Contender: An Everyday Heroes World Book (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Tiffani Lynn

  The next day, Keegan and I start on Lou’s house bright and early. A couple of his boxing friends from the gym are going to come over around lunchtime and help us load up anything we are taking, and then haul away the rest. I start in the bathroom and linen closet, while Keegan works in Lou’s room. I pull up my workout playlist on my phone and start packing things to go to Goodwill. I can hear Keegan moving around in there for a little while, and then it gets quiet. I figure he’s looking at something or taking a break, so I keep moving. When several more minutes pass and it’s still quiet, I drop the last folded towel down into the box and move into the bedroom.

  Keegan is sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at a picture of him and Lou from when he was just a teenager. Lou has pads on his hands and is focused on Keegan. Keegan is in mid-punch, and his face is one of sheer focus. It’s a great picture and should be in a frame but was obviously in a drawer.

  “Keegan, you okay?”

  He nods but doesn’t lift his eyes or say anything, so I sit next to him on the bed and wrap my arm around his back. “When was that taken?”

  He sniffs a little and my heart clenches. Now that I know his history, we talk about Lou all the time. I love the stories of the cantankerous old man guiding young Keegan through his teenage years. “Probably a few months after he started training me. I recognize the shirt as one of the only things to come from my old life. It wasn’t long after I started eating Lou’s high-protein meals that I outgrew that thing.”

  “I think we should frame that picture and put it up at your place.”

  He nods. “Yeah, that would be good. You have no idea how many hours or for how many years we did that exact thing. What you don’t see is Lou giving me pointers after every jab. I can still hear his voice in my head sometimes, when I’m working with Ricardo.”

  “That’s a good thing, I hope.”

  “Yeah, it just makes me miss him more sometimes though.”

  “I get it. Do you know how proud he would be of you? You didn’t just change one life like he was hoping, but you are changing many lives. Between Ricardo, the self-defense classes, Sam, me, and all the other kids that will come through that gym looking for someone to care.”

  He nods and leans over and kisses my forehead. “I’d better stop crying before my guys show up or they will never let me live it down.”

  I grin. “You’re right about that. Are you going to let me drive the El Camino back to Sunnyville?” I ask for the tenth time.

  “The answer is still no. We haven’t had that thing on the road in close to a year. I don’t trust it. You can drive my truck and follow me.”

  “Damn, I was hoping to pop in an eight track tape and listen to Earth, Wind & Fire all the way home.”

  He groans. “I forgot about that. It’s going to be a long drive.”

  We both laugh and get back to work.

  Nineteen

  Keegan

  One year later…

  We’ve been in L.A. for two days and I’m ready to go back to Sunnyville. I’ve gotten used to the slower pace and friendlier people there, but I wanted Ricardo to have his first real fight in the same place I had mine, and face better competition than he would in Sunnyville. He’s staying in a hotel with me and Collins. His foster family, Sam, Fred, and Grant and Emerson, will be here right before the fight tonight to support him though.

  “You ready to head to the locker room?” I ask Ricardo, who has been sitting in the chair, playing on his phone for the last half hour, being unusually quiet.

  He nods but doesn’t say anything. Something’s up, but I’m not going to ask in front of Collins.

  “We’re taking off. You’re coming with Ahmod at seven o’clock, right?” I inquire as I lean down for a quick kiss. I’ll be glad when we get the hotel room to ourselves. Her hair is down, she has a little makeup on and she’s wearing a tight, green sequined dress that hits above her knees. She’s smokin’ hot tonight!

  “Yup, we’ll be there. Kick some butt, Ricardo. You’re going to be awesome!” she tells him.

  “Thanks,” he mumbles and heads out the door.

  We exchange a look and I know she’s concerned too. “I’ll talk to him in the locker room. He’ll be fine.”

  Once we arrive, he changes into his new black satin boxing shorts and sits down for me to tape his hands up.

  “Why are you so quiet?” I question.

  “What if I suck? What if I get the shit kicked out of me?”

  “First of all, I’ve watched this kid fight and he’s good, but you’re better. Second, even if you lose, it’s not the end of the world. Everyone loses sometimes.”

  “Not you,” he grumbles. Ah, that’s the issue.

  “Wrong. I had my ass kicked a time or two. It comes with the sport. Besides, I don’t care if you win or lose. I care that you enjoy it and work hard. If this isn’t your thing, you don’t have to do it anymore. My intention was never to force this on you.”

  “You’re not. I wanted to box since you took me in. I’m just scared.”

  “That’s normal; use that to fuel your inner boxer.” I grip his neck and force him to look me in the eye. “Ricardo, I’m so damn proud of you. I don’t care if you win, but I know you can. Remember what I’ve taught you and don’t give up. Now, let’s turn on your pump-up playlist and get you warmed up!”

  He gives me a huge smile and nods. “Let’s do it!”

  Half an hour later, Sam is making his way into the locker room with a pile of hand towels.

  “Ricardo, I got your lucky towels. Are you ready to fight?”

  Ricardo turns from doing some shadowboxing in the corner and smiles at him. “Yeah, buddy. I’m ready to fight. You still plan to be in my corner tonight?”

  Sam smiles like he always does and nods. “Yes!”

  They try to do their handshake but it’s not quite possible with Ricardo’s gloves on and they both laugh.

  Once the match starts, Ricardo comes out hot, taking several quick jabs with his right, forcing his opponent, Elvin, into the corner. Elvin comes back with a hook and catches Ricardo on the jaw. He shakes it off. They dance for a few seconds and then start again.

