Outmatched: A Novel

by Kristen Callihan

  My colleagues shot me curious looks but left the office without a second glance, caught up in the news that Fairchild was gone.

  Once the door closed behind them, I was left in the room with Jackson and Ben.

  “This is good news.” My smile wilted a little. “Right?”

  Jackson grinned. “Even better for you. I wanted to make your contract permanent from the moment you inputted those changes to our model. However, I needed approval from Fairchild, who as the main investor made his investment contingent on being named CEO of Horus. All big decisions, including staff employment, had to go through him. Usually, he gave his approval, no questions asked. After he met Rhys, for reasons unknown to me, and we don’t need to get into it, he held off giving me the authority to make you a permanent member of staff.”

  “That’s illegal, Jackson.”

  “Which is why he’s no longer an issue. Between him being under investigation and Diana wanting to invest, the board were more than happy to shove him out. And that’s why you’ll be receiving a new permanent contract by the end of the day.”

  Relief, excitement, joy flooded me, and I knew I was grinning like a big nerd. “Really?”

  Ben and Jackson shared amused looks and my boss nodded. “Really. Welcome to the Horus family, Parker.”

  I hurried up the steps and into Rhys’s gym, my heart pounding with my news. I’d waited all day and night to tell him about Fairchild, deciding I wanted to tell him face-to-face. His trainer, Jimmy, this gruff older man I liked despite his bluntness because he clearly cared about Rhys, had cock-blocked Rhys.

  No sex before the big fight.

  Apparently, those articles I’d read about athletes and sexual frustration and aggression were true. Or at least Jimmy was hoping so.

  This meant I’d been banned from visiting the gym the night before because Jimmy said Rhys couldn’t keep his hands off me. No willpower.

  I was definitely not complaining about that.

  That time, however, had allowed me to think and remember that Fairchild’s removal from Horus didn’t mean we were out of the woods entirely. On that note, I realized even Fairchild wasn’t stupid enough to turn down an obviously lucrative buyout just to hold Rhys on a string.

  Besides, he still had something on Rhys. Fairchild had also threatened Dean and he could follow through on that

  Yet, this was a win for us and it couldn’t have come at a better time, right before the big fight.

  The breath left me as I walked into the gym and saw how the place had been transformed for the fight. Although the first-floor gymnasium was left relatively untouched, the interior decorator had laid a red carpet and golden ropes that led to the second-floor staircase. Huge pots of ferns sat here and there; she’d also hung massive black-and-white canvas photographs of famous fighters, including a beautiful shot of Rhys when he’d just won the heavyweight championship belt.

  I gazed around the first floor, watching catering staff wander up to elegantly dressed guests who were taking their time walking along the carpet to stare at the photographs. From here I could see Diana Crichton Jones and her fiancé, and I had a sudden urge to run like a little girl across the gym and throw myself into her arms in gratitude.

  Thankfully, I refrained.

  “Parker.”

  I spun around, the short skirt of my dark green dress fluttering around my thighs. Carlos stood in front of me, looking incredibly handsome in a tailored suit. “You look great.”

  His dark eyes dragged down my body and back up again. “So do you. Maybe too good. Rhys told me to bring you to him before the fight but seeing you in that dress, I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

  I glanced down at my dress, wondering what was wrong with it. It was by Self-Portrait, a lovely forest green with a pleated skirt, sweetheart neckline, short sleeves, and black lace cutout detail on the waist and upper chest. It was demure as far as I could tell, except for my black platform-heeled, peep-toe sandals. Those were a little sexy.

  “Pfft.” I waved off Carlos’s comment. “I want to see him.”

  “Okay.” He gently took my elbow, and I heard him mutter, “Dios mio, Jimmy is going to kill me.”

  We took the back elevator to the second floor. It seemed to take forever. I found myself tapping my foot.

  “You nervous?”

  I glanced over at Rhys’s best friend, a denial forming on my lips. However, it didn’t come out. The truth was, I was beyond nervous for Rhys to fight. I hadn’t slept a wink the night before worrying about it.

