Fighting Love: the complete series

by Nikki Ash

  “It’s okay.” I hug Reese as she cries against my shoulder. “I’ll find her.”

  “You will?”

  “Yes, I promise. I will bring her back.” It’s the least I can do for my best friend since he isn’t able to find her himself. Realizing I won’t be heading home right away, I figure I should call Bella and let her know I am okay. She’s going to be hurt and pissed no matter what but at least she won’t be worried.

  “Can I borrow your phone?”

  “Sure.” She hands me her phone after typing in the password. I go to dial Bella’s number before I realize I don’t fucking know it! Fucking technology. It might be convenient, but it’s made us lazy. I’ve had Bella’s number saved for so long, I don’t know what the number is. Then I curse myself for not thinking about this earlier when I was sitting in the damn bar with Tristan.

  I click on the internet and do a search for Cooper’s Gym. When the website pops up, I hit call. It rings a few times before a woman picks up.

  “Hi, who’s this?”

  “This is Carla with Cooper’s Fight Club.” I have no clue who she is so she must be new.

  “Hey Carla. My name is Marco. I’m looking for Cooper or Bella. Are either of them there?”

  “Nope, they left a little while ago.”

  “Okay, how about Caleb or Hayley, or maybe Kaden or Ashley?” It’s a long shot since they are rarely there, spending most of their time at their clinic or the rec center.

  “Nope, sorry.”

  “Okay, do you by any chance have any of their numbers?”

  “I’m sorry, but I’m not at liberty to give out anybody’s numbers. I can take your name and number and have them call you.”

  I sigh. “Fine, but can you call Cooper and give him the message now?”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Please tell him it’s Marco and I’m in California and to let Bella know I left my phone at home. My friend who is in a coma took a turn for the worse.”

  “Okay, got it. I’ll let him know. I hope your friend is doing better. Bye!”

  After I hang up, I use Reese’s social media account to click on Kaitlyn’s name. I see her tagged in a bunch of posts and spot Janell in one.

  “Okay, I think I know where she is.” I hand her back her phone. “Once I get her, want me to bring her to your place?”

  “Yes.” She sniffles. “Please. I’m so worried. I can’t lose my brother and my sister.”

  “You haven’t lost either one,” I say, hoping to comfort her and praying that remains the truth.

  “I’ll see you in a little while. Stay positive.”

  Not having any way to get a hold of Bella at the moment, I focus all my efforts on finding Kaitlyn. I drive around checking out all the usual places Janell would be at. Just as I’m about to give up, I remember her brother’s place.

  It’s been awhile since I’ve been there but I know the area, so I drive up and down the streets looking for a house with cars lining the road. The picture I saw had a bunch of people in the background. I spot the house and park my car at the end of the road.

  Without knocking, I walk in, and of course, the first person I see is Janell.

  “Marco?” Janell smirks. “Gina mentioned you were back. I knew it was only a matter of time.”

  Not even bothering to explain myself to her, I ask, “Is Kaitlyn here?”

  “Really, Kaitlyn? Her brother is in a coma and you’re trying to get with her.” I close in on her without laying a hand on her. “Is. She. Here?” My patience is wearing thin. I don’t have time to deal with her.

  “Whatever.” She rolls her eyes. “I saw her around here earlier.” I step back from her and start searching the house. It’s like three in the afternoon and these people are partying like it’s a Friday night. I can’t believe this is what I resorted to.

  I spot her on the couch taking a bump of coke and I sit down next to her. “Katie,” I murmur. She turns to me and throws her arms around me. “It’s okay. It’s okay. We’re going to get out of here.”

  “He’s going to d-die, Marco,” she hiccups. I don’t respond because the truth is Logan is probably going to die eventually and right now I can’t even think about that. I almost got drunk earlier today and now I’m surrounded by every drug known to man and I’m not exactly feeling strong.

  “He wouldn’t want you doing this to yourself,” I say to her but also in a way to myself. “C’mon, let’s go.” We both stand and, with my arm around her, I guide us out of the house and to my car.

