Sucker Punch (TKO #4) (6 page)

Chapter 10

Austin

I may have crossed some sort of imaginary line, but fuck it. We only live once and my life could have easily been taken away from me a few months ago. I’m living it to the fullest, and if telling Paige she’s beautiful is the best thing I do today, then I’m okay with that. I can’t seem to wipe the grin off my face and Lance looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have, maybe I’ve finally fallen off the deep end.

“Why do you look like the weird neighbor I had as a kid?” he asks me.

I laugh hysterically, wondering why he even talks sometimes. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Old Man Hanks. He always stood on his front lawn wearing some godawful grin like he was up to something. He had no teeth though. You’ve got him beat there.”

“You make no sense. None whatsoever. How’s Hilary and Tyler?” I ask, changing the subject. I’m done with him referring to me as the creepy neighbor.

“You know she actually told me she misses being pregnant? She was the cutest pregnant woman, though. Anyway, she and the baby are good. Laney is a great big sister. I’m blessed, man.”

“That’s awesome. I’m happy for you.” Truth is, I really am. I have no clue what it’s like to really be around kids, but it sounds like it’s work but fun at the same time. Lance and Garrett are the first people I’ve been with who have them. None of my friends back home were knocking up the women around town. They were fucking, but that was about it.

“Yeah, so you want to spar with a real winner or you still want Garrett?” He grins.

“You talking shit, Lance?” Garrett pops up out of nowhere. “I’ll tell Raegan not to cook anymore. She was supposed to come today but she forgot Lucas had some sort of check-up this morning.”

“You turned her into Betty Crocker and I love it. You better not tell her not to cook.”

“You guys crack me up,” I tell them, reaching over for my right arm. This happens to me sometimes—I forget the arm is not there. Tears well up in my eyes. I put my head down pretending something got into my eye. I would have thought I’d be used to this by now, but it’s still like it’s hitting me for the first time all over again.

“Lance should have been a clown or something. I hear the circus is hiring.” Garrett grins.

“Very funny. Maybe I’ll check it out.”

Howard yells for Garrett from the office and he smirks as he walks off. I look at Lance and wiggle my hand into my glove. “I’ll spar with you. Don’t hold back okay? Garrett has been getting tougher on me,” I tell him.

He gets serious all of a sudden and that’s how I know he’s in the zone. Lance knows how to joke and have a good time, but when it’s time to take care of business, he can flip the switch automatically. “If I go too soft, let me know to step it up. I haven’t really sparred with you since the accident.”

“Trust me, I’ll say something.”

Getting into stance is the easiest part. Garrett and I have been sparring for a few days now, but adjusting to this one arm is still not as easy as I want it to be. Once I’m feeling confident in my skin, I put my arm up, ready for whatever Lance is about to bring my way.

Lance goes to throw a punch but stops mid-swing. “I’m sorry, man,” he tells me, shaking his head.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling sorry for me or something?” I ask, disappointed he didn’t throw that punch.

“I…I don’t know what happened. It won’t happen again,” he assures me.

I sigh, hoping he’s right. I don’t need him feeling sorry for me. I’m tired of feeling sorry for myself, I sure as hell don’t need anyone else to do it. “Can we try again? What if I make the first move?”

“Oh, a man that goes for what he wants. That’s what I’m talking about.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

“You need psychiatric help.” I get back into stance and wait for him to stop laughing and do the same.

He takes a deep breath in and then out. I watch his movements, studying each and every one of them as he gets ready. I can do this, I’ve got to do this. I swing my left arm towards him, wondering if he’s going to actually let me get a hit in on him. He blocks the hit and I grin proudly. Lance reciprocates the swing, catching me off guard. I was so caught up in myself he caught me completely off guard. I stumble a little, losing my balance, but I never fall.

We go round and round until I’m gasping for air. I’m exhausted but happy. Once Lance put his mind into it and quit worrying about my well-being, he brought the heat.

***

I thank Lance for the ride home and walk straight for the front door. I need a shower so bad. I smell like ass from sparring all afternoon. I’m getting better, though, and that’s all I really care about.

Ruston is sitting on the couch and he glances toward me as I walk inside.

“Hey Austin, what’s up?”

“Oh you know, just the typical stuff from Lou’s. I did nothing but spar with Lance all day.” I want to plop my ass on the couch but I really need to clean up first. “I’m going to shower real quick. I’ll be right back,” I tell him.

