Blindsided (The Fighter Series Book 1)

by Matson, TC

  She springs from the couch and saunters toward me, lowering her bright blue, low-cut shirt to my face and placing her tits in my view. She presses her lips to my ear. “Yes, me,” she tries tempting me. “And the last time I checked, I took damn good care of you. Do you need a reminder?” she says then with balls of steel drags her lips across my ear.

  I stand catching her by the waist and pulling her into me—hips to hips, her against my chest. I lean my head down to her cheek. “First,” I hum gravelly and her breath hitches. “I don’t need a reminder after what I had all night. Second, if you disrespect my girl by touching me again, I’ll make sure to let the wolves have at you. Do you understand me?” I push her back and glower at her.

  Her face crumbles, her eyes frantically searching mine. “Wha—Wh…” she stutters. Pulling her shoulders back she blinks composing herself. “I can’t believe it. You love her, don’t you?”

  I drop back down to my seat uninterested in answering the question.

  “You haven’t told her?” she adds.

  “When did my personal life become so fucking important to you?” I gruff.

  My ears fill with a malevolent snicker. “Oh this will be so much fun to watch you screw it all up.” She sits back down on the couch, crossing her legs. “And we all know you will.”

  I snap my eyes to her. “No I won’t and don’t you dare try your stupid bullshit either. Don’t stop by her work, don’t plague her with your trifling ass ways. Just leave her alone.”

  “Me? Oh I wouldn’t do such a thing,” she bold face lies.

  “I’m not fucking stupid, Allison. I know you and Jena went to her work.”

  “Oh that? We were just having some fun.”

  “Keep our past out of my future,” I tell her.

  “She’s going to find out about you,” she spouts. “Your appetite for sex is unreal. You’re set in your own ways, never able to be without it for long.”

  “Oh, she knows,” I smile wolfishly. “There’s nothing for her to find out. I haven’t lied to her.”

  “Yet,” she adds.

  “Good try with Maine,” I wink.

  I’ve heard enough and head to the bedroom. I’m not going to sit out there and argue with stupidity. I’ve known her long enough to know it’s all falling on deaf ears. She doesn’t give a damn. Vindictive down to her bones, trifling running in her blood…she’s out for one thing. She’s a great lay, but a sorry ass person. Shit like that used to never concern me, but after watching Paige proudly work so hard for what she has, things now have a different spin. She’s independent. Grounded. She has values and won’t stand to be seen as any less. The thing that strikes me the most is the amount of respect she has for herself. It’s downright titillating.

  I turn the volume up on my phone, set it on the nightstand, and drop down onto the bed. I need to rest and reenergize my body because when I get my hands back on Paige, we’re going to have a fun time catching up.

  Chapter 30

  Shopping with Holly isn’t any fun. She’s dark and gothic, and it shows with the places she’s dragging me to. She even had me in black combat boots, a black leather pleated skirt, and a deep blood red shirt. Needless to say, hell no! That’s totally not my style.

  “Here, try this,” I say handing her a light grey skull shirt.

  She scrunches her nose. “Nope.”

  “I’d wear it.”

  “There’s where the problem is. Anything you wear will not be worn by this chick,” she points to herself.

  I laugh. “Good point.”

  “I know,” she chirps.

  By my watch, I’ve been with her for almost three hours and I’m ready to give it up and go home. I pulled doubles yesterday and my feet are killing me. I’m stoked that I have almost a whole week off from both jobs but saddened that Levi isn’t here to share the majority of it with me.

  I have to stop and allow my eyes to adjust to the bright sun when we walk out of the black dungeon she enjoys shopping at.

  “How the hell do you do it?” I ask rubbing my eyes.

  She snickers but doesn’t respond and walks off to my car.

  If I’m ever brave enough to do this again with her, I’ll have to bring sunglasses.

  Not only is she a horrible shopping partner, she’s awful at riding. You’d think by the way she dresses and acts that she would be laid back, lazy about the speed limits and excited with my music, but nope. You would have thought wrong. “Slow down. You’re speeding. The radio is too loud. The song sucks.” It’s nonstop! I would have never pegged her as a safety queen. I mean five over isn’t speeding, and if the song is good, turn it up and sing it loud, right?

