“Look,” I say, wiping the tears from my face, frustrated to the fifth degree. “I won’t apologize for what happened. I trust Titus and he took care of me and so I wanted to take care of him.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, I realize how they sound, that I wanted to take care of him by having sex with him. But what I meant was I wanted to take care of him by bandaging up his hand. I don’t try to explain. My grandpa has made enough judgments about Titus and me tonight.
I shove my feet into my combat boots and grab my jacket. “I’m going home,” I tell him. “I’m sorry for upsetting you, but I'm not sorry for getting caught with Titus. I just hope you didn't ruin my chance with the first guy I've ever met that I actually like.”
“You really like him? You don’t even know him!” My grandpa scowls.
I don’t reply, instead I take my things and leave through the back door.
In the alley, I pull out my phone and call a car and within a few minutes, it's here. On the ride home, I tell myself to stop crying. Deep down I know Grandpa loves me, but sometimes his love seems to get in the way. Like right now. He’s being an overprotective bear and right now I need a teddy bear.
When I get to the house, I find Grandma in her recliner with her feet up and watching a show. “You’re home early,” she says, looking at the clock over the mantel.
“Yeah, plans changed.” I pull out my phone, realizing my best friend is probably worried about me. I text Johnny right away.
Hey, I'm home safely. Sorry for bailing. Things got weird. XO, T.
I shove my phone back in my pocket. “I’m just gonna get myself something to eat.”
“Did you have a good night, at least?” she asks.
I shake my head as we walk to the kitchen.
“Not really. I'm sure you'll hear all about it from Grandpa when he gets home.”
Grandma frowns, pulling out a pan of homemade mac and cheese from the fridge. She scoops out a portion to microwave. “Your grandpa was going to the gym tonight. You know how it’s his favorite place to decompress, He's been a little stressed out, to be honest.”
“Really?” I say, my ears pricking up. Grandpa was stressed out tonight. My actions probably made it ten times worse.
“Yeah. He’s struggling to find the right fighter for the next big tournament.”
“Oh, I didn't realize.”
“You know how your grandpa gets; he doesn't want to worry us ladies with his problems. But I bet he's wishing that he had a few more leads on strong fighters. He's been striking out the last few months. Papa Pain hasn't been playing very nice and he's been taking all the good guys.”
“I saw him at the gym tonight,” I tell her.
“What were you doing there?”
Grandma sets the macaroni in front of me as I explain what happened tonight. I don’t give her all the details of Titus and me, but enough for her to understand what went down.
“Oh, sweetie, you're growing up so fast. Sometimes, I look at you and I just see you as the seven-year-old girl you were when you first moved in with us. And I think your grandpa does too.”
“I really like Titus. I know that’s crazy, but there was something real between us. But Grandpa kept saying I can’t be with a fighter. But Titus isn’t even a fighter. He punched Marco to defend me. Grandpa was acting totally overprotective.”
“He loves you,” Grandma says.
“I love him too,” I say, tears welling up in my eyes. “But Titus is special.”
“If this man Titus is what you think he is, go with your gut, honey. It's never led you wrong.”
“Grandpa doesn't seem to think I can make good decisions on my own.”
“That's not true,” Grandma says with a laugh. “Your grandpa is just worried about you. It's not that he doesn't trust you. He's just scared. When your mother died, it nearly broke him. I think he's worried about losing you more than anything else.”
“I can understand that,” I say, taking a bite of my macaroni, trying to understand things from my grandpa’s perspective. “But I’m not going anywhere.”
“Now tell me,” Grandma says. “Tell me about this boy. What's he like?”
I smile, feeling my cheeks get hot. “What is Titus like? I think I actually did most of the talking tonight.”
Grandma smiles. “Ah, so he's a good listener.”
I bite my lip, thinking she’s right. “I told him all these random things about me and then he didn't tell me much about himself. I’m actually sort of embarrassed about it now.”
“Well, are you going to see him again?” Grandma asks.
“I don't know. Grandpa scared him pretty good.”
