Takedown (A Fighting Love novel Book 3)

by Nikki Ash

  “All right, then.” He waves to everyone else at the table. “I’m Gavin Sterling, this little dude’s dad.” He pulls a chair over and sits down between Alec and me.

  Once everyone finishes placing their orders, introductions are made. The first time Tristan and Charlie met Gavin, they were shocked at how well we got along. He walked into my house and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge without even asking. I explained to them later, that while we weren’t meant to be together, that doesn’t mean we can’t parent Alec together. The funny thing is once we divorced, we actually began to get along a lot better. A friendship formed that we couldn’t have while we were married. I’m glad we aren’t putting Alec in the same position my parents put me in. Alec will never have to choose one parent over the other. We spend most holidays together, and luckily, the women Gavin have dated so far haven’t been jealous or catty about it.

  “What’s up with your jersey?” Tristan asks Gavin. “Is that a local team?”

  “Nah, I play for a men’s softball league. We have our first game later today.”

  “Really? I’ve always wanted to do something like that.”

  “Well, there’s room on our team. Are you any good?”

  “Hell no! I just said I wanted to do it. I didn’t say I would be any good at it.”

  Gavin laughs. “Then you’ll fit right in. If you aren’t doing anything after we eat, you’re more than welcome to come down to the field and play. I’ve got some extra jerseys in my car. We practice a couple nights a week and play a game on Sundays.”

  Tristan glances toward Charlie, and she smiles. “I can’t wait to see this!” She claps her hands together in pure excitement and everyone laughs.

  “Oh my god! Tristan in that jersey.” Charlie waggles her eyebrows while she pretends to fan herself, and I crack up. We’re at the softball field watching a bunch of grown men play a softball game that would more than likely be aired on America’s Funniest Home Videos before ESPN. It’s the ninth inning with only one strike left until the game is over, and Gavin’s team is surprisingly winning. The batter strikes out, and the guys join in the center of the field to shake hands before parting ways.

  Gavin, Tristan, and a couple other guys from Gavin’s team come over to us. “You were amazing.” Charlie wraps her arms around Tristan’s neck, and he chuckles.

  Gavin smiles warmly at me. “Thanks for coming. Alec hates having to stay cooped up in the dugout during the game.” He points toward his friends. “These are a couple friends of mine.” He points to a cute blond haired guy with piercing green eyes. “This is Jack.” Then he points to another guy who is just as cute but with a shaved head and amber eyes. “And this is Chris.”

  The guys both extend their hands out to shake mine. “This is my ex-wife, Mila.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I say to them both. “You guys played a good game.”

  “Nah, the other team just played worse,” Jack jokes, and his playfulness has me smiling.

  We say our goodbyes and I take off, leaving Alec with his dad. Gavin asked if he could drop him off and pick him up from school tomorrow, which means I will have two days of me time, and I start my new job tomorrow.

  When I get home, there’s a text from an unknown number and one from Gavin.

  Unknown: Hey, it’s Jack. I hope it’s not weird I’m texting you. Gavin gave me your number. I was hoping maybe I could take you out some time.

  Gavin: Jack asked for your number…we’re not really friends. Just play ball together and hang out occasionally afterwards with the team.

  That’s Gavin’s way of telling me he doesn’t mind if I go out with Jack. I send Gavin a text back thanking him, then I send Jack one to let him know I would love to go out with him. If I never date, how will I ever find my forever?

  Six

  Mason

  GetHooked: How’s my favorite fisherman doing?

  I’m hanging out at Plush with a few friends of mine from the gym. Plush is a members only club. It’s actually where Tristan met Charlie when she used to work here. The bottom floor has a bar and dance floor, and there are half naked women and men dancing in cages on the outskirts of the club. The second floor has a smaller bar and dance floor, but it also has several private rooms. The rooms can be rented by the hour or for the night along with the women or men. I’ve rented a room for the night. The liquor is flowing and Brent and Tommy, another fighter I’m friends with, have women giving them lap dances, their eyes glued to their tits and ass.

