by Piper Rayne
“What did I miss?” I whisper to Nikki, who looks relieved to see me.
A tight smile lands on her lips. “They’re just laughing at our mishap, then they started sharing stories of their own mishaps.”
Glad I missed that conversation.
“Want a coffee?” I ask.
“Love one,” she says, taking my hand and pulling me away. “Pauline, Mom, we’ll see you later.”
She drags me over to the table that sells the coffee, and I spot Craig talking with the owner of The Grind. At least he’s not bored.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Nikki says.
“You don’t want to see the home improvement show?”
She laughs. “You should probably know, I broke Jed’s thumb with a hammer once while he was holding the nail. They’ve banned me from tools ever since.”
“I’ll have to do all the home improvement projects, is that what you’re telling me?”
“I don’t see you as the handy type either. I think we’ll need contractors on call.”
Wait until I prove her wrong.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” she says after a beat of silence. Her humorous tone has shifted to a more serious one and alarms flash in my head.
“What’s up?”
“My dad called me today,” she says.
I release the breath. “Is he mad? I should probably ask him for your hand.”
She stops short and places her hand on my arm. “No. You don’t have to ask him for anything. He lost that right a long time ago. But I have to call him back. And I have a funny suspicion he’s reaching out for something to do with you.”
“Me?”
She takes a sip of her coffee. “You’re a celebrity. My dad travels to Vegas all the time. I’m thinking he probably wants tickets to your fight.”
I shrug. “No problem. I’d love to meet your dad anyway. I’ll talk to Vince.”
She doesn’t say anything for a moment. “I guess he should meet you at some point. Just do me one favor?”
“Say the word.” I stop and turn her to face me, bringing my hands behind her back.
“Don’t let him talk you into anything.”
My forehead wrinkles. “Like what?”
“Just promise me, you get him the tickets and that’s it.”
I kiss her forehead. “Promise. But he is your dad.”
She shakes her head and pulls away. “He’s my biological dad. That’s all. He’s never had my interests at heart. Ever.”
I take our coffees and throw them in the nearby garbage container. Then I pull her to me, hoping to shelter her from some of the pain that’s still being rained down on her from her dad.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“The newlyweds!”
Nikki
Talking to Logan about my dad was embarrassing but a necessity. After I finish the morning show, all I can think about is what my dad will ask me when I call him back this afternoon. I’m purposely waiting, hoping I’ll get to leave a voice message because he’s in a meeting or something.
Leaving the station, I stop at The Grind for a coffee and sit down at a table for two. Logan’s training today, so I might as well just get this conversation over with. I pick up the phone and press my dad’s name, sipping my coffee.
“Nik!” he answers as though we’re best friends. “I was just about to call you back.”
“Sorry, I’ve been busy.”
“I know. I heard the news. How could you not invite your old man to your wedding?” He laughs. “Kidding, I know it was an impromptu occasion.”
“Yeah,” I say.
“Logan Stone… so does that mean you’re now Nikki Stone?”
His questions bring up something I haven’t thought of until now. I’ve never considered changing my name. Maybe because we’re dating while married.
“I’m still Nikki Greene.”
“That’s my independent girl.” He acts as though he’s proud of me for not taking the name, but he would’ve thrown a fit if my mom or his other two wives didn’t take on Greene. Plus, he’s a chauvinist who believes he makes the money and his wife should stay at home.
“What did you need?” I ask to get this conversation going.
“I’m going to be in Vegas around the time of Logan’s fighting Rinaldo. I thought maybe the three of us could go to dinner? My treat, of course.”
“Dinner?” That isn’t what I expected. I thought for sure he’d want to take his friends to the fight. Show off his clout with ringside seats because his daughter’s married to the fighter.
Now that I care more for Logan, the thought of sitting there and watching him bleed in the ring makes me nauseated.
“Yeah. Celebrate, since I know he’ll win,” he says.
“So you don’t want to go to the fight?”
He’s quiet for a moment and I’m surprised, because usually he has the lines ready to go. “Well, I thought I’d sit next to you, since from the look of the pictures I saw online, you don’t like fighting.”
“So just you then?” I turn the coffee cup in a circle on the table.
“Your uncles are dying to go too.”
“Uncles?” My dad’s an only child, but I know who he’s talking about. I just want to make him say it.
“Todd and Eddie. They’re the ones who told me about the news—and I had to act like I knew, of course. I know things are strained between us, Nik, but I’m your father. I deserved to know you got married.”
I sip my coffee. “It’s been a whirlwind. You want three tickets then?”
“Yeah, but I told Todd and Eddie I’m taking you two to dinner afterward and they’ll have to entertain themselves.”
“I’ll talk to Logan. I’m not sure about dinner. We’ll have to see after the fight is over. Logan might not want to go out.”
“Totally understandable.”
He’d probably prefer it if Logan doesn’t want to.
“I just want to meet the man who stole my daughter’s heart.” He laughs. “I gotta admit, I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Well, I never thought I’d see the day you got married for the third time, but there you are with Jeanie. She won’t be coming up to Vegas with you, will she?”