  You can only imagine the relief I felt after dropping her off at her apartment. I felt like speeding through her parking lot, blaring the worst song I could find and laughing like a madman. But I didn’t feel like hearing her mouth when she called to cuss me. If she dreams of one day being with a man like Blain, she needs to relax a little.

  Stepping into my house, a succulent aroma smacks me in the face causing instant drool.

  In a neon green t-shirt, Blain is slicing onions as I set my purse down on the kitchen island. “Well, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

  He stops to glance up at me. “Felt like cooking,” he says.

  “Uh huh? I don’t buy it.”

  He places the knife beside the cutting board and grabs a towel to wipe off his hands. “I don’t know,” he shrugs. “I was thinking how long it’s been since we’ve had a dinner together. We used to once a week, or at least every other, but it’s been months. So sue me. I felt like spoiling my lil’ sis.”

  I know Blain isn’t big on mushy, gushy feelings so instead of drowning him in them, I smile tenderly. “So…what are we having?”

  Braced for sappiness, his body relaxes, unknotting from his clenched jaw down his shoulders and across his chest when not presented with it. That’s right…his little sis knows him all too well.

  “Steaks with sautéed mushrooms and onions, broccoli, and mashed potatoes,” he says.

  My brows furrow and I press my palm to my heart. “Is there something wrong? Did something happen?”

  “No.” He gives a short laugh. “Just so happens your favorite meal is also one of mine. Quit overanalyzing shit and go wash up.”

  I release a sigh, thankful nothing is wrong then head to my room to put up the three shirts I did end up buying. I’ve never had to be told twice that it was dinnertime. First time was always the charm.

  My phone chirps just as I’m closing my closet door and I make a mad dash for my purse. Furiously, I dig for it, scrambling through all the compartments. Frustration begins setting it. I know I put it in here. Screw it! I grab the bottom and dump it all on the bed.

  Levi: Have I told you I hate playing dress up?

  I beam reading his text, breathless from digging through my bottomless pit. Yes, breathless. I did say I was going insane trying to find it, right?

  Me: You’ve mentioned it a time or two. I bet you’re mouthwatering.

  Levi: I always am. You having a good day?

  Conceited ass.

  Me: Played dungeon queen with Holly shopping in the dark in search of blood.

  Levi: You know I only want to be with you?

  My face falls.

  Me: I don’t like where this is going.

  Levi: There’s going to be photographers meaning Allison will be in my pictures.

  I puff out air. I freaking hate it.

  Me: I don’t like it, but it’s the package I signed on for.

  Levi: I don’t like when you say that. This will be the last event I do with her. I’ll make it right when I get back. Talk to you when the date from hell is over.

  I stare at the phone scared to reply. It hurts knowing he has to be with her, someone he’s had a relationship with. Regardless if it’s “work” or not, I’m bitter about it. I can’t help how I feel. I can only control how I handle it, and right now, slamming my things
back into my purse feels like the best thing to do.

  Dinner with Blain was exactly what I needed. We’ve been done for ten minutes or more, but we’ve remained here at the table for longer catching up with one another. Of course we haven’t missed much since we live with each other, but I didn’t know he’s been trying to show Lacy that he’s a good guy. Unfortunately for him, his past haunts him and she’s refusing to give him a chance. I can’t say I blame her. He has a record with the ladies around here.

  I’m trying to keep my food down as he tells me how he performed a surgery with Dr. Aisner when something behind me catches his attention causing him to lose his train of thought. I turn, following his gaze and gasp.

  Posing for the cameras is Levi in a black suit, a royal blue shirt that’s unbuttoned a few from the top, and his sneakers. His suit strains against his muscles showing off how large his arms are, how stocky his chest is. He’s sporting his normal faux hawk…he’s absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, on his arm ruining the sight is Allison, dressed to match him. Her brown hair has loose waves sculpting her ten pounds of makeup. The royal blue dress pushes her boobs together showing off her cleavage with a slit that exposes her hip and all of her right leg. They both look amazing smiling for the photographers.