  My eyes, on the other hand, are glued to my phone as I wait for Mila to respond. Earlier, when I told Tristan I was leaving to go out, he mentioned that he and Charlie were watching Alec for Mila. Apparently she has a date tonight and her ex-husband couldn’t take Alec as planned.

  Looking4Love: It’s fisherWOMAN! And not good…

  GetHooked: I’m sorry fisherWOMAN. What’s wrong?

  Looking4Love: I’m on a date and it’s kind of sucking.

  GetHooked: Ahh… so you finally reeled in a fish?

  Looking4Love: More like an old, smelly boot! He seemed sweet when I first met him but now he’s just nasty. His attitude, his comments. Just gross!

  I chuckle, and the guys glance my way, reminding me where I am. One of the dancers comes over and gives me a flirtatious smile. She’s got fake blonde hair, fat tits, and lips that are meant for giving head. She’s the complete opposite of Mila in every way, and it scares the shit out of me when I look at her and she does absolutely nothing for me.

  “Can I give you a lap dance?”

  “Sure.”

  I set my phone down so she can straddle my lap and hopefully take my mind off Mila. Taking a pull of my Heineken, I try to focus on the woman in front of me: on her ass and tits and hips that are swaying seductively to the music. But for some reason, my mind keeps going back to the brown haired, hazel-eyed woman stuck on a shitty date.

  Seven

  Mila

  “How is the new job going?” Charlie asks as she hands me a large bottle of red paint to pour into a smaller, squeezable bottle.

  “It’s going good. I’m loving the set schedule, and I still get to go to the hospital a couple days a week to assist in delivering the babies. Mostly, though, I see the pregnant patients, and I must admit, pregnant women are a lot nicer than the ones in labor.”

  Charlie giggles. “I bet!”

  “Plus, I’m loving the fact that I get to be home with Alec every night.”

  “That’s awesome. I’m so happy for you. Speaking of Alec, did he end up going with his dad tonight?” Charlie looks around, realizing my kid isn’t in the studio complaining.

  “No, he’s next door with Mason.” I roll my eyes, and she grins.

  Before Alec and I could even make it to the front of the art studio, Alec saw Mason and asked if he could hang out with him. Mason said he didn’t mind, so I let him go. Emma is finishing up a kids class where they’re all painting their version of Mickey’s Fun Wheel from the Disneyland Resort, and once they’re done we’re going to go grab some dinner.

  “I told him I’d go over to get him when the class is over, but Mason said he’d bring him in a little while.” We continue to fill more bottles while we talk about her upcoming wedding, her new house, and where we want to eat dinner. When we hear someone call out Charlie’s name, we both look over at the cute guy walking our way. He has shaggy brown hair and brown eyes. He’s dressed in a suit, complete with a dark navy blue tie.

  “Hey, Evan. The class is almost done.” Charlie points toward one of the little boys who waves our way.

  “I don’t think we’ve met.” Evan turns his attention to me. “I’m Evan Gander.” He puts his hand out to shake mine.

  “I’m Mila Sterling.” I shake his hand back, noticing he has a cute dimpled smile.

  “It’s nice to meet you. Do you have a child in class?”

  “No, my child is next door, fighting.” I laugh, and Evan keeps his smile but now it looks forced. I could be wrong but
I don’t think Evan is pro-fighting.

  “Yes, I saw the gym next door.”

  We’re both silent for a beat when I see Alec running towards me. “And speaking of which…” I open my arms so Alec can give me a hug when he gets over to me. “This is my son, Alec.”

  “Mom! We forgot to ask dad about me signing up. We need to remember. Where’s your phone?” He puts his hand out and I hand it to him, stifling a laugh. Even at only eight years old, my kid knows me too well. If it’s not in my calendar, I can’t be held accountable for not remembering.

  “Okay, Mom, I put it in and set the alarm.” Alec hands me back my phone, and that’s when I notice Mason is here with him. He’s standing next to Evan and it’s like day and night. Evan, in his business suit and Mason, in his grey hoodie and sweats. Evan’s clean shaven and Mason’s sporting scruff that I want to rub my hands up and down. What the hell? No, I don’t! Mason is a player! I don’t want to rub my hands anywhere on him!

  “Thanks for hanging out with him,” I say.

  “No problem.”