“Well, if he's a keeper, he'll be back around. He knows where you work. You're pretty easy to track down. There are not many Tinks in this town.”
“That's true, and he did say he’ll be back,” I say, finishing my food and giving Grandma a hug good night.
Later, as I crawl into bed, I’m thinking about Grandma's words. If he's a keeper, he'll be back around. I fall asleep, my body still warm from the memory of the way he touched me. I close my eyes, thinking about how Titus caressed me and the way he made me feel so good.
I hope he'll be back.
I want to give us a fighting chance.
Chapter Five
Titus
Walking away from her at the gym last night nearly killed me — but I saw the pain in her eyes. Also, the fury in her grandpa’s; the last thing I want to do is cause the girl I am falling for any more grief.
But as I make my morning cup of coffee, I smile, thinking how Tink hates coffee. As I dress, all I can think about is her sparkly green dress that hugged all her curves. Even as I step outside onto my front porch, breathing in the crisp mountain air, I think about the fact that Tink prefers the woods over a warm beach.
My thoughts are wrapped around her. Every step I take is consumed with visions of our time together. Her straddling me, her sweet pussy sinking down on my cock. The way she kissed me, taking my breath away.
Damn. I want her. Now.
My cock twitches with desire and I groan, knowing there is only one way to satisfy this need. And my own hand won’t do the fucking job. Only Tink can give me what I crave.
I grab my keys and jump in my truck. It takes a long-ass time to de-ice the windows. This frosty winter morning is relentless. Rolling down the gravel road, I run a hand over my beard thinking things through. The last thing I want to do is ruin my second chance before I’ve been given a fair shot.
When I fought and won championships, I went by the name T. B. Jones. Now I go by Titus, my first name. Her grandpa didn’t recognize me, and no one in the bar did either. This beard is a good disguise, and these work clothes don’t remind anyone of a fighter.
I look like a lumberjack — a role I’m realizing I don’t quite mind. I like the quiet after so many years of noise. Of course, I don’t need a therapist to tell me I’m running from my pain. My grief. Losing Jordan slays me every time I think of it. And it makes me understand why Tink’s grandpa wouldn’t want her to date a fighter. I saw firsthand what can happen in the ring — a final blow that takes more than the wind out of you. It can knock the life right out of you.
So, it’s a good thing no one can recognize me. I don’t want her to think of me as a fighter because her grandpa literally forbade her from dating one.
Once I get to the outskirts of Boston, I stop at a hardware store. In the plants and garden section, I find a red rosebush sprouting buds. Paying for it, I can’t help but smile. I will win this girl over, even if it means coming back here every damn day and buying another plant.
I park my truck in front of the Dominant Alpha Gym and grab the rosebush. The Boston winter is frigid, and I can see my breath in the air. When I pull open the door of the gym, memories of last night hit me in the gut.
Tink laughing, her long blonde hair falling over her ripe tits. Tink coming, my cock a steel rod, made for her alone. Tink’s
face falling as she realized we’d been caught.
Fuck, I gotta make this right.
In the gym, I hear Teddy’s words as he spits them across the sweat-filled room. The air in the gym is stock-still, and it’s not what I was expecting. There are half a dozen guys circled around Teddy and everyone looks grim as fuck.
I hear what he’s saying. “Marco’s gone. And if any of you sorry fucks mess with Tink, you’ll be gone too,” Teddy says.
“What happened?” a fighter with bright red hair asks. He is the guy I saw talking to Tink at the bar last night.
They hear me enter, and all eyes turn to face me. Shit. I was hoping I could come in, keep my head low, and not make a scene. Looks like the universe has other plans for me.
“He tried to force himself on her,” I say, answering his question. There’s a collective intake of breath. “He’s a piece of shit and we’re lucky Tink wasn’t hurt.”
“I thought I was clear last night. I don’t want to see you around here.”
“I had to, sir. I need to see Tink again.”
“It’s a bad time,” Teddy says. “And it always will be.”
“You kept our Tink safe?” another guy asks.
