Sucker Punch (TKO 4)

“Oh damn. Well, keep your head up. It’ll work out.” He grins as we step onto the squishy mat.

“Where’s Garrett?” I ask him as we begin to stretch and warm up.

“He’s coming in a little later. The baby had a check-up this morning and he wanted to go with Raegan.”

“Oh, gotcha.”

We get into our stances and I watch his every move as I try to figure out what he’s going to do first. When he doesn’t throw a punch after a few moments, I decide to do first one. He blocks and retaliates but I’m ready. I throw one right back and barely graze him. He’s quick but I already knew this. His next punch catches me off guard though and I’m not able to block. I stumble backwards but keep my footing. I try to sweep him off his feet, and I’m successful, but he scrambles back up to his feet and we begin again. Next time, it’s me who ends up on the mat. If this were a real match, I’d have lost.

He helps me up and we start again. We spar until my forehead is dripping with sweat. So far I’ve managed to get a few hits in on Lance, but he’s not going easy. I’m glad he isn’t because when I get back into the ring, whoever I am up against surely will take no pity on me. I glance up at the clock hanging on the wall and wonder if Paige has taken Darla to meet her dad yet. I want to text her and ask if I can see her tonight but I’ll wait a little longer.

Chapter 27

Paige

I pull up at th

e park, noticing Brendan’s truck is here. I’m nervous and it’s showing. My palms are sweaty and my throat is dry. I turn the car off, slowly opening my door. I get ready to open Darla’s door and notice she’s looking around. I unbuckle her and she gets out of the car and runs straight to the slide. I look ahead and notice Brendan standing close to the slides and I pray he waits to approach her until I’m right there. She’s playing without a care in the world as I walk up to Brendan.

“Thanks for meeting me here,” he tells me. His gaze shifts from me to Darla.

“You’re welcome,” I whisper. Now that it’s happening, it’s still tough but seeming a little easier.

“She looks just like you,” he tells me. I just nod. I’m not sure what he wants me to say.

I watch as she plays a little more. Then she notices me and comes running over. I hold my breath as she finally stops in front of me.

“Mommy, who is this?” she asks.

I’m fumbling for the right words to say. I’ve been practicing all morning but now I’m drawing blanks.

“I’m your daddy.” Brendan steps up. Oh, I’ve never been so thankful for him to speak. I glance over towards her to see her just staring at him.

“Daddy?” Darla asks.

“Yeah, that’s me,” Brendan replies. He’s handling this all so cool.

“I nevew met you befowe,” she tells him. She’s so blunt.

“I know and I’m sorry.” I can tell he genuinely is. I mean, it’s not every day a four year old puts you in your place.

“Whewe have you been?” she asks.

I gulp, waiting to hear what he’s going to say. “Well, Daddy was not a nice man for a while so I went away. You’re too young to understand all of that right now, but I want to make things right with you and your mom.”

“You don’t look mean,” she replies.

“I’m not anymore.”

“Will you push me on the swing, Daddy?” Darla asks him with wide eyes.

Brendan smiles and tells her he’d love to. I watch as she grabs his hand and pulls him towards the row of swings a few feet away. My eyes well up with tears. This moment is more than I thought it would be. I’m all in my feelings as I grab my phone. I should take a few pictures in case this never happens again.

I snap a few photos before putting my phone back into my pocket. I walk up to them to hear Darla asking him more questions. He’s patient with her and answers all of them the best way he can. Thunder rumbles in the distance and I frown. I should have checked the weather today.

“I guess we should go before the rain comes,” I tell them.

“You guys hungry? I’ll buy lunch,” Brendan offers. I just stare at him like he’s sprouted an extra head.