  The class ends and Lexi and Georgia come running over—Georgia, to show Charlie her pictures and Lexi, to give Mason a hug.

  Evan’s son comes to the back as well to show his dad his picture. “Good job, Son. Are you hungry?”

  “Yes!” Brant yells before running off to play with the kids.

  “We’re all going to grab a burger at Burger Lounge. You’re welcome to join us.” Charlie smiles mischievously and it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize she’s trying to set me up.

  Evan smiles at Charlie but directs his response to me. “Unfortunately, it’s a school night, and Brant’s bedtime is at eight o’clock so we’re going to eat dinner at home, but maybe you and I could go out some time. If you’re single that is.” He flashes me a mega-watt smile.

  “Oh, um…sure. Yeah, I’m single.” I can’t believe I just said yes to another guy.

  Evan pulls out his phone. “Great. What’s your number?”

  Just as I finish giving him my number, one of the kids starts crying. We stop and find the crying child. It’s Brant, Evan’s son. “Brant, what’s wrong?” Evan bends down to speak to him.

  “Georgia knocked me on the ground,” Brant whimpers, and Georgia frowns.

  “I didn’t mean to. We were playing tag. I was tagging him.”

  “It’s okay,” Evan says to Georgia, but his voice says it’s anything but. Then to his son, he says, “We’ve talked about this. Games that include violence aren’t okay.”

  “Really?” Mason scoffs. “It was tag.”

  Evan stands. “I choose to teach my son that placing his hands on anybody else is not okay, no matter what the reason.”

  “Okay, boys.” Charlie stands between them. “It’s time to close the place up, and I’m starving. Georgia, say sorry to Brant.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Does he need any ice or a Band-Aid?” I ask, and Evan says no, then adds, “I’ll call you.”

  And for some reason, his words come out as more like a threat than a promise.

  Eight

  Mason

  “Oh! Hey Mason! What are you doing here?” I’m standing in the doorway to Mila’s townhome. Her usually curly hair is straightened, and her face is makeup free. My gaze continues south. She’s wearing a short, tight black dress. The straps are thin, and her breasts are full, spilling out of the top just enough to make it sexy and classy and not trashy.

  “Mason.” She snaps her fingers and my eyes shoot back up without finishing my perusal of her sexy as fuck MILF body. “What are you doing here?”

  She lets me in and turns to head back down the hallway, calling out, “I’m running late for my date!” I watch as her perfect round ass sways in that dress. The material is thin enough that I’m able to see the outline of her thong. Her fuck-me heels click-clack against the tile and all I can picture is her under me with those heels still on.

  “You should take a picture, it’ll last longer.” I swing my head toward the voice to find Charlie sitting on the couch. “If you like her, why don’t you just ask her out?”

  “You know my rule. I don’t do moms, and that mom”—I point down the now-empty hallway—“she doesn’t do anyone.”

  Charlie rolls her eyes. “Georgia is in our room watching a movie, and Tristan should be here soon with Lexi. Thank you for watching the girls. Ashley had offered, but then Kaden surprised her with a night away to the beach, and I didn’t want her to feel guilty for not being able to watch them.”

  “No worries.” I lean against the wall. “It’s Valentine’s Day, which means I’m staying in.”

  Mila walks back into the living room, putting an earring into her ear. “Poor Mason, are you afraid all the lonely women will be pouring their hearts out and require romance before letting you between their legs?”

  Her face is now filled with makeup. Not overdone like some women do, but enough to know she’s going out. My eyes wander down her face, taking in her plump shiny lips. They’re light pink and kissable. I imagine the lip-gloss is sweet, just like her.

  “Mason!” Mila screeches. “Stop staring at me like I’m a piece of meat!”

  I smirk, imagining Mila splayed out in my bed, her legs spread wide open while I feast on her like she’s my last meal.

  “I wouldn’t call you a piece of meat. More like a piece of mouthwatering fruit.” I bridge the small gap between us. “Mmm…like a strawberry. I bet one bite into your sweet cunt and I would be addicted to your taste.”

