Knockout (Tapped Out 4)

I nearly choked. Intentions? What was this, the nineteenth century? Not to mention, JC was my friend. As far as my father knew, he was only my friend. I didn’t get why he was pursuing this line of questioning.

“JC, you don’t have to—”

“I’m in love with her and would like your permission to date her.” Hand still extended, JC shifted his focus to me. “If that works for her.”

For the second time in as many minutes, my voice failed me. Was he serious?

“I’m serious,” he added when no one spoke. “I’d like to be with you, Lily.”

In my panicked brain, one thought kept circling. You’ve already been with me. I cupped a hand over my mouth to hold back my hysterical laughter as I realized both men were staring at me.

Waiting for my answer.

But God, I had so many questions. Did JC mean just me? Or did he mean Emerson too? I didn’t even know what that would look like, relationship-wise. It seemed like a setup rife for trouble. Even so, I couldn’t just be with JC and not Emerson.

Not when I was in love with both of them.

I squared my shoulders, that realization taking hold. It wasn’t just love between friends any longer. It might have changed before we’d been intimate or maybe after, but I’d stopped feeling platonic toward them and I needed to face that, not run because my daddy had issues.

“Lily?” my dad prompted.

“I’m in love with him too,” I whispered, gripping my purse tightly so it didn’t drop to the floor. My limbs had turned to water.

JC’s face softened and he moved forward to take my elbows. “Really?”

I nodded and held his gaze for a long moment while my pulse thudded in my ears. Then my gaze shifted to my dad.

Though he wasn’t smiling, he also wasn’t frowning. He finally held out his hand to JC. “Nice to meet you.”

JC’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he pumped my father’s hand. “Same here, sir.”

“Have a good time tonight.” He shot me a pointed look. “Not too late, okay? Boyfriend or not, you’ll still abide by my rules while you’re living in this house.”

Grinning, I rushed forward and leaned up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “We won’t be too late, Daddy. Promise.”

He grunted and disappeared into the living room.

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at JC. “Ready?”

He let out a long breath of his own and nodded at my rose. “Shouldn’t you stick that in water?”

“I have another idea.” I pulled my snips from my purse—I always carried a pair—and nipped off part of the stem, then twisted the rose into my updo. “Does it look stupid?” I shifted toward the mirror to try to see the back of my hair.

JC cupped my shoulders and kissed my cheek. “It looks perfect. Just like you.”

I smiled. I wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but I felt like it right now. “Ready?”

“Oh, yeah.” He opened the door and ushered me out. “Time to party.”

Ten

Nothing beat the vibe of fight night.

I hadn’t been to many, just a few to cheer on Emerson, but man, the electricity in the air was unmatched. Add that to my girl’s energy as she waited for the fight to begin, and I figured we were in for one heck of a night.

Rap music blasted through the old warehouse where tonight’s match was being held, and the crowd surged forward with anticipation at the sight of Kim, the ring card girl. She held up the card announcing the first match, Emerson vs. Victor Lubino. In front of me, Lily had her hands clasped to her mouth as if she was praying.

“Hey, you okay?” I asked close to her ear.