“Right, but not before you slept with him.”
Rolling my eyes, I sighed heavily because she had me there. “My goal never was to sleep with him in the first place.”
“Uh huh, that’s right. You just tripped and accidentally fell on his dick.”
“Shut the hell up.”
Tanisha laughed as she caught the pen, I threw her way, instead of letting it knock her in the forehead like I intended.
“Don’t get mad at me because that man’s denying you the D.”
“Tanisha,” I said in warning.
“Okay, okay.” She held up her hands as if surrendering. “I needed to mess with you a little because you did bring this on yourself.”
Pushing out a breath, I admitted. “I know, I know. This wasn’t my intention at all. I wanted… I don’t know, to feel closer to the man who helped create me. All I have is this pendant and photo.”
“And your love of fighting and MMA.”
“That too,” I agreed. “I don’t know, a part of me thought getting close to Luke would bring me closer to my father. I thought I could pick up where Banks left off. Like, it would be in my DNA somehow. I didn’t expect all of the rest to happen.” I bit my lip.
“You went and fell for his ass.”
I shook my head and raised my shoulder because Tanisha had nailed it. I wasn’t ready to admit the words out loud, however. It hurt too much.
“Now, he won’t even speak to me. He hasn’t shown up to the gym since last Friday.” That was five days ago.
“He’s hiding from you.”
I frowned because it was more like Luke was avoiding me than hiding. I couldn’t help but wonder how his training was going, was he still keeping on top of his workout regimen, was he eating right, getting enough rest? Was he taking care of himself? And yeah, it was definitely more than a trainer concerned about the fighter she was training.
“He won’t answer my calls.”
“Duh.”
“Who still saysduh?”
“I do.” Tanisha shrugged. “More importantly, you should’ve known he would react this way. Wasn’t it you who told me the man already seemed skittish?”
“I regret telling you anything.” If I hadn’t, she wouldn’t be here in my face with theI told you sos.
“No, you don’t. Not really. Besides, you tell me stuff because you know I’m going to tell you the truth.”
Pushing back in my chair, I sighed heavily, and stared up at the ceiling. Tanisha was right again. One of the things I respected the most about her was her honesty in telling it like it was. Yeah, I knew Luke was the skittish type when it came to relationships or getting close to anyone. At first, I hadn’t told him Banks was my biological father because I didn’t want him to think I’d shown up looking for a handout or something. I wanted an honest shot at training Luke based on my own merit. And in the process get to learn about the man who raised me until I was four years old.
“What am I going to do, Tanisha?” I asked, not really wanting an answer. However, Tanisha being Tanisha provided one anyway.
“First, you’re going to stop sitting around here feeling sorry for yourself. Second, you’re going to go apologize to that man for lying to his face, and then beg him for the opportunity to train him again. And whatever else you want.” She twirled her hand in the air, frowning as she stood.
“I don’t beg.”
“Yeah, well, it might be time to put away your pride. How many times have you called him in the last five days?”
“Only three.”
“Right, and how many times did you pick up your phone to call only to force yourself not to?”
I curled my top lip as I snarled at her. Tanisha laughed, clapping. “See? That man, has you sprung.” She paused, laughing still. “Anyway, you obviously have feelings for him. And I know when you love you love hard.”