  She’s quiet the entire drive to her sister’s place. There isn’t anything to say. That accident changed so many lives and not for the better. We were all affected in some way and it’s pointless to discuss it. Logan will most likely never wake up and there isn’t anything any of us can do to change that fact.

  After getting her inside with Reese, I borrow her phone again and try to contact the gym. It’s almost six o’clock and nobody answers. The receptionist is probably gone for the day.

  “I’m going to head out. I left without my phone and my girlfriend is most likely freaking out.”

  “Thank you for bringing her home, Marco.”

  “Of course. I’ll see you both soon.” I give them each a hug then I head home.

  I pull up to the house roughly four hours later, after stopping by the store to pick up flowers and candy since tomorrow is Valentine’s day. Not wanting to wake Bella or Micaela up, I park outside and go through the front door. I check the laundry room, and sure enough my dead cell phone is sitting on top of the damn dryer. I throw it into my pocket and head down the hallway. I check my bedroom first and see it’s empty.

  I go to Bella’s room next and see her curled up in a ball snoring softly with Micaela in her bassinet right next to her sleeping soundly. I place the flowers and candy on her nightstand so she’ll see them when she wakes up. Then I kick off my shoes and undress down to my boxers before I pull the blanket back and climb into bed behind Bella. Spooning her from behind, I wrap my arms around her waist and wish that in the morning when we wake up this entire day won’t have happened, and it all will have just been a horrible nightmare.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Bella

  My eyes open. and I jerk upright when I see the clock reads 9:15. It’s Valentine’s Day. Yay! Not. Then I notice the beautiful roses and huge box of chocolate on my nightstand. Marco must be home. And he’s lost his mind if he thinks flowers and chocolate will make me forgive him.

  Realizing Micaela should have woken me up by now to eat, I lean over and see she’s not in her bassinet. In panic mode, I check the floor because it’s not like my six-week-old daughter is getting up and walking around the house. Oh my God! Where is she? I jump out of the bed and run toward the front door only to be stopped in my tracks by Marco sitting on the couch holding our daughter. Duh! He’s home! Hence the flowers and candy in my room. He’s speaking softly to her and I can see her arms flaring in excitement.

  “Seriously?” I bite out.

  “I can explain about yesterday.”

  “I don’t give a fuck about yesterday. I do care about the fact that I woke up to find my daughter gone. You want to run away without saying a word? Fine! Run! It’s what you do best. But do not take my damn daughter out of her bassinet without letting me know!”

  Marco looks at me for a moment in shock. “I’m sorry. She woke up, so I brought her out here to feed her so you could sleep in. Did you see the flowers and candy next to your bed?”

  “I did. And coming from a caring, selfless man all of this would be super sweet, but since it’s coming from you, it’s called guilt. Now please give me back my daughter.” I put my hands out, waiting for her because seriously… you don’t run and then the next day take my baby without saying a word. I almost had a damn heart attack.

  “Bella,” Marco says as he hands Micaela to me. “Please give me a chance to explain.”

  “There’s no explanation in the world other than you being kidnapped
that would make walking out the door without telling me, okay. Were you? Were you kidnapped?”

  Marco sighs and shakes his head.

  “Let me ask you one question,” I continue. “Did you get drunk or high while you were gone?”

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “Don’t dodge the question. Did you get drunk or high? It’s a yes or no question.” Knowing a fight is about to ensue, I lay Micaela down in her crib in her nursery and give her her pacifier, knowing she always falls back asleep after her morning feeding.

  Then I walk back out to the living room. “Did you get drunk or high?”

  “No, I didn’t get drunk or high.”

  “You. Are. A. Fucking. Liar.”

  “Bella, listen to me, please. Logan went into cardiac arrest. His sister Reese said he might not make it so I drove to the hospital.”

  “And what? You ended up drinking at Dexter’s and getting high with Janell?”

  “Tristan fucking texted you?” Marco hisses

  “Tristan?” I’m confused, not sure what Tristan has to do with any of this. “I haven’t spoken to Tristan in months. Don’t bring him into this.”

