by L. P. Dover
All I heard from Shelby was a low growl and her voice saying, “You have got to be kidding me.” Suddenly, her fist slammed into my right cheek and I fell to the mat. The girl could pack a punch, especially when pissed off. Lying on the mat, I tilted my head back to peer at the girl behind me with her elbows resting at the edge of the ring.
“Well, well,” she began with a chuckle, “it’s been ten years and the girl can still knock you off your feet. I thought you would’ve learned your lesson by now.”
Rubbing my cheek, I groaned and collapsed onto the mat. “Oh, you know me … when I fall, I fall hard. It’s been, what … four months? I can see you’re still as charming as ever. Welcome back, Gabriella.”
She winked and smiled wide. “It’s good to see you, too, brother.”
THE MOMENT MATT SAID GABRIELLA’S name I knew I had made a terrible mistake. I didn’t want to hit him, but when he turned away from me to look at another girl I just reacted. I hadn’t seen his sister since she was thirteen years old, and a lot had changed in ten years. She was twenty-three years old and completely different … grown up.
Sheepishly, I covered my face with my hands and groaned. “Matt, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you that hard.”
When I heard him shuffle on the mat, I lowered my hands and hesitantly opened my eyes. Standing in front of me with a huge smile on his face, it was hard to stay angry.
“Now, did that make you feel better?” he asked, tilting my chin up with his finger.
As much as I hated to admit it, yes, it did.
“Actually, it did,” I answered truthfully. “But I promise I won’t do that again. It just feels like every step forward we take there’s always something that tries to hold us back.”
“And that’s why we’ll keep pushing,” he murmured low. “Nothing is going to hold us back because I’m not going to let it. I’ll fight for what’s mine, and you, my angel, are mine.”
Staring into his swirling green gaze, it was so easy to get lost in them. However, the moment was broken when Gabriella cleared her throat. “Long time no see, Shelby. I see you found your way back to my brother. If I’m not mistaken, I thought he wasn’t good enough for you.”
Taken aback by her words, I almost thought I had imagined it, but by Matt’s glare I knew I didn’t. “Gabby, what the hell are you doing?”
“What?” she snapped, glaring back at him. “Have you forgotten everything? Because I know I haven’t. I was there, remember, unlike her.”
Turning on her heel, she stormed through the gym and out the door. I used to spend time with her when Matt and her mother would be at work. We grew really close to each other, and when I ended things with Matt I never saw her again—never told her good-bye—but I missed her. Being with Matt again, I didn’t even think about what it would be like to have to confront his sister or his mother. It wasn’t just him I left behind.
Matt sighed, his gaze weary when he turned to me. “I’ll be right back. I can’t let her leave like that.”
“Wait,” I called, grabbing his arm, “let me go out there and talk to her.”
“Are you sure? You know how tough she can be.”
“Yes, I know,” I agreed, “but she also needs to hear me out. I know she probably hates me, and she has every right to. I owe her an apology at least.”
Matt smiled sadly and nodded for me to go. I rushed out the front door and turned the corner to the parking lot to see if I could find her. Thankfully, she hadn’t gone far; she stood by Matt’s sport bike with silent tears streaming down her face. She looked so different now; she was taller and her raven black hair was long past her shoulders, instead of chin-length like it used to be. I could only assume by the gray California State T-shirt she wore that it was most likely the college she attended.
When her gaze found mine, she wiped away the tears and lowered her head. “Why are you back, Shelby? Is it because Matt has money now and your family would finally approve?”
That couldn’t have been farther from the truth. My mother always liked Matt; it was my father that had the issue, but I never let his concerns sway me from being with Matt. “No, Gabriella, that’s not it at all,” I answered with a sigh. “The money was never an issue with me.”
“Then what was it?” she cried, her green gaze showing the hurt she clearly felt.
“I can’t explain everything,” I said, “but you have to know that I’m going to do everything in my power to make it up to him … and to you. I’m sorry for not saying good-bye. I missed you after I left.”
