Rolling onto my side, I study him. He’s relaxed in sleep and looks vulnerable—not a word I’d ever have associated with him. His nose is in perfect proportion to the rest of his face, and his lashes are long and dark, sweeping over his cheekbones. He sighs, breath easing between his parted lips. Could he and I work long-term?
I consider the question from every angle. Our lifestyles are certainly compatible. We both live to train. I’d previously believed him to be too much of a party animal for me but except for the Steel Angels event, I haven’t seen him in any tabloids or heard him mention any parties since we met. He definitely hasn’t been living it up over the past week because all of his free time has been spent with me.
Today, I have to tell Seth about us. I’m dreading it. I’m afraid he’ll see it as a double betrayal, because while I’m his sister by blood, he considers the guys he coaches to be family too. How will he feel when he discovers that Devon and I have been lying to him? Worse, what will it do to me if I lose him?
Ugh. I need to work off my anxious energy or hit something.
Dragging myself out of bed, I dress in a pair of shorts and a tank top, lace up my runners, let myself out of the apartment, and hit the pavement. Five miles later, my thoughts aren’t any clearer. Devon and I eat breakfast together, then I head to the gym while he does his cardio. It’s still early and the building is locked, so I use the key Seth had cut for me and spend fifteen minutes taking out my confusion on a punching bag before Seth turns up. The sight of his square-jawed face and familiar blue-green eyes sets off another episode of guilt.
“Morning,” he calls as he kicks off his shoes and wanders across the mats. “What’d the bag do to you?”
“Pissed me off.” I pause, hands on hips as I catch my breath, watching him watch me and wondering what he sees.
“Take you through some pads soon?” he asks, then cocks his head. “No music and no timer? You must really want to kill someone.”
“Something like that.”
He heads over to where his gear sits alongside the ring and slips a thigh pad over each leg, a belly pad around his middle, and a Thai pad on one arm. He sets up the timer for five-minute rounds and grabs the other Thai pad. I shake my arms to loosen them as I cross to join him. He holds up a pad.
“Jab.”
I jab.
“Hook.”
I comply.
“Cross, hook, leg kick.”
I do the combo, ending with the thud of my shin into the thigh pad. He continues calling out moves but other than that, we train in silence. Then, in the break between rounds, he sighs and rubs a hand over his reddish-blonde buzz cut.
“So, you’ve met someone, huh?”
My lungs seize. “What do you mean?”
He exhales, his chest heaving as if he wants to have this conversation as little as I do, and his lips twist wryly. “I’m not an idiot. You’ve hardly been home, and I doubt you’ve been spending all of your free time with an old friend. Avoiding me doesn’t stop me from wondering where you are. But I figure you’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
He’s given me a perfect opportunity to come clean. To tell him everything. Yet I can’t help but think of the way his gaze will shutter when I confess to shacking up with one of his fighters. He was basically my dad growing up, and his expression tells me it hurts him that I’m not being open.
I owe him the truth.
I suck in a breath and gather my courage. I can do this.
“It’s Devon.” My mouth is dry as dust.Woman-up, Isles.“I’m dating Devon.”
For a moment, his eyes narrow, but then he laughs. “Good one, Harley. You had me going.”
“I’m not kidding.” My heart is about ready to bust out of my chest. “We’re together.”
“You’re serious?” he demands. “You’ve been seeing one of my fighters behind my back?”
The ground falls away beneath my feet. I can’t unsee the betrayal and pain etched on his face. He gave me a home and a fresh start, and I hurt him in return.
“Seth…” I reach for him and he jerks away. “It just happened. We have feelings for each other, and you can’t turn those off. I’m sorry for breaking my promise, but we’re good together and if you give us a chance, you’ll see that.”
His arms fall to his sides, and his eyes are wide with disbelief. “There are lots of decent guys around. Why did you have to go for someone at the gym?”
“Because I care for him.” My voice is strong despite the guilt that pierces my heart. He has every right to be unhappy, but I won’t deny my feelings. Devon deserves better than that.
