Brawler

by Charity Parkerson

  A deep line appeared between Liam’s eyes. Even that was hot. “Okay. If you’re sure? I’ll tell him you stopped by.”

  Remy shook his head. “Please don’t. Seriously, he’d be upset if he knew you spoke to me when he wasn’t around.”

  “Oh, Remy, that’s not true,” Gunnar said behind him, startling Remy and sounding sad. Remy spun, catching sight of a sweat-soaked Gunnar. His first reaction was to turn away. He didn’t want to be furious with Gunnar, but he was, so goddamn much. “Come in,” Gunnar said. The heavy sigh in his voice, as if he knew Remy’s thoughts, was what had Remy’s feet moving. Liam stepped aside, letting Remy pass. Remy tried for a genuine smile and failed again. Even he wasn’t sure why he was doing this to himself.

  Liam motioned toward a dark leather couch. “Would you like something to drink?”

  Remy shook his head, still trying to smile while wondering if he looked like a crazy person. After choosing one end of the couch, Remy tried making himself as small as possible. “You have a beautiful home,” Remy said to no one in particular. Honest to God, he didn’t know what else to say.

  “I saw you threw your fight the other night.”

  Remy’s gaze shot to Gunnar’s. His jaw was set in a hard line. So it was like that—no gloves. Remy could handle that. “You’re a shitty friend.”

  Liam froze halfway between sitting and standing. He glanced between them and stood. “Well, I’m out.” Neither Gunnar nor Remy argued as Liam slipped from the room, leaving them alone.

  Remy held Gunnar’s gaze, daring him to say something.

  After a moment, Gunnar’s shoulders fell. “I know.”

  The pain hit and Remy had to look away to keep from crumpling.

  “When I came home unexpectedly, it was on purpose,” Gunnar admitted, pulling Remy’s gaze back his way. Gunnar’s hands were balled into fists in his lap. His knuckles were white. Remy needed to hear what the man had to say. “You see, I knew there was something going on with Boston. I felt it in my gut, but I wasn’t sure what it was. Was he cheating? Tired of me? Whatever, I just felt him pulling away, and I had to know. So I waited until I had an extra day between out of town bouts, and intentionally came home unannounced. Since I half expected to catch him at something and you were there, I didn’t want to hear any explanations.”

  “We weren’t sleeping together. I never would’ve done that to you.”

  Gunnar nodded. His hands relaxed. Remy watched as the white of his knuckles pinkened. “I know. Boston came by right after you showed up here in town. He told me everything. He said the two of you were arguing over the thing with Aden, and in the best—or worst, depending upon how you look at it—case of timing ever, I came in as he pushed you down on the bed to keep you from killing him.”

  Remy didn’t know where to go with that. The Boston he knew was a self-serving bastard who cared about no one. He wasn’t the type of person who made a special trip to his ex’s house to clear another man’s name. Gunnar kept talking, giving Remy time to think. “I get why you didn’t tell me right then that you were there to kill Boston for touching Aden, but why did you let me believe you were sleeping with him?”

  Remy shrugged. “At the time, I hated everyone—Aden for cheating, Boston for his part, you for thinking me capable of such a thing and bringing Boston into our lives. Most of all—I hated myself for caring about any of you enough to let you break me.”

  “And now?”

  The million-dollar question—the one he’d asked himself all the way there. “I love Aden.” Remy’s eyes filled with tears as he made the admission. His chest hurt. Loving Aden had almost killed him once already this lifetime, but Remy couldn’t stop. “Help.” Even to Remy’s ears, he sounded desperate.

  “Oh, lord, he’s about to fall apart,” Liam said, rushing across the room and proving he’d never really left. Remy didn’t know the man but accepted his shoulder when Liam’s arms surrounded him.

  “I don’t know what I’m doing anymore,” Remy admitted against Liam’s shoulder as if the man knew anything at all about him.

  “Being a dumbass,” Gunnar said, transforming into the friend Remy had once loved. Remy peeked over Liam’s shoulder and stared at Gunnar—waiting. He could handle being called a dumbass as long as someone told him what to do. When Gunnar saw he had Remy’s attention, he continued, “Why do you think I refused to accept Boston’s challenge for the title for so long? Because all the fame that goes along with it, that’s no joke,” Gunnar answered, obviously not expecting any input from Remy. “I never wanted it after seeing what it did to Aden and Boston. You’re currently being held by the only reason I can handle the pressure of being a title holder.”