She scoffed. “Yeah, well, Matt and I were kind of used to people leaving us. You learn to expect it after a while.”
“Not everyone leaves, Gabriella. Actually, I’m writing an article about your brother for the magazine I work for. I don’t know if you read sports magazines, but it’s called Physique. Have you heard of it?”
She nodded, her eyes going wide. “Yeah, my mom gets them every month. So Matt’s really going to be in it? That’s like huge, isn’t it?”
Gabriella was opening up a bit and I hoped I could keep it going. Gabriella and Matt were close to each other, just like me and Jace. Without their support it would put a strain on an already weak foundation, and that was the last thing Matt and I needed.
Smiling, I said, “Yes, it’s huge. He’ll be the highlight for next month’s issue, and his face will be on the cover. I’ll write an awesome story about him so that everyone in the world will know how great of a person he is, as well as an accomplished MMA fighter. It’ll open many doors for him.”
More tears streamed down her face, but she smiled through them. “He deserves this, you know. I knew his time would come.”
So did I, I wanted to say.
“Are you coming to the fight this weekend?” I asked, hoping the smile would stay on her face.
“Of course, that’s why I’m here. I usually stay with Matt when I’m in town, but if it’s going to be a problem then I can stay with one of my friends,” she suggested, fiddling around with the hem of her shirt.
“No,” I blurted out incredulously. “You don’t need to do that. I’m sure Matt would love to spend time with you. I have plenty of things at home I can do to keep me busy, and besides, it would give me time to actually start working on the article. ”
Turning on my heel, I started back toward the door thinking she would follow me in, but when I turned around she hadn’t moved an inch. “Are you coming back in?” I asked, peering at her over my shoulder.
“Yeah, I’m coming. I just need to make a couple of phone calls first.” I nodded and started back toward the door, pleased that things with her didn’t feel as tense as before, but I knew it wasn’t going to be that easy.
“Hey, Shelby?” she called.
Slowly, I turned around and took a deep breath. “Yes?”
Keeping her gaze on the phone in her hands, Gabriella shifted on her feet and blew out a heavy sigh. “I’m pretty sure Matt doesn’t want you to know all of this, but I feel it’s something you should know. After you left it was the worst I had ever seen him. He barely slept or ate for months, he worked nonstop, and I could hardly get two words out of him at a time. He had a whole evening planned for you two, which would’ve taken place the night after you told him. He bought you a ring, Shelby. He planned on buying a house out near your college so you two could go ahead and get married.”
Gasping, I covered my mouth with my hands and tears immediately sprang to my eyes. If I had just waited a couple more days, things could have been completely different. We had talked about getting married, but we were young and I didn’t even know he was saving money for a ring.
Gabriella finally lifted her head and stared at me with the same green eyes as her brother. My heart shattered once more. “I refuse to see him like that again, Shelby. Whatever you do, don’t hurt him. He may not be perfect to you, but he’s my brother and he will always be perfect in my eyes.”
Not waiting on a reply from me, she punched in a few nu
mbers on her phone and put it up to her ear. I didn’t want to hurt Matt, and I couldn’t exactly tell her that I left to help her out as well. Matt already worked long hours to keep his family afloat, and it would’ve killed him if he had to do more to provide for me and a baby. I don’t know if things could have been different if we’d gotten married, but it’d always be something we’d never know. My family would’ve given us money, but I knew Matt’s pride wouldn’t allow that. What Gabriella didn’t know was that I suffered as well … immensely. I was glad Matt didn’t have the heartbreak of having to witness the loss of our child.
It was a burden that only I had to bear, and not a day went by when I didn’t feel the pain of the loss.
