Holding Huck's Heart (Marco's MMA Boys #3)

by S. M. Donaldson

  Anger boils up. “Does he know? Does he know that you’re in a shitty strip club taking your clothes off for shit tips?” I say, raising my voice and pointing.

  “No. And he’s not going to!” she says firmly, now crossing her arms over her chest.

  I try to breathe and calm down. “Dammit, Elizabeth, why are you doing this? Marco has offered numerous times to hire you at the gym. It would break his heart to see you here doing this.”

  A taller girl walks up beside Elizabeth and puts an arm around her. “Babe, is everything okay? Who are these jerks? Where’s Tiny? He should’ve stopped them.”

  Elizabeth puts her hands up. “It’s okay, they work for my dad. My real dad. They’re just leaving.”

  The other girl sighs. “Okay. Well, I’m about to go on and then we’re out of here, okay?” She raises her eyebrows. “I’ve got plans for us tonight.” Then I watch as Elizabeth and this girl kiss. Not just a peck on the cheek kiss either. It is a full blown make out session, tongues and all.

  Gibbs grabs my arm to hold himself up. “That is the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen. Can I come home with you guys?”

  Tall girl looks at him and rolls her eyes. “Sorry, we don’t invite dicks.”

  As the girl walks to the stage, Elizabeth looks at us. “Get out of here. NOW.”

  Gibbs shakes his head. “Dude, why didn’t you tell us you’re gay? I wouldn’t have hit on you or given your number to that guy from the gym.”

  She shakes her head. “Because it’s no one’s business. So neither of you are going to breathe a word to my dad or anyone else. About anything you saw tonight.” She points right in our faces. “Got it?”

  I finally find my words. “Why don’t you tell Marco all of this? He’s not going to care that you’re gay, but he will care that you’re working at a strip club like this one.”

  “No, and if you say anything I swear I’ll cut your dick off,” she grinds out.

  Gibbs’ eyes widen. “Oh, you’re one of those kinds of lesbians. All ‘I’ll cut your dick off.’ Don’t be that way, girl, we’re family,” he huffs out. “Plus, I like my dick just where it is.”

  She points at him and grinds her teeth. “Get out, Gibbs. Now.”

  I keep standing there. She taps her foot in annoyance. “I know I only said his name, but do I need to say yours, too?”

  I put my hands up and try to speak calmly. “Look, I know we didn’t get off on the best of terms…”

  She puts a hand up to stop me. “Shut up. You don’t know anything about me and you’re not going to, so just go home.”

  I see some fat ass bouncer looking guy with a big ass chip on his shoulder walking over. I don’t want to have to beat his ass tonight. We don’t need that kind of publicity. “I’m not done.”

  ~*~*~

  I sit in the parking lot of the gym waiting. Just waiting. I know what time she comes to work out.

  As soon as she steps out of her car, I walk over and grab her by the arm and physically put her in my truck.

  She tries to argue and get back out but I grab her arms, spinning her around facing me. “If you want this to be my secret, we play by my rules. You can skip talking to me and we can go right in there and talk to Marco. Your choice.”

  She looks at me and glares, then slams the door.

  I climb in my side and look over at her. “We’re going to get lunch at Sam’s. It’s private and we can talk.”

  She doesn’t say anything on the way there. Once we get inside and find a table, I look over to her. “Look, I know we aren’t close and you pretty much hate my guts.” I sigh, putting my elbows on the table. “I know a lot of that is my fault, but Marco has been a great man to me, he’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a dad. Marco would give anyone the shirt off his back, so you should be able to understand why I was suspicious of you to start with. You have to at least give me a little credit here. Then you act all secretive so that’s the reason I’ve been so critical of you. Now, I put my cards on the table.” I let out a large breath. “So please, tell me why you’re stripping. This would break Marco’s heart. He’s always been happy with us boys, but never as happy as I’ve seen him with you.”

  “It makes me feel free,” she says, sitting back in her chair.

  “Free? Free how?” I say, confused.

