Kieran palmed the back of his neck. “I guess I’m still a little riled by what happened with her ex. This gym is my second home. It’s a safe place, and the moment that jackass lured her out of it, it wasn’t anymore. Lily—our staff deserves better.” He cleared his throat, hoping Neal didn’t catch what he’d almost said. “I think we should look into getting turnstiles installedand a membership card scanner to slow down access to the lobby desk.”
Neal regarded him with hooded eyes before setting down his water bottle. “We’ll have to look at the budget, but I think that’d be good for future security and tracking membership data. You have good ideas, Sullivan.” He shifted on the bench until he faced Kieran. “Barring your reluctance to hire a social media manager, you’ve been a major asset to this gym since you agreed to coach our team so I could focus on operations. I don’t think I could have kept South Side MMA open this long without you.”
Suspicion crawled up Kieran’s back, straightening it. Why was Neal talking like that about the gym? Like he wouldn’t be able to keep it open much longer. “This place gave me purpose, Neal. You gave me purpose. Of course, I’d help you with whatever you need.” Kieran ducked his head and leaned in closer. Worry gnawed at his gut. “Is Patricia alright?”
The older man smiled and patted Kieran’s shoulder again. “Patricia’s fine. I’m just getting old, son. I’d like to save some of my energy for my grandkids, and I can’t do that if I’m keeping this place going.” He snorted at the look of horror crossing Kieran’s face. “Now, don’t you go getting your hackles up. I’m not shutting us down. I’m going to need at least some income to keep spoiling my grandbabies.”
“What does that mean for me?” A new owner? A new owner would want to change everything, and they were more likely to sell out if they ever got a look at all the shit Kieran had been fixing over the years.
“I want you to take over as owner, so long as I get a cut of the gym’s future earnings.”
All the sounds in the gym—the metallic clang of weights, the pound of treadmills, the grunts of lifters—faded. Kieranlifted his head. He searched Neal’s face for a hint of humor, but there was only understanding and…pride?
“It wouldn’t happen until after the tournament. Gives me about a month to teach you how to run the books. Go over administrative tasks you haven’t had to worry about. Get your name set up on the accounts and on the paperwork.” Neal leaned back, a smile on his shiny face. “The dinner prior to the tournament isn’t just for schmoozing and getting the attendees to bet on you. It’s also a chance for us to get some investors. Money to revitalize this gym so it can continue to compete with other gyms in Chicagoland. It could be a livelihood for you, Kieran.” He knocked his fist against Kieran’s shoulder. “You have the talent. This gym could be your legacy.”
Kieran blew out a slow breath. That…was a lot to take in. Him? Owning South Side MMA? Would he even have time to run the self-defense classes or coach? Maybe he wouldn’t have to, and he’d have more time to be there for Danny. He loved his classes and coaching, but it wasn’t easy balancing Danny with tournaments. He’d be in charge of South Side MMA, though. Would Seb stick around, or would it be too weird? And Lily…
Kieran’s stomach dropped. He’d be Lily’s boss. That was a line he couldn’t cross. The power imbalance would bewrong. His heart thundered against his chest. But leaving Lily? That wasn’t an option. And neither was asking her to consider leaving the job she’d put so much work into.
And Neal—Neal wanted to leave his business to him, a dumb kid who’d barely scraped by in high school. “Why me? Why not give the gym to one of your daughters or save it for Trey?”
“My daughters want college for their kids, and I don’t blame them. You’re my only child who ever took an interest, Kieran.”
An emotion he couldn’t identify swelled in his chest, creating fissures that threatened to burst. He clenched his jaw with so much force it was likely to crack. Shame forced hisgaze downward. If Neal knew even half the things he’d done… “I’m not—”
Neal tightened his grip on Kieran’s shoulder. “If you say you’re not my boy, just know Patricia will come down here herself and smack some sense into you.”
Heat flared in Kieran’s cheeks, and he nodded. He couldn’t deny it, not when they’d taken him in after his parents kicked him out. Patricia had kept him fed and clothed, all the while vowing she’d burn Brennan and Charlotte Sullivan alive if they ever came sniffing around her door. She was a terrifying woman, but she was a loving one.
“You don’t have to answer right now.” Neal clambered to his feet and gave Kieran a hand up. “But I want you to think long and hard about what you want, and know that I believe in you.” He smiled as he picked up a strike pad for their next round of spinning back kick drills.
Kieran strapped his gloves back on, hope and dread sparring in his chest. Neal trusted him—believed in him. He didn’t deserve any of it.
ChapterTwenty-Three
Lily was underdressed. Perhaps that was to be expected in a boutique called To the Nines located on the fourth floor of a set of condos repurposed into trendy shops. North of the Loop and a handful of blocks from the lake, this place’s monthly rent was probably more than she made in a year.
With a glass of complimentary champagne in one hand, she meandered past the windows, filming extra footage of the view as well as of the shop. Specializing in bridal and black-tie events, the boutique was set in a dazzling white and diamond theme. Plush, white settees gathered around each fitting room. Rows of dresses from sparkling to slinky lined the racks, and employees bustled about in everything from pencil skirts with bow-tie blouses to smart pantsuits.
Even the other clientele were in designer jeans or classy work attire.
And there she was, in a white sundress and flip-flops with her bikini underneath, because Kieran had promised to take her to North Avenue Beach after a quick pit stop to pick up his tuxedo.
Twenty minutes later, they hadn’t left yet, because a far-too-affectionate associate had insisted Kieran try on his tux for a final fitting, even though it had been ordered and made to his measurements.
Lily tipped back her glass and downed the drink.
The pretty blonde didn’t really need to span her hands across Kieran’s chest just to describe how the waistcoat should fit, right?
Jealousy wasn’t a common companion of Lily’s, but after a week of imprisonment inside her own mind, positivity was difficult.
Hence the beach trip.
The now-delayed beach trip.
With a sigh, she abandoned her circuit outside of Kieran’s fitting room in favor of walking the aisles of exquisite dresses. Nat had given her a silky, midnight-blue dress to borrow for the charity dinner. As gorgeous as its simple beauty was, these dresses put it to shame.
Voguesaid sequins were in, which showed in the shimmer of these dresses. She didn’t dare touch them—heaven forbid she leave any oils from her hands on the soft fabric—but she slowed, marveling over a gorgeous wine-red dress. With a slit snaking to the upper thigh, the scallop-edged dress was delicate yet daring. The neckline dove between the breasts, exposing even the top of the abdomen. A nude mesh panel kept the tension in the bust, and the straps were cut to show off the whole of the wearer’s collarbone. The fabric mixed lace and sequins in a slinky, body-hugging silhouette. If she wore it, she’d never want to take it off.