I didn’t lie. I’m in and out of the bathroom in a matter of seconds and damn, it feels so good to be in clean clothes. Ruston is still sitting on the couch and this time, I can actually sit next to him. He’s flipping through the channels on the TV and I raise my eyebrow. “So what’s going on? Where’s Tamilyn?”

That must be a sore subject, because he actually glares at me. I throw up my hand in surrender. “I don’t want to talk about her right now.”

“I’m sorry, man. Anything you want to talk about?” I have no clue why I ask when he just told me he doesn’t want to talk about her.

“We’re fighting, in case you haven’t gathered that. She’s pissed because I went to lunch with a female client today. My dad was there too, but Tamilyn wouldn’t listen. So I told her if she wants to be that way maybe we shouldn’t be together.”

I try to hold back my laughter. This is so petty, it’s actually cracking me up. “What is this, Rus, high school? Want me to talk to her for you?”

“You two have a past, you think I want that? She may try to hit on you or something,” he snaps.

“Seriously? Did you just say that to me? I was just trying to help you out.” I can’t lie and act like I’m not offended. I’m offended as hell right now.

“I’m sorry, Austin. It’s just exhausting. I don’t get why she can’t trust me. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“I wouldn’t stress. Let’s hang out and drink a few beers here at the house tonight and just forget it. She loves you. She’ll come around. She’s a female, they love that drama shit.”

“Yeah, well there’s some beer in the fridge. I’ll grab us a few.” He stands from the couch and walks straight to the refrigerator, where he grabs four beers.

I laugh when he hands me two of them. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. So tell me, what’s been going on with you besides fighting?” he asks me.

I take a drink of the beer and set it on the coffee table. “I’ve been talking to that nurse from the hospital.”

Ruston actually smiles. “Really? What’s her name? I can’t remember if you told me.”

“Paige.” Just thinking of her and saying her name drives me all kinds of crazy.

“I’m happy for you, man. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

I listen to his words and chuckle on the inside. He sure wasn’t thinking that a few months back when he was after Tamilyn at the same time I was.

“I don’t hardly know her but I really like her. I tried to see if she was free for the night but she said she had dinner plans with her parents.” I’m still bummed about that. I haven’t seen her since that night at Joe’s.

“Good things take time. Look how long it took Tamilyn and me to get together,” he reminds me.

“Touché.” I clink my beer against his. “But if it takes
that
long, I may go crazy. Either that or my dick will fall off.”

“We could always go to Joe’s and find you a piece of ass for the night.” He grins.

“Yeah, so Tamilyn could kick your ass and mine? No thanks.” I grin back, finishing my first beer.

“Suit yourself.” He laughs as his phone vibrates on the coffee table. He lets out a loud sigh and picks it up to see who is texting him. “It’s Tamilyn.”

“Aren’t you glad we didn’t go to Joe’s?” I ask him.

“Yeah, I am. She’s apologizing. She wants to know if I want to go over, but I’m telling her I’ve started drinking and I’m hanging out with you.”

“Go see her if you want,” I urge him. I don’t want to keep him from her.

“No, you’re my family and we’re having a guy’s night tonight. I’ll see her tomorrow,” he states firmly.

Watching him text Tamilyn makes me want to talk to Paige. I know she’s with her parents, but a quick message won’t hurt anything, right? I talk myself into just texting her and getting it over with. I open my second beer and take a sip, trying to muster the courage to type. I tap her name and grin.

Austin: When are you going to let me make plans with you?

Chapter 11

Paige

I’m sitting across the table from my mom, trying not to blush. The last thing I need is for her to realize I like a guy. Then I’d never hear the end of it. She’d probably be elated if I found someone worth a shit to have in my and Darla’s life.

I stare at Austin’s text, thinking about how sweet he is and how cute it is he’s not giving up on me. I’m not intentionally trying to push him away and I love how he’s pursuing me. I decide to reply, but I act like I’m just searching something on the Internet.

Paige: When do you want to make plans?

Austin: I’m open just about any time, beautiful.

Paige: I don’t think I have anything going on tomorrow after work.

Austin: Can I take you on a date?

I freeze. What am I saying? I need to make sure I have someone to watch Darla before I go off making any kind of plans. Mom looks up from her plate and just glares at me for having my phone in my hands. I set the phone down and sigh.

“Hey Mom, can I ask you something?”

She nods. I glance at Darla and watch as she shovels spoonfuls of mashed potatoes into her mouth. That kid loves some mashed potatoes.

“I, uh, was wondering if you could watch Darla tomorrow evening. I met a guy and he wants to take me on a date.”

Mom’s eyes widen and I’m afraid they just may pop out of their sockets. “A date? Honey, do you hear that?” she asks my dad.