  Ricardo has a slightly longer reach and is able to stun Elvin with a right hook before hitting him with a series of jabs to the midsection. It’s no time before Elvin’s on the ropes. The bell dings, signaling the end of the first round. Two more to go. Sam mops the sweat off of Ricardo while he drinks out of the water bottle.

  “Work his body. He’s tired. He doesn’t have as much stamina as you do. Dig deep and find a power punch when you have him in the corner again.”

  He’s trying to catch his breath so he just nods at me. The bell dings again and he goes back to the middle of the ring. Twice more he gets Elvin in the corner and both times, Elvin uses a cross to get out of it. The third time, Ricardo backs him all the way up with two rights and a left, and Elvin comes back with a series of jabs. The bell dings, signaling the end of the second round.

  “You’re doing good. Keep moving. He’s exhausted. He may have one or two more good swings in him but you can take him. Pick your moment and take a big shot no one expects.”

  He drinks some more and Sam wipes off the sweat. I put some salve on his lip that was split in cross earlier. The bell dings and they start again. Elvin takes a big swing and Ricardo ducks and counters with a left. Then he comes back at Ricardo with several one-two punches in a row. Ricardo’s back hits the ropes and in a move I don’t expect, Ricardo catches Elvin with an uppercut to the chin when he drops his guard briefly. It must be the perfect spot because Elvin drops to the mat like a sack of potatoes. The crowd erupts in cheers and I leap over the ring ropes to get to him as the referee is holding his arm up and declaring him the winner. I grab him around the waist and hoist him into the air. Now I know how Lou felt every time I won. This is definitely in the top ten best moments of my life so far.

  We clear the ring to make way for the next fight, and head for a side room th
at isn’t being used tonight so everyone can hug and congratulate him. When everyone settles down a little bit, I ask for their attention.

  “I have a few things to say. First, thank you to everyone who came to watch Ricardo’s first fight. I know it was quite the drive to get here, but it means a lot to me to be back here at Lou’s gym for this moment. Second, I want to say congratulations to Ricardo! I’m so proud of you. You’ve worked hard, not only to win this fight but also to turn your life around. We all love you and look forward to more wins. Last, but certainly not least, Collins, can you come over here please?” She slips through the crowd with a big smile on her face. She’s still filled with the excitement of the fight and has no idea what’s coming.

  I grab her hand and look into her eyes. “I’m probably crazy for doing this here in front of a crowd, but to me there is no place more special.” I pull the ring out of my pocket and get down on one knee. She finally registers what’s going on and gasps, covering her mouth with her free hand. “You are the toughest and most loving woman I know, a fierce defender of family and friends. I want to spend the rest of my life holding your hand and dodging your temper. You don’t always make life easy, but you always make love worth it. I love you. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She bounces a little as I push the ring onto her finger. When she lifts her hand to examine it, realization dawns on her face. “Oh my God! It’s my mother’s ring.” She turns to find her dad, who has made his way over to us.

  Her dad hugs her tight. “When Keegan asked me if he could marry you, I decided to offer him our rings. I can’t think of two better people to pass them on to. If you want to get your own, I won’t be offended, but I thought your mom would like to be part of this moment.”

  “Oh, no, Dad! This is…” She doesn’t even finish, se just throws her arms around him again and holds him tight. Then she lets go and slides right into my arms. She runs her thumb over my almost-dimple and kisses me hard and fast.

  It’s official; I won the only match that truly matters, the one for her heart.

  THE END

  Want to keep up with all of the other books in K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes World? You can visit us anytime at http://www.kbworlds.com/ and the best way to stay up to date on all of our latest releases and sales, is to sign up for our official KB Worlds newsletter HERE.

  Are you interested in reading the bestselling books that inspired the Everyday Heroes World? You can find them HERE.

  Also by Tiffani Lynn

  Colorado Veterans Series

  Finding Purpose

  Finding Heart

  Finding Passion

  Finding Life

  Finding Hope

  Finding Forever

  Florida Veterans Series

  Saving Summer

  Saving Stacey

  Saving Simone

  Protecting Luciana

  Betrayal to Bliss Duo

  Strangers at Sunset

  From Strangers to Lovers

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, thanks always goes to my husband and my daughters. I appreciate your support of my dream even when it means I am hiding for days or hours on end. I love you guys always!

  Next, my appreciation goes to K. Bromberg for giving me the opportunity to write in a world that I love to read. This has not only been a great opportunity but also a lot of fun!

  Thank you to all the people helped me keep plugging along even when the words weren’t flowing.

  To my TLC Crew – Don’t forget - What you find is what you find.

  About the Author

  The west coast of Florida is home for Tiffani and her family. She’s a music loving, baseball adoring, crazed hockey fan who enjoys writing sexy romance novels. She loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her by clicking this link https://www.tiffanilynn.com/contact

  www.tiffanilynn.com

  Also Written by K. Bromberg

  Driven

  Fueled

  Crashed

  Raced

  Aced

  Slow Burn

  Sweet Ache

  Hard Beat

  Down Shift

  UnRaveled

  Sweet Cheeks

  Sweet Rivalry

  The Player

  The Catch

  Cuffed

  Combust

  Cockpit

  Control

  Faking It

  Resist

  Reveal

  Then You Happened

  Hard to Handle

  Flirting with 40

  Hard to Hold

  Hard to Score

  Hard to Lose