  Not just because I was concerned about some guy punching the hell out of him, or vice versa, but because I was still anxious about what this fight might do to him. I knew now Rhys had gone to see Marcy because he needed closure with her before he could step back in the ring. Her permission, which from the story he’d told me, she’d given with grace and compassion.

  She sounded like a lovely person and someone I wanted to meet. She was important to Rhys, and anything important to him was important to me.

  I froze against the elevator doors as they opened.

  After all these years, all the running away, I’d finally found someone I wanted to love. Someone I wanted to love me back.

  Not wanted.

  No … I loved him.

  The feeling crashed over me, and I suddenly felt annoyed with myself for not having said it to him. Sure, I’d told him I was crazy about him and I’d alluded to it… but I hadn’t said those actual words. I loved him. I couldn’t sleep for worrying about him. That’s why the prehistoric butterflies in my belly hadn’t disappeared even after I got news of Fairchild’s demise from Horus.

  I loved Rhys.

  And he needed to know that. Not tomorrow or the next day… but now.

  “Hey, you okay?” Carlos’s face appeared in front of mine.

  No, I was not okay.

  I was in love.

  People were a million things when they were in love but “okay” was surely not one of them.

  Pushing a strained smile, I nodded. “Yeah.”

  Carlos didn’t look like he believed me, but he didn’t badger me. Instead he led me out of the elevator and down the hall to Rhys’s office. He knocked and opened the door, sticking only his head around the jamb. “Got a delivery in a very cute fucking package out here.”

  “How about you not notice that shit from now on?” I heard Rhys say. “Jimmy, give us a minute. Let my girl in.”

  “No funny business,” I heard Jimmy warn just before the door opened fully to reveal the trainer. His eyes dropped down my body, and he rolled his eyes. “For fuck’s sake.” He cut me a look. “That goes for you too. Jesus.”

  He strode away, taking a chuckling Carlos with him. When I turned back from watching them go, I found Rhys sitting on the edge of his rosewood desk. He wore long boxing shorts and boxing boots in black and gold. His ripped torso drew my attention for a second because, well, it was magnificent, until my eyes were drawn to his hands all wrapped up.

  My stomach somersaulted.

  I could not lose him to this fight. Emotionally or otherwise.

  “You coming in or not, Tinker Bell?”

  Swallowing hard, I strode inside.

  Rhys’s gaze drifted down my body, and his hands curled around the edge of the desk. When his eyes met mine, they were full of heat. “Did you wear that dress just to torture me?”

  I smoothed a nervous hand down the pleated skirt. “It’s just a dress.”

  He cocked his head. “You worried about this fight?”

  It was somewhat disconcerting how perceptive he could. “I know you’ll do great.”

  “But you’re still worried. That why you’re still standing all the way over there?” He pushed up off the desk, and I crossed the distance between us.

  As I slid my arms around his waist and rested my head on his warm, hard chest, Rhys wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll be fine, Tink.”

  “I know.” I squeezed him and
then lifted my head from his chest. “I have good news.”

  Rhys gave me an affectionate smile. “Yeah, what’s that?”

  I told him about my confrontation with Fairchild and about the board buying him out of Horus. “Jackson gave me a permanent contract. Fairchild can’t touch my job. And I have leverage on him now. I think … I think we might be out of those particular woods.”

  His smile widened and this time he squeezed me. “Baby, that’s not good news, that’s fantastic news.”

  My own smile fell. “I blackmailed him.”

  Sobering, Rhys nodded. “And I know how you probably feel about that. But I think you’re pretty fucking brave. Thank you. Not just for me and Dean, but for doing it for yourself. Proud of you.”

  My breath caught. “Really?”

  His hands coasted down my back as he studied me. “Yeah, really.”

  Gazing up into his too-handsome face and those beautiful, warm eyes, emotion welled inside me with such force, I couldn’t have stopped it even if I’d wanted to. “I love you,” I blurted.

  Rhys’s eyes widened, his nostrils flaring, his lips parting and he—

  “Right, time’s up, lovebirds,” Jimmy burst into the room.

