The Fighting Series Boxset

by Ash, Nikki

  “When are you due?”

  “End of July.”

  “I thought you were on birth control.” It’s a statement not a question. It doesn’t make sense how this happened.

  “Yeah, I was. But then Liz decided not to get her shot and she always scheduled the appointments for us to go together so I forgot to go, and then when I went to go they said I was pregnant. I’m sorry.”

  “Were you going to tell me?” I ask softly not letting my frustration show.

  “The baby isn’t due for several months. We can figure out visitation once the baby comes. I plan to breastfeed so it will be awhile until you can take the baby anyway. I wasn’t keeping the baby from you. I just figured until she comes I wouldn’t bother you.”

  She is rambling on and I know she is nervous. Her face is close to mine but her eyes are darting everywhere but at me. I turn my face a little to catch her eyes and lock them in place.

  “Kayla, you could never bother me. Do you really think I would be ok not knowing about the baby until after she is born?”

  “No, I just needed time to figure it out. I went to…” And before she can finish I hear Sophia coming up the walkway talking some more shit.

  “Bentley, I hope you aren’t believing a word she is saying. She is conning you. Why can’t you see that?” and then she turns to Kayla. “Once you have a paternity test then we can talk about all this.”

  She grabs my hand to go and before I can shake her off of me, Kayla glares and slams the door in our faces.

  “What the fuck?” I stare at Sophia shocked at the person I am seeing. I know this must be a shock to her as well but I don’t get why she is acting so nasty towards Kayla.

  The plane ride home is long. Sophia is cuddled into my lap and even though I am seriously pissed at the way she acted I don’t bother to push her away. Liz keeps shooting glances my way and I keep looking elsewhere. I know she wants answers but the truth is I have more questions than answers at this point. All I can think about is that Kayla is carrying my baby. I know Sophia thinks I should get a paternity test but I know deep down this baby is mine. Kayla isn’t like that. She wouldn’t say a baby is mine if it wasn’t.

  I just don’t understand why she would move to Florida to be with her parents instead of staying in Vegas with Liz. Her parents are not the nurturing kind and while I am sure they would support her, Kayla is independent. She doesn’t need anyone. Well, actually, she does but she would never admit that. Why would she think it’s ok to hide a pregnancy from me until the baby is here? I get I can’t do anything about it while the baby is in her stomach but I still deserved to know. The more I think, the madder I get. I have a feeling Kayla ran from Vegas to get away from me.

  One thing is for sure; when I get off this plane I will be giving Kayla a call so we can talk.

  Kayla

  Holy shit! My heart is still beating a million miles an hour and it’s been hours since everybody left. I was not expecting nor was I prepared for any of this. When Bentley stood within inches from me and touched my chin I almost lost it. It felt so good to be touched by someone, especially him. I almost gave in. I almost admitted that I wanted to tell him but chickened out when I saw him with Sophia that day at the bar. I know it’s my fault. I know I had my chance but this just proves my mom’s theory. One shouldn’t base decisions off of love. Both times I went to tell Bentley about the baby, Sophia was there and I didn’t want to mess things up for Bentley. I might not be able to stand her but I can’t blame her for being pissed. She got into a relationship thinking it was just Bentley and her; now she finds out it is Bentley plus baby and baby mama.

  After I finish making my sandwich (I have now changed my mind to bananas and mayo- Don’t knock it until you have tried it!) I go back to lying by the pool under the umbrella, and must fall asleep because I wake up to my phone ringing. I look to see who it is on the caller id and see it’s Liz. I might as well get this over with.

  “Hello.”

  “Hello? That’s what you have to say all nonchalantly like I didn’t just find out a few hours ago that my best fucking friend is pregnant!”

  “I’m sorry?” I say it like a question because I am not sure what to say.

  “Sorry?” I hear Liz’s voice break and I know she is about to start crying.

  “I’m sorry, Liz. I didn’t know what to do, so I ran. I couldn’t tell you because I couldn’t ask you to keep that secret from Cooper.”

  “How far along are you?”

  “I am due July 22nd.”

  The phone goes silent and then I hear a loud squeal.

  “Oh. My. God! Kayla! Our babies are going to be like a week apart. Please tell me you are coming home so we can raise them together.”

  “I am home, Liz. Las Vegas isn’t my home anymore. I will be back for your wedding, though. You know I wouldn’t miss that. However, I am not moving back to Vegas.”

  She waits a beat and I hear sniffling. “Kayla, your home is here with me and Bella and this new baby. Please don’t do this. I need you. You really want to raise the baby around your parents? I can’t imagine your mom is thrilled to be a grandmother. I remember all too well the way she acted when she found out I was pregnant. You belong here, in Las Vegas with me. Please.”

  Damn her and her guilt trips.

  “And just so you know Bentley is seriously pissed at Sophia. I wouldn’t be surprised if they break up soon. He was totally scolding her, telling her to never call you names again. I don’t even know why he is with her. I think he is just using her to get over you. ”

  My heart warms a bit at the thought of Bentley defending me, and I won’t deny that the image of him dumping her makes me a little giddy inside. He can do so much better than her bitchy ass. It sucks that he still hasn’t dumped her. What the hell? Why do I even care whether he is with her or not? Oh, I know why. Because I am a stubborn bitch who is in love with Bentley but is too afraid to give him my heart because I don’t want to get hurt, again.

