A little while later, my phone began ringing again. I reached for it to throw it across the room, but then I happened to see who was calling. I quickly sat straight up in bed as I answered in a rushed tone. “Brax, what’s going on?”
“Dec, I need you to come quick. I’m at Phoenix Memorial Hospital. Please hurry.”
Brax hung up, and I didn’t waste a single second. I threw the covers off of me, pulled on a pair of pants and socks, and grabbed a t-shirt on my way out the door. I debated for half a second whether or not to take my car or bike, but in the end I chose the car, just in case. I sped out of my neighborhood faster than possible in a car, instantly jumping onto the freeway to make my way to the hospital as fast as I could.
I had no idea where he was in the hospital, so I ran to the first desk I saw. “I need to know where I can find Braxton York, please.”
“It looks like he is in the Emergency Room, but family only. I’m sorry.”
“I’m his brother.”
The nurse gave me a pointed look, probably because I was white and Braxton was black. How rude was she. “He’s my foster brother. I’m Declan York. I can get you proof if you need it.” I was trying to give her my best “flirting” face, and lucky for me, it worked like a charm.
“Okay. He is through those doors on the left, room 212.”
“Thank you so much.” I winked as I disappeared through the double doors.
When I got back, I looked for room 212, but couldn’t find it anywhere. Eventually I ran into a cute little brunette nurse, and she was more than willing to help me find Braxton’s room. When we got there I gave her a flirtatious smile, then walked through the door. Braxton was asleep on the bed, and I couldn’t see any immediate damage, so I started to wonder what his dramatic call was all about. I pushed past the curtain, trying to be as quiet as possible, but the curtain moved, making a loud screeching sound, and Braxton woke up.
“Sorry, man. I was trying to be quiet I swear.”
“Sure you were.” He laughed.
“So, from the looks of it, you seem fine. What’s with the early morning wake up call?” I moaned as I threw myself down into the chair next to his bed.
Braxton pulled back the blanket, exposing his extremely casted leg. “This.” He pointed as though I didn’t notice the bright white cast he had just shown me.
I instantly leaned forward in my chair to further inspect what was going on. “What the hell happened, Brax?” I glanced over him sincerely concerned.
“I’ll give you one guess. Oh, and here…” Braxton reached into his hoodie on the chair opposite of me, and grabbed something. It didn’t take long before I noticed the manila envelope I had given him, in his hand. “He said, if I didn’t have it all, then he didn’t want any. Then he sent one of his guys to find me late last night…and this happened.”
“Braxton, what is that guy’s deal? What kind of bookie doesn’t take money that’s given to them?” I shook my head in disbelief.
“He said he would rather not even have the money back, but have you fight one of his guys instead.”
“Brax, I can’t. Like I legally can’t fight outside of the UFC or I’ll get fined, and possibly fired. Braxton, I wish I could do this for you, but I can’t. I’m sorry, man.”
“I get it, Dec. I can’t expect you to solve all of my problems for me. I’ll figure something out.”
I handed him back the envelope, “Keep it. This way you don’t have too much more to give him.” Braxton laid his head back down against his pillow, and I pulled out my phone to send my trainer a quick text. When I was done, I glanced over at Braxton with fear. “Hey Braxton?”
“Yeah?”
“Have you thought about moving back home?” I knew home was the last place Braxton wanted to go, but I also feared for his life if he stayed.
“Honestly, I called my mom just before I called you. She asked me the same thing. She’s doing real good at her job, and says she can take some time off to help take care of me. It also helps that she’s a nurse. Unfortunately, I don’t think I have much of a choice. Unless you want to take care of my crippled ass.” We both started to laugh, and I suddenly felt much better about the situation. As much as I would hate to see Braxton go, I knew it was exactly what he needed.
A couple hours later, Braxton was being moved into his own room, and that’s when I decided to take off for a bit to shower and get something to eat. I promised Braxton I would be back in a few hours, and he continued to flirt with his nurse as I left. When I pulled up at my house the mailman was standing on my front porch with a small package in his hand. I quickly pulled into the garage, and then ran around the front of the house to greet him.
