Outmatched

Thinking about him getting back in the ring was alarming. I was glad he no longer fought. The idea of him taking a hit made my stomach lurch.

Uh-oh.

I shouldn’t care if he fought or not.

But I did.

Oh hell.

“You and my brother seem to be getting along.” Dean’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I jerked out of my Rhys daze and turned to his younger brother. “Huh?”

Dean grinned mischievously. “What were you staring at?”

“Nothing.” I blushed furiously and sought to distract him. “You’re working with Rhys at the gym now, right?”

“Yeah. Place is kind of a mess, but Rhys is determined to fix it.”

Something about Dean’s derisive tone annoyed me. “His dedication to the gym is admirable.”

“I know that.” Dean dipped his head toward mine. “But my brother is trying to save it because of what it meant to our dad. It shouldn’t be his burden. He would be better off walking away.”

The idea that Rhys was stuck at the gym out of loyalty to his father’s wishes was more troubling than I’d like. My fake boyfriend’s happiness shouldn’t mean anything to me. “Surely he enjoys running the gym?”

“He likes training young boxers. And he runs junior classes that help keep kids out of trouble.”

“It sounds like a worthy job to me.” I scowled at him. “Why would he be better off walking away from that?”

“Financially, he would.”

“Money isn’t everything.”

“Says the woman who has money.”

“Fair enough.” I sighed. “But there are more important things. Like caring about your community.”

Dean nudged me with his shoulder like we were old friends. “Why the fuck do you think I’m sticking around?”

“What are you guys talking about?”

Rhys’s voice drew our heads up and my eyebrows nearly hit my hairline at his dark expression.

“The gym.” Dean shrugged and then looked at Elijah. “You guys go to MIT with Parker?”

And thus began a night that went from awkward to even more awkward. The only people not affected by the epic levels of awkward were Elijah, Navin, and Dean. Eventually, Ren got over the fact that I’d kept Rhys a secret and joined the guys in their conversation.

After Bill came over with our prize, Dean talked easily with my friends. Sometimes they tried to draw Rhys and me into the conversation, but they didn’t meet with much success. They asked Rhys a little about his boxing career, but his answers were short and didn’t invite further questions. He stared around the bar, merely an arm stretch away from me, but he might as well have been on another planet.

And I didn’t like it.

I had no idea what had crawled up his well-formed ass.

“So how did you two meet?” Ren suddenly gestured to me and Rhys. “Because you’re not her usual type. And I’ve seen you on TV with your ring side ‘fans’… she’s not your usual type either. What gives?”

Rhys’s expression didn’t change. “Not sure that’s your business.”

Ren frowned at that. “Parker is my friend, so she is my business.”

Looking between them like I was watching a tennis match I became increasingly annoyed. I opened my mouth to tell them the only person who had a right to my business was me, but Rhys opened his mouth first.

“You think? Hate to burst your bubble, but the only men in Parker’s life who have a right to her business is her dad and the guy in her bed.”

“Yeah? I’ve known Park for twelve years.” Ren leaned forward. “I have more right to her business than you. I know her better than anyone. Well, except Theo.” He shrugged. “And just a heads-up, no one’s getting in there like Theo.”

Confusion and fury rooted me to my chair.

“Ren, man, not cool,” Navin practically growled.

“Yeah, think it’s time we got you home before Parker decides to beat your ass.” Elijah pushed back from the table and gave me a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, Parker.”

I shook my head, mute with anger.

“Aw, shit.” Ren rubbed a hand over his eyes. “Fuck, shit, I’m sorry.” He looked at me in horror. “One too many beers and a shitty friend am I. Sorry, Park.”

“It’s fine.” It was not fine.

“Let’s go.” Elijah nodded at Ren as he stood. He turned to Rhys. “Will you see Parker home?”

Rhys’s expression remained confusingly blank. “Of course.”

“Park, I really am sorry,” Ren said again as he stood. “You know sometimes I say shit without thinking. I’m an asshole.”

It was true that for a very smart guy, he didn’t have a filter between his brain and mouth sometimes. “It’s okay,” I said, this time meaning it.

He gave me a remorseful smile. “We’ll talk later when the memory of my assholery has faded.”

This time I did smile. “We’ll do that.”

Relieved I was no longer pissed, Ren grinned. “See you later.”

“I’ll see you guys out.” Dean stood, carrying the crate of beer that we’d won as he followed the boys out of the bar.