Hooked (TKO 2)

“I had no clue about any of this.”

“Holy shit, dude, congratulations! Damn, I never would’ve thought this would happen to you.”

“Same here, but she’s perfect for me.”

No one deserves this more than they do. I grab my gloves and put them back on, then take a moment to focus.

I’m ready for anything to come my way, and even when Garrett swings first, I block it. We continue to go round and round until I catch him off guard and kick his feet from under him. He chuckles as he hits the ground. He usually puts up more of a fight when we spar, but he’s so freaking happy right now, I don’t blame him. He’s going to be a father.

***

My muscles ache. I haven’t sparred that hard in what seems like forever. Garrett is too giddy to keep himself focused, so I spar with Howard instead. It’s his job to make sure I stay on my toes, always alert for what my opponent may bring. By the end of the day, all I want to do is go home, take a shower, and lay down in my bed. Tomorrow it will happen all over again, but that’s just life. It’s the life I chose, the life I love.

The heat of the summer hits my face as I walk outside and I have to draw in a deep breath. I squint, trying to adjust to the bright sun still shining above. I have to blink several times to make sure I’m not dreaming when I see her standing there. I look around to make sure no one is watching, because the last thing I need is another lecture from Howard.

Hilary is standing beside my truck, her wide-eyed stare darting from place to place. I watch as she bites into her bottom lip. She looks so uncomfortable, it’s making me nervous. More importantly, I am wondering what she is doing here and how she found out where I train. She seems weary, and tears are pooled in her beautiful eyes. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

She says nothing at first, and I stand there silently wondering if it’s okay to pull her in for a hug. The idea of overstepping boundaries crosses my mind, so I don’t move.

“Lance, I have to tell you something and I want you to hear it from me.”

This doesn’t sound good. “Do you want to go talk somewhere else?” My gaze roams back to the door of Lou’s. Anyone could come walking out at any minute and the risk is too perilous.

“No, I need to do this right now or I’ll never say it. It won’t take long. “I like you, Lance. I knew I liked you that first night when everything got messed up. I should have let you apologize, but I didn’t know what to do, and then I met Travis.” The disgust on my face probably shows, no matter how hard I try to hide it. Just hearing his name pisses me off. “I know I told you last night about him, and I probably said things that weren’t your business.”

“You are my business, Hilary. At least, you used to be.”

“I thought about everything you said, and I deserve better than him. You’re right. You know me. I came here to tell you that I left Travis. I want to…to see if maybe we could…date.”

My body stiffens for a moment. “Are you sure? You’re really done with him?”

“I’m done. I mean it. I’m tired of being second best for him.”

I reach out and take her hand. She stiffens for a second before relaxing and letting it fall into mine.

“I’m glad you showed up here.”

Her face turns a shade of pink as she blushes. Her hand fits just right in mine, and I never want to let it go. The sound of the door to Lou’s closing causes my body to stiffen, and I turn quickly. When I see it’s just Whitney, I relax again. She flashes me a smile as she walks to her car.

“I’m sorry,” Hilary says. “But I wasn’t sure when I’d get to see you again.”

“Please don’t apologize. You made my day. Can I take you somewhere tonight? I’m no good at this dating stuff, but I’d like to take you out.”

Her expression of excitement dazzles me. “I’d love that. I’ll give you my parents’ address.”

We exchange phone numbers, and I type her address into my phone before it’s time to tell her goodbye. I lean in and place a soft kiss on her cheek. My lips linger on her delicate skin, the desire to kiss her lush lips crossing my mind. Baby steps, Lance.

When I break the kiss, a broad grin spreads across my face. I feel like I’m living in fairytale land, standing before my very own princess.

“See you in a few hours?”

Her eyes seem to sparkle. “Yes.”

Chapter 6

At first, I wonder what the hell I am thinking. I don’t know the first thing about dating. But Hilary is smoking hot, and she chose me over that asshole Travis. As much as I’d love to rub that shit in his face one day, right now I don’t care.

I call Garrett when I realize what I got myself into. He just laughs at me, and hands the phone to Raegan.