Mark grinned as he gently massaged her ankle. “This is Kinnick. She is named after the stadium in Iowa City.”
Avery winced then typed again.
Mark read it and nodded. “It is an interesting name. I’m from Iowa. I’m a Hawkeye fan.”
Avery’s face lit up as she went back to tapping on her phone.
Mark read her message again. “Nope. East side of the state. Cedar Rapids. I used to travel to Des Moines all the time though.”
Rico huffed as he rolled his eyes. He crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “Seriously? You feel the need to share your life story?”
Mark shot him a look as Avery scowled at him. “Criticizing my bed side manner?”
Rico didn’t answer. Mark turned back to Avery. “Your ankle is badly sprained. Nothing more. I will get you a wrap for it and some ice. Stay off it as much as possible so it can heal.” He thumbed over his shoulder at Rico. “This one can wait on you.”
He stood and disappeared into the kitchen. Rico followed him. He leaned against the counter as Mark pulled a plastic bag from the drawer then opened the freezer. Mark cocked a grin at him. “I take it you didn’t tell her that you’re from Chicago.”
“Not yet,” Rico huffed. “Are you sure all the stuff with me on it is gone.”.
“Positive.”
“Did you check those magazines to see if I’m in them?”
“Didn’t have to.” Mark tossed a handful of ice cubes into the bag.
“Why not?”
Mark chuckled as he gathered one last handful of ice and sealed the makeshift ice pack closed. “I use your covers to line Kinnick’s kennel.”
“You what?” Rico screeched.
Mark smirked at him as he slipped back into the living room. Rico stormed after him, catching Mark as he laid the ice pack on Avery’s ankle. Avery wrapped her hand around Rico’s to stop him from stalking after Mark as the big man disappeared down the hallway. She tugged his hand toward the cushion then let go of it long enough to sign. Sit. Please.
Rico stared down the hall for a moment then sank down next to her. Avery laid her head on his shoulder as she held his hand again. It was only a few moments before Mark reappeared with an elastic wrap bandage. He dropped to his knee and carefully wrapped Avery’s injured ankle. As he secured it, he looked up at Rico with a wicked twinkle in his eye.
Rico bit back a snarl. He didn’t even want to know what smart ass thought was going through the big man’s mind.
They visited with Mark and Dan for about an hour. Rico cringed as they told Avery some of their misadventures, spending extra time and details on his part in them. She laughed at their stories, cuddling closer to him as Dan and Mark bantered back and forth. He wrapped his arms around her. He didn’t know if it was the sound of her laughter or having her snuggled against him that made him relax and join in on the conversation.
As long as they kept his secret, they could tell Avery anything they wanted. Besides, with all the things they had on him, it was about time he defended himself.
Avery looked at Rico. I promised to go to dinner with Lindsay.
He nodded at her then slowly unwrapped his arms from around her so he could stand. We should go. He stooped over her to pick her up, but was met with light slaps.
Enough. Let me walk. You can help me, but let me do it myself.
Rico pulled his hands back in mock surrender then offered to help her stand. Tugging her to her feet, he braced her against him for support. They said their goodbyes to Mark and Dan. Together they made their way to the vehicle. Rico helped her climb inside then turned to find Mark behind him.
“Thanks for helping her,” Rico told him.
The evil grin was back. “Happy to help.”
Rico crossed his arms over his chest. “What is it, Mark?”
“Nothing. It’s just not every day you see the great Rico Choate fall in love.”
Rico shot a cold glare at Mark. “Again, thank you for taking care of her.” He stormed around the Jeep and jumped in, leaving Mark laughing on the curb. He breathed a sigh of relief as they sped down the highway. Avery was none the wiser about his mixed martial arts career. His secret was still safe.
Rico stopped in front of her house. As he opened her door to help her out, he met her smile with one of his own. Your friends are really nice.
They are like brothers to me. Sometimes, they can be a little obnoxious.