Our Tink. What the hell does that mean?
But then I take a step closer and read the room. These guys are loyal as hell to DAG And I can tell they are loyal to the family who runs this joint.
“I’m gonna kill that bastard,” another man says. “I knew he was sketchy, he fought for Papa Pain. And to think he would come after Tink… shit, I’m gonna make him pay.”
“I heard he was in the hospital. Lost half his teeth along with a broken jaw.”
The men whistle and I run a hand over my neck. The rosebush is still in my hand and the attention is getting to me. I just want Tink — not get involved in this drama.
“You did that?” the redhead asks. “You fucked Marco up?”
I nod. “I did what needed to be done.”
“You a fighter?” he asks, introducing himself as Johnny.
“No. I live in the woods.”
“We’re short a fighter for Ground and Pound next week,” Johnny says. “You look built for the ring.”
I shake my head. “I’m here for Tink, nothing else.”
“She isn’t here right now,” Teddy says. “So, unless you have something else to say.”
“Just give me a chance,” I say. Realizing I’m not above begging. I want this girl. Hell, in my heart she’s already mine.
Teddy looks me over and I know what he sees. Muscles. Size. Strength. “I have an idea,” he says. “You want a chance to date Tink, then fight for her. Fight in the next Ground and Pound.”
“I thought I already did that when I beat the shit out of Marco?”
“No, a real fight,” Teddy says.
I run a hand over my beard. “Last night you were pretty clear that Tink couldn’t date a fighter.”
“Yeah, well today, I’m down a man and need to bring some heat to the G&P.”
“And if I win?”
“You can see Tink.”
“This doesn’t seem fair,” I say, running a hand over my beard. “Doesn’t she get a say?”
The fighters mumble something, and I know what they’re thinking. A real man wouldn’t be a pussy. They’d get in the fucking ring and fight for what they want.
“What’ll it be, son?” Teddy asks. And I have a feeling this is a no-win situation. Prove myself to her grandpa now or be always trying to win his approval.
“Fine, but one fight and one fight only,” I say. I know Tink doesn’t want to be with a fighter and I sure as hell don’t want her to put me in this category.
“Well, I need to see you spar first,” Teddy says. “I need to see if you got the chops. So, who’s it gonna be boys?” Teddy asks the room. “Who is going to spar with this burly mountain man?”
Johnny steps toward me. “I wanna see what kind of man you are. And I wanna see if my best friend is falling for a fuck-up or a real man.”
“You’re her best friend?”
Johnny chuckles. “Yeah, and she told me all about you this morning.”
“Yeah? What’d she say?”
Johnny laughs. “She said she hoped you’d show up.”
“Okay, boys, get geared up,” Teddy shouts at us. “It’s almost lunchtime.”
I know my time for getting out of this is running short… I try to think of another way of proving myself to Teddy but in my gut, I know it’s how I can most quickly get my girl. Even if Johnny wasn’t gonna go easy on me, there’s no way in hell I’d lose.
“Fine,” I say, setting the rose plant on the floor. “Let’s do this damn thing.”
Chapter Six
Tink
I spend a lot longer than necessary getting ready which is unusual for me. I spend most of my time in the gym. Even with as many sparkles as I wear, I’m not exactly a girly-girl. I have my standard uniform – green dress, black boots, and my jean jacket. I always style my hair the same.
But today, I'm taking extra care with my makeup. Adding sparkly green eyeliner, pink lips with cherry red gloss. I place a barrette in my hair that spells LOVE in faux diamonds. I take out the black laces from my combat boots and I replace them with silky, pink ones.
I don't know. Maybe it's crazy to feel so lovey-dovey, but I do. I have this unusual sense of hope in my chest for what the day might bring. Even Grandma sees the bounce in my step as I make my way down to the kitchen.
She's pulling a batch of cookies from the oven, presumably for the fighters. She always brings them homemade treats and they love her for it. I swipe a chocolate chip cookie and grab a can of Diet Coke from the fridge, cracking it open. I take a sip, an immediate sugar rush to my gut. The perfect way to start today.
