The Fighting Series (Books 1-5)

by Nikki Ash

  Seven

  Bentley

  Present Day

  Everybody is staring in silence, Sophia looks like she’s about to kill someone and is muttering a string of curse words, and Kayla still hasn’t answered my question.

  I completely ignore Sophia and ask again. “Is the baby mine?”

  I can feel Sophia start to shake and know she’s about to explode, so I turn to her and put my hand over her mouth. “Shh… I’m asking Kayla a question. Give me a damn minute.” I know it’s wrong to lose my patience with her, but I’m a little more concerned with the fact that the woman I was with a few months ago with no protection is standing in her doorway pregnant. I’ll deal with Sophia’s temper tantrum later.

  I turn back to Kayla to ask her for a third time, when she answers. “Yes, I’m pregnant, and yes, you are the father.” Liz gasps in the background, but nobody says anything.

  “Cooper and I have decided to get married June twentieth. That’s why we’re here. When you wouldn’t join us in Miami, we decided to come to you.” Leave it to Liz to break the tension.

  “Are you serious right now?” Sophia hisses. She’s obviously not about to let this go.

  “Soph, chill out.”

  “No! Are we all just going to stand here and act like this skank didn’t just tell you she’s pregnant with your kid when you’ve been with me the last three months? Who gives a shit about when those two are getting married?”

  “I don’t know who you think you’re calling a skank, but I’ll knock your ass out if you call me a skank again, and Cooper and Liz getting married is a big deal. So don’t ever talk negatively about my best friend again. You need to get the hell off my property.” Kayla is fuming and I need to speak to her alone. Nothing is going to get accomplished with Kayla and Sophia anywhere near each other.

  I give Liz a please help me look and thankfully she gets it.

  “I understand this is a shock to everyone, so I’m going to ignore your comment about my wedding. Why don’t we all go to the car and give Bentley and Kayla a minute?” She puts her hand on Sophia’s back, but she moves out of the way.

  “It’s probably not even your kid, Bentley. You need to get a paternity test. All she wants you for is your money.”

  Kayla growls, and I quickly attempt to diffuse the situation before Kayla kicks Sophia’s ass.

  “Soph, please just go with Liz and everyone. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  She huffs and stomps away with everyone except Caleb. He stays staring at Kayla for a second and she walks up to him and gives him a hug. I know they became close while she was living with us, but I hate that he gets to hug her and I can’t.

  “Congratulations on your contract with the UFC and on your amazing win,” Kayla says.

  “Thank you. Congratulations on your baby,” Caleb says while continuing to hug her. I never see him touch women let alone hug them.

  Kayla pulls away and wipes a tear that’s falling down her cheek. “Thank you. You know, you better get prepared because you’ll be this baby’s Godfather.”

  If I’m not mistaken, I see tears pool in Caleb’s eyes as well, but he just nods his head and walks back to the car.

  “Wow, after the baby is born it looks like you’ll have two children.” Kayla smirks, her eyes lighting up with silent laughter as she refers to Sophia as my child. This is her defense mechanism. I’ve seen it a hundred times and decide to ignore her comment.

  I move closer to her without even thinking about it. When she’s near me, it’s like we’re two magnets and I can’t help but gravitate toward her.

  She swallows hard at my closeness as she tries to look away. I put my thumb and forefinger on her chin and turn her face toward mine. I look into her eyes and see a mixture of emotions. Fear and nervousness, mixed with a little bit of sadness, but my strong girl doesn’t let those cling to her for long. Her final emotion is anger. It’s her go-to emotion. It’s what keeps her strong. If I want answers, I’m going to have to handle her with care.

  “When are you due?”

  “End of July.”

  “I thought you were on birth control.” It doesn’t make sense how this happened.

  “Yeah, I was. But then Liz decided not to get her shot and she always scheduled the appointments for us to go together, so I forgot to go, and then when I went to go, they said I was pregnant. I’m sorry.”

