He let his gaze slip over her body making sure she felt its heat. “Perfect,” he growled causing her to blush.
“Gosh. You’re really on at all times.”
He smirked at her grumbled remark. “How is it my fault you have a dirty mind? All I said was ‘perfect’. You’re the one who took it to mean you have an awesome body and I want to lick every inch of it, which I totally do by the way, but I didn’t say as much.”
The look on her face was priceless. It was a mixture of flattered and exasperated. She raised her hands and dropped them back to her sides as if she had no idea what she should say. “You make me want to scream.”
He nodded his understanding. “Don’t worry. You will. I can hear my name on your lips and reverberating off these walls already.”
She tilted her head back and eyed the ceiling. He wondered if she was praying for patience, but when he heard a slight gurgle, he realized she was doing her best to hold back her laughter. When she finally dropped her chin, her eyes were shining, but her face was clear. “Come on. Let’s go before I change my mind.”
Even though he was sure she was joking, only the hint she might not leave with him got his feet moving. He was rushing her out the door as soon as her shoes were on. He didn’t draw another easy breath until he had her in the car. It was a dangerous and unexplainable need driving him to be near Aubree.
It took ten minutes for Drew to make it across town, and when he pulled into the empty parking lot, he glanced over to see Aubree’s confused expression. “Why are we at the park?”
“Because, whereas most people need to grow up, you, Aubree Holiday, need to learn how to play.” He was almost certain she rolled her eyes, but she turned away before he could catch the gesture. With a snicker, he threw open his car door and jogged to the passenger side before she could open it on her own. She looked resigned as he helped her out of the car.
Walking backward toward the playground, he held onto her hands. “It’ll be fun. I promise. Is this the face of a man who would lie to you?”
“Do you really want me to answer that?”
Drew’s feet froze. Aubree walked into his chest. “Yes,” he said, sounding serious even to him, but her answer was important. She studied his face giving him the impression she was carefully considering everything she knew about him before making her final decision.
Just when he thought he might snap, she finally shook her head. “You’re not a liar. If anything, you’re too honest.”
The knot in his chest loosened, setting him free. A burst of happiness ran through his veins. “Good,” he told her and without warning, he snatched her off her feet. Tucking her under one arm, he carried her like a football toward the swings.
“Holy shit!” She quickly covered her mouth at the screech, but it did nothing to hinder her peals of laughter.
* * * * *
Ryan couldn’t stop staring at him. Even for Max, he was brooding. He was always dark and moody, but this was different. He’d never seen Max in such a state. With his head resting on his fist, he leaned his weight on the arm of the couch, staring sightlessly at the corner of the room. They’d known each other since the day they both signed up for the Marines at eighteen. Ryan had stood by Max’s side, through thick and thin, unwavering in his loyalty to his best friend. The white walls inside their apartment were closing in on Ryan making him feel as if he couldn’t breathe. Unable to hold his silence a moment longer, Ryan burst.
“This is some fucking bullshit!” His skin felt two sizes too small and he wanted to crawl out of it. “We have to fix this. Seriously, this is wrong. We were wrong.”
As if Ryan’s eruption was the motivation Max had been waiting for, he kicked the coffee table over in explosion of rage. With his outburst complete, Max’s usual cold indifference fell back into place as he stood.
“Let’s go.” There was no need for Max to explain where they were going. Ryan snatched up his keys from the nearby kitchen table, following in Max’s wake
“It’s about damn time.”
It only took a few minutes to get to Aubree’s. As her place came into view, Ryan spotted Drew’s car pulling away from the curb. The flash of blonde hair in the passenger seat was unmistakably Aubree’s. Without any plan in mind, Ryan followed the pair. He was aware his behavior bordered on stalker status, but he couldn’t seem to make himself turn the SUV around. Max didn’t question him. Ten minutes later, Ryan was seriously beginning to question his sanity. It was possible he could be following them to Canada for all he knew, so really, how long did he intend to keep this up? The moment he decided he was acting like an idiot, Drew pulled into the parking lot of the city playground.
Driving past, Ryan whipped into the next parking lot over, choosing a space where he could keep the pair in sight. Max held his silence and Ryan refused to look over to gauge his reaction. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Max crossing his arms over his chest.
“I’m an idiot,” he said when the silence dragged on a minute too long for his comfort.
Max shifted in his seat. “Sometimes you do what you have to in order to get through the day. This is what we’re doing to get through today.”
He couldn’t argue with Max’s logic. Drew stepped out of the car, distracting Ryan from his thoughts. The giant fighter opened the passenger side door and helped Aubree out of the car. The way a real gentleman would, Ryan thought bitterly.
“He’s smiling.”
The sound of Max’s voice cut through Ryan’s brooding. “What?”
Max nodded in the pair’s direction. “Drew. He’s smiling. He never smiles.”
Ryan leaned forward, peering closer at the couple as Drew walked backward holding onto Aubree’s hands. Max was right. He couldn’t remember seeing Drew smile often, but he was now. They stopped walking and the conversation seemed to turn serious for a moment before Drew’s smile popped back into place. Ryan’s heart sank as Drew scooped Aubree off her feet and took off running. Even from where they sat, and with the window rolled up, he could hear Aubree’s laughter. When they reached the swings, Drew set Aubree on her feet. She turned in their direction for the first time as she sat down in the swing. Drew grabbed the chains and sent her sailing. She screamed as he let go of her, but Ryan couldn’t miss her huge grin. He shifted into reverse.