It is all right. I like them. And despite their teasing, they seem to really care about you. I can see why you think of them as brothers.
Rico smiled at her words then gently helped her from the Jeep. He wrapped a protective arm around her waist to support her as she hobbled to the porch. He startled when the front door slammed open. Lindsay was standing on the top step, his gaze locked to the bandage on Avery’s ankle. Instinct took over. Rico stopped dead in his tracks.
Avery looked at him. What is it?
“Maybe I should say goodbye here. I don’t want to upset your brother.”
She glanced from him to Lindsay’s murderous glare. Her face twisted in a scowl. She slipped her hand across the stubble on Rico’s chin and turned his face to her. His heart raced as Avery pressed her lips against his, parting them as they kissed. He didn’t think. He pulled her closer to deepen it. If she were my little sister, I would kill me too. Yep. I’m a dead man.
As they parted, she signed. Goodbye, Rico.
“Not yet. I will see you safely to your door.”
He supported her in his arms as they slowly ascended the porch stairs.
»»•««
Rico strolled into Hard Drive, whistling the song he had just heard on the radio with each step he took. He couldn’t remember the last time he had whistled like this. But then, he couldn’t remember the last time he had been this truly happy.
He stopped dead in his tracks as a sobering thought crossed his mind. He did remember the last time he had been this content.
He was ten. His mother had just tucked him into bed after reading a story to him. It had been a Hardy Boys mystery. She kissed him on the forehead and wished him good night. He could hear his father giving instructions to the sitter. They were only going for drinks with friends from work. They wouldn’t be long. Rico snuggled into his pillow and drifted to sleep with a smile on his young lips.
He shuddered as he forced the memory to stop there. Clenching his eyes closed, he forced his breath in and out quickly to calm himself. Hard Drive was the perfect place to be. Right now, he needed to hit something repeatedly. He glanced down at his scarred knuckles. Maybe until they started to bleed. Whatever it took to purge those recollections from his mind.
Rico was startled by the soft song that played from his pocket. He plunged his hand in to find his phone. After rummaging in the fabric for a moment, he pulled it free and glanced at the screen.
Potato salad or fruit?
His face broke out in a warm smile. The ghosts of his past disappeared as he typed the response.
Avery, sweetheart. You’re going to too much trouble.
A new bubble popped up under what he had just sent.
That’s not an answer, Rico. Potato salad or fruit?
He laughed as his thumbs flew across the screen.
Fruit would be great. I’m heading in to workout now.
He waited instead of walking into the building. He wasn’t disappointed.
Can’t wait to see you!
Rico slipped the cell back into his pocket as the tune returned to his lips. Glancing at his knuckles, his grin grew wider. For the first time ever, other than the abuse they would suffer in practice, his fingers were safe. Avery was truly amazing. He opened the door and walked inside. Setting his bag on the bench, he kicked his shoes off and nudged them against the wall with his toe.
“How’s Avery?”
Rico spun around to find both Mark and Dan in front of the mirrors. Dan was still shadow boxing. Mark stood with his hands on his hips, beads of sweat dotting his forehea
d as he waited for an answer.
“She’s good,” Rico replied as he dug out his gloves. “She texted this morning to tell me there wasn’t much pain left.”
“Glad to hear it. She needs to keep wrapping it and putting ice on it so she doesn’t reinjure it.”
“I’ll make sure she does.” Rico joined his friends, tossing his gloves on the floor. Sitting on the mat, he extended his leg out in front of him, grasped his foot, and then leaned into the stretch.
Mark cocked a grin at Rico. Rico frowned at him. “What?” he demanded.
“Still can’t believe you’re in love,” Mark replied.
Rico paused a moment. The words played in his mind. Could he say them? “So what if I’m in love? What’s the big deal?”
“It isn’t. I’m happy for you. When are you going to tell her you’re a mixed martial artist?”
“I will. Just not right now. I’m going to ease her into it.”
“So, you’re going to lie to her.”
