One Choice (Hogan Brothers 2)

“Honey?” Her mom, bless her heart, was a nosey busybody.

“I’m fine, Mom.” That seemed to be her standard response, and if the look on her mother’s face were any indication, she’d figured out it was code for back off.

“I want you happy again, Hayes.”

Turning on her side, her back to her parent, she watched the tree outside her window billow in the wind.

“I miss your laughter.”

Her eyes misted.

“The way you used to storm through the house with those clunky sneakers on, teasing us about one thing or another.”

A tear rolled lazily down her cheek.

“I miss you, Hayes.” Her mother’s words were fraught with emotion.

More sentiment than she wanted to feel.

“I miss Ryder.” God did she ever. “I miss running.”

“I know you do, honey. We all do.” Even though she could feel the tears in the older woman’s voice, she was still doing the mom thing: the comforting, the loving.

Hayes didn’t need it, nor did she want it.

“I miss having hopes and dreams.” Her words came out bitter. Angry. Accusatory. She had no one to nearby to accuse, though, no blame to place on anyone but the idiots who hit her. And herself for going out for a run on a road she’d known better than to have been on alone, especially in the dark.

“I’m sorry, Hayes.” The whisper followed by the click of her door closing felt so final. As if they were giving up on her. The bitterness eating inside of her said she didn’t need them.

Her heart screamed she couldn’t blame them.

Hayes had been nothing but angry and irrational since it all happened. She used to be someone who volunteered with local youth groups tutoring younger kids. She was a functioning member of society. Now, she was nothing but a rage-filled hormonal teenager.

She hated herself so much for twisting the knife in her mother’s back before basically kicking her to the curb.

Chapter Five

You were my hardest goodbye.

Leaving Hayes, walking out her front door, it was the hardest thing Levi had ever done. There was so much more to that girl than he’d have ever thought. She was a contradiction tossed in anger and wrapped in sadness. She carried more pain than he should even consider getting involved with; regardless, he couldn’t help himself. Even with Casper screaming in his ear at the gym, he couldn’t shake her from his mind.

“Levi!” Casp called.

“What? Why the fuck are you yelling?” he growled back.

“Because your head’s not in the fucking game. Get it there, or you’re gonna get your ass kicked, boy.”

“Whatever.” He ignored the stout man, continuing to hit the fist bag above him. He could beat a man’s ass to the ground and still think of his girl.

“You let this chick take over your mind, and you won’t be the next hot thing,” Casper grumbled beside him.

He’s right. Levi knew he was. Doesn’t mean he didn’t want to deck the man for insinuating she’s a distraction.

“Hey, Knuckles!” Looking over to the other side of the gym, he spotted Cam, one of the guys he frequently sparred with. “Wanna hop in the ring?”

“Bad idea,” Casp whispered from his side.

Scowling at the man, he told Cam, “You bet!”