I know the answer is no. He’ll leave the wife at home and come up with his buddies.
He used to tell me that I needed to hold my tongue and I should respect him. He’s at least stopped pretending we’ll ever have a normal relationship.
“The twins have school, and she hates to leave them.”
“I’ll talk to Logan and get back to you.” I’d like to end this conversation now before he further ruins my day.
“Sounds great. Love you, Nik,” he says.
“Bye, Dad.”
I hang up and stare out the window of The Grind, watching tourists move about the town. The families hold my attention longer than normal, and I consider what my future looks like with Logan. We’ve never discussed kids or my name changing or where we’ll live once he’s done with this fight. There’s so much that needs to be settled between us.
As though Logan can hear when I’m thinking of him, he and Craig stroll into The Grind, both sweaty messes with gym bags slung over their shoulders. I’ll admit, it’s kind of awesome to have a husband who stays so in shape. Logan spots me and leaves Craig with Zoe at the register.
“Hey,” he says, sitting down and sliding his chair close to me. He leans in for a kiss, but I push his head back, leaving me with a handful of sweat.
I run it down a napkin and he laughs. “What are you doing here?”
He picks up my coffee and sips it, cringing at the sugar.
I steal it back. “Then get your own.”
He laughs. “My manager called and said he’s coming into town.”
“Vince?” I clarify.
He nods.
“Why?” My first impression of Vince wasn’t a great one. Logan has a lot of faith in him, but I don’t know. I don’t get the feeling t
hat Vince has Logan’s best interests in mind.
“Because he wants to check up on me. I’m his paycheck.”
I frown because I don’t like that and it’s exactly what I’m talking about, but I don’t feel it’s my place to tell Logan I think his manager is using him. God knows Vince has been with Logan longer than I have.
As if he can hear my thoughts though, Logan says, “It’s just business. People use people.” He shrugs as though it is what it is and nothing’s going to change.
“Speaking of people using people, I called my dad back.”
His eyes widen. “And?”
“He wants three tickets to the fight and says he wants to take us out to dinner afterward.”
He cringes. “That’s nice and I’ll get him tickets next to you, but I’m not sure about dinner. Depends how things go and how I feel afterward.”
I smile, thinking about being alone in his suite again now that we’re an actual couple. “That’s pretty much what I told him.”
He leans in. “Kiss me.”
He’s less sweaty now and I’m a sucker for those eyes, so I pucker my lips. He doesn’t wait a second before his lips are on mine and his tongue is in my mouth.
Someone clears their throat and I pull away.
“You two have an entire house, and you pick a coffee shop to make out in?” Craig sits down with a muffin and a coffee.
Logan stares at the muffin. “You’re going to eat that in front of me?”
Craig pushes it my way. “Zoe made me take it. Here you go, Nikki. Neither of us can eat it.” Craig sips his coffee.
“Do you have to make weight too?” I ask, and he looks over at Logan.
“It’s moral support,” Craig says.
I’m just about to take a bite of the muffin when I look at Logan. “Should I be eating differently in front of you? I’m sorry.”
Logan shakes his head. “No, I like to watch you enjoy things.”
“Ew… get a room.” Craig tips the chair back, leaving two legs on the floor. “Question, Nikki, is Zoe single?”
I smile because Craig is cute and, although older than Logan, younger than Zoe. “She is, and she’s amazing.”
“Thanks.” He stands and goes back over to see Zoe at the counter. Since it’s midmorning, the place isn’t packed, so he leans over the counter and I see that Zoe can’t stop smiling.
Love it.
I’m interrupted from watching them when the door opens, and Vince stands there with his arms open wide. “I’m here to bring you home.”
The word home coming out of Vince scares me when I think of all those unanswered questions that came to mind only a short time ago. Where is Logan’s home now?
That nauseous feeling in my stomach that was just beginning to go away after speaking with my dad stirs back to life. I place my hand on Logan’s thigh and he covers my hand with his as though we’re a united front.
“Hey, Vince,” Logan says.
Vince stops at Craig and pats him on the back, pretending he’s going to hit him. I’m fairly sure Craig could get Vince in a chokehold in three seconds flat if he wanted to, but Craig is a good enough sport to play along. Then Vince tells Zoe what to get him and, without paying, struts over to us. The guy looks as if he just came out of the late eighties but forgot his Members Only jacket in his T-bird.
“The newlyweds!” Vince comes over to me, leaning down to kiss me on the cheek.
Remind me to wash that cheek when I get home.
He does some kind of man-hug thing with Logan before he sits in Craig’s spot. “So how is married life treating you guys?” Vince props one foot up on his other knee, leaning back as though he owns the place.
Logan glances at me, smiling wide, then back at Vince. “Great.”
“You’ve managed to stay out of the press, I see.”
“No one followed us up here. They must not know where to find us,” I say.
Vince rolls his eyes. “They know where you are. I just think a lot of people aren’t willing to come up here.”
Logan squeezes my hand. I’m starting to really dislike Vince.
