don’t want to hear this.” My stomach turned as I thought of how I’d lost him. Staring out the window is the only thing that helps release me from this personal hell I’m reliving. “Does she live with you?”

Wrong question.

“She does.”

“Oh.” Every breath in my body was just sucked out of me. Saved by the Starbucks, we pull in, and I glance across the street to see everyone’s cars in the usual spots. Panic washes over me as I put on my best smile and look once more at the man who once held my heart. “Thank you, James. I’m sorry about last night, really. I can’t apologize enough. I’m sorry I opened my mouth about what I saw, that wasn’t my business.”

“Stop.” He chuckled. “It’s okay, Raegan, I promise. Everything’s okay. It was good to see you.”

I nod my head as I step out the truck and watch him drive away. Once the road looks clear, I make my way across the street.

My feet move fast but slow at the same time. This torture has to end. Although in my drunken state I called James, all I can think about now is how much I love Garrett. My life is a swirling ring of chaos and with any luck, Garrett may forgive me for my Houdini act last night. If I had slept with James, I would have never been able to forgive myself.

Slowly I tug open the door to Lou’s, and draw in a deep breath as I step inside. All gazes are on me as I walk inside, and here in this moment I want nothing more to break out into ugly sobs as Garrett locks eyes with me.

Chapter 33

Garrett

After drinking a whole pot of coffee this morning, I drove to Lou’s to train.

“Is she here?” I ask as soon as I step through the door.

“Not yet. You still haven’t heard from her?” Howard inquires. Dammit. Forget mad, now I’m just plain worried about her.