  “Awww,” Remy cried against Liam’s shoulder. “This makes me doubly glad to get to meet you today. Not like this, of course,” Remy said, making Liam chuckle. He still didn’t give the man up. Liam was a rather soft spot to fall, and he smelled nice too. Liam was peaceful. Nothing had been calm in Remy’s life for years.

  “You’re not going to like hearing this,” Gunnar said, ignoring Remy. “But you need to hear it. Back then, Aden was sick. He needed help that none of us could give him. Ending up in bed with Boston was the best and worst thing to happen to him.”

  Ouch.

  “It saved his life, because he realized how much he’d rather be dead than keep hurting you. As fucked up as it sounds, you’re a fucking idiot if you think you’ll ever find anyone who’ll love you more than that.”

  Double ouch.

  “You came here for help. I’m giving it to you. That man loves you. No one will judge you for forgiving him and loving him back. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live in a world where, no matter how sorry you are, no one ever forgives anyone.”

  Remy forced himself to pull away from Liam. This time, he also managed a genuine smile for Liam before focusing on Gunnar. “I’m here, and I’ve pretty much thrown away my career, so I guess it’s safe to say I’ve forgiven him. Unfortunately, I have no clue where to start with this.”

  Gunnar shrugged. “Wherever you’re happiest, I suppose.”

  For the first time in a long time, Remy didn’t feel like throwing up. He knew exactly where he was happiest.

  *

  The door to the gym was unlocked. That was just fucking fantastic. He went out of town for the first time in ages and had chosen to take a few days off when he got back home and look what happened. Everything went to shit. Either people had taken to breaking into his gym, or Gunnar was a big feckin’ idiot who didn’t know how to lock a door behind him. With his mood at total shit level, Aden stormed inside and locked the door at his back, because—unlike Gunnar—he knew how to turn a lock and it wasn’t time to open. Every step he took toward the office felt a little harder until he was eating up the floor and stamping his feet.

  He threw open his office door and froze. Every inch of bare wall was covered in sidewalk chalk. Giant hearts and suns joined clouds and trees. It was a crazy hot mess. Aden couldn’t stop smiling. He automatically looked up, praying to see the words he needed. His grin widened at the hundreds of “I love yous” covering the entire ceiling. Remy was nowhere in sight. Aden searched the gym from top to bottom, finding it empty. He returned to his office and inspected each drawing. That was where he found the note, written by the light switch.

  “Scuba Sam’s having a dance party back at your place. P.S. You’re invited.”

  Aden snorted. Only Remy would come up with a name as dumb as Scuba Sam. He headed for the door, uncaring of the day’s schedule. Sometimes, saving your sanity was more important than paying the bills. He locked up and headed back for Surfside Way. He’d rather be at a dance party than anywhere else in the world.

  A red Dodge Challenger with Nevada plates sat parked in Aden’s driveway, explaining why Aden hadn’t been able to locate Remy for the past five days. Even if the man had driven straight through without stopping—an impossible feat—it would’ve taken him three days. For Remy to
be here now, when Aden had left for the gym not half an hour earlier, Remy had to have been lying in wait, watching for Aden’s departure. Not to mention, the only way Remy could’ve gotten into his gym and his home was with Gunnar’s help. People were plotting against him, and he loved it.

  As Aden approached the door, the thump of loud music met him. Seemed Scuba Sam really was having a dance party. A smile pulled at Aden’s lips at the thought. There was a newspaper article taped to the front door. It was an exclusive after-fight interview between Remy and Daniel. Aden skimmed its contents. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Not once, but three times, Remy contributed his success to falling in love with Aden. Aden paused to read.

  The knowledge he [Aden Dawley] was there, in the background of my life and silently cheering me on, gave me the confidence to succeed. Now it’s time for me to be there for him—for us.