“Are you Declan Hunter?”
“I sure am.”
“Here, this is for you. Please sign here.”
Who knew the mailman was such a sourpuss. “Here you go. Thanks.” He gave me a wave as he walked back to his vehicle and I laughed the entire way inside.
I threw my keys onto the kitchen counter, and then reached for a knife to open the package I had just been given. I recognized the return address label, and couldn’t help the laugh that escaped my mouth as I pulled out a tiny version of my belt I just won. Along with it was a small envelope with my name neatly scrolled across it. I quickly opened it, and almost lost it when I read the fancy script.
“No fucking way.” I looked around the house as though I would get into trouble for cursing, but shrugged it off when I realized that I lived alone.
I stood there staring at the letter in my hand, and then it suddenly dawned on me. I dropped the letter on the counter and ran upstairs to pack my bag. I also sent a quick text to Tommy to let him know that I would be back in about two weeks, give or take, and then I made my way down to my car. As I was driving back to the hospital, Tommy finally text me back a very angry text. He was livid that I was taking time off, but given the fact that I didn’t have a fight for at least another two months, after the holidays, I figured I’d be fine. I quickly sent the text, and then I turned off my phone and tucked it away in my bag, just so I didn’t have to have Tommy be such a buzzkill.
In all the years I’ve been fighting, I rarely if ever took time off, and now felt like the best time. Braxton wouldn’t have to fly alone, and I would get some nice rest and relaxation that was much needed. Maybe I would even find a nice girl while I was on vacation. I laughed at myself a bit at the thought of it, but realized that it was exactly what I needed. Now I just had to find her.
FIFTEEN
Hadley
I found myself walking around in a daze, as the three hundred people that Ryan’s parents invited kept rambling on and on about stupid ridiculous things. I tried to have a conversation with a few of them, but it proved to be a tedious and daunting task that I decided to keep myself busy by being nowhere all at once, and drinking as much as possible. I was impatiently awaiting PJ’s arrival, but I knew that in true PJ fashion, she would be fashionably late. Ryan’s uncle was headed in my direction, so I quickly ducked into the next hallway and found myself at another bar.
“I swear this house is big enough, I could get lost at any moment.” I joked to the bartender. This one was actually rather handsome compared to the other two that were in other places around the house.
“You gotta love the rich.” He laughed. “What can I get for you, Miss?”
“Hmm, it’s so hard to choose. I think I’ll go with a Tequila Sunrise. Can you do that?” I asked politely.
“Absolutely. So who do you know here, the rich asshole soon to be groom, or the stuffy soon to be wife?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his way of looking at things. “I am the stuffy soon to be wife, but you can just call me Hadley.” I gave him a devilish grin, and his jaw practically dropped to the floor.
“I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
I shook my head in laughter. “Don’t you dare apologize. I’m inclined to agree with almost everything you’ve said, minus the fact that you
think I’m stuffy. I don’t come from any of this, I’m just marrying into it.”
“I just can’t imagine someone as funny and forgiving as you being engaged to someone like Ryan Tate. I used to be in a few of his classes. He’s something else, that’s for sure.”
“I know what you mean, but unfortunately you don’t choose who you fall in love with. If that were the case, it would be someone else entirely that I ended up with.” I said the last little bit under my breath. I didn’t need this bartender running his mouth. “Thank you for the drink. I’m sure I’ll see you again.” I smiled as I walked away.
I was sipping on my drink as I made my way out towards the grand living room where everyone was clambering. I was beyond thrilled when I saw PJ’s unmistakable red hair coming straight for me. She ran right up to me, wrapping me up in a tight, but welcoming hug.
“Thank god you’re finally here.” I whispered into her hair.
She pulled back and began looking me over, “Wow, you look so…what’s the word I’m looking for…proper.” She laughed. “What’s with the white dress that is practically making you look like a nun?”