  “Paige, it’s just for show,” Blain reminds me, but his words don’t help the torture of jealousy that’s racing through me.

  And although Levi’s hands are in his pockets, Allison has her hands all over him, running them down his chest, leaning her head on his arm. I feel like my heart is being mauled, shredded into threads. My insecurities are flaring, spewing over like a volcano, shooting the pain out and over my skin.

  Every few steps, they stop and pose giving her more opportunity to grope him. They pause one last time in front of his fighter poster and I watch in horror as she cups his face and kisses him. He doesn’t jerk away or try stopping her. He stands there and kisses her back.

  My world crashes around me. Indescribably awful pain engulfs me. My soul writhes. Silence plugs my ears but has left me listening to the very thing that just shattered. Tears sting my eyes and I jerk from my seat having seen enough.

  “What a show, huh?” My voice shakes as I try to hide the hurt, but it’s too late. I hurry toward my room locking the door behind me and dropping on my bed.

  “Paige?” Blain says through the door.

  “I’ll be ok. Just leave me alone, please.”

  It doesn’t take long for my devastated tears to spiral into anger. Lying here isn’t doing anything but pissing me off more, so I hop up and begin pacing the floor. I should’ve known better. I should’ve known that he couldn’t do it. He is who he is, why would he change? I’m riddled with questions, shaking in rage. I’m so pissed. Pissed at myself for letting myself fall for it. Pissed at him for pushing me face first into his little web of games. This isn’t what I deserve.

  I grab my phone and dial the only person I know who can make it better. I haven’t talked to him in days, which isn’t highly unusual, but right now I need him.

  The phone rings several times then I melt into his voice.

  “Paigey?”

  “Hey, Daddy.” I try hard to not let my voice wobble, but I know I just failed.

  “Baby girl, what’s wrong?”

  I squeeze my eyes closed willing myself to be strong. “Nothing. I just haven’t talked to you in a while,” I lie.

  Dad laughs. “Did my tattoo on my forehead reappear from when you were little? I swear I scrubbed it off.”

  When I was little and did something wrong, and tried hiding it, he’d always ask me if he had “stupid” tattooed on his forehead. I’d laugh back then and nothing has changed. I let out a small giggle. “No daddy, I don’t think you’re stupid. Do you care if I come home for a few days?”

  “What kind of crazy question is that? Of course you can.”

  “I’ll be there tomorrow morning if that’s ok?”

  “You know you can talk to me about anything right?” he asks.

  “I’ll be fine, Daddy,” I tell him.

  “Stubborn and strong just like your mother,” he chuckles. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  We hang up and I wipe the damp streams my hot tears left behind, and then start packing my bag. Heartbreak…I remember now why I’ve kept myself guarded.

  I wake up to my alarm buzzing, still sprawled out on top of my covers just the way I dropped down onto them and cried myself to sleep. I did my fair share last night, but now…now I’m done crying. I refuse to waste any more tears on him. But I do plan on running from the hurt for just a little bit. Isn’t it pathetic?

  I pull myself from the bed and head to the shower only to be stopped by the purple light on my phone indicating I have a text.

  Levi: I’m home. You up?

  Levi: Call me when you wake up no matter what time it is.

  Levi: I’m secretly wishing my texts wake you.

  Levi: Last text, I promise. Hope you sleep good.

  Fuck him. I shake my head tossing the phone on my bed and finishing my one-stop shower trip. Hot water stings my skin as I step in, the steam awakening my restless mind, and I waste no time hurrying to get out. I’m ready to hit the road.

  Hair and body washed, Levi quietly cussed, dried off and dressed in comfy clothes….and I still feel like shit. I’m excited to see Dad. I haven’t seen him in a few months, so catching up will not only feel great, it will also clear my head. Dad’s always had a knack for unknotting my thoughts and straightening me back out. He’s helped me come through bigger wars than this, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to break over someone again.