“I don't know how you weigh so little when you eat such crap,” Grandma says, and I just laugh. “Why are you so peppy this morning? Last night you went to bed looking so forlorn.”
“I had good dreams, I guess,” I say, thinking about the way I hugged my pillow to my chest all night, imagining my arms being wrapped around Titus. God, it was hard to sleep, but still every time I woke, I would feel a smile spread across my face as I imagined myself with Titus again.
I will be with him. I have no doubt about it. Sure, Grandpa has opinions about me hooking up with a guy who punches out other guys at bars, but I have a feeling his love for me will win out in the end.
“Would you mind taking these with you?” Grandma asks. “I’m assuming you’re going to the gym to find your knight in shining armor?”
“You’re not going in?” I ask, butterflies fluttering in my belly at the thought of Titus.
“Not today. I have an appointment at the hair salon this morning.”
“Don't say another word,” I say taking the Tupperware container from her hands. “Do you need me to do some chores around the house before I go?”
Grandma tsk-tsks me. “Go, go, go. I know what you're up to now. If this boy comes back today to find you, make sure you invite him over for dinner. I want to meet him.”
“Dinner tonight?” I laugh. “Grandma, I hardly know him, and you already want me to invite him over to the house?”
“Well, if you say you're falling for him, this thing might move fast. I want to get a good look at him before anything crazy happens. So, dinner tonight, okay? I’ll make shepherd’s pie.”
I laugh, pulling on my black wool coat. It’s cold out and I don’t want to freeze on my walk to the gym. “How long did you and grandpa date again?” I ask her.
“We eloped after a week,” she says, a glint in her eyes. “And I don't regret it. Never have for a single day of my life.”
“I hope to be as lucky as you,” I say. “Even if most people think it’s crazy.”
“I hope you do too, darling, I always say when you know, you know,” she says, kissing me on the cheek. “Now, scoot!”
I leave the house with my black leather purse over my shoulder
as I walk the half a mile to the gym. It's a freezing cold day and I pull out my mittens, putting my hands in them. Last night, I took a cab home because it was pitch dark and I was scared to walk the streets alone, but now it's bright and sunshiny, even if the air is crisp and cold.
I pop in earbuds and pull up a playlist that Johnny sent me this morning after I told him about my night with Titus. I didn't tell Johnny everything, of course, because I mean, I'm not one to kiss and tell, but I think Johnny understood because he sent me a playlist with songs soon after we hung up. Every one of them had the word SEX in the title.
Laughing, I listen to old school R&B as I walk with the container of cookies in my hand. It feels like there is nothing that could dampen my mood.
When I enter the Dominant Alpha Gym though, I hear an unexpected amount of hollering and shouting. In my way are a whole bunch of guys and I push myself through the crowd, not understanding what's going on in the octagon ring.
Usually, Saturdays are meant for sparring, easy workouts, and guys who work Monday through Friday coming in to get in a few hours on a punching bag. The real fighters are here on the weekdays. But most of the guys I pass are ones who take this seriously and I crane my neck wishing I was a foot taller so I could see who was fighting. All these guys tower over me and without heels on, I’m barely five feet tall.
Finally, I get to the front of the crowd and to my horror, I see Johnny in the ring.
And if that weren't bad enough, the person he’s fighting is none other than Titus.
My Titus. My Titus who said he wasn’t a fighter.
My stomach drops and tears prick my eyes. I had one rule, never date a fighter and here he is in the ring — a second fight in less than the twenty-four hours since I've met him.
He lied to me and to make things worse, he's fighting my best friend.
“Stop it,” I shout, but my voice isn't loud enough to be heard over the shouting of the guys watching the fight. I see Grandpa Teddy in the corner pacing. Thinking what, I'm not sure.
But then I realize that he had to have okayed this. Why would he do that to me? He knows I didn't want to date a fighter. In fact, he told me I couldn’t.
Fighting For The Forbidden: Worth The Fight Series Page 3