  “Were you going to tell me?” I keep my tone neutral, not letting my frustration show.

  “The baby isn’t due for several months. We can figure out visitation once the baby comes. I plan to breastfeed so it will be awhile until you can take the baby anyway. I wasn’t keeping the baby from you. I just figured until she comes I wouldn’t bother you.”

  She’s rambling on, so I know she’s nervous. Her face is close to mine, but her eyes are darting everywhere but at me. I turn my face a little to catch her eyes and lock them in place.

  “Kayla, you could never bother me. Do you really think I would be okay not knowing about the baby until after she’s born?”

  “No, I just needed time to figure it out. I went to…” And before she can finish, I hear Sophia coming up the walkway talking some more shit.

  “Bentley, I hope you aren’t believing a word she’s saying. She’s conning you. Why can’t you see that?” She turns to Kayla. “Once you have a paternity test then we can talk about all this.”

  She grabs my hand to go, and before I can shake her off me, Kayla glares and slams the door in our faces.

  “What the fuck?” I stare at Sophia, shocked at the person I’m seeing. I know this must be a shock to her as well, but I don’t get why she’s acting so nasty toward Kayla.

  The plane ride home is long. Sophia is cuddled into my lap, and even though I’m seriously pissed at the way she acted, I don’t bother to push her away. Liz keeps shooting glances my way and I keep looking elsewhere. I know she wants answers, but the truth is I have more questions than answers at this point. All I can think about is that Kayla is carrying my baby. I know Sophia thinks I should get a paternity test, but I know deep down this baby is mine. Kayla isn’t like that. She wouldn’t say a baby is mine if it wasn’t.

  I just don’t understand why she would move to Florida to be with her parents instead of staying in Vegas with Liz. Her parents are not the nurturing kind and, while I’m sure they would support her, Kayla is independent. She doesn’t need anyone. Well, actually, she does, but she would never admit that. Why would she think it’s okay to hide a pregnancy from me until the baby is here? I get I can’t do anything about it while the baby is in her belly, but I still deserved to know. The more I think, the madder I get. I have a feeling Kayla ran from Vegas to get away from me.

  One thing is for sure is when I get off this plane, I’ll be giving Kayla a call so we can talk.

  Eight

  Kayla

  Holy shit! My heart is still beating a million miles an hour and it’s been hours since everybody left. I was not expecting nor was I prepared for any of this. When Bentley stood inches away from me and touched my chin, I almost lost it. It felt so good to be touched by someone, especially him. I almost gave in. I almost admitted that I wanted to tell him but chickened out when I saw him with Sophia that day at the bar. I know it’s my fault. I had my chance, but this just proves my mom’s theory. One shouldn’t base decisions off love. Both times I went to tell Bentley about the baby, Sophia was there and I didn’t want to mess things up for Bentley. I might not be able to stand her, but I can’t blame her for being pissed. She got into a relationship thinking it was just Bentley and her, only to find out it’s her and Bentley plus baby and baby mama.

  After I finish making my sandwich—I have now changed my mind to bananas and mayo—don’t knock it until you’ve tried it—I go back to lying by the pool under the umbrella. I must fall asleep because I wake up to my phone ringing. The caller ID says it’s Liz and I internally groan.

  Might as well get this over with.

 
“Hello.”

  “Hello? That’s what you have to say all nonchalantly like I didn’t just find out a few hours ago that my best fucking friend is pregnant!”

  “I’m sorry?” I say it like a question because I’m not sure what to say.

  “Sorry?” I hear Liz’s voice break and I know she’s about to start crying.

  “I’m sorry, Liz. I didn’t know what to do, so I ran. I couldn’t tell you because I couldn’t ask you to keep that secret from Cooper.”

  “How far along are you?”

  “I’m due July 22nd.”

  The phone goes silent and then I hear a loud squeal.