  Aden couldn’t go another second without seeing Remy. The front door was unlocked and Aden found Remy in the living room. He choked back his laughter at the first sight of the man. Dressed in a wetsuit, flippers, and with goggles on his head, Remy switched between moonwalking and the Electric Slide.

  “What’s with the get-up?”

  Remy turned at Aden’s question, but didn’t stop dancing. “I figure if I plan on beach bumming it from now on, then I’d better take up a hobby. Scuba diving sounds like fun.”

  The happiness was crushing him. Aden refused to wonder if Remy meant what Aden thought he meant. He needed a straight answer. “Does that mean you’re staying for good?”

  “Of course,” Remy answered as if there was never a doubt. “I have conditions, but watch this.” Remy peeled off the flippers and left them sitting side by side. After turning around, he backed up until his heels matched up with the backs of the flippers. Remy raised his arms and stuck out his ass before moving his hips in time with the music. “What am I?” he sang, before barking like a seal, and singing. “I’m a dancing seal.” He barked again. “A dancing seal.”

  Inside his head, Aden laughed so hard he was holding the stitch in his side. Damned if Remy didn’t look just like a skinny seal dancing to techno. On the outside, Aden held himself in check, because they had things to discuss. The longer he stared at Remy, the bigger his hunger grew. Without thought, he ate up the space between them. Aden kicked the flippers aside and snagged a dancing Remy around the waist. He hauled the man flush against him. Remy squirmed in his arms, refusing to stop dancing. Aden pulled the zipper down on the wetsuit, revealing Remy’s bare skin underneath. He didn’t stop until he could push the material down Remy’s arms, trapping him inside its sleeves. With his prey held captive, Aden opened his mouth over the cords of Remy’s neck. His dick twitched as Remy’s ass gyrated against Aden’s crotch. He was so in love with this crazy-ass man. There was no one else like Remy. That was why Aden needed to know everything.

  “List your conditions so I can set them at your feet.”

  Remy stopped dancing and melted into Aden’s touch, conforming to Aden’s body. “I expect you to marry me.”

  “Done,” Aden said, not sorry since Remy’s first condition matched what would’ve been Aden’s first demand. “What else?”

  “If you break me, I get to cut off your dick.”

  Aden cringed out of habit but didn’t back down. “I’ll do it for you so you won’t go to jail. Anything else?”

  Remy somehow managed to snuggle closer. “No. I think I’m good with those two things. How about you? Would you like to add to negotiations before we close this deal?”

  “I want the ridiculous you. Not the guy who lived in Nevada.”

  Remy barked again before agreeing. “No worries. What else?”

  “Tell me why you threw away your title. I don’t think I can take knowing it was because of me.”

  Remy turned in Aden’s arms. When their gazes met, Aden sucked in a breath. He was staring at the real Remy for the first time in ages. “It was because of me,” Remy said, and Aden could hear the truth in his words. “You’re right. I wasn’t me in Nevada. When you drew those awful stick people on our horse, I realized something. I was never going to be me again as long as I held that title. Honest to god, Aden. The only thing I care about holding ever again is you.” Aden swore Remy didn’t blink as he continued. “The day of my match, when we were in that tub together, I searched my mind, praying I wouldn’t forget to tell you everything I need you to hear. As I dipped into that ring, I realized I’d forgotten to say something I can’t live without you knowing.”

  Aden caught himself holding his breath.

  Remy held tighter to his waist. “I forgive you.”

  Aden’s throat swelled. Remy meant it. Not once had Aden believed he’d ever hear those words from Remy. Now that he had, Aden knew he’d spend the rest of his life trying to earn them. Without thought, he slid the wetsuit lower, revealing more skin. “Without you, I’m less than half,” Aden said, never meaning anything more in his life. “I also can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m about to fuck a dancing seal.”

  Remy untied the string on Aden’s workout pants, proving he’d been busy while Aden had been distracted. “Damn right, you are.”

  In a flash, Aden had Remy’s wetsuit peeled down to his ankles, and the man bent over the back of the couch. They’d always been explosive together. Today was no different. Aden brought his fingers to his mouth, wetting them before using them to stretch Remy’s asshole. By the time he pressed inside Remy’s body, Aden was already chanting his love and begging Remy to never leave. As Remy’s tight ass squeezed Aden’s cock, a sense of peace settled over Aden. This man was his—forever. Aden hadn’t earned him, but he would. For the rest of Remy’s life, he’d know he was Aden’s heart.

