I tapped my fingers on the granite of the kitchen’s island, that energy of frustration beginning to pulse through my veins. There was only one thing that helped this feeling when I couldn’t take on therealissue. And at that moment, I couldn’t drag Kayla back from her parents’ house so that we could sort out what was going on between the two of us. That left me with one choice.
I thought about making a sandwich before heading out but was too keyed up for food. Within fifteen minutes I’d changed and was out, speeding down the highway in my Lotus, my duffle bag full of my fighting gear accompanying me in the passenger seat. It wasn’t too late and I figured I could get in a fight or two before I called it quits and carried my ass back home.
“Came to see me fight?”
I blinked, shocked to see an excited Mark grinning up at me. I’d forgotten that night was the night I told him to come down to the gym to get in a round. Good thing Connor was still out of town.
“Wanted to see if you’d lost your edge or not.”
“I’ve always got my edge. Maybe once I’m done with this guy, I can give you a run for your money.”
Grinning, I peeked over at the ring in the center of the dark room. A guy was already in the ring, dancing around, shadowboxing.
“He looks tough.” I lowered my gaze to Mark.
He turned his head, looking over his shoulder. “Think so?” He didn’t sound worried.
“Aaron will try to kick my ass if his head assistant has to take time off to recover from a fight.”
Mark gave me a cocky smirk, reminding me of his brother. “Afraid of your big brother?”
I snorted. “I said he’dtryto kick my ass. Not succeed.”
“I don’t know, that brother of yours seems to have some tension he could let out down here,” Mark suggested.
I looked Mark dead in his eyes. “Aaron’s been in much darker rooms than this. He has a better outlet for his tension now.”
“Which is?”
Love.
The word came instantly to mind. Despite appearances, Aaron now had a calmness about him that he hadn’t had before marrying.
“Patience,” Mark answered his own question.
I gave a one shoulder shrug. “Anyway, let’s see what you’ve got.”
I held out my fist, to which Mark fist bumped it. I watched as he turned himself around in his chair and rolled toward the ring. I followed behind, nodding at the ten or so guys I knew. Reaching the front of the audience, I stood with my arms folded, ready to watch Mark do his thing. I saw the expression of surprise on the other guy’s face when he realized Mark was going to be his opponent.
“You’re shitting me, right?” the guy asked, holding up his hands, looking around until his eyes landed on me.
“What’s the problem?” I lifted a brow.
“The fuck is this?”
“The fuck does it look like?” I snapped back, not liking his tone.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take it easy on you,” Mark replied, intervening. “Let’s go. I don’t have all damn night.”
I chuckled under my breath. This guy had no idea what he was in for.
“Whatever.” He shrugged. “It’s your funeral.”
“I’m not even going to remove my T-shirt for this one,” Mark snarked.
“Less talking and more fighting, ladies!” I called out, ready to get this show on the road. As much as I wanted to see Mark kick this guy’s ass, I was more ready to get in the ring myself. I hadn’t come down to the gym to watch fights. I came to get into one. The stress of the work trip I’d just returned from along with going home to an empty house had filled my veins with stress that was best let out by wailing on someone or something.
“You heard the man, boys! Let’s go!” Buddy called out from the side of the ring. He was still very much a trainer in the gym, but he loved the underground fights just as much as Connor and I.
