Kyle's Return (16 page)

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Jake. This
is exactly what he needs.”

The party was fun, but I was ready to surprise Kyle.
After saying our goodbyes, Tyler was the last one to see us off.
“Did everything go okay at the gym this week? No issues?” he asked,
stopping me at the door.

I tried to keep my face from blushing, remembering
what Kyle and I did the night before. “Yes, everything went fine.
The only problem was Pervy McFuckface calling back and creeping me
out again. I hope you don’t get mad, but I kind of told him I’d saw
his dick off with a letter opener. You can’t get sued for that can
you?”

He shook his head. “No, but I don’t like this guy
messing with you. Has anything else happened?”

I know Kyle didn’t want me to tell him, but I had no
choice. Tyler needed to know. “Kyle’s truck got keyed really badly.
It happened a couple weeks ago.”

His eyes went wide. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell
me?”

“Because he was afraid you would make him stay away.
And I didn’t want you to do it either, so I kept the secret for
him. I don’t know who it could be.”

“Fuck me,” he groaned, running a hand through his
hair. “I’m not going to make him stay away because frankly he’ll be
able to watch over you while I’m not there. If there are anymore
issues while I’m gone you better promise me you’ll call the
police.”

“I promise. Now get back to your party.”

Huffing, he pulled me in for a hug. “Both of you need
to be careful. When Kacey and I get back, I’ll invest in security
cameras to put around outside. I’m not going to have this shit
happening on my property.”

“Thanks, Tyler,” I murmured, letting him go. “And
thank you for giving Kyle a chance.”

“You’re welcome. Now go and I’ll see you tomorrow for
rehearsal.”

It felt like a weight had been lifted. At least now
Kyle didn’t have to worry about Tyler forbidding him entrance into
the gym. Gabby and Pax were waiting by their car when I joined
them. “We ready?” I asked.

Gabby opened her door. “Waiting on you,
chickadee.”

It only took ten minutes to get to Kyle’s house. I
got Gabby and Pax to hang back until he answered the door. When the
door opened, he greeted me with the same smile that made every
single nerve in my body tingle.

“You got here earlier than I expected. I guess you
missed me.” Grabbing my wrist, he pulled me to him and kissed me,
his tongue exploring every inch of my mouth. For a moment, I forgot
we had company until I heard Gabby clear her throat.

“Don’t mind us,” she teased.

Laughing, I broke the kiss and Kyle’s eyes went wide
when he realized it was Gabby and Pax behind me.

With a friendly smile, Pax held out his hand. “It’s
good to see you again, brother.”

Kyle shook his hand. “You as well.” Then he looked
down at me. “What’s going on?”

I nodded at our friends. “They’re here to hang out
with us. I thought it’d be good for you to have more than just me
around.”

His skeptical gaze flashed to Gabby and then back to
me. Gabby caught the gesture and rolled her eyes. “That includes
me, idiot. You may have been the sworn enemy of my family and a
complete douche, but even guys like you can find redemption. Pax
and Camden did, so why not you?”

Kyle was at a loss for words, making Paxton laugh. He
slapped him on the shoulder and put his arm around him. “It takes
some getting used to her, but you will eventually. Do you mind if
we come in?”

Stepping out of the way, he shook his head as if what
he was seeing wasn’t real. “Of course, go ahead.” Paxton and Gabby
walked past him into the house, but before I could walk in, he
stepped in my path. “Thanks for warning me,” he murmured.

“I’m sorry. I thought I’d surprise you.”

He glanced over his shoulder and chuckled. “I’m
surprised all right. This should be interesting.”

I rested my hands on his chest. “It’ll be fine, trust
me. But I also have another surprise for you.” His eyes narrowed.
“Guess who’s going to be fighting at the Labyrinth tomorrow?”

Stepping out of the way, he let me walk inside and
shut the door. “I’m not allowed there.”

“Well, it’s a good thing that’s been revoked. Jake’s
going to let you fight if you want. Paxton and I persuaded him to
give you a chance. It may not be the UFC, but at least you’ll get
the chance to fight again.” Stopping mid-step, he cornered me
against the wall, his heated gaze on mine. “That is what you want
isn’t it, a chance to fight again?”

He lowered his lips to mine and cupped my cheek.
“Yes, more than anything. I’ve just never had anyone fight for me
like this.”

“Well, get used to it because I’m not going
anywhere.”

“Will you be at the fight?”

I smiled up at him. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

***

THE CLUB WAS packed when I pulled into the
parking lot. The adrenaline rushed through my veins as I mentally
prepared myself for the inevitable backlash I would have to endure.
It’d been two years since I fought, two years since I fucked anyone
over. Time could help people forget, but in my case, they were all
bound to remember. I was a legend back in my prime, but if you were
to ask my enemies, I was a curse.