I collect my things. “I should probably get going.”
“That’s for the best, because I have to talk to Logan about a few things.” Vince’s foot drops on the floor and he leans forward.
“I’m going to walk her out.” Logan stands and takes my hand.
“Didn’t mean to make you run off, Nik,” Vince says.
The fact he used my nickname grates on my last nerve.
“I have plenty of things to do. Have a great flight back.” I have no idea when he’s leaving, but I’m hoping it’s tonight.
“Oh, I’m staying until Logan goes back to Vegas. We have to go over some of the promotional things. You know, so he can keep his career thriving.”
I feel like according to Vince, we’re on opposing sides when it comes to Logan.
“Let’s just go.” Logan’s hand on the small of my back urges me out of the coffee shop.
Once we’re outside and the sun beams down on us, I sigh.
Logan places his finger under my chin and brings my face up to look at him. “Don’t give him a second thought. All he cares about is the money from the fight.”
I nod, lips pressed together tightly.
“I’m going to talk to him about the way he’s talking to you. It’s unacceptable, but I figured you didn’t want to be there when I did.”
He’s right. Not that I’m shy about confrontation, but Vince makes me feel like an unwanted distraction. Maybe to him, I am, but not to Logan.
“Can we talk tonight?” I ask. Everything in me is telling me to run before things fall apart, but this man is my husband, and I made a commitment to treat him as such. Which means communicating with him when I feel uneasy about what’s to come.
Logan tilts his head.
“Nothing big. Just you go back to Vegas soon and I want to see where we stand, get prepared for any changes.”
He places a light kiss to my lips. “You got it.”
“Thanks.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Nikki, I’m your husband.”
I sigh at his declaration. He really does take this seriously. “See you tonight.”
“See you.” He kisses me one more time.
I turn away, walking back toward the house. I wish I could get rid of this feeling in my gut that the happiness between us is about to be tested. As much as Logan has reassured me, I can’t shake it. Maybe there is something to listening to your gut like Logan says.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“We’re still dating, Mr. Stone.”
Logan
I walk back into The Grind, ready to give Vince a piece of my mind, but he’s on the phone, laughing with someone. When I sit down, Craig glances over and hurries to tell Zoe bye so he can join us. He can always tell when something’s wrong with me. Which happens with Vince a lot, at least these days.
Politely waiting for Vince to get off the phone, I wait until our eyes meet. He must see something in my face, because he sits up straighter and his laugh dies before he tells the person on the line that he has to call them back.
“Sorry, I got word about Dale Campbell looking for a manager,” Vince says.
I lean back in my chair. “So the rumor is true? You’re looking to take on someone else?” He opens his mouth, but before he can answer, I put up my hand. “First, let’s discuss the way you talk to my wife.”
“Wife?” He points at me then looks at Craig with an expression of ‘listen to this guy.’ “A little quick to be her protector.”
“Vince.” Craig shakes his head, but that won’t shut Vince up.
“She is my wife. We’re together.” I whisper so no one overhears us.
“Together? Of course you are. You came here on your fucking white horse and bought her a bunch of shit. We’ve been over this, Log, she’s using you.”
I inhale a deep breath and stand. “If you want to continue talking about
this, we’re doing it somewhere else.”
I burst through the doors of The Grind, Vince and Craig right behind me. I don’t stop until I’m at the storefront I bought to reno for Nikki’s podcast. I’ve been working as much as I can on it without Nikki’s knowledge, and Craig has been helping me during our breaks. I took to heart what Hank said, and after he showed me a few things, I got started.
The three of us walk inside, and I tell the crew I hired to do the soundproofing—since I want it done right—to take a break. They leave, staring at all of us. They can probably tell that none of us are happy right now.
After they leave, I turn the lock on the door. “Vince, you’ve been my manager a long fucking time and I’d hate for our relationship to go south because you’re acting like a jealous girlfriend.”
He holds his hands in the air. “What’s this place?” he asks as if he didn’t hear me and looks around.
“It’s none of your business,” I say, then I get mad at myself because the hell with what he thinks. “Actually, this is a studio for Nikki to do her podcast.”
“You have to be shittin’ me. You bought her a place to do a podcast and you’re what, redoing it for her? A bit much, isn’t it?” He walks around as if he’s foreman of a construction crew.
“I want my wife to have the best. Nothing wrong with that.” I shrug.
He purses his lips. “What does this mean? Is this your home now? Alaska? Really, Log?”
I’ve yet to broach the subject with Nikki for fear she’ll push me away or I’ll say something that scares her. Things are good between us right now, and in reality, this studio will be hers whether our marriage survives or not. But I hope that I’m next door, training at the gym, while she’s recording her podcast and we meet back at our shared house for an afternoon quickie. Hell, I’ll take her in the back room here happily.
“I don’t know yet. I have to talk to Nikki still.”
“You’re throwing your entire career away for a piece of ass?”
Craig puts his hand on Vince’s chest, but I’m already there, pushing Vince to the wall. “She’s not a piece of ass. She’s my wife.”