“I’m not lying to her. I just haven’t shared that part of my life yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not ready to do it. I will though. Soon.”
“She seems like a pretty smart girl to me. Maybe you should give her a chance.” Mark turned back to the mirror and joined Dan in shadow boxing.
Rico snarled at him. Mark had no idea what was at stake. Did he want to tell Avery that he fought? Of course he did. Maybe he would someday soon. And maybe she would react like she did at the restaurant. When he got to know her better and knew she would be all right with what he did, he would tell her.
The rest of the morning was spent doing tabatas, sparring, and rolling. At noon, Rico peeled off his gloves and tossed them into his bag. He didn’t even put on his shoes. Instead, he grabbed them and his bag before racing home to shower and change.
His heart thundered in his chest as he pulled up to Avery’s house. She stood on the porch in a pale blue sundress and white, strappy sandals. The elastic wrap around her injured ankle even blended into her outfit. In her hands, she held the handles of a large picnic basket.
She skipped the best she could down the steps to the Jeep. Rico hopped out to set the basket in the back seat then help her into the passenger side. His gaze wandered over her as he jumped back into the vehicle. “You are beautiful,” he said.
She blushed a rosy pink as she texted. I don’t normally wear dresses. The weather is so warm and well…
Rico glanced over to find her fingers folded in her lap as her face grew redder. He kissed her cheek. “I’m so glad you did. So, where would you like to go?”
There’s a lake near my college. It’s beautiful. Can we go there?
“Absolutely. Just show me where.”
Avery gave him the directions, updating them as they reached each stop light. Rico parked in the nearly full parking lot. Before Avery could unbuckle her seat belt, he had the picnic basket and a blanket in his grasp and was offering her a hand to help her out. She reached for the basket. With a suave smile, he held it out of her reach.
Give it to me, she commanded.
Rico set the basket on the ground behind him then draped the blanket over it so he could sign. How about you take my hand so I won’t get lost?
Avery huffed. You are impossible.
“But you love me for it.”
Avery’s eyes went wide as she bit her lower lip.
Rico’s heart thundered as he panicked. “I was kidding. I didn’t mean to imply that you love me.”
He watched her cheeks flush again. She signed to him. But I do. I do love you. I wasn’t sure…
Rico cupped her face in his hands and parted her lips in a deep, warm kiss. She had just told him that she loved him. It was all he wanted. Whatever she was saying was lost as her hands caressed his arms and her mouth melted against his.
As they broke apart, Rico let his hands slip from her face. “I love you, Avery.”
He pulled her close for another kiss. Holding her, kissing her, was the only thing he ever wanted to do. Feeling her surrender, knowing she loved him too, was the most incredible feeling he’d ever experienced. He didn’t know how long they embraced. He didn’t care.
Suddenly, she pulled away. The fried chicken is getting cold.
“I really don’t care.”
Neither do I. But we might when we finally get around to eating it.
Rico laughed. “That’s true.” He let her go then took her hand to help her from the vehicle. Her fingers laced with his as he picked up the blanket and basket with his free hand. Together, they wandered alongside the lake until they found a lush, green spot beneath a large tree.
He shook out the blanket then laid it on the grass. Avery settled on it as Rico placed the basket in the middle. Before he could sit down, she already had the flap open and was pulling out container after container of delicious food.
His stomach growled at the sight of the homemade chocolate cake. It was definitely not on his training diet. But how was he going to tell her he couldn’t have any? She had obviously baked it herself just for him. He cocked a sly grin. It would be rude not to eat a piece. A big piece, he thought.
Avery handed him a plate and a plastic fork, spoon, and knife. Dig in.
They each started peeling the tops off the containers and scooping the food onto their plates. Rico tore off a piece of chicken and popped it into his mouth. He groaned because it was that good. He set his plate down to sign. The chicken is amazing.
Avery did the same to respond. Thank you.
“Where did you learn to make it?”