  “Oh. My. God! Kayla! Our babies are going to be like a week apart. Please tell me you’re coming home so we can raise them together.”

  “I’m home, Liz. Las Vegas isn’t my home anymore. I’ll be back for your wedding, though. You know I wouldn’t miss that. However, I’m not moving back to Vegas.”

  She’s quiet for a long beat and then I hear sniffling. “Kayla, your home is here with me and Bella and this new baby. Please don’t do this. I need you. You really want to raise the baby around your parents? I can’t imagine your mom is thrilled to be a grandmother. I remember all too well the way she acted when she found out I was pregnant. You belong here, in Las Vegas with me. Please.”

  Damn her and her guilt trips.

  “And just so you know, Bentley is seriously pissed at Sophia. I wouldn’t be surprised if they break up soon. He was totally scolding her, telling her to never call you names again. I don’t even know why he’s with her. I think he’s just using her to get over you. ”

  My heart warms a bit at the thought of Bentley defending me, and I won’t deny that the image of him dumping her makes me a little giddy inside. He can do so much better than her bitchy ass. It sucks that he still hasn’t dumped her. What the hell? Why do I even care whether he’s with her or not? Oh, I know why. Because I’m a stubborn bitch who is in love with Bentley but is too afraid to give him my heart because I don’t want to get hurt again.

  “I’ll be there for your wedding. Why in the world are you having it so close to your due date anyway?”

  “It’s the only weekend before the baby comes that there isn’t a fight or event going on. I just have to pray this little guy stays in here until after we say, ‘I do’.” She giggles and it makes me smile. I love to see her happy. My heart tightens because I miss her so much and wish I could see her and be pregnant with her. Liz found out a week ago the baby is a boy, and both her and Cooper are over the moon. I have an appointment next week for an ultrasound and I’m hoping to find out the sex. I think it’s a girl, though. I just hate that I’ll be doing it alone even if I only have myself to blame for that.

  I clear my throat to compose myself. “I’ll book my flight now.”

  “Okay! I can’t wait to see you. I love you, Kayla.”

  “Me, too,” I say with as much energy as I can muster up.

  While I’m enjoying my sandwich, my phone rings again. This time it’s Caleb. While I was living with Bentley and Caleb, we became close.

  “Hey there, good looking,” I say, hoping to keep it light.

  I hear him breathe loudly into the phone and then he says, “Damn Kayla, it hurts you couldn’t tell me, but I think I always knew.”

  My chest constricts. Liz let me off the hook, but Caleb’s response makes me realize how badly I messed up running away. My actions are hurting other people.

  “I’m sorry. I got scared.”

  “I get it. I do. But damn, you could have told me. You made it seem like you just couldn’t be around Bentley anymore.”

  I think back to the night I told Caleb I was going to move to Florida.

  I was sitting on the couch watching television with Caleb. It was a movie about a woman who is in love with a guy. She had her chance with him but blew it. She has to return years later to attend a funeral and sees that he’s married with kids. She’s forced to watch him happily kiss his wife and play with his kids. It made me feel sick.

  I knew it was my fault that Bentley was dating Sophia. I could have been with him but allowed my fear of being wrong about love keep me away from Bentley, which gave him the opening to move forward.

  “Do you believe in love, Caleb?”

  He turned to me, lifting his one brow in question.

  “Well, do you?”

  “I don’t know, Kayla. I haven’t experienced it myself, so I just don’t know.”

  “I think I’m going to move back to Florida.”

  He sat up and moved closer to me, looking angry. “Why? Why would you move so far away?”

  “Caleb, please don’t tell anybody this, but I’m in love with Bentley.”

  Caleb’s head flew back as he laughed loudly, shaking his head back and forth.

  “Kayla, we all know you’re in love with Bentley. Look, Bentley told me a little about your mom and I get where you’re coming from. Bentley has an amazingly close family. We all don’t have that…”

  He stopped like he was lost in thought and I wanted to ask him about his family but felt like if he wanted me to know he would tell me.