“So, what now?”
Ryan shrugged at Max’s question as he backed out the parking space, doing his best to keep breathing. “Now, I do nothing. She’s happy. All I could possibly do at this point is what I always do—fuck everything up.”
Chapter Four
Drew pulled the hand wrap around his wrist a bit tighter then checked his range of motion again before circling his knuckles with the tape. He kept his focus locked on his task as he listened to Max. The familiar job kept the rage under control. When he’d been told he had a visitor waiting for him at the door, a part of him had secretly hoped Aubree had found her way there. Unfortunately, the sight of Max had not only killed the dream, it had the exact opposite reaction, especially once the bastard opened his mouth. He should’ve known agreeing to a DNA test would come back to bite him in his ass, but he could have never guessed how much.
“I want to know if you intend to see my dad now since we know he was telling the truth.”
Counting the passes, he moved back to his wrist from his knuckles while making sure he didn’t lose any of the function in his hand. “No.”
“What was the point in even agreeing to this test if you’re not going to see him?”
“You wanted to know,” Drew answered honestly. “Now, you do.”
“What the fuck, man? Do you think I want to be doing this? Isn’t it bad enough I have to listen to him rave over your success all the time? Now I have to come here and beg the guy who’s fucking my girl to grant a dying man his wish.”
Drew glanced over his shoulder at his mom. She kept her head bent over the paperwork sitting on her desk, but he knew she was listening to every word. He’d never bee
n more thankful he’d already told her about Max, because the dude wasn’t holding back. “You shouldn’t let it bother you. I don’t. Simply remind yourself how he was there for you every night, and never acknowledged my existence all these years. As far as Aubree goes, you shouldn’t think too much about her either, since I can assure you she is not thinking of you.”
With the tape secure, Drew had nothing else to distract him and was forced to meet Max’s stare. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“Sure,” Max said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You can back off Aubree.”
“Not going to happen.”
Max’s already thunderous frown turned darker at Drew’s quick answer. “Is this some form of payback? You didn’t have our dad so you steal something else from me?”
Drew shook his head feeling almost sorry for the guy. “I didn’t steal anything from you. You had it all and threw it away. Damn man, Aubree is not a possession. She’s a person with feelings, but you’re too fucking selfish.” Realizing his temper was slipping, he cut off the rant before he lost control. Counting to ten in his head, he said, “I’m so glad I agreed to find out if I’m related to you. Our family reunions are going to be oodles of fun. Now I have shit to do so, you know, don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.”
There was a moment when Drew thought Max might hit him. The flash of pure hatred in his eyes told the whole story but with one last scathing look, he threw open the steel door. Drew didn’t budge until it slammed closed behind Max, in case he chose to do something stupid. No Rival was Drew’s club. It was the one place in the world where he didn’t have to pretend to be the shining star. He hated that Max poisoned it. Praying for patience, he released his breath slowly. It wasn’t enough. He scrubbed his hands over his head.
“Fuck!”
“Holy crap. He looks exactly like his father. It’s uncanny,” his mom said, reminding him of her presence.
He flashed an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry about this. I don’t know why I thought agreeing to this test would be the end of things. I just…” He had no idea what he intended to say. He just wanted Max to go away. He just wanted to pretend he was conceived in vitro or some shit.
“Don’t apologize to me about this ever again. You’re a good person and you always do what’s right, even when it’s not easy. I’m the one who made all the wrong choices, but I’m not sorry either because those decisions gave me you. I will say this though, you need to watch out for that one. His head isn’t in a good place and if his personality matches his dad’s as much as his face does, then he’s crazy.”
* * * * *
Aubree’s phone buzzed in the front pocket of her scrubs for the fifteenth time and she continued ignoring it. She’d checked the screen the first time, out of pure curiosity, but Max’s name on the screen had killed any interest she had in answering it.
At the end of her twelve-hour shift, she gave into temptation. Slipping into the nearest restroom, she played the first message.
“Hey Aubree. The test results came back today.” There was a pause and Max’s already weary voice somehow managed to become even more so. “Yeah. So the DNA is a match and I guess I now have a brother. I wish you would talk to me. Let me explain.” She cut off the rest of his message by hitting delete, moving on to the next missed call. This time, Drew’s voice came through the line. “I’m sure you’ve already heard from Max.” There was a long pause before he spoke again, but Aubree knew he was still there. “I thought I didn’t care,” he added and something about his voice caused a knot to form in her stomach. He cleared his throat. “Anyhow, call me when you get time.”
Chewing on her lips, Aubree’s mind raced in a thousand directions. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d been so torn. Sliding her finger over the screen of her phone once more, she searched her contacts list. After a few well-placed calls and scribbling on her hand, Aubree set out on foot. The address was little more than half a block away, and with the downtown traffic in full swing, she decided it would quicker to walk.
