Sucker Punch (TKO #4) (2 page)

Chapter 2

Howard returns with breakfast and Lance and I run over acting like we’ve been working hard when in reality, we’ve been just horsing around. He still looks like he’s in a good mood but I’m not trying to test him. I unwrap my sausage biscuit with my arm, trying not to drop it, and take a bite. It’s so damn good. I’m ready to finish eating when the front door swings open and a pissed-off Garrett comes barreling inside.

“Where is he?” he growls.

The biscuit falls from my hand and Lance jumps to his feet, startled. Howard, who had walked back into his office, walks out and leans against the door frame.

“I’m right here, Garrett. You want to come inside my office and talk like men?”

“No, I just want to know what the hell is going on between you and Whitney.” He crosses his arms over his chest and glares straight ahead.

“She was at your house, you should know,” Howard simply tells him.

“Well, because of the fucked-up girl code, I don’t know anything. I don’t know if I’m supposed to be in here threatening to kick your ass or just act like nothing happened.”

I stare at the two of them, wondering if they will throw down in the middle of the gym. Garrett has a vein popping from his neck, so he may do it, but I glance over at Howard and he’s fucking mellow as hell. He’s not even flinching.

“Well, I’ll give you the rundown. Whitney’s hormones are fucking insane. She wants me to up and buy a house and all these things we can’t afford right now. We’ve finally gotten to a good place in our lives and she can’t understand that. It just escalated and she said she was leaving. It was just a fucking argument.”

“That’s all? Damn, she made it seem like the whole damn world was ending.” Garrett laughs as he eases up.

“I swear. You know I wouldn’t lie to you and I damn well would never hurt her. She’s got to think that we’ve got another baby on the way. We have plenty of room in the apartment for the new baby. Plus, I’ve got this gym to worry about too, and I think she forgets that. This place isn’t cheap to run.”

“Damn, I’m sorry, man,” Garrett tells him.

“I would have questioned it too if the roles were reversed so I don’t blame you. You calm now?”

“Yeah. Where’s my breakfast?”

“You snooze you lose!” Lance grins before taking a big bite of his biscuit.

Now that the tension has vanished, I can relax and eat the rest of my breakfast. Howard steps into the office and walks out toward Garrett with another biscuit. “See, I thought about you.”

We all toss our trash into the bag and I watch as Garrett and Lance go over to the weight bench. I should go join them but instead, I walk towards the locker where I keep my gloves and grab one of them. I stare at the lone glove that sits inside the metal locker and sigh.

I walk over to the punching bag and size it up. I haven’t approached it without my prosthetic yet. There’s a first time for everything, not that the prosthetic gave me much more of an edge. I hate the way that arm makes me feel. While I’m able to accept what has happened, it still makes me feel like less of a person. I never thought about what it would mean to live without an arm. I suppose I took it for granted.

I know my parents’ insurance covered a huge chunk of the prosthesis but I’m not me with it on. I can’t even seem to make myself adjust to it. Therefore I just made up my mind. I want no part in it anymore. Mom will be pissed, I’m sure, but it’s time she realizes this is my life, and in the long run, I feel I’ll be happier with just one arm. I’ll pay her back for the prosthetic if I have to. I’d rather donate it to someone who could really benefit from it.

“Are you daydreaming?”

I look up to see Howard standing beside me. I remember what Lance said earlier and straighten myself up like I’m getting ready to begin wailing away on the punching bag.

“No, I was just sizing this bag up.”

“It’s the same bag it’s always been. You know, I notice you don’t have your prosthetic on today. Everything okay?”

So much for no one saying anything. “Yeah, it’s all good.”

He eyeballs me, giving that tell-tale sign he doesn’t believe me.

“I swear.” I throw up my hand in surrender. “I made the decision I don’t want to wear it anymore. It’s not me and it will never be me. I’d rather walk around with one arm. I’m not ashamed of myself.”

“No one ever said you had to be ashamed of yourself. In fact, I think it takes great courage to make the decision you’ve made. You’re overcoming and I’m glad to be a part of this with you. Want me to hold the bag for you?”

“Howard?” I ask.

“Yeah?” He walks and stands behind the punching bag, gripping it tightly.

“Do you think I’ll ever fight again?” A lump forms in my throat. I only had one fight, but damn if that wasn’t the best moment of my life. I wanted more but I guess that wasn’t in my cards.

“Maybe. It’d take a lot of work, but I see no reason why you should be discriminated against.”

“You mean it?”

“Yeah.” He nods. “I do.”