  She takes a sip of the water the waitress has brought over. “The man who raised me ran a tight ship, so to speak.” She sighs. “I was never able to express myself. Now, I am. Plus the money is pretty good and I had some debt when I left home. I’ve almost paid it off.”

  I nod, understanding a little better. “You know Marco would’ve helped you with that debt, but I’m sure that’s not what it’s all about. It’s about proving to the other asshole that you can make it. I’m thinking he doesn’t approve of your preferences?”

  She shakes her head. “A little and no, he doesn’t approve. He acts as if I have a choice in who I love.”

  “That’s just ignorant,” I scoff.

  She chuckles. “I really expected you to be…I don’t know…”

  “You expected me to be all non-accepting of it. All ‘you’re an abomination.’” I shake my head, laughing. “No, we’re a screwed up family around here, but one rule is we accept everyone for who they are. We don’t expect people to change.”

  The waitress steps over and takes our order. After she steps away, Elizabeth laughs. “This is strange.”

  “What’s strange?”

  “Us having lunch and talking without wanting to kill one another.” She gives a small smile.

  “Like I said, I’m just protective of Marco. I do understand the stripping thing a little better now. I’m sure Marco will be okay with it. It’s just isn’t that kind of a rough place?” I say with my hands clasped together in front of me.

  She smiles. “A little. Not too bad though.”

  “Seriously though, is that chick from last night your girlfriend?” I say, smiling. The girl could’ve been attractive, but she looked a little strung out.

  She shrugs a little. “I don’t do girlfriends anymore. She’s just a time filler.”

  “She seemed pretty serious about you. Take a little advice from me - if you’re going to be the hit it and quit it type, make sure they know up front,” I say, shaking my head. “So now I have one more question.”

  She laughs, “What, are you gonna ask if we can be best friends now? Or do you want me to be your wing man?”

  “No. Why the lunch with Sergio?”

  Her face falls. “I used to date his sister, before she died.”

  “Oh. Uh, sorry I was such a jerk about it. It was just bad timing with my fight and all,” I say, truly remorseful.

  She nods. “Yeah, running into him was a complete accident. Then with him being one of the few people here who knew my secret,” she shrugs, “I just needed to talk.”

  The waitress drops our orders off. I look over at her. “So are Gibbs and I the only people who know now?”

  “Yes. Well, I think Sloan and Kara have it figured out, they just don’t ask,” she says, taking a bite of her sandwich.

  “Well, you tell everyone when you’re ready about that. Now, the stripping thing. I know you think it’s freeing, but can you find another way to be freeing? Marco would have a heart attack.” She looks at me, rolling her eyes. “Or maybe find a place where you don’t have to take off so much? A little nicer establishment?”

  She takes a bite of her fry. “Seriously, we’re back to the stripping thing?” She exhales loudly. “I told you, I’ll think about it.”

  My phone rings, it’s my brother. I answer with a mouth full of sandwich.

  “Yeah.”

  “We’re on our way to the hospital. Sloan had to take Kara. It’s probably false labor, but Lox and I are on our way.”

  “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Keep me updated.”

  “Thanks, bro.”

  I get the waitress’s attention and explain what I can to Elizabet
h.

  CHAPTER 3

  CHELSEA

  I’ve been home a couple of weeks now. Pavel won’t stop texting and calling. I managed to get a job at the local ER in registration. The pay isn’t what I’m used to but it’ll have to do. My dad and I have developed a somewhat civil relationship. My mom starts her treatments this week and I’m looking for an affordable apartment. When I say affordable, I mean dirt cheap.

  My dad and I have always had a distant relationship. His job made him this way I think. Don’t get me wrong, he loves me and he loves my mom, he just doesn’t show it so well. In his job, he sees a lot of bad people and bad things. He always claimed trust had to be earned, but he never gave me the opportunity to earn that trust.

  I wasn’t allowed to go on dates or go to the movies with friends. I was allowed to be on the academic team, tutor after school and go to church. Detective Leroy Harmon’s daughter had to be perfect. Funny how I seem to have found more trouble in those places than I probably would have anywhere else. I smoked pot the first time on an academic team trip. I had sex for the first time with a guy I tutored and I was caught in a very compromising position on a church trip.