  “I will be there for your wedding. Why in the world are you having it so close to your due date anyway?”

  “It’s the only weekend before the baby comes that there isn’t a fight or event going on. I just have to pray this little guy stays in here until after we say, ‘I do’.” She giggles and it makes me smile. I love to see her happy. My heart tightens because I miss her so much and wish I could see her and be pregnant with her. Liz found out a week ago the baby is a boy, and both her and Cooper are over the moon. I have an appointment next week for an ultrasound and I am hoping to find out the sex. I think it’s a girl, though. I just hate that I will be doing it alone even if I only have myself to blame for that.

  I clear my throat to compose myself. “I will book my flight now.”

  “Ok! I can’t wait to see you. I love you, Kayla.”

  “Me, too!” I say with as much energy as I can muster up.

  While I am enjoying my sandwich my phone rings again and I see it’s Caleb. While I was living with Bentley and Caleb, we became close.

  “Hey there good looking.” I say hoping to keep it light.

  I hear him breathe loudly into the phone and then he says, “Damn Kayla, it hurts you couldn’t tell me but I think I always knew.”

  My chest constricts. Liz let me off the hook but Caleb’s response makes me realize how badly I messed up running away. My actions are hurting other people.

  “I’m sorry. I got scared.”

  “I get it. I do. But damn you could have told me. You made it seem like you just couldn’t be around Bentley anymore.”

  I think back to the night I told Caleb I was going to move to Florida.

  * * *

  I was sitting on the couch watching television with Caleb. We were watching a movie about a woman who is in love with this guy. She had her chance with him but blew it. She has to return years later to attend a funeral and sees that he is married with kids. She has to watch him happily kiss his wife and play with his kids. It made me feel sick.
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  I knew it was my fault that Bentley was dating Sophia. I could have been with him but allowed my fear of being wrong about love keep me away from Bentley, which gave him the opening to move forward.

  “Do you believe in love, Caleb?”

  He turned to me raising his one eyebrow in question with where I was going with this.

  “Well, do you?”

  “I don’t know, Kayla. I haven’t experienced it myself so I just don’t know.”

  “I think I am going to move back to Florida.”

  He sat up and moved closer to me looking angry.

  “Why? Why would you move so far away?”

  “Caleb, please don’t tell anybody this but I am in love with Bentley.”

  Caleb’s head flew back as he laughed loudly shaking his head back and forth.

  “Kayla, we all know you are in love with Bentley. Look, Bentley told me a little about your mom and I get where you are coming from. Bentley has an amazingly close family. We all don’t have that…”

  He stopped like he was lost in thought and I wanted to ask him about his family but felt like if he wanted me to know he would tell me.

  “I just can’t bring myself to be with him. He deserves more than I can give him. I am broken, while he is perfect.”

  “I understand being broken, Kayla. But I don’t think Bentley cares that you are broken. I think he accepts you just the way you are.”

  I thought about this for a few minutes and I knew he was right but didn’t think I could handle if he ever decided he wanted someone who wasn’t broken like me. I didn’t think I could handle it if I had to listen to my mom tell me I told you so once again.

  “I really appreciate our friendship, Caleb.” I gave him a small smile as I felt the tears well up. I didn’t know when I would see Caleb again.

  He nodded his head and said, “I don’t trust women Kayla, but I trust you. I appreciate our friendship as well. I don’t agree with you leaving but I get it.”

  He moved his hand to mine and patted it softly. Caleb never gave hugs or got close with women so him patting my hand was kind of a big deal and I knew it. He left his hand there while we watched the woman continue to have her heart broken over and over again. The truth is she only had herself to blame and I could completely relate. I knew I was probably making the wrong choice but I didn’t know how else to protect my heart.

  * * *

  “Are you mad at me, Caleb?” I ask praying he isn’t. I know he doesn’t trust women and what I did doesn’t help the way he would view a woman.

  “Oh, Kayla. I’m not mad. I’m hurt but I get it. You ran. You were scared. I can’t judge you because you and I are a lot alike. I just don’t like to see Bentley hurting. He’s a damn good guy.”

  “I left so I wouldn’t hurt him,” I blurt out.

  “No, you didn’t. You left so he couldn’t hurt you. There’s a difference. Own up to your shit, Kayla.”

  I can’t argue with him. I told myself I was leaving so Bentley could be happy and create a life with a woman who deserves him but the truth is, I did run. I ran because if I would have stayed he would have wanted a life with me and I didn’t want to take the chance of opening my heart up and getting hurt again.

  Eight

  Bentley

  Me: When is your next doctor’s appointment?

  Kayla: In two days. Why?

  Me: I am flying out to go. I will pick you up so we can go together. What time?

  Kayla: You don’t have to… 2 pm.

  Me: I will be there.

  Kayla: Ok.