My heart begins to swell. Hell, I could probably cry right now, but I cried enough earlier. I rear my fist back and punch. It’s funny thinking of how my right arm should be following right behind to slam into the bag, but I just keep my left arm going until I can’t go anymore. I focus on the bag, taking all my frustrations out on it, and before I know what’s going on, tears are streaming down my face. I have been inside the gym since my release from the hospital, but this is the first time I’ve shown any sort of emotion and I notice Howard, Garrett, and Lance are watching me.

I back away from the punching bag and sink to the floor. I was supposed to be able to keep all of this in check, but I’m only human. No one says a word, but they sink down to meet me and the biggest bear hug I’ve ever felt takes place. Garrett, Howard and Lance are surrounding me, holding tightly. I try to speak but the words fail and I figure it’s better off this way. My brothers are here for me to lean on and I need them.

I manage to pull my arm free to dry the tears from my cheeks. “I’m sorry,” I mutter.

“What are you sorry for, man?” Garrett asks. “I think you’re courageous for being here. You’re strong as hell.”

“So strong I can’t tie my own damn shoes. Ruston had to tie my shoes for me this morning.”

“So?” Lance pipes up. “I’ll tie your shoes anytime. We’re here for you. When you need to fall apart, we’re here. They were there for me when I lost my mom. This is the best support system you could ever ask for.”

“He’s right. When Garrett and Whitney lost both of their parents, this place was their solace,” Howard tells me.

“And Raegan,” Garrett begins. “When her dad began using her for a punching bag, she joined this gym and, well, you know the rest.”

“I didn’t know all of that. I’ve just been trying to keep it together, especially here. It hasn’t been easy but I just want some form of normalcy back in my life.”

“We get that and you will. It will just take some adjusting to, and then you’ll experience a whole new normal.” Howard grins. I know he’s right.

“Let me buy you a drink tonight.” Lance pats me on the shoulder.

I turn to face him. I haven’t been out anywhere but to Lou’s since my release. “What about Hilary?”

“She’ll understand for a night. I’ll double check with her in a few. You can’t stay cooped up indoors all the time. Garrett, you in?”

“I wish, but I told Raegan I’d take her to dinner tonight.”

Lance raises his eyebrow and begins chuckling. “Dude, I knew you were whipped from the moment she stepped into the gym.”

“Right?” Howard bellows.

At least the focus is off of me for right now. Garrett glares at them. “Fuck you two. It’s called being in a relationship and treating her to a deserved dinner.”

“That’s what they call it now? So Austin, you in? Don’t leave me hanging.”

“I’m in,” I tell Lance before I can really think about what I just agreed to. He’s right, I do deserve this, and I’m going to go have a drink or two and try to forget about all the turmoil.

Chapter 3

Paige

“When’s he going to give you child support or something? Darla will be five before you know it and you’ve seen a whole twenty five dollars for one of those big boxes of diapers when she was a newborn.” My mom turns to face me in the kitchen.

I shouldn’t roll my eyes, but I do. Yeah, Brendan turned out to be a world-class asshole who walked out not long after Darla was born, but I’ve been making it. I don’t need his help. On my own, I’ve put myself through nursing school and I have a little one bedroom apartment I pay for myself. I know Mom means well. Hell, if I didn’t have her I’d be paying for daycare, and that’s an added expense I’m thankful I don’t have right now.

“I haven’t heard from him in probably a year, Mom. He’s not coming around. Darla and I are just fine. Now can you keep your voice down? I don’t want her overhearing. She’s getting too nosy and I don’t need her asking any questions about him.”

“I know and I’m sorry, but I just worry about you two. I’m very proud for the life you’re able to provide for her, I just wish she had that extra figure in her life. All little girls need their daddies.”

“Well, that’s one little girl who doesn’t. Brendan made his choice and I couldn’t change his mind. If he doesn’t want us, I don’t care.”

“Mommy, where are you going?” Darla comes running from my parents’ living room holding her favorite baby doll in her hands. The pony tail holder is slipping out of her thin blonde hair and I reach out to grab it and tuck it into my pocket.

I kneel down to her as she jumps in my arms. “Mommy is going to let you have a sleepover with Grammy and Papa tonight, remember?”

“Papa said I can have ice cweam!” she giggles. My mom raises her eyebrow as she glances at the clock on the wall. She always was a stickler for not giving me sweets past a certain time when I was younger.