I parked my bike and took off my helmet just in time
to answer my ringing phone. “Hey.”

“Are you there yet?” Megan asked.

I glanced behind me at the swarms of people. “Yep.
Getting ready to walk up to the door. Are you sure Jake’s going to
let me in?”

“Yes, I promise. We’re going to rehearse one more
time and then I’ll be there to watch you. I’m praying there’s no
traffic.”

Taking a deep breath, I started toward the door. “I
guess I’ll see you when you get here. Wish me luck.”

“You got this, Kyle. I’ll see you soon.”

We hung up the phone and as soon as I met the
bouncer’s narrowed gaze, he stiffened. He was the same size as me,
with a shaved head, and a look that could kill. I guess it was a
good thing I wasn’t afraid of him. Without balking, I continued my
pace toward him.

“I know who you are,” he grumbled in disgust. His
muscles tensed, ready for a fight, but I wasn’t stupid enough to
challenge him. I’d be kicked off the property in a heartbeat.

I stood my ground. “Well, if you know who I am, then
you’ll see me on the list.”

He put the notepad behind his back. “What list? I
don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Clenching my teeth, I backed up a step and kept my
calm. “Look, I don’t want any trouble. Jake agreed to let me come
back. All I want to do is fight and go home.”

Luckily, Jake showed up at the right time. “You’re
fine, Andrews. You can come in.” Without another glance to the
bouncer, I stalked past him. Jake held out his hand and I shook it.
“You did well. I didn’t know if you’d pass the test but you
did.”

“What are you talking about?”

Jake nodded toward the door. “With Zane out there. I
had him fuck with you on purpose. If you attempted to fight him, I
wasn’t going to let you in the door.”

“I wasn’t planning on it.”

He chuckled. “I know, I could see it in your eyes. I
must say you’re a lot different from what I remember.”

I followed him toward the back. “I’ve had a couple of
humbling years, where all I could do was sit and think. It kind of
puts things in perspective.”

“That it does. Tonight, you’ll be fighting a guy
named Perry Baxter. He’s rough, but he also agreed to fight you. A
lot of guys here remember your reputation. They don’t want to be on
your bad side.”

I looked around the room, at the guys fighting in the
ring and the energy circulating. I missed the way it made me feel
alive.

“Follow me and I’ll show you where you can warm up.”
He took me to a secluded corner where other fighters sat wrapping
their hands and stretching. “You’ll be up in about an hour.”

I set my bag down and took a seat. “Thanks Jake. I
appreciate this.”

“Thank Megan and Pax. They’re the ones who got you in
here.”

I nodded, knowing he wouldn’t have let me in
otherwise. Once he disappeared through the crowd, I got to focusing
on the task at hand. I blocked everything out and cleared my head,
concentrating on my breathing.

With my head down, I leaned on my elbows, taking
long, deep breaths. My meditation was cut short when someone
stopped right in front of me. I looked up at him and he smiled. He
was tall and muscular, about the same height as me, with sweaty,
dark brown hair and dark eyes. He must’ve just gotten done with a
fight.

“I heard you were going to be here. I’m Grady.” He
held out his hand and I shook it.

“Kyle.”

“Yeah, I know. When some of the guys saw you in here,
I thought they were going to shit a brick. They’re all
pussies.”

“And I guess you’re not?”

He chuckled and sat down beside me. “Nope. I like
living on the edge. So who are you fighting tonight?”

I shrugged. “Some dude named Perry Baxter.”

His eyes widened. “I wish you luck on that one. He’s
undefeated here. I’m going to sign up to fight him next week.”
Nodding, I searched through the crowd, hoping to see Megan, but she
wasn’t there yet. “So what are you doing after the fight? Do you
want to grab some drinks with me and my friends at the bar?”

“I can’t, but maybe next time.”

“Ah, you must have a girl coming to see you. I get
it. My last girlfriend dumped me so I’ve been on the lookout for
pussy.” His gaze found a group of girls exiting the room and his
eyes flashed. “I think I just found what I’m looking for.” Getting
to his feet, he winked and started for the women. “Good luck with
your fight. Catch you later.”

Shaking my head, I watched him put his arm around the
girls and look back at me and wink. He reminded me of myself so
long ago, not a care in the world and always looking for a piece of
ass.

Time started to slowly trickle by and I knew it was
almost time for my fight. Perry Baxter was announced first and I
watched as he barreled into the ring. He had a black mohawk and
arms the size of my thighs, but I wasn’t worried; especially when
Megan rushed into the arena and her gaze met mine.

The announcer called my name, but Megan held up her
hand and ran to me. She was out of breath, but she wrapped her arms
around me and smiled. “I’m sorry I’m late. Go kick some ass.”

I glared at Perry who stood in the ring, smirking at
me. “No worries, love. That tool’s going down.”

***