TKO: Total Knock Out (TKO 1)

“Thank you, Dad. Hey, this is Howard. He’s taught me everything I know.” The two shake hands and I turn, looking for Garrett. I know he was here, I saw him. Lance steps into the ring and I stand beside Howard and my dad as we watch him beat the same guy I did. I almost told my dad I’ve fought Travis, but I wasn’t sure how he would feel about it. Better save that for a different conversation. Dad and Nancy hugged me before they headed out. A few months ago I don’t know if I could have seen this coming. It was the rainbow at the end of the storm, but the rainbow wasn’t complete yet. Not until I quit being a coward and decided to talk to Garrett.

Lance came bouncing up to me, pulling me in for a huge hug. “Drinks tonight, my treat. Garrett doesn’t come out anymore, it’s up to you to continue the legacy.” Oh damn, the last time I went out, everything went up in flames.

“I don’t want to drink tonight, but I’ll go.” He shot me a look and I knew by the end of the night I would have one drink and most likely he’d do the Dougie. Joe’s wasn’t ready for us tonight.

I went home first and changed into the sequin tank top I bought at Express that first time I saw James and Adryian together. My blue jean skirt and a dab of lip gloss later and I was ready to head out. Lance stood by the bar holding a shot in his hand. Dammit. He proposed a toast to us being “badass bitches” and we clinked our glasses together before shooting the liquid. An hour later, he’s working his skills on the women, but he doesn’t leave my side. Maybe he’s making up for that night he left me and I stupidly called James.

A few people have come up to us congratulate us on our victories tonight. Almost all of them offer to buy us a drink, but I respectfully decline. I meant every word I said when I said I wouldn’t be drinking tonight. Alcohol wouldn’t be playing any factors in my decisions this evening. All it did was make me a fool; a clear mind was what I needed, even though it seemed to resurrect memories I didn’t care to consider. Memories of Garrett, of our short-lived love. Would we ever have that again? Any guy who even thought about looking at me the wrong way got the eye from Lance, and they backed off almost immediately. That was pretty damn amusing.

I’ll be damned if he didn’t suddenly jump up and grab my arm, dragging me toward the dance floor because he wanted to Dougie. “Let’s go show them how the hell it’s done.” I stifled a laugh because I wasn’t sure he knew how it was done. Most of the time we were laughing our asses off trying to not look stupid. He had beads of sweat dripping from his hair when the song ended. Immediately after, “I love Rock n Roll” by Joan Jett came on and we looked like a bunch of rejects jumping around singing and shaking our asses.

I grabbed a chair from a table next to the dance floor and climbed on it, dancing my ass off. Lance danced behind me for a minute before trying to climb on the chair with me. We almost fell, both of us dying laughing as he grabbed another chair and placed it next to mine. The crowd was worked up, singing along with us. It was a blast. That was fun, a little too fun, because people were clapping for us when the song ended.

My face flushed a little as I hoped I didn’t look too stupid. The tone changed when “Come Over” by Kenny Chesney came on. I caught Lance’s attention before he turned to dance with some girl to let him know I would be at the bar. I pinky promised and everything. Before I could walk off, I felt someone’s arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back.

Whoever it was tried to turn me around but I hesitated; I just wanted to go stand by the bar like I told Lance I would. Slow dancing with a stranger was not on the agenda for the night. The person leaned down by my ear and just feeling their breath along my neck sent chills down my spine.

Don’t panic, Raegan.

The thought to pull away and run crosses my mind for a split second until he speaks and my whole world stops.

“I love you, Raegan.” My heart drops in my chest and every breath I had is sucked away. It’s Garrett behind me, and suddenly I’m fighting off tears in a bar full of people.

I turn around to face him. I’ve thought about this moment every day for the last two months. I’ve missed him more than he’ll ever know. I have the urge to interrupt Lance’s dance and hug him because I know this was a setup, it had to be. Garrett gazes into my eyes while he waits for me to say something. There’s so much to say I’m not sure where to start. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. I rest my head against his chest, the soft fabric of his polo adding to the comfort.

“I love you too,” I tell him. He raises my chin up, bringing our lips close together. Before I kiss him, I choke out, “I’m so sorry, Garrett. Please forgive me.”

His lips linger on mine for a moment before he just simply sways to the music with me. How did I survive without him for two months? I didn’t; I just got by. I was miserable every single day.

All we ever want in life is to be accepted and loved, but when we throw that away it’s a struggle to get it back. If this is my chance to get that back, I swear I’ll never let him go again. I glance down to notice his bright blue polo shirt is now soaked from tears I didn’t realize I was shedding. His wipes away the remaining tears as the song ends. Lance steps behind me making a ‘Raegan’ sandwich. I’m trying to groan but all I can do is laugh.

“It’s about damn time, you two were killing me! If ya’ll want to leave and go have some hanky panky time, that’s fine with me. Plenty of ladies here to keep me company.” Oh damn, it’s going to take one hell of a woman to settle this man down. God have mercy on her soul, whoever she may be.

“Want to get out of here?” I whisper in Garrett’s ear.

The crowded bar just wouldn’t do anymore; it felt like I’ve waited a lifetime for this. I’ve wondered these past two months what it would feel like when I finally let myself see him again; it feels wonderful.

The minute we step out into the night air, his lips are on mine. I moan as he works his tongue against mine, deepening our kiss. He presses me against the side of his truck, and I raise my legs up to wrap them around his waist. I felt one of my shoes fall off

and hit the gravel parking lot with a light thud. Screw it.

I moan as his hand slides under my skirt. I know he can feel just how much I want him. His groan is ragged as he slides his hand around the outside of my panties before slipping a finger or two inside, practically making me come undone. I wrap my arms around his neck, tousling his hair with my fingers.

Once he sets me back down on my feet, it takes a second to adjust to standing. I grab my shoe and put it back on before stepping in the truck. Garrett pulls me in for one more kiss before leaving the parking lot of Joe’s.

The drive isn’t awkward; it feels natural. He reaches for my hand but instead I scoot across the seat until I’m right next to him. He brings his arm up, laying it around my shoulder, as I lean into him feeling safer than I ever have before.

Chapter 35

Garrett

Lance came to me a few days ago before he mentioned Raegan was fighting tonight, trying to convince me I needed to go out with him. I haven’t been out since she needed her space. I didn’t want anyone else, not even a quick fuck in the back of the bar.

I went to her fight; I go to all of her fights. Her dad was there, so they must be making progress. He looked so proud of her. In that moment, I missed my dad. He was taken away too soon; I had many wonderful memories of him, but I’m selfish enough to admit I wanted more. I left right after her match. Making eye contact with her was a little too much for me; this was the first time she’d noticed me here. I wasn’t in my shadow and I wish I had been.

I sat in my apartment hating myself for not sticking around and trying to talk to her. Lance’s offer kept coming up to haunt me, so I walked into my room, throwing on a polo shirt and a pair of jeans. I hoped I was making the right decision.

The bar is crowded; people are dancing to that god-awful song Lance loves. A cold beer is placed in my hands and by the time the song is over, the bottle is empty. My gaze catches Lance on the dance floor. So this is why he wanted me out. Raegan is here.