Sucker Punch (TKO 4)

I notice Raegan in the kitchen putting a few finishing touches on the meal. Hilary is beside her holding Tyler. He looks just like Lance, but I’ll never give him a big head by telling him that. “Do you need help with anything?”

“Hey Austin, I’m glad you could make it.” She stops what she’s doing and comes to give me a hug. Hilary files in line right behind her to do the same. They both begin asking how I’m doing and insist I don’t need to help with anything.

“So Austin, who is this girl you ran into the other night?” Hilary is trying to bring up Paige, except she doesn’t know her name, and I laugh as I tell her the story. Lance must have been pretty damn excited for me that night to go home and tell her about it.

Raegan gets this look on her face like she wants to make it her life’s mission to give me a happily ever after. “What is it, Raegan?” I chuckle.

“Oh nothing,” she grumbles. “I’m not allowed to meddle in other people’s lives.”

“Meddle?”

“Yeah, ask Garrett. Apparently I’ve overstepped my boundaries. I just want people to be happy, though,” she tells me.

“Nothing wrong with that.”

Hilary begins to laugh. “Austin, have you ever heard the story about how Lance and I got together?”

“Kinda sorta,” I say, and I listen to her story about how Raegan did her so-called meddling.

“Are y’all turning my man Austin here into a housewife?” Lance yells as he walks into the kitchen. “Want a beer?” he offers me.

“Sure, thanks,” I reply as he hands me a can. I stare at the can, wondering if I can set it on the counter and open it without it falling over.

“Do you need some help?” Raegan asks me sweetly. I get her concern and I appreciate it but I need to prove to myself I can do this.

“No thanks, I can do it,” I assure her as I set the can on the counter and pray while I pull the tab. The can stays still and opens perfectly. I let out a sigh of relief as I bring it to my lips.

Raegan announces we will be eating soon and grabs a set of plates out of the cabinet. “Whoa, look at Raegan breaking out the fine china. We eating good tonight!” Lance says as he skips back into the kitchen.

“Babe, give him a paper plate,” Garrett tells her. I almost spit out my sip of beer from laughing. These guys are hilarious.

One by one we begin to fix our plates. I have to set my plate down each time I dip a spoon into a dish, but I refuse any help offered. I’ve got to learn for myself and I’m not doing too bad. I manage to fix my plate without dropping it or any food. I’m damn proud of myself.

We all sit around the kitchen table and eat. Garrett says Howard and Whitney were supposed to come but she had been sick all day.

It’s been so long since I’ve had such a good home-cooked meal. Ruston can cook and I can do a little but this roast, my gosh, it’s melting in my mouth.

I clean my plate and sit back, letting my stomach settle. I’m full and if I try to move, I may just fall out of the chair. We all sit around the table talking after everyone finishes eating and I insist Raegan let me help load her dishwasher. When I hear Lance start

singing to the kids again, I refuse to take no for an answer. Even Garrett jumps in on the action.

“I know Lance asked about the training, but I’m jumping into that conversation late,” Raegan begins. “Garrett says you’re doing well. I miss the ring. I’ve thought about starting up again.”

Garrett stops and looks at her. I have a feeling she just struck a nerve. “Raegan, we’ve talked about this.”

“I know.” She rolls her eyes. “You don’t want me back in the ring.”

“Make me the bad guy, why don’t you?” he mutters.

“Easy, guys,” I chuckle. They both look at me and the tension eases. “Raegan, it’s really going well. Howard says with more practice I may be able to fight again.”

“That’s awesome! You’re such an inspiration,” she tells me.

“I don’t know about an inspiration, but I just am out to prove I can do it. I refuse to let having lost my arm in the accident hold me back. I finally found something I love and I’m not ready to give it up.”

“You should see him, Rae, you need to come by Lou’s tomorrow and check him out.”

“For sure. I haven’t been in a while. I understand what it’s like to be inside there. It’s the best feeling in the world.” She smiles. I can really tell she misses it. I heard before she was pretty badass. I wish I could have seen her fight.