“It can’t be just you and me. This is not a date.”
“Done.” I’ll get enough tickets for Jase and Gabe, and they can be my wingmen. Assuming they don’t rat me out to Seth first. But then, why would they? This isn’t a date. I grin, practically gleeful. “Can’t wait. I’ll text you the details.”
“Great.” She hesitates for a moment, then adds, “Thanks. I’m not sure whether Seth would have mentioned it. He’s got this thing about not worrying me ahead of time. He thinks I’ll see what pros they are with the grappling and freak out, but honestly, that’s not my style. I need to know what I’m dealing with so I can be prepared, and with seventy-six fights under my belt, it’s not as if I don’t have a fairly good idea of what’s coming.”
This may be the most words she’s ever said to me in one go.
“You’re welcome. And can I just say how fucking awesome it is that you’ve had seventy-six fights? I might not have that many in my entire career but you have before you’re even thirty.”
She makes a dismissive sound. “Seventy-six is nothing compared to some of the fighters in Thailand. I trained with guys who had three or four hundred.”
“Whoa.” I whistle. “Okay, you’re right. You’ve got nothing on them.”
A laugh bursts from her, almost as though it’s caught her by surprise, and my heart stutters in response. “I didn’t expect you to agree with me!”
Grinning, I roll onto my side. “Shouldn’t say things if you don’t mean them.”
Still chuckling, she replies, “Yeah, okay. I guess I thought you were a shameless flirt who’d say anything. No offense.”
“Offense taken, Harls.”
“No one calls me that.” I can picture her shaking her head. “‘Harley’ is not the kind of name you shorten.”
My lips twitch. Challenge accepted. “Just watch me.”
She sighs. “I’d better go. Thanks for the invite. I’ll see you Monday.”
“Big plans for the weekend?” I ask, clutching the phone tight to my ear, not wanting her to end the call.
This time, her sigh is heavy. “Shopping for clothes. I don’t really have much that’s not activewear, seeing as I lived at a gym and all, so I’ve got a few essentials to pick up.”
“That doesn’t seem like your kind of thing.”
“It’s not, but you gotta do what you gotta do.” She doesn’t ask about my plans, and I find myself wanting to tell her. But then she speaks again. “Goodnight, Devon.”
I hold all the words I want to say inside of me. They can wait for later. Baby steps.
“Night, Harls.” I hang up, and pump my fist. I’m going to win my girl. It just might take a while.
ChapterSeven
Devon
First thing on Monday morning, I get my hands on six tickets to the Steel Angels fight night, then message Gabe and Jase in our group chat.
Devon:Got some tickets to Steel Angels. You and your girls want to come?
The perfect idea struck me this morning. Triple date. Technically, it’s just a group of friends going to an event together, but with everyone partnered off—and both Jase and Gabe unable to leave their better halves alone for more than a few minutes without wanting to bust the heads of any guys who look their way—Harley will be left with me. It’s the perfect chance to get to know her better.
Jase:We’re in. Lena is really interested in female fighters after meeting Harley.
Oh, yeah. It had slipped my mind that she spent Saturday night with Lena and Sydney. I wonder how that went. I hope they were nice to her. Knowing Sydney, I’m sure they were all that’s sweetness and rainbows. Lena’s a bit more fiery, but Sydney has a gift for making everyone feel welcome and like they belong. Gabe doesn’t reply for another half hour, by which time I’ve run five miles and am about to head to the gym.
Gabe:Random offer. Where’d you get them?
Devon:Jim Wiley. He’s one of the sponsors.
Gabe:He just happened to give them to you?