  It’s been almost a week since I found out Kayla is pregnant, and to say shit has been rocky is an understatement. Things between Sophia and I have gone from ok, too bad, to downright awful. She’s currently sitting in my living room watching some stupid reality television show. I know I have to tell her I am flying out to join Kayla for her doctor’s appointment but I also know it’s going to lead to an argument and I am so sick of arguing with her. The past week every time I text Kayla to see how she’s doing Sophia turns it into an argument.

  “Bentley, who are you texting with?” Sophia asks without looking away from the show.

  “Kayla. I am flying out tomorrow to meet her for her doctor’s appointment. I should be back in a few days.”

  She whips her head around and glares at me. “What? You don’t even know if the baby is yours! And if you are going, so am I.”

  “Sophia, I am not having this argument with you again. I believe Kayla when she says the baby is mine and I am going to be in his or her life until proven otherwise. I don’t think you going would be a good idea. I can’t imagine stress is good for the baby.”

  At this moment, Caleb walks in from the gym throwing his gear to the side next to the door.

  “What’s up?” He looks to me completely ignoring Sophia.

  “Nothing much. I am flying out tomorrow to meet Kayla for an OB appointment. I think we are going to see the baby through ultrasound or some shit.”

  “Damn, I miss that girl. This place feels so empty without her. Give her a hug for me, please.”

  Caleb is one of my best friends but one thing about Caleb is he doesn’t talk much so when he does it has meaning and right now I am getting his meaning loud and clear.

  Sophia crosses her arms over her chest and pouts like a child. “Kayla is a nasty slut and the best thing that could happen was her moving away. Why am I the only one who sees the real her?”

  Oh shit. She just had to go there. Caleb is loyal to a fault and he absolutely adores Kayla. This isn’t going to be good.

  He walks up to her and gives her a look up and down like he is checking her out but not in a good way, more of a who-the-fuck-do-you-think-you-are way.

  “I get you are Bentley’s girl so I have made sure to be nice to you out of respect for him. I listen to you whine and bitch over everything every time you are here but I ignore it. I listened to you talk shit about my friend in Florida and I let it go because I let Bentley handle it, but now you are in my home and talking shit about one of my best friends and I am done listening to it. Kayla has made some shitty choices but she is still a thousand times more of a woman than you will ever be…”

  I can tell he is losing his patience with her so I cut him off. The truth is I have had enough of all this. I need to focus on my baby and Kayla.

  “Caleb, can you give Sophia and me some time alone?”

  He simply nods his head and walks to his room, closing the door.

  “He is such an asshole. You seriously have the worst friends, Bentley.”

  “I beg to disagree. Look, Sophia… This just isn’t working. I need to focus on my baby and I just don’t feel like we are clicking anymore.”

  She puts her hand on her hip and curls her lip in annoyance. “You mean you have to focus on Kayla?”

  “At this point the baby and Kayla are one in the same. It doesn’t even matter. I just know that I can’t focus on you.”

  “Whatever! You will regret this. She doesn’t even want you.” She walks around the room and grabs her belongings. She doesn’t have much here. I never let her leave anything nor have I offered her a drawer or storage of any kind. I think I always knew it wouldn’t work out but I was so hurt over Kayla I latched on to the closest woman.

  She slams the door on her way out and I sit down on the couch finally taking a deep cleansing breath.

  Caleb walks out and looks around for Sophia.

  “Is she gone?”

  “Yeah, she is.”

  “Good. Bro, how you went from a woman like Kayla to a spoiled little girl like Sophia is beyond me.”

  “I think that’s why I did it. They are exact opposites. I love Kayla so damn much and I think in the back of my head I knew whoever I was with wouldn’t be permanent because Kayla is all I want.”

  He nods his head slowly. “Makes sense. Look, Kayla is fragile. She comes across as being tough but she has a lot of shit going on inside her head. Just go easy o
n her.”

  I nod knowing he is right. I am glad him and Kayla have developed a friendship.

  “Have you spoken to her?” I ask.

  “Yeah, she’s a mess. So when do you leave?”

  “Tomorrow morning. I think I am going to hit the gym. How’s the training coming along for the fight?”

  “Good. I am working with Kaden more since Cooper semi-retired. He’s working me hard. I am hoping this upcoming fight will help me make a name for myself. Every single person I have fought and beat has been minor compared to this guy.”

  “You got this shit, bro.” We fist bump and I take off to the gym.

  Kayla

  I am nervously running around getting ready for my doctor’s appointment. I have been to every appointment by myself and today Bentley will be joining me. We will also be seeing the baby through ultrasound and hopefully finding out the sex. He sent me a text this morning to let me know he has arrived and is staying at the Jupiter Beach Resort right down the street from my house which means he isn’t planning to fly back tonight.

  I didn’t have the guts to ask him if he is still with his girlfriend and if so, if she is with him. I know if my man were flying across the country to go hang out with his baby mama I would be right there by his side. Of course, that is just one more reason why I am single.

  There’s a knock on the door and I am so thankful everybody in my house is gone. When I told my mom that Bentley was coming she gave me a huge lecture on not allowing him to steer my emotions. She knows now that I am definitely not giving the baby up for adoption but she has made it clear how bad of an idea she thinks it would be for Bentley and I to get together.