  Me: I’m not sure you can make things right when you get back.

  I’m just about out the door when Blain jumps off the couch digging his palms in his eyes. “What are you doing?”

  I thought I was quiet enough. I thought wrong. I pull my shoulders back and clear my throat. “I’m going to Dad’s for a few days.”

  His face wrinkles up. “You’re running from it, Paige.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  I’m not scared to admit it.

  He stands conflicted with worry then wraps his arms around my shoulders. “Be careful. You’ll figure it out but don’t do it without talking to him first.”

  I step back annoyed. Of course he’d have Levi’s back. “I know what I saw. I’m sure you can find it on the Internet by now. Not too much he can explain. What will be his excuse? That he did it for charity, or it was just for show? I wouldn’t do it to him and I demand the same respect back, Blain.”

  He pulls his hands up like he’s surrendering. “Calm down. I know he’s in the wrong, but he still has the right to explain.”

  I rock back on my heel shoving my hand on my hip. Now I’m getting pissed. “Is this an instance of bros before hoes?”

  He rolls his eyes. “Paige, you’re my sister. Get a fucking grip, would ya?”

  I shake my head. “Sorry, I’m just…” I trail off opening the door and pulling my duffle bag strap over my shoulder. “I’ll be back in a few days.”

  This town hasn’t changed a bit in six years since Blain and I moved. Blain’s house beside ours still has the big oak tree in the front yard, the same one he and I used to climb when we were younger. Daddy’s house is still yellow with the stump remnant of an Oak tree that he got mad at and decided to cut the whole thing down. Every time I’ve visited him, I’ve tried telling him to plant another tree but whatever that oak tree did to him scarred him for life. He refuses to even think of another tree.

  I walk up the stepping stones, the morning air crisp, the white stones crunching beneath my flip flops. I tap lightly, scared he might still be sleeping since the sun only rose about an hour ago. There’s a rustle behind the door then it flings open. Daddy’s green eyes light up with a matching smile.

  “Sweet girl,” he exhales squeezing the breath out of me. He pulls back and swipes some hair that fell in my face and kisses my forehead.

&nb
sp; “Hey, Daddy,” I say.

  “Come inside,” he says grabbing my bag and lugging it in.

  The smell of the house brings back memories of when I lived here when I was younger and when Mom was here. Regardless of the time of year, this house has always smelled fresh and clean like after a slow and steady rain shower. I’ve always loved it. Blain and I used to run through the house driving everyone insane from us laughing and cutting up just like any eight year old would do. Pictures of Mom, the family, and me line the walls in the frames they’ve been in for more than fifteen years. Dad hasn’t changed a thing.

  “Coffee?” he asks and I can’t help but look at him like he’s stupid. “I guess that was ignorant, huh?” He chuckles pouring the dark liquid into a burgundy mug.

  I inhale the aroma before taking a sip and allowing it to rush contentment throughout me.

  Daddy drops to his chair, leans his elbows on the table and flashes a lopsided smile. “So…who is he?”

  “Daddy,—”

  “Still playing that game?” he interrupts me.

  There’s no use. Father’s intuition… “His name is Levi. It’s nothing, Daddy. I just saw something I didn’t want to see, that’s all.”

  Oh the father’s lingering stare. It chastises me without words. “Like Wesley?”

  “No, not like Wesley,” I tell him. “He just kissed another girl. It’s nothing. I’ll get over it.”

  “Have you talked to him about it?”

  I look up hoping to hide the hurt. “Not yet. I’m not ready to. I’m more mad at myself.”

  His thick eyebrows pinch together. “Why’s that?”

  “I should’ve known better than to get involved with a man like him.”

  “A man like what?” he asks crossing his arms over his chest.

  “He’s,” I pause as my voice escapes me. I’ve kept Levi a tight-lipped secret until now. Dad motions for me to continue, the same motion he used to do when I was younger and ratted myself out. Crap. I sigh. I guess now is as a good time as any, whether I like it or not. “He’s a fighter in the MMAT. He’s pretty good and really popular with the ladies, if you know what I mean.”