Stryker

“I thought I saw…it doesn’t matter. Just get me out of here.”

Carter paused, knowing that there was something wrong, but didn’t press me. “Okay, let’s go.”

I followed him from the arena, reeling from the sight of my father. From the brief glance I had of him, he looked the same, just older and with a trimmed beard.

Ignoring Coach, I followed Carter into the locker room and, as soon as the door closed behind us, I held my gloved hands out.

Without asking any questions, Carter watched me closely while he removed the gloves, tossing them to the floor…and waited.

Unsettled, I dropped my ass to the bench and dipped my head. I squeezed my eyes closed not knowing how to handle seeing him. Even though I always looked for him, I’d given up hope that I’d ever see him again and the shock still rocked through me.

“My father,” I whispered so quietly that I wasn’t sure Carter heard me.

“I take it he doesn’t usually show up at your fights?” Carter sat next to me and, for once, I felt like I had a real friend. Someone who wouldn’t betray me to the boss.

“No…I haven’t seen him in ten years.” I shook my head. “I’m glad I didn’t spot him until the end because the sight of him knocked me on my ass.”

Other than shock I still didn’t know how I felt. I thought when I’d see him again that I’d feel anger, but that hadn’t even appeared. Instead, wave after wave of shock hit me in the gut.

“I think—”

Coach slamming into the locker room cut off Carter words. “Stupid fuckers,” he mumbled, as he came to stand in front of us.

We both looked up as Coach glanced between the two of us. “We’re leaving straight from here.” He held up a wrinkled hand when I opened my mouth to question him. “Don’t ask questions because I don’t have the answers. They said we’re to head straight back and that’s what we have to do. Bags are already in the car from the rooms…fuckers.” Coach stomped off as quickly as he’d appeared.

I groaned. “Fuck! I left the cell above the ceiling tiles in the bathroom.”

“I’m curious as to why we’re clearing out instead of staying the night.” Carter frowned. “Don’t you think it’s strange?”

I sighed heavily, grabbed my shower stuff, and turned to face Carter. “Nothing surprises me anymore.”

In the shower, I stripped and let the heat of the water pound down over my aching body.

Jaws had b

een a good opponent and we’d gone more rounds than some of my more recent fights. He’d gotten some good kicks and punches in before I’d taken him down.

Even though it had only been a warm up fight for when I faced Lethal Black, Jaws had made me work for tonight’s win, which filled me with respect for the other fighter.

Now that it was all over and I felt the adrenalin gradually start to leave me, all I wanted was Evie. I couldn’t even call her now that my cell was lost to me.

Evie

I’D WORRIED ABOUT STRYKER all night. I’d tried calling him on the number that he’d called from, numerous times, and nothing. It was like he’d just up and disappeared. My agitation over not being able to get hold of him was showing with my temper. I’d been short with my parents at breakfast and had decided it was best to keep my mouth shut than open.

Patrick had disappeared for most of yesterday and had only shown up at the cocktail party last night, briefly. Now the asshole had gone back to the city so his ‘later’ hadn’t happened.

One more day, and if he hadn’t let me have my say by then, he’d find out over the phone, or in the newspaper, that our wedding wasn’t going ahead. There was certainly no love lost between us, something that I’m sure my father already suspected.

My father had always let my mother follow her own direction with me. He was good though because he’d suggest things and eventually my mother would go along with his suggestion, and think it was her own idea. It had been like that for years, and now my dad had been hinting that he wanted to talk to me privately. I was afraid he’d see straight though me, but with the wedding a week away, I knew I had to tell them the truth. I couldn’t leave it one more day, like I’d planned with Patrick.

The garden room that I currently hid inside was like a greenhouse, or even a sauna when the rays of the sun pierced through the glass. It was also where I was guaranteed some peace and quiet. It was always my sanctuary when I was at home. Just perfect.

My iPad was in my lap, as I bumped my cell phone against my chin in pure agitation at not knowing how Stryker was. Did he win the fight? Was he left in pain? Was he being cared for? It drove me crazy not having any of the answers.

I’d asked Patrick about the fight, but he’d been evasive. It had felt like he’d patted the little woman on the head.

Grinding my teeth, I held both my iPad and cell as I moved out of the room to find my parents who I knew would be drinking coffee in the kitchen.