  “Who told you about Dexter’s?”

  “Gina.”

  “Well, maybe that coke-whore should get her facts straight. Yes, I had a drink. One drink. But then pretty boy showed up and stopped me.”

  “Really? You’re going to call her names when it wasn’t too long ago you were hanging out and doing the same drugs she does.”

  “Yes! Because I know firsthand she doesn’t care about anything except her next fix. She’s starting shit because Tristan chose you over her. He was supposed to be her meal ticket and you got in her way. So now she’s going to cause problems.”

  “She wouldn’t be able to cause problems if you were home where you belonged.”

  “Bella—”

  I cut him off needing to remain in control of this conversation. He’s not about to veer it toward Gina and her issues. “So, Gina and Tristan both saw you drinking? And this was before you went to hang out with Janell?”

  “I didn’t hang out with Janell. I went to a party to—”

  “Jesus, Marco! Do you hear yourself? It was posted on social media. Gina saw you drinking, Tristan knows you left, and Janell was posting goddamn photos of you! You promised! And you still left. How can you say I'm enough and then walk away from me so easily? You put me last. While I was scared and worried, you were putting everyone else first. You didn't stop drinking for me or for your daughter! Tristan stopped you. I can't do this. I have a daughter I have to protect from being hurt.” I sigh in defeat, refusing to let any tears come through.

  “It’s not like that. Please listen to me.” Marco stalks up to me. “I get that I fucked up. I should have told you I was leaving. I got the call about Logan and my phone died. I set it on the dryer and left it! I got there and he was in such bad shape. I lost it and went to Dexter’s. I shouldn’t have had that drink. Tristan stopped me and then I went back to the hospital. I ran into Logan’s sister Reese and she said Kaitlyn, their younger sister, was in a bad way so I went to find her to bring her home, and Janell was at the party. But Belles, I swear to you, I didn’t touch a single drug.”

  “I’m sorry about your friend.” I can’t even imagine having to watch my best friend from the bedside while he remains in a coma, slowly deteriorating.

  “Bella, I’m so sorry.” Marco places his hands on my arms. “Please forgive me.”

  “I-I just,” I begin, when I hear my phone ring. I run to grab it and see it’s a number I don’t recognize. “Hello?”

  “Bella, this is Daniel West.” And just as my dad said would happen, Daniel offers me a chance at another fight, which I accept. When I hang up, I check on Micaela then get dressed because I just can’t deal with Marco and his shit right now. If I’m going to win this fight and make a name for myself, I’m going to need to take training seriously and since I’ve made the decision not to go back to school until next fall, I can give my training one hundred percent.

  After Micaela wakes up, I feed her and then put her in her car seat.

  “Where are you going?” Marco asks from the kitchen, drinking his coffee.

  “I’m going to the gym to train. Daniel West offered me a chance at another fight.”

  “That’s awesome. I can watch Micaela while you go.”

  “That’s okay. I’d rather my mom watch her. I can’t risk the chance you just up and leave. I mean, would you leave her here? Or would you take her with you? I could come home and my daughter’s photo could be blasted on social media.” Realizing how mean that sounds when Marco’s face drops in defeat, I add, “Look, I just don’t trust you.” And without waiting for another excuse or apology, I walk out the door.

  I drop Micaela off at my mom’s and she asks me to come inside for a few minutes. We sit on the couch together. “I need to talk to you about something, but first, is everything okay with Marco? Have you found him?” my mom asks.

  I let out a long sigh, shaking my head. “No, I mean yes, I found him. Marco’s home but everything is far from okay. I’m just so upset with him. He left for California and he has all these excuses for not telling me and they sound legit. His friend, the one in the coma, went into cardiac arrest. Marco drove there to be with him and I get that, I do. But there were photos of him at a party and it’s all just too much. I can’t trust him, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to.”

  “Oh, sweetie.” My mom envelops me in a much-needed hug. “Maybe you both need to take a step back. It sounds like it’s coming at you guys from all angles.”