MATT WAS ECSTATIC ABOUT SPENDING time with his sister, but I could tell he was nervous about mine and Gabriella’s altercation when I explained to him what happened. For the rest of the afternoon, I watched him train on his own with Carter so he could get ready for the fight this weekend. I used that time to document the kind of workouts he did to prepare his body because every athlete I interviewed for the magazine had different workout regimes. Each sport demanded something different, and it was always interesting to learn what those differences were.
After we finished our time at the gym, he dropped me off at my house and went back home to be with his sister. It just so happened that it was perfect timing. Jace was going to be my date for the night, and as we were about to sit down and eat dinner he received a call saying he got the lead role in the movie he auditioned for. The only stipulation was that he was expected to be on a plane the next morning, heading to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to begin filming.
Our quiet night of eating dinner and watching movies turned into an all-night celebration out on the town. I was going to call Matt and tell him, but I didn’t want to interrupt the time he had with his sister. Surely, he would understand our need to celebrate. When we got in first thing this morning, it was already time to take Jace to the airport. We were both exhausted and I knew the moment he sat on the plane he would pass out, just like I was going to do the moment I got back home.
The second my head hit the pillow, I was asleep.
I didn’t know how long I had been sleeping when my phone rang, but when I answered it I couldn’t even understand the words that came out of my mouth. Matt obviously didn’t either because I heard him laughing over the phone.
“Okay, it sounds like somebody had too much fun last night. I didn’t realize you and Jace were going to party it up without me,” he teased.
Loudly, I yawned and snuggled under my covers. “Correction … he was the one who partied it up. I just went along for the ride. He got a call last night saying he made the lead role in a movie he auditioned for. He had to leave for North Carolina this morning.”
“That’s great,” he said, “but doesn’t that mean you’re going to be alone at your house? How long will he be gone?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t even think he knows the answer to that question. Did you and Gabriella have fun last night? What are you two doing today?” I asked, hoping to get his mind off of me being alone. I didn’t want him worrying about me when he needed to focus on other things.
“Yeah, we had fun. We stayed around the house and watched movies in the theater room. Today, we’re going to go out for a ride on the bike and visit our mom at her shop. Did I tell you she owns her own hair salon?”
“No, you didn’t,” I squealed. “That’s amazing. I bet you’re really proud of her.” His mom had gone from job to job when he was younger, working in various hair salons and not earning enough to pay all the bills of the household. That was why Matt had to find odd jobs as a kid to help bring in more money.
“I’m very proud of her. I helped her with the funds to get it started, but once she got it up and running she’s been managing it on her own. I’m sure she’d like to see you. If you want, you can come with me sometime.”
“I’d like that,” I said, secretly hoping I wouldn’t get a cold greeting like I did with Gabriella.
“Okay, so back to my original concern. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I don’t like you being alone right now. Do you want to stay with me tonight? Gabriella will be gone after the fight tomorrow, so we won’t have to worry about her.”
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me. “Matt, I’ll be fine,” I assured him. “I’ve stayed by myself for weeks at a time. You don’t have to worry about me. I think I’m a big girl.”
He sighed, his voice low and husky. “I know, angel, but I missed waking up with you in my arms. I miss the feel of your skin and the way your nipples pucker when I tease them with my tongue. I can’t stand being apart, especially when all I can think about is wrapping your legs around my waist and fucking you until you scream.”
If I was sleepy before, I wasn’t any longer … he had just woke me up. “It sounds like you’re a little wound up, babe,” I breathed.
He chuckled darkly. “Just a little, but I know of a way you can help.”
“Oh, really? How is that?”
The rumble of his moan vibrated all the way down to my clit, and I could feel myself growing wetter with every single word that came out of his mouth. “I want you to touch yourself for me, angel. Pretend it’s me rolling your nipples between my fingers and squeezing your breasts. Mmm … they taste so good when I suck on them, too. Do you feel me touching you?”