  “I just can’t bring myself to be with him. He deserves more than I can give him. I’m broken, while he’s perfect.”

  “I understand being broken, Kayla. But I don’t think Bentley cares that you’re broken. I think he accepts you just the way you are.”

  I thought about this for a few minutes and knew he was right but didn’t think I could handle if he ever decided he wanted someone who wasn’t broken like me. I didn’t think I could handle it if I had to listen to my mom tell me I told you so once again.

  “I really appreciate our friendship, Caleb.” I gave him a small smile as I felt the tears well up. I didn’t know when I would see Caleb again.

  He nodded. “I don’t trust women, Kayla, but I trust you. I don’t agree with you leaving, but I get it, and I’m going to miss you.”

  He moved his hand to mine and patted it softly. Caleb never gave hugs or got close with women, so him patting my hand was kind of a big deal and I knew it. He left his hand there while we watched the woman continue to have her heart broken over and over again. The truth is she only had herself to blame and I could completely relate. I knew I was probably making the wrong choice, but I didn’t know how else to protect my heart.

  “Are you mad at me, Caleb?” I ask through the phone, praying he isn’t. I know he doesn’t trust women, and what I did doesn’t help the way he would view a woman.

  “Oh, Kayla, I’m not mad. I’m hurt but I get it. You ran. You were scared. I can’t judge you because me and you are a lot alike. I just don’t like to see Bentley hurting. He’s a damn good guy.”

  “I left so I wouldn’t hurt him,”

  “No, you didn’t. You left so he couldn’t hurt you. There’s a difference. Own up to your shit, Kayla.”

  I can’t argue with him. I told myself I was leaving so Bentley could be happy and create a life with a woman who deserves him, but the truth is, I did run. I ran because if I would have stayed he would have wanted a life with me and I didn’t want to take the chance of opening my heart up and getting hurt.

  Nine

  Bentley

  Me: When is your next doctor’s appointment?

  Kayla: In two days. Why?

  Me: I’m flying out to go. I’ll pick you up so we can go together. What time?

  Kayla: You don’t have to… 2 p.m.

  Me: I’ll be there.

  Kayla: Okay

  It’s been almost a week since I found out Kayla is pregnant, and to say shit has been rocky is an understatement. Things between Sophia and I have gone from okay, to bad, to downright awful. She’s currently sitting in my living room watching some stupid reality television show. I know I have to tell her I’m flying out to join Kayla for her doctor’s appointment but I also know it’s going to lead to an argument and I’m so sick of arguing with her. The past week, every time I text Kayla to
see how she’s doing, Sophia turns it into an argument.

  “Bentley, who are you texting with?” Sophia asks without looking away from the show.

  “Kayla. I’m flying out tomorrow to meet her for her doctor’s appointment. I should be back in a few days.”

  She whips her head around and glares at me. “What? You don’t even know if the baby is yours! And if you’re going, so am I.”

  “Sophia, I’m not having this argument with you again. I believe Kayla when she says the baby is mine and I’m going to be in his or her life until proven otherwise. I don’t think you going would be a good idea. I can’t imagine stress is good for the baby.”

  At this moment, Caleb walks in from the gym, throwing his gear to the side next to the door.

  “What’s up?” He looks at me, completely ignoring Sophia.

  “Nothing much. I’m flying out tomorrow to meet Kayla for an OB appointment. I think we’re going to see the baby through ultrasound or some shit.”

  “Damn, I miss that girl. This place feels so empty without her. Give her a hug for me, please.”

  Caleb is one of my best friends, but one thing about Caleb is he doesn’t talk much, so when he does, it has meaning, and right now I’m getting his meaning loud and clear.

  Sophia crosses her arms over her chest and pouts like a child. “Kayla is a nasty slut and the best thing that could happen was her moving away. Why am I the only one who sees the real her?”