He nods, continuing to eat like Darla is doing.

“Yes, Mom, a date. I understand if you don’t want to.”

“Give me a chance to answer, Paige. I’m glad you’re meeting people. I’m all for you moving on from Brendan.”

“Mom,” I groan. “I’ve been over him. He made his choice.”

“I’m just saying. We’ll keep Darla until you’re done. We can keep her overnight if you want, just let us know. You deserve to have a chance to meet someone and move on with your life,” she tells me.

I could jump up and hug her but I tell her a simple thank you. “I’ll be by to get her, Mom, I won’t be late at all. You know me.”

“Just make sure you’re safe if something happens.”

“Mom! It’s a first date, and I can’t believe you just said that!” My face turns crimson and I notice my dad giving her the same look I am. It’s the what-the-fuck-did-you-just-say look.

“Sorry, I’m just being a mom.” She takes a sip of her wine and doesn’t say another word about any of it.

I don’t reach for my phone too quickly. I take my time so I don’t seem so desperate.

Paige: Yes, you can.

Austin: I can’t wait
.

This is exciting all of a sudden. I haven’t been on a date in years. I’m going to have to call Nora up later to help me out with what to wear and how to act. God knows I’ll need all the help I can get.

***

Work flies by and before I know it, I’m texting my mom to let her know I’ll call as soon as the date is over and to kiss Darla for me. I feel guilty having them keep her extra, but Mom insisted. Nora walks me out to the car, continuing to give me pointers on everything. I’ve been hearing it all day; she’s so damn excited for me.

“So, I definitely think you should pin some of your hair back. Your eyes pop when you do. And just wear something casual but cute. Take a picture for me and have a good time.” She grins as we both stop at my car. “I’m glad you’re finally doing this. He seems like a really great guy. Text me when you get home from picking up Darla. I don’t think I can possibly wait until tomorrow to find out how it went.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll hear everything,” I assure her as I unlock my car.

“Where are y’all going?” she asks. That’s a good question because I don’t even know that answer.

“Um, I’m not sure, but probably just to eat somewhere,” I tell her.

She raises her eyebrow probably about to insinuate something like my mom did last night. I raise my eyebrow back, challenging her to say something. She doesn’t, though. She just wraps her arms around my neck and tells me to have a good time. I plan on it.

I drive back to my apartment and once there I head straight for the shower. I pin my hair back just as Nora suggested and decide to wear a soft pink v-neck blouse and my favorite jeans. Once I put on my sandals, all I have to do is touch up my makeup. My phone rings and I see Austin’s name. A sickening feeling overcomes me and I get nervous that he’s calling to say he changed his mind.

“Hello?” I answer, keeping my guard completely up.

“Hey Paige. I forgot to ask you about this when I asked you on this date, but I’m not really driving again yet. After the accident, I guess I haven’t gotten the courage to get behind the wheel. I want to pick you up, though. Do you feel okay riding with me?”

I never thought about any of this. He’s about to overcome something huge just to take me on a date. “If you feel comfortable, Austin, then I trust you.”

“Give me your address and I’ll head out the door.”

I rattle off my address and he tells me he’ll be here soon. My stomach, which has been invaded by butterflies, now begins to cramp. I’ve had butterflies before but I don’t think I’ve ever had them this intense.

I hurry to the bathroom to fix my makeup and no sooner do I set my tube of mascara back into my cosmetic bag than there’s a light knock at the door. It’s now or never. I grab my purse and make sure my house keys and everything I need are inside. I tuck my phone into a pocket and open the door.

My heart swells when I see him. He’s dressed in a solid black t-shirt and a pair of jeans. His lime green Nike tennis shoes make me giggle a little. He’s casual, so I’m glad I followed Nora’s advice.

“You look beautiful,” Austin tells me as I step outside. I thought about inviting him in but there are way too many signs of Darla around and I’m not ready for him to know about her just yet.

“Thank you,” I blush. “You look good yourself.” I feel pretty crazy right now. I probably just sounded so corny. I’m not used to complimenting someone of the opposite sex.

“Hey, you live by Raegan and Garrett. I didn’t know that.”

I remember chatting with Raegan the other night and I smile. “Yeah, I guess I do. I met her the other night.”

“They’re good people. He fights like I used to,” he tells me. “I’m not sure what you like to eat, but I was thinking we could grab some burgers or something.”

“I love a good burger.” I grin as he pulls my hand into his, leading us to his car. Here’s to a good night. I’m actually beginning to thank myself for not being so damn stubborn.