  “I know. That’s why I left. I need to just focus on this fight Daniel West offered me, and on Micaela. So, what was it you needed to talk to me about?”

  My mom frowns and I mentally prepare myself for bad news. “Elsa is sick. She’s getting older and your dad and I think it’s time to put her down. Your dad brought her to the Vet this morning and she’s in a lot of pain.”

  I knew this was coming, but my heart still breaks. “I feel like I just keep losing my heart. Tristan, Marco, Elsa. Does it ever stop?”

  My mom gives me a sad smile. “No, it doesn’t,” she says honestly. “Life is full of love and laughter, but it’s also full of heartbreak.”

  “When will they put Elsa down?”

  “She’s at the Vet now. I thought you would want to say goodbye to her.”

  “I do. I’m going to go there now. I want to be there when they put her down. I need to be.”

  I give my mom a hug goodbye then drive over to Elsa’s Vet. When I walk through the door, my heart aches knowing this is the last time I’ll come here for Elsa. She’s been coming here since we got her.

  “Oh, Bella!” Peggy, Dr. Rowes’ wife and assistant comes around her desk to give me a hug. “She’s hanging on, sweetie. Go say your goodbyes.”

  I’m completely choked up, so I simply nod and follow her to the back. Dr. Rowes is there with Elsa. She’s lying on a soft dog pillow, and when she sees me, her tail wags but she doesn’t get up. “Oh, puppy,” I cry, petting her head softly. “I’m going to miss you so much.” Images of all my years with Elsa float to the surface as I sob into her soft fur.

  “Can I stay, please?” I ask Dr. Rowes. “I don’t want her to be alone.” He gives me a sympathetic look and nods. I don’t watch anything he does after that. I just lie on the ground next to my dog and pet her face, speaking soft words to her until Dr. Rowes says, “Bella, honey. She’s gone.” I give her one last kiss, then I stand and lose it. Dr. and Mrs. Rowes hold me while I cry in their arms, mourning my best friend.

  After I’m done crying and they assure me they’ll have her cremated so I can have her ashes, I drive to the gym. It’s already the afternoon but I need to work out. I need to do something to get my mind off everything. I jump onto the treadmill and do five miles before going in search of my dad.

  I don’t find him right away, but I do see Caleb. “Bell
a, get over here!” Caleb gives me a hug. “Your dad told me about your upcoming fight. You here to do some training?”

  “Yeah, I was just looking for my dad.”

  “I think he’s out back dealing with a delivery. Everything okay?”

  “No, I had to put Elsa down this morning.” The words come out watery and Caleb pulls me into a hug. “I’m so sorry. I remember when your dad bought her for you. What are you doing here?”

  “I just need to keep my mind off it all. The gym is the only place I can take my mind off things.”

  “All right then. Throw on some gloves and let’s spar. Let’s take your mind off shit.”

  “Okay.”

  After about twenty minutes of sparring, we both stop for a water break. “I didn’t realize how badly I’m out of shape.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You just had a baby. You’ll get there. You have months to train and you have Marco to help you.” I feel myself flinch at Marco’s name and hope Caleb didn’t see it. I know he did, though, when he comes and sits in front of me.

  “What happened?” I go into the entire story about Logan, Marco leaving, the photos and texts.

  “I just can’t trust him. I know he was hurting, but…”

  “No, fuck that. Don’t make excuses for him. Many years ago, I walked away from Hayley because I was too scared to talk to her. It was the day she and Marco were kidnapped. Now it’s not the same as what you and Marco are going through, but if I hadn’t walked away, they wouldn’t have been taken.”

  I gasp, my hands covering my mouth. I was little when they were taken. I don’t know all the specifics other than Marco was selling drugs and his biological mom was spending the money. They got in over their heads and Caleb saved them. Marco’s mom had overdosed and died and the men were charged with a bunch of stuff. They kidnapped Hayley and Marco in an effort to get Caleb to drop the charges.