  My boyfriend’s arms tensed around me as I attempted to retreat. “Jimmy—”

  “Nope, nearly time and Parker here needs to take her seat. Go on, darlin’.” He gestured toward the door with his hand.

  “It’s okay,” I reassured Rhys, even though I was trembling with the magnitude of what I’d just confessed. “Uh, well … break a leg.” I frowned and shot a worried look at Jimmy. “No, that’s not right. What do you say to a boxer for good luck before a fight?”

  The trainer’s lips twitched. “Good luck.” He threw Rhys a teasing look. “I thought you said she was smart?”

  Rhys apparently wasn’t in the mood to be teased. His tender gaze fell on me. “She’s the smartest fucking person I know. But thankfully, she’s got a big blind spot when it comes to me.”

  Grinning, I shook my head. “Not true. I see you clearer than anyone.”

  Something big flickered across Rhys’s expression, and that was when I found myself being gently guided toward the exit and summarily dismissed by Jimmy. “Enough. I need him juiced, not fucking sweet on his girl.”

  “Parker,” Rhys called my name.

  Jimmy let me go, and I glanced over my shoulder at my boyfriend.

  “You’re the first person I want to see after this fight. Yeah?”

  Nodding, I let out a nervous sigh. “Yes. Good luck. And Rhys?”

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “I’m proud of you too.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I took off before I could throw myself at him and ruin the words by asking him not to fight. On shaking legs, I hurried down the hall toward the doors that led out into the main room of the second floor.

  As soon as I burst into the space, I halted. Laid out before the main ring were rows and rows of folding chairs. Catering staff moved up and down the aisles with canapés and champagne, offering them to the high society guests who had dressed up in their finery.

  “Parker, darling.” A soft voice somehow cut through the loud murmur and the music blaring through the PA system. My gaze followed the familiar voice—my mom. She stood by the front-row seats where my father, Easton, and her fiancé Oliver were sitting. She waved me over, and I hurried to take the seat next to her after stopping to kiss everyone’s cheeks.

  My mom took my hand in hers. “Are you nervous?”

  “Am I that obvious?”

  She patted my hand. “A mother always knows.”

  “No need to be nervous, Peanut.” Dad’s head popped into sight around my mom’s. “Your guy is some fighter.”

  “Yes, that might be true, Charles, but a woman in love doesn’t particularly rejoice in seeing another man smash his fists into her boyfriend’s face.”

  My gaze flew to my mom’s at the mention of love. “Am I that obvious?” I repeated.

  She smiled, her eyes bright with affection. “Like I said, a mother always knows.”

  Relaxing deeper into her side, my fingers tightening around hers, I thought about how easily my family had accepted Rhys in my life. How happy they were to see me moving on. We had our differences, and I’d spent a great deal of my life worried I’d failed them, but I had a great family. “A good mom.”

  “What, darling?”

  “A good mom always knows.” I took a deep, shuddering sigh, impulsively deciding to be honest. Rhys and I had talked about coming clean to my family regarding how we really met—we knew we should, but we hadn’t discussed when. Needing a distraction from my worry over Rhys, I turned in my seat and said, “You knew there was something between us probably before we did.”

  Mom frowned at my shaky tone and Dad leaned closer at her side. “Peanut?”

  Just say it.

  Get it over with.

  And hope they don’t disown you.

  “My old boss wasn’t going to give me a permanent contract because he’s horrible and he was only interested in married employees or employees who had shown some kind of commitment in their personal lives. Say, having a long-term relationship, a mortgage, or kids.”

  “That’s illegal,” Mom snapped, her eyes glittering with outrage.

  “I know. But it was Franklin Fairchild. He’s a little difficult to dissuade.”

  My father’s features grew taut, but I continued before he could express his own anger.

  “I hired Rhys to pretend to be my boyfriend. Well, technically, I hired his younger brother, Dean, but Rhys found out and came to confront me at a dinner with my boss and Fairchild. However, when he realized there might be an opportunity with Fairchild to sponsor his gym, Rhys and I agreed he’d take Dean’s place and pretend to be my boyfriend instead.”