Avery reached for her phone. Rico chuckled as she typed. Once his phone vibrated he looked down. I got the recipe from a librarian at the public library. She helps me do the research for my papers. I told her I was making you a picnic lunch, and she gave her recipe to me. Her husband and son-in-law love it, which she said amazes her. They are both from somewhere in Ireland, and she is pretty sure they didn’t have fried chicken there. They go crazy for it.
Rico winked at her. “Not the information you’d expect to get at the library.”
Avery giggled. I guess not.
They continued to eat as they watched the sailboats slip across the water. Rico couldn’t believe how delicious everything was. He didn’t have room for the huge piece of cake that Avery served him, but he wasn’t about to turn it away. He was going to have to take a nap later.
Rico helped her reseal the containers and tuck them back into the basket. Moving the basket to the grass, he pulled Avery into his arms and held her tight. She wrapped hers around his waist and laid her head on his broad chest.
Silently, they watched the boats, the people walking on the path nearby, the children playing at the water’s edge, and the birds flying overhead. Every once in a while, Avery would look up at him, her blue eyes sparkling. He stole a kiss each and every time she did.
Rico sighed. He had never felt peace like this. All the chaos in his life, the fights, the publicity, the fame…suddenly didn’t seem so important. Avery was all that mattered. Keeping her safe, knowing she was happy, was all he wanted. He had never been in love like this. What he had felt for Phoebe, his psychotic ex-girlfriend, hadn’t even come close. He never wanted to let Avery go. Ever.
The sun was low on the horizon when they finally stood to leave. Avery beat him to the blanket, folding it neatly and tucking it in her arm before Rico could get a hand on it. He picked up the basket then hand in hand they walked back to the Jeep.
They sat outside Avery’s house for several moments before Rico walked her to the door. You’ll pick me up in the morning? She asked.
“Of course, I will. I’ll do anything to spend time with you.”
She blushed.
Rico grinned. He’d also do just about anything to tinge her cheeks pink like that. “What are you doing this week?” he continued.
Studying. I have some big tests coming up. What about you?
“Working then the gy
m. Like normal. Max has some crazy workout planned. Want me to help you study?”
She laughed. You know as well as I do, Rico, if you try to help, we won’t be studying.
He chuckled with her. “True. But I’ll be on my best behavior. Just as long as you’re on yours.”
Avery gasped indignantly as she slapped him on the arm. I am always on my best behavior.
“Really? So you are saying I’m the bad influence?”
Yes. I am.
“It is good to know we are on the same page.”
Avery laughed again. The sound was weak but it was definitely there. Rico studied her face. Lord, she’s beautiful. Her features were normally so cool and collected. She was a Marine. Obviously, not much fazed her. It was one of the things he loved about her.
But right now, her eyes held a wicked glimmer. She slowly reached across his seat. Her fingers weaved themselves in his hair. That sensation alone sent his heart racing. She pulled him to her and parted his lips with hers. It didn’t take long before her tongue tangled with his. Instinctively, he drew her tight against him.
Feeling her curves mold against his body, the taste of her on his lips, set him on fire. The old Rico, the one who couldn’t remember the names of half the women he slept with, started to creep to the surface. He could take her back to his place. One night with her would be incredible.
He looked into her eyes as the kiss broke. She was perfect. He couldn’t ruin what they had. He didn’t want her for one night. He wanted her for forever. He wanted to promise eternity to her. He wanted to raise a family with her. He couldn’t risk everything on one night.
He nuzzled his nose against hers and brushed another kiss against her lips. He didn’t think before he spoke. The words just tumbled out. “I love you.”
An amused smile graced her lips as she signed. I love you, too. I guess I better go in.
“I guess so.”
He grabbed the picnic basket out of the back seat. He wrapped his arm around her and tucked her close to him as he walked her to the house. He could see Lindsay glaring at him through the window. Rico didn’t care. As they reached the front door, he pulled Avery to him for one last, soft kiss. She sighed as she took the basket from him and looped her arm through the handles. See you in the morning?
Hard Drive Boxed Set Page 29