  There’s a knock on the door, and Mila moves away from me. “Well…” She gulps loudly. “It looks like you’ll need to find yourself some other fruit to bite into because this strawberry has a date tonight.” She swings the door open, and standing in the doorway is the anti-touch jackass from the other night at the art studio.

  She says goodnight, and they’re both out the door as quick as he came in.

  “What a prick.” I sit on the couch next to Charlie.

  “He’s okay.” She shrugs. “He’s a good dad and makes a good living. A little stuffy, maybe…”

  “He told his son tag was too violent. He’s a pussy.”

  “Hey! Don’t be hating on pussies. They’re tougher than you think. Just ask Betty White.” I grab the remote and click on the television, giving her a side-eye. “You know…because they can take a pounding.” She cracks up laughing at her joke and I shake my head.

  The door opens and in walks Tristan. Charlie stands and meets him by the door, throwing her arms around him in a hug, still laughing.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You’re fiancée thinks she’s a comedian.”

  “Uncle Mason!” Lexi squeals when she sees me. “I brought so many movies to watch and stuff to color with. Where’s Georgia?”

  “She’s in our room, sweet girl,” Charlie says, grabbing her and giving her a hug hello before letting her go so she can run upstairs and find Georgia.

  “Thanks for watching them, man,” Tristan says.

  “Yes, thank you. Mila said she should be home early, so once she gets back you can take off,” Charlie adds.

  I give them a two-finger salute as they head upstairs to say bye to the girls. Once they’re gone, I make three bowls of popcorn and the girls make a pillow and blanket bed on the ground to watch Beauty and the Beast.

  We’re about halfway through the movie when I pull up the Plenty of Fish app and message Mila. We chat every day. About our day, the weather, our favorite foods, colors, books, where we want to travel. I should feel bad that she has no clue it’s me but it’s not like I’m asking her out. It started off to see what was going on in her head but now I look forward to our conversations.

  GetHooked: Happy Valentine’s Day!

  Looking4Love: Next year I’m going to put together an anti-Valentine’s Day party.

  Hmm… interesting. Guess her date with jackass isn’t going well.

  GetHooked: No date or bad date?

&nbs
p; Looking4Love: Bad date. I should’ve known. He’s not my type.

  GetHooked: And what is your type?

  This is the first time I’ve asked her anything dating related.

  Looking4Love: Tall and muscular, so I feel protected. He has to be funny because I love to laugh. Sweet but not boring. Passionate. And NOT a vegan! I like meat!

  I choke on my popcorn at her response. I know what she meant but I have to fuck with her.

  GetHooked: Small dick?

  Looking4Love: OMG! No!

  Looking4Love: He’s a vegan! He doesn’t LIKE meat.

  Looking4Love: He took me to a restaurant that has no meat!

  GetHooked: I have meat…and I’m willing to share ;)

  Looking4Love: I haven’t even seen your face. I don’t even know your name. I don’t think you sharing your meat with me is the next step.

  GetHooked: I promise it’s not vegan.

  Looking4Love: I’m getting off now. He asked to take me to a movie but I told him I’m not feeling well.

  GetHooked: I wouldn’t feel well either if I wanted a big juicy piece of meat and only got tofu.

  Looking4Love: OMG! Goodnight!

  Nine

  Mila

  I look at the clock on the dashboard and see I haven’t even been gone for two hours. Evan drops me back off at home and doesn’t bother to say he’ll call me. We both know he won’t be, and even if he did, I wouldn’t be answering. The date was a disaster and will not be repeated. I unlock the door and step into the house to find Georgia and Lexi wrapped up in pillows and blankets, passed out on the floor. Mason is lounging on the couch, one of his arms over his head causing his shirt to drift up and show his delicious abs.

  “You’re home early.” He sits up and pauses the movie before standing.

  “Date sucked.”

  “That’s too bad,” Mason says, his tone indicating that he doesn’t really think it’s bad at all. I go to my room to change out of my dress and into a pair of cotton shorts and a shirt. When I come out, Mason is taking one girl at a time up to Georgia’s room. Since my house is only three bedrooms, Charlie and Georgia are sharing the third bedroom upstairs. It has a connecting bathroom and a small sitting area. They’ll be moving out in a couple of weeks, and I still need to find someone to rent the room to.