Following the directions she’d been given, Aubree found the nondescript steel door inside a parking garage. She checked the numbers written on the back of her hand one last time before entering the passcode. The light above the security panel flashed green and Aubree tugged the door open. The smell drifting out of the open doorway almost made Aubree turn around and leave. She’d intentionally avoided the whole fight club scene since her parents’ deaths, and the testosterone mixed with sweat hanging in the air brought a painful picture of their smiling faces to life.
Even though the sights and scents inside the building only brought back happy memories, it was a painful reminder of how alone she was now. Pushing the past aside, she concentrated on the present. There was an office right inside the door. Its plain concrete walls blocked a majority of the club from view. Peeking inside, she found it empty so she followed the sounds of voices and pounding blows until a few weight benches came into view. Unsure of how welcome her presence would be, she cast a worried glance around the low-lit interior, catching sight of a short, gray-haired woman who looked vaguely familiar. When the older woman turned in her direction, recognition slammed into Aubree and a bubble of happiness welled in her chest.
“Gigi!”
A radiant smile lit the woman’s lips when Aubree called her name. She rushed to her side. “Oh my goodness, Aubree. It’s been such a long time.” Throwing her arms around her, Aubree hugged her father’s longtime friend to her chest tightly. Gigi was four inches shorter than she was, and she’d gained a few pounds since Aubree had last seen her, but she still looked good for her age.
Gigi patted her gray hair as she pulled away as if checking to make sure Aubree hadn’t messed it up. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been good,” Aubree lied blatantly.
Gigi gave her forearm a comforting pat. “I’m guessing my boy called you with the news already.” Aubree’s eyebrows shot to hairline at the woman’s words. Gigi smiled knowingly as she added, “He hasn’t stopped talking about you since the party.”
A hint of worry over what exactly Drew had told his mother wormed its way through her, but she shook it off. Gesturing toward her scrubs, Aubree explained, “I was at work when he I got his message, but I came straight over once my shift ended. Is he around?”
Gigi nodded toward a dark hallway to Aubree’s left. “If you head down that way, you’ll find him. He’s in the middle of a sparring match, but it won’t last long.”
Aubree glanced at the passage feeling a bit nervous. A few men lingered around the nearby weights eyeing her curiously, and she wondered if she’d made a mistake coming here. Drew didn’t seem as if he needed anyone. Gigi gave her a little shove from behind. “Go on.”
With a grateful smile, Aubree did as told. The farther she moved down the hall, the louder the echo of fists connecting with skin became. She’d seen several MMA fights in her lifetime and more than enough sparring matches. The sound of flesh meeting flesh was one people didn’t easily forget. When the cage came into view, Aubree held her breath until she was positive it wasn’t Drew who was taking the pounding.
She slowly released the air from her lungs when she caught sight of him. His face was set into a hard mask. A muscle ticked in Drew’s jaw and a line of concentration pulled at his brows. Every well-defined muscle in his body seemed flexed and ready to attack as he circled his opponent on the mat. Aubree spared a quick glance for Drew’s competitor noting he seemed fit as well, before returning to stare at Drew. In a move so quick, she almost missed it, Drew landed a blow to the other man’s ribs before swiping his feet out from beneath him. The other man went down but to Aubree’s surprise, he let out a shout of laughter as he hit the mat.
“Good job, man. You’re getting better at sneaking in the left-handed jab.”
Drew chuckled as he helped the brown-haired man to his feet. As Drew clasped hands with his competitor, his gaze met hers. Drew said something sh
e couldn’t hear and the guy cast a glance in her direction. Grabbing a white towel from the edge of the mat, Drew headed toward her. His expression gave away nothing and she wondered again if she’d made a mistake. As he cleared the door of the cage, he swiped the towel down the front of his sculpted body. Aubree followed the motion with her eyes. The flat pads of his chest flared into wide shoulders. He tossed the towel aside a few feet away from her and Aubree stared at his stomach. Every built man Aubree had ever encountered sported a six-pack, but Drew had a super sexy eight-pack. The hint of a tattoo peeked out at the edge of his shorts, and she tore her eyes away from the sight in fear she would push the material aside to learn what it said.
“I got your message,” she said, explaining her presence. Without another thought, she met him halfway, walking straight into his embrace. The fine sheen of sweat covering his body clung to her clothes as he closed his arms around her.
Resting his chin on her head, he spoke into her hair. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Aubree closed her eyes as she pressed her ear to his chest. “I came as soon as my shift ended.”
His arms tightened around her waist. “That explains the sexy cartoon characters on your scrubs.” He chuckled when she huffed and held her in place when she made a halfhearted attempt to pull away. Keeping hold of her waist, he leaned back enough to see her face, and despite his laughter, his face was unnaturally serious. “It means more to me than you realize. Am I allowed to keep you for a little while or do you have other plans?”
She could have as easily chosen to go to Max. Drew had beaten back the reality of things the entire day. Aubree had been friends with Max longer. In spite of the things the man had done, Drew knew she might still go to him. Even as he held her to his chest, he still couldn’t believe she hadn’t. He fought back his natural urge to overcome her, bending her to his will as he awaited her answer.
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