  Since that was my junior year, needless to say my senior year was very bleak. I was still allowed to tutor since they knew nothing about that guy, but my mom had to chaperone all academic team trips and church trips. That was the very reason that when I graduated, I left home. I wandered around for almost two years, being a waitress, a temp, whatever it took to make ends meet, before I found myself standing in the lobby of Pavel’s car dealership. Now, I find myself wondering if it was all worth it.

  I went from one type of controlling to another. Pavel regulated who I saw, what I wore, and my friends. Well, he just made sure I really didn’t have any friends besides him.

  My concentration is broken when a familiar face steps up to the registration desk. “My girlfriend, Kara Chambers, just came in. She’s pregnant.”

  I’m in shock, I can’t believe who it is. Well, it’s not him, but his twin. I know that from the lack of ink on his very exposed chest. “Sly Webb. Is that really you?”

  “Yes,” he says, glancing down at my nametag. “Chelsea.”

  I laugh a little. “Yes. We all went to school together. I didn’t really run in your circle or anything, plus I had really bad acne and I was about fifty pounds heavier. So no one was really giving me a second look.”

  Recognition comes across his face. “Oh wait, I remember you. Your hair was darker back then, you were like super smart. I think you tutored my brother, Huck.” I nod and laugh a little. He points behind him to Loxley Storm. “Well, then you remember Lox?” I just smile and keep nodding. “Did you just move back here or something?”

  “Yes, I was living down south but my mom got diagnosed with cancer so I’m helping my dad take care of her.” My phone buzzes from the back, letting me know about Ms. Chambers. I hang up and look to a very worried Sly. “Ms. Chambers asked that you be brought back as soon as you came in.” I laugh, glancing back down at his bare chest. “But I will have to make you put a shirt on, we do have a dress code. Sorry. Most of the ladies around here will give me grief for making you cover up, but I kind of need this job.”

  He looks down in almost disbelief that he’s standing in the hospital with no shirt on. He turns to Lox, who reaches over his head and tugs off his over shirt, leaving him in a wife beater. “Here. I’ve got another in the truck I’ll go get. You go on back to Kara.”

  He gives Lox a thanks and turns back to me.

  I lead him back to one of the treatment rooms. “Here you are. Good to see you, Sly.”

  He gives me a small smile and nod. “Good to see you, too, Chelsea, and thanks for all of your help.”

  I brush it off. “No problem. Just doing my job.”

  Returning to my desk, I have to wonder if his brother will come traipsing in here any minute now. My boss, Lisa, walks by my desk. “I’m going to relieve you for your lunch, hun. You’ve been wrapped up like crazy today. Go get you some lunch.”

  I breathe a small sigh of relief. “Okay, thanks.”

  Maybe this will keep me from running into him if he comes to check on his brother.

  As I’m walking through the main lobby to the wing where the cafeteria is, I glimpse him. He’s with a very gorgeous brunette. That’s probably his girlfriend or wife. I was stuck in a dead end relationship for so long, I’ve forgotten that most people developed real relationships with real possibilities. They have serious girlfriends, wives, kids and careers.

  I have a nice car, nice clothes, a wonderful mom who’s sick, a dad who barely speaks to me, an ex who thinks that the fact he is still very much involved with his wife shouldn’t cause a problem in our relationship and I have a nice savings. The savings will be gone soon though. I need to find an apartment, plus I want to help my dad with my mom’s expenses.

  I accidentally saw some of the bills the other day. It’s ridiculous how much some of these treatments and meds cost. When Dad said he couldn’t take off and needed me, I really kind of thought that he was just saying it because he didn’t want to deal with it. Seeing the bills, though, I know he has to work. He has no choice. Insurance doesn’t cover near enough. I’m going to look for a second job, too. From the numbers I calculated, they’ll end up having to file for bankruptcy.

  ~*~*~

  For the past week I haven’t been able to get Huck Webb out of my head. He was my first everything. First crush, first love, first kiss and we were each other’s first as far as sex went.