I glanced down at the dress that Ryan’s mother had bought for me to wear. “Yeah, the soon to be mother-in-law bought this for me. I didn’t even get a say so in what I wore today. It’s not that bad, is it?” I caught a glimpse of myself in one of the many mirrors in the living room, as I noticed the lace that covered my entire chest and arms, I couldn’t help but let out an audible sigh. Do I really look that bad?”
“No. It’s just not you. You look like one of them.” She laughed.
“You act like they’re pod people.”
“Hey, you never know.” She joked. “Where can a girl get a drink in this place?” PJ linked her arm through mine as I headed back towards the bar.
“Hey bartender, we have a girl who needs a drink, STAT.” I half-shouted as the alcohol began to affect me. “Oh, and another one for me, please.” I held up my empty glass with a flirtatious smile on my face.
“What can I get for ya, Red?” He winked at PJ and I almost lost my lunch at how obvious and cheesy he was being. “Another Tequila Sunrise for you, soon-to-be-Ryan’s-wife?”
“You know me all too well, bartender.” I giggled.
“I think I’ll have some champagne, if ya got it.” PJ replied in her own flirtatious tone.
I looked over at PJ who was striking up an actual conversation with the bartender, and I was instantly jealous. The fact that this was my engagement party, and my own fiancé wasn’t even spending time with me, or flirting with me, was killing me. All I wanted was for him to show his love for me, but apparently that was asking too much. I snagged my drink off of the bar, and started making my way back down the hallway as the bartender continued to woo his way into PJ’s panties. I was walking through the foyer when I noticed a dark haired gorgeous man walk through the front door, duffel bag in tow, and my jaw and drink hit the floor.
I jumped back quickly so the alcohol didn’t stain my shoes or get all over my legs, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He was everything I remembered, and more. I still hadn’t picked my jaw up off of the floor, or my drink for that matter, but I sure did catch the attention of every single person in the house…including Declan. I glanced down at the mess at my feet for half a second, and when I looked back up, Declan was standing in front of me handing me a stack of napkins.
I was at a loss for words, and my breathing became labored as I looked into Declan’s eyes as he stepped closer. Our faces were merely inches apart, and I could feel his warm breath across my cool skin as he exhaled a strangled breath. “Wh…wha…what…you…” I was literally at a loss for words.
“What am I doing here?” All I could do was nod as I stood there, completely mesmerized by his electric blue eyes. “I’m here for…”
“Royce? What the hell are you doing here, man?” Ryan’s voice caught both of us completely off guard as he came running at the both of us.
“Your mom invited me.” He smirked as he turned and gave Ryan a giant hug.
“Holy shit cuz, it is so good to see you.” Then Ryan realized that I was still standing there, dumbfounded. “Oh shit, sorry. Hads, this is my cousin Declan. Declan, this is the soon to be Mrs. Tate.”
Declan and I looked at one another not knowing what to do, so I took it upon myself to break the tension. I held my hand out and shook his. “It’s so good to meet you, and it’s Hadley, but Ryan?” I turned to look at Ryan as I was completely confused, and I half expected Declan to let go of my hand, but he didn’t.
“Yes, love?”
“I thought your cousin’s name was Royce. Am I wrong?” Declan still hadn’t let go of my hand, and I was starting to panic on the inside.
“Oh, well that’s what we’ve always called Declan. It’s his middle name.”
Suddenly everything started making complete sense. All the times that Ryan talked about his cousin, I should’ve known. I could feel myself getting lightheaded, and I wasn’t exactly sure if it was because of this new found information, or the alcohol, but either way…I needed a second to catch my breath and process everything. I glanced around the room for PJ, and instantly spotted her in the corner looking at me with a look of shock. I wasn’t sure if she had heard any of the conversation that had been going on, but she sure as hell was about to hear about it now.
Ryan’s mom came running into the room to greet her nephew, but noticed the spilled drink and broken glass on the floor first. “Oh my, what happened here?” I knew she was being polite, but she hated me and I could see the irritated look in her eye.