  Chapter 9

  “You’ve been sent here because Drew thinks each of you has a real shot at the title. There’s more to winning than you’ve been taught at No Rival. All of us standing before you are experts in our fields. Obviously, I’m here to perfect your technique, but you need to learn more than how to fight. You need mental preparation as well. That’s where Remy comes in. I think most of you have met him.” Aden eyed the men’s faces, searching for any sign they weren’t following. They all looked ready to get on with things, so he continued.

  “As the former welterweight champion, Remy can tell you more about the pressure you’ll be under once you win than anyone else. Drew and I have decided that’s knowledge you need before you decide to move forward with this dream. So, for the next two weeks, you’ll be on rotation. Every day, you’ll take turns working one on one with Remy.” Several of the men exchanged smiles, obviously excited about training with one of the best. Aden didn’t see the sense in disabusing their thoughts. In truth, they’d spend time goofing off with Remy, learning how to still have fun and not take this career choice so seriously while he also snuck in tidbits of information about the realities of the pressures of success.

  Aden motioned Daniel’s way. “If you haven’t met Daniel, Mr. Long is a reporter for The Daily Sports Report. He will also be part of your rotation schedule.”

  “What can a reporter teach us?” Isaac asked, interrupting Aden’s speech. Aden’s gaze slid the man’s way. In Vegas, Aden had noticed the chocolate-skinned male seemed a little less serious than most. Before now, he hadn’t thought the man to be a training snob. Isaac shifted, looking uncomfortable beneath Aden’s stare.

  “Mr. Long…”

  “I’ve come a long way from ‘little bastard,’” Daniel said with laughter lacing his words. Aden ignored his interruption.

  “… is a little bastard…”

  Daniel snorted. “Ah. There it is.”

  “… but he’s a professional. Unlike the tabloid rats you’ll find surrounding you if you win the title, he’ll only write the truth.”

  “Thank you for that,” Daniel said.

  Aden continued pretending Daniel wasn’t trying to speak. “But the truth still may be more than you want the public to know. So Daniel will
show you what to watch for during an interview. Much to the detriment of his career, he can teach you how to guard your private life from the press while still giving enough quality information to keep people talking. Now,” Aden said, ready to get started. “Since you spoke up, Isaac, I assume you don’t mind taking the first turn with Daniel today.”

  The man’s amber gaze slid Daniel’s way. “That’s cool with me.”

  Aden nodded and switched his focus Carter’s way. “Carter, since you’re already the most familiar with working with Remy, you’ll be the first on rotation with him.”

  With a nod, Carter moved to join Remy. The pair headed for the door. Aden already knew Remy’s plans for the man. What Carter needed most was to take a day off. The man took fighting way too seriously. If he ever made it to the top, Carter would fold in under a year if he didn’t learn to find value in something else. To that end, Remy would give the man directions to a fishing boat that was leaving in two hours. Carter would be on that boat. He could get some fishing in or just enjoy the ride. Either way, he needed some time out on the water without distractions and far away from any training facility.

  Giving his attention to the rest of the group, he waved for the men to follow him. “As for the rest of you, you’ll spend your first day with Gunnar.” A happy rumble of chatter erupted at his back. It wasn’t every day someone in their position got to train with the world heavyweight boxing champion. “He’ll be assessing your skills today. Tomorrow, the real training will begin.”

  The men split into groups. Gunnar handed out assignments while Aden supervised. He caught sight of Remy moving through the center sans Carter. He’d obviously already sent the man on his way. Pride and happiness welled in Aden’s chest as he watched the man he loved chatting with everyone he passed. His smile was infectious. Everyone he spoke with laughed; even after Remy walked away, they continued smiling. They’d gotten married the day after Remy had shown up in Key Largo. It had been six months and Aden still had trouble not closing down early each day so he could enjoy his husband. Luckily, Gunnar had loved his time filling in for Aden while Aden has been in Vegas. He’d been easy to convince to come onboard for a joint venture with Aden and Drew, allowing Aden more time at home with Remy.