  I know his brother and Lox thought he’d been having sex for a long time like them, but he hadn’t. He’s never trusted women. His mother did a bang up job on that one. Then with all of my hang ups, I’m sure I only helped to secure that idea. I’m happy for him though, it looks like he’s moved past all of those problems.

  We get a call that we have an ambulance coming in with a woman involved in some sort of trauma. The woman is thirty-six weeks pregnant.

  The ER is a buzz. As soon as the ambulance pulls up, I see a very distressed Sly come out with his girlfriend on a stretcher. Dr. Coleman rushes past me. “Sly, Elaine called me. What happened?”

  I step aside as they run past, wheeling Kara into a treatment room. Soon the ER floods with people from their families.

  I see the man that owns a local gym. I remember the guys used to workout down there and always said they were going to fight for him. From the looks of them, they do. I see Huck come rushing in looking for his brother. He sees me and gets this look on his face. I can’t say exactly what it is. Fear? Anger? Sickness? I don’t know. I just know it’s not a friendly one.

  Before he can say anything to me, sirens come blaring through the doors. I look up to see Dr. Coleman rush out of the treatment room helping push the stretcher, with nurse Elaine, another woman and Sly hot on his heels.

  I look up to see my father and several other officers running into the ER. I jump up. “Dad?”

  He steps over to me. “I’m fine. They just brought in a Kara Chambers. Is she okay?’

  “Dad. I-.” I’m not supposed to tell him.

  He realizes this. “The two they just brought in are the ones who attacked her tonight. I’ve been over a case that involves her for a few months.”

  I nod. “Oh. Okay. Um, they took her back just as you guys were pulling in. She’s upstairs now.”

  I can see he’s rattled by everything that’s happened tonight. “She’s a good girl. I’m glad Lox’s mom was there to take care of her until the medics got there.”

  “Who is Lox’s mom?” I ask, confused.

  “Elaine. She’s a nurse here. I’ve known her for years coming in and out of here. Those Webb boys are like her kids, too. I just hope they’re all okay.”

  I nod. “Yeah, I met Kara the other day briefly in here. She seemed really nice.”

  He pulls me in for a hug, shocking me. My dad has never been one for affection. “I’m gonna go see what’s going on
with the suspects. How about when things slow down I buy you a coffee?”

  He’s making the effort. He’s scared. I nod. “Sure, Dad, that would be nice.”

  A couple of hours later, I’m sitting in the cafeteria with my dad having a sandwich and coffee. “Thanks for the sandwich. I didn’t realize how hungry I was,” I say, smiling at him.

  “You’re welcome. You look a little thin,” he says gruffly.

  We’re waiting to find out about the female suspect. The male suspect was DOA. He’s been up and briefly talked to Sly about them. Kara and the baby have come through okay. “You should get Kara some balloons or something before you go up to talk to her. I’m sure she’s going to be panicked and stressed when she wakes up.”

  He nods. “She’s a sweet girl. When I first met her, she reminded me so much of you. She has a smart little mouth on her, but she also has this sadness about her.” He looks down at his coffee. “Chelsea, I want to say I’m sorry. I didn’t give you room to breathe when you were younger. I was so scared you’d end up hurt or in trouble. You were never a bad kid and the few things you did,” he shakes his head, “were just normal kid stuff. But I treated you like you were some kind of failure and you weren’t. I was determined to be stubborn and not back down. When you left it almost killed me, but I wouldn’t let it show.” He sits back a little. “I know I shouldn’t have, but I kept track of you. I know you worked for that car dealership for years. I also know they can’t be on the up and up, but nothing ever came across about you so I just kept my nose out of it. I didn’t want to give you any more reasons to hate me.”

  I look up with tears ready to roll out of my eyes. “Dad, I’ve never hated you. I’ve been very angry and I guess you could say that I got that stubborn gene, too, but I’m here now and I really want to work on things. We need to for Mom.”

  He shakes his head. “No, we need to for us. Your mother has been on my ass since you left but I’ve been too pig headed to make a move. One thing I’ve realized with your mom’s diagnosis is that it’s time for me to swallow that big ball of pride I have. I want to work on our relationship, if you’re okay with that?”