“I’m so sorry…I” I was suddenly cut off by, not Ryan, but Declan.
“Aunt Patricia, I’m sorry. It was my doing. I accidentally knocked it out of Hadley’s hand when I went to introduce myself. Please forgive my clumsiness.” He was definitely turning up the charm.
“Oh Declan, you know you can do no wrong in my eyes. You’re forgiven. Roland? Roland, can you grab Louise to come sweep up this mess.” She pulled Declan into a deep hug, and then stood back to admire him. “My, Declan you are looking amazing. I see your fighting is keeping you in great shape. I’m assuming you got your gift, given the fact that you are here.”
“I did, and thank you Aunt Patricia. I absolutely loved it.”
“Well you were amazing. I’m very proud of you.”
By the way Mrs. Tate was talking to Declan, you would’ve thought that he was her son, not Ryan. I happened to glance over at Ryan as his mother and Declan continued their conversation, and he had a very solemn look on his face. I slowly started to back away, and walked over to Ryan, wrapping my arms around his waist and pulling him close to me.
“Are you okay, babe?” When I looked up at him, I could see that his eyes were glossed over as though he was about to cry. “Why don’t we go outside, and get some fresh air. It’s getting a little stuffy in here.” Without saying a word, he nodded, slipped his hand into mine and led me outside and away from the crowd surrounding Declan.
As soon as we got outside, Ryan dropped my hand, pushing his hands back through his hair as he let out a loud exasperated sigh. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
I looked at Ryan in shock. The way he talked about his relationship with his cousin, he made it seem as though they were best friends, but right now, he was acting like Declan was his arch enemy. “Surprised at what, babe?”
“At that.” He pointed to where his mom and Declan were standing. “That mother son reunion going on inside. I swear, I’ve never been good enough in her eyes, and I never will be. I swear if someone would’ve given her the choice, she would’ve chosen Declan as her son.”
I was absolutely flabbergasted by his admission. Ryan always made himself out to be so confident and self-assured. He never let anyone make him feel less than what he believed he was, but this was a completely different side of him that I was seeing, and I had to admit, I liked this side better. I walked over to him and smiled.
“I don’t think that’s true at all, Ryan. Your mom loves you. Maybe it’s just the celebrity part that makes her act that way.” Shit!
“How did you know he was a celebrity?”
Crap! Crap! Crap! Why didn’t I think before I spoke. “I recognized him when he walked in. We were at Riley’s last night, and they had the fights on.” Whew! Good cover, Hadley.
“Yeah well, the minute he made it into the UFC, my mom and dad started watching it religiously, and you’ve met my parents. They are so not the MMA type of people. It’s bullshit!” Ryan was physically pissed off, and I just wanted to help him relax a bit. “I should’ve known that she was going to invite him. Son of a bitch.”
I wrapped my arms tightly around Ryan, and stood on my tip-toes before planting a long passionate kiss on his lips. I closed my eyes and let myself be in this moment with him, refusing to let myself think about Declan…at all. I pushed my hands back through his thick hair, pulling him as close as I could get him. I slid the tip of my tongue along his bottom lip, and he instantly granted me access to his mouth. Our tongues moved in sync as he deepened our kiss further. His hands were clutching the sides of my face, and in that moment I felt nothing but adoration from him. Unfortunately, that was short lived. Someone next to us began clearing their throat, and all I could think was…please don’t let it be Declan.
SIXTEEN
Declan
Once I finally got away from my aunt, I started to make my way out back where I saw Ryan and Hadley disappear to just moments before. Hadley, huh? Even her name was sexy. I shook my head to dislodge the overwhelmingly sensual thoughts that I was having about my cousin’s fiancé. My breath caught in my throat as I walked in on what could be considered a very intimate moment between Ryan and Hadley. I thought about slowly backing up and heading back inside to drown my own pettiness in a gallon of booze, but just then, the wicked side of me decided it would be more fun to mess with the two of them.
Simple Lies Page 8