  “What?” Easton slid forward in her seat, surprising me. I hadn’t realized she was listening. “You did what?”

  I winced. “I know it was shameful—”

  “It was genius,” Easton said, waving off my comment. “And obviously you and Rhys are really together now, right?”

  My parents’ eyes bored into me with expectation. “Yes, it turned into something very real between us.” I waited as my parents exchanged a look I didn’t understand. “Well … do you forgive me for lying?”

  “Did Rhys take any money from you?” Dad asked.

  I shook my head. “No. I was supposed to pay him at the end of the first month, but we already knew by then that this wasn’t fake anymore.”

  When they gave me nothing but silence in return, I squirmed in my seat. “Well?”

  “Well, what?” Mom gave a delicate shrug. “I’m not happy you did this, but I’m also somewhat impressed by your ambition and tenacity. Moreover, if you two care about each other, that’s all that matters.”

  “Is it?” Dad cut her a look before his eyes returned to mine. “If I find out this man is only after your money, Peanut, I will not stand idly by.”

  My heart squeezed in my chest. I didn’t want Dad being suspicious of Rhys. Feeling defensive, I frowned. “As soon as you get to know him, you’ll realize Rhys isn’t like that. He’s the most honorable man I’ve ever met.” My gaze flew to the ring. “And he’s about to let some stranger smash their fists into his face.”

  Mom suddenly squeezed my hand. “He’ll be fine. Just you see.”

  I didn’t know if that meant Mom was on board with our relationship or not. I knew Easton was by the huge grin she kept shooting my way. Dad stared broodingly at the ring so I knew he wasn’t going to come around easily to my revelation. I’d suspected as much.

  Yet, I had to hope it wouldn’t take him long to realize what Rhys and I had was real. That he’d see Rhys for the good man he was. That he made me happy.

  He’ll be fine. Just you see.

  God, I hoped so.

  And I hoped I could watch the entire fight without looking away. My nervous energy increased by the second, my foo
t tapping against the floor as we waited for the fight to commence. So much for the confession acting as a distraction.

  I was grateful when Dean, Zoe, Ren, Elijah, and Navin arrived to take the seats next to me, their joking and excitement somewhat diverting.

  “I’d like another champagne,” Mom said, drawing my attention from my friends. She gazed over her shoulder, obviously in search of a passing waiter.

  Needing something to do, I offered to get her one, and strode down the aisle toward the back of the room where I saw catering staff working the guests who hadn’t taken their seats yet.

  I’d almost cleared the chairs when a familiar blond suddenly popped up from a seat near the aisle. “Parker?”

  Almost stumbling to a halt, I gazed up at the gorgeous woman in front of me. Even in my heels, I had to look up. She must have stood six feet in her high-heeled sandals. She wore a red dress that clung to every amazing curve on her body.

  Marcy.

  The widow of Rhys’s best friend.

  She beamed at me. “I made Rhys show me a photo of you, I hope you don’t mind. Wow, you’re even more gorgeous in real life.”

  Me?

  This glamazon thought I was gorgeous? I blushed. “Uh, thank you. You are too. Marcy, right?”

  Her grin widened. “Yeah, that’s me.” She gestured behind me to the ring. “I had to be here. I wanted Rhys to know I absolutely support him.”

  God, she was so nice. I stepped toward her. “He appreciates that more than you know. But …” I was afraid to ask in case it wasn’t my place.

  “But?”

  “Are … are you okay? Being here?”

  Her eyes grew a little bright as her expression softened. “I guess we both need to do this. Face our fears. You know.” She shrugged a little helplessly.

  Without thinking, I reached out to squeeze her elbow. “Why don’t you come sit with me and my family and friends?”

  Marcy smiled again, her eyes moving over my face as if she was searching for something. “You’re exactly how he described.”

  “How—”

  “But I’m here with a few friends.” She gestured to the seats beside her and I only then noticed two more glamazons, a brunette and a redhead, watching our interaction. By the narrowing of their eyes and their intense study, they seemed ready to jump to their feet to defend Marcy if need be. “They’ve got my back.”