“Oh, he did?” Mom calls into the living room. She’s nearly forty five but you can’t tell. She keeps her hair a light brown and never lets a single gray show. She works out constantly and is probably in the best shape she could be in. Hell, I’m surprised she still keeps sweets in the house.

Dad comes sauntering into the kitchen wearing a grin on his face. His salt and pepper beard tickles my cheeks when he gives me a kiss. “Hey, baby girl. I was going to come in here sooner but Darla found me first.”

“Hey, Dad. Thanks again for keeping Darla tonight.”

“We love our girl. Plus, I did say she can have ice cream.” He winks down at Darla. She squeals happily as he walks over towards the freezer and pulls out a small tub of vanilla ice cream.

“This may be your chance to sneak out,” Mom whispers. I know she’s right. Even though Darla stays here often, it’s not always so I can go out with Nora from work. In fact, I haven’t been out to a bar since before Darla was born. When I became a mom, all my priorities changed and partying was the last thing on my mind. Normally Darla just stays because they want her for the night and I take advantage and actually get some good rest.

“You may be right. Thank you again,” I tell her. For once, I let Nora convince me to go out tonight and it wasn’t easy. I was stubborn all week and finally caved yesterday. I never go anywhere to do anything. All I know is work and Darla, that’s all I need. Luckily, Mom and Dad were eager to take Darla.

“You do deserve a night out. I know you don’t do anything when we have her. Go enjoy yourself. You’re only twenty three once.” She winks.

“Tell Dad bye for me and tell Darla I’ll see her in the morning.”

I glance over at Darla, wanting to go hug her one more time and give her a big kiss. But I take Mom’s advice and just sneak out through the front door. Darla is in heaven with her Grammy and Papa, so I doubt she’ll realize I am gone.

I sit in my car and take in a deep breath. The thought to turn around and go home crosses my mind. But I’d never hear the end of it from Nora, and besides, I’m dressed up and I don’t dress up for nothing. I sigh and drive off, headed to some bar named Joe’s. I hope I have as much fun as Mom and Nora have been telling me I’ll have.

***

Pulling into Joe’s, I park my car as far back as I can. I’m just trying to keep my car safe from the potential drunks that are going to be out. My phone dings and I see Nora’s text waiting to be opened. She was actually shocked when I said I’d come tonight. She’s only been asking me since I began working at the hospital.

Nora: Let me know when you get here and I’ll meet you at the door.

Paige: I just parked.

Nora: Yay! I’ll be waiting for you.

I toss the phone back into my purse. I’m not sure about bringing it inside. I don’t see a need for it, but I’d rather be safe and have it with me. I won’t be setting it down or anything. I get out of my car and glance down at my outfit. I decided to wear a pair of black shorts and a grey sequined sleeveless blouse with my black sandals. My curly brown hair cascades down my back, and I’m thanking God for mousse and hairspray as the humidity slams into me. My hair won’t frizz tonight.

As I get closer to the front door of Joe’s, I see Nora standing right where she said she would be. A sigh of relief leaves me and I put on the best smile I can, trying to rival hers.

“I’m so glad you decided to come!” Nora squeals as she throws her arms around my neck.

“Me too,” I tell her, a little unsure of my answer.

“Let’s go and get you a drink.” She breaks the hug and grabs hold of my arm, pulling me inside.

The bright lights and loud music are enough to drown any thoughts out of my head, but I still have the urge to text my mom and check on Darla. Nora must be able to read my mind because when we get to the bar she orders two drinks and turns to face me. “Have fun tonight, okay? Darla is fine with your mom and dad. Let them have fun.”

“Okay.” I nod as she hands me a red drink.

“What’s this?” I ask her, puzzled.

“It’s a cosmopolitan, just not in the fancy martini glass. Enjoy!” She clinks her glass against mine and takes a sip.

Here goes nothing
, I think as I bring the cup to my lips. The sweet liquor slides down my throat and I quickly take one smaller sip.

“This is good,” I yell above the music. She just nods and grins as we stay beside the bar.

I look out to see people dancing to the music, and all I can think is I am nowhere near intoxicated enough to join them. I really hope Nora isn’t planning on dragging us out there on that dance floor tonight. I sure as hell am not bringing the idea up. In fact, I move my eyes quickly away from there. Then I have to do a double take, because I swear I recognize the guy who just walked up to the bar a few people down from us. I just can’t figure out from where until he turns to the side and I see his arm. No, it can’t be—but I’m ninety nine percent positive he was
that
patient. He looks to have recovered well. He was handsome despite his injuries in the hospital, but now, oh my gosh, he’s beautiful. But what was his name?