Closing my eyes, I slid my T-shirt above my breasts and pretended it was him beside me, touching me. I squeezed my breasts as hard as I could and rolled my nipples in between my fingers just like he always did. They were so tender that I gasped. “Yes, I can feel you, and I know you love it when I arch my back to your touch. Can you feel me stroking your cock? I want it to feel like I’m riding you, hard and deep. ”
“Yes, angel. My hands are on your hips and I’m guiding you up and down. You’re so wet, you slide so nicely. Put your hands down there … do you feel wet?”
I slid my hand down my stomach, inside my underwear, and over my clit to my opening. “Mm-hmm,” I answered with a moan. “I’m so wet for you, Matt.”
“Good, baby, that’s what I want to hear. Now slide a finger inside of yourself and rub your clit with your thumb.” Doing as he said, I slid a finger in, moving it in and out, over and over. “Now add another finger, angel, and move faster. I want to hear you moan and pant with how good it feels. Does it feel good when I fuck you?”
“Oh, God, yes,” I cried.
“I’m pushing harder, baby. Holy fuck, you feel so damn good.”
“Matt,” I groaned, squeezing my nipples harder. Panting, I was so close to losing control and the sound of his growling moans only made it harder to hold on. “I’m so close, Matt. Oh my God, I’m so close.”
“Shelby,” he growled low, “let it go. I’m going to come so hard inside of you right now.”
The sound of his breathing grew faster and deeper, and I knew he was about to lose it. Harder and faster, I pushed my fingers inside of me and screamed out my release just as he let go of his. I had never done anything like that before. It was crazy how with Matt I could forget all of my insecurities and be comfortable with myself. I missed being able to feel like that.
“Did it feel good?” Matt murmured lazily.
“Mm-hmm,” I answered, too relaxed to form a coherent word.
“Yeah, it was pretty hot hearing you moan over the phone. I would’ve given anything to be there watching you. Hopefully, this will keep you satiated until tomorrow night after the fight. Gabriella is driving separately to the arena, so I’ll come pick you up and you can ride with me. Is that okay?”
“You can, but the fight is in Oakland tomorrow. You’ll be backtracking if you come out my way. I can meet you there,” I insisted. I didn’t want him driving all over California to pick me up when it would put him at least forty minutes behind.
Matt scoffed incredulously. “Shelby, I don’t care about that shit. Now this way you c
an ride with me to my house after the fight and we won’t have to worry about your car. Make sure you bring a bag with your stuff ... and your bathing suit.”
“Fine,” I gave in, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
We said our good-byes and I laid my head back on the pillow. The clock on my phone said it was eight-thirty in the morning. Crap, I only slept for an hour. After the interlude with Matt, my eyes started to drift close. I didn’t have plans for the day, so it didn’t matter if I slept it away or not. Pulling the covers over my shoulders, I closed my eyes and slowly drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep.
I ENDED UP SLEEPING UNTIL about noon and ate a banana before going out on my usual run to the marina. Sliding on a pair of black yoga pants and a green tank top, I put my hair up into a high ponytail and laced up my running shoes. The day was overcast with only a small chill to the breeze, except it was still sort of bright even with the sun in hiding. After locking the door and strapping my keys and my cell phone to the belt around my waist, I took off down the road. I loved listening to the sounds around me when I ran instead of listening to music; it gave me peace and inspiration.
Once I ran down to the marina and looped back around to my house, my muscles were tired and I was drenched in sweat. Sitting on the steps in front of my house, I closed my eyes and took deep, calming breaths to get my heart rate back to normal. Once my heart rate slowed, I got to my feet and pulled out my house key and phone. The screen on my phone read that I had one missed text message from … Caleb.
It was actually Kyle, but I had his number stored as Caleb. What the hell did he want? I wondered, groaning as I read it.
Kyle: Special delivery
Special Delivery? What does that mean?
I supposed the answer to that question was the large brown envelope sitting by the front door to my house with nothing else on it other than my name. If the envelope was on my porch and Kyle just texted me, that meant he was close by. Scanning the area around me, I didn’t see him, but then again I didn’t know what kind of car he drove.
