Tap Out (Fight It Out MMA Series Book 2)

by Terra Kelly

  Brooks stepped back to slide off my leggings. “We should put curtains on the windows.”

  I wrapped my finger around the belt loop of his jeans and tugged him forward. “Let the peepers enjoy the show.” Then I inched forward and didn’t hesitate. I wanted him inside me. Maybe I was feeling greedy, but Brooks had made my libido crazy lately. I sucked in a breath the moment he entered me. “I want it fast and hard.”

  “Hang on tight, sunshine.”

  “I don’t know if I can look at the counter the same way again,” I teased as I put my leggings back on.

  Brooks pinched my ass. “Oh, come on, a little dirty secret only we know. Think about when people come over for dinner. Someone is prepping bell peppers right here”—he placed his hand where my butt had just sat—“our eyes will connect from across the room. Only you and I will know why we are laughing.”

  “If you put it that way, it sounds way more fun.” I ran over to the refrigerator and pulled out the wine from earlier. “Oh, you had me so distracted I forgot to tell you about my phone call.”

  “Chuck called.”

  “And why do you know that?”

  “He stopped into the gym, looking for you.”

  “He did?” The fact that the owner of AFC made a personal visit to see me seemed odd. “Oh, shit.” I threw my hand over my mouth.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I was kinda insistent on getting a title fight.”

  “And?”

  “I may have come off rude. Oh fuck, what if he’s pissed at me?” I sat down at the kitchen island and dropped my head to the granite counter top. “Why can’t I be less bold?”

  “Because that would not be Charlie Hill.”

  I lifted my head. “Think he still has a title fight available for me?”

  Brooks sat down beside me. “Baby, I know he does.”

  “Wait,” I said and slapped my hand on his chest. “He let me ramble on about getting a title fight, when he already had one available?” Brooks only nodded. “What an ass. I mean…what a tease.”

  Thirty-Five

  Two months later…

  “Lift your arm up,” Brooks said from the side of the ring. “Make sure you protect your foot there.”

  We had been practicing more than usual in preparation for the title fight. The owner of AFC had made me sweat it out for two whole days before calling me back. I was excited to fight Nikki Grant, the current flyweight champ. She currently held the title for five consecutive wins. Nikki was a beast in the octagon, but I knew I could take her down. I never felt nervous, only excited for the opportunity.

  I stepped back and was suddenly taken down by Samantha my sparring partner. “Fuck,” I yelled with my back to the floor.

  “You’re not focusing.” Brooks squatted down beside me.

  “I am. I promise.”

  He touched my forehead. “Too much happened up here to just let it all go.”

  “Have you thought about meditating?” The voice was familiar, but I couldn’t place it. I lifted up to see Jenny leaning on a rope. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.”

  I hopped up and walked over to where she stood. “Meditating, eh? Never crossed my mind.”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I started doing mini sessions to help me throughout the day.”

  “And they’re working?”

  “Well, the self-defense is better, but yes, they do help.”

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t finish working with you.”

  “Well, you were tied up for a bit.”

  It was nice to see Jenny smile. I didn’t think she smiled once when I first met her several months ago. “Ha, I see what you did there.” I scanned the room and noticed Malik near the weights staring right at us. “Malik’s been good to you?”

  “What?” She looked toward the man in question and then quickly looked away. “Um, yeah, I guess.”

  “Hey.” I grabbed her hand. “I’m glad. You deserve it.”

  “I need to go,” she said and hopped down from the ring. “It was nice to see you, Charlie. Let me know if you need any help meditating.” Then she disappeared out the front door.

  “Meditating.” I turned to face Brooks. “I wonder if my busy mind would allow it?”

  “We can try together.”

  “Sounds like a challenge and I accept.”

  “What are we supposed to be doing?” I was sitting with my legs crossed and eyes closed.

  “Clearing our minds.” Brooks was sitting next to me.

  “Of what?”

  “Hell if I know.”

  We both turned to face each other and burst out laughing. “I have a funny feeling meditating is not our thing.” I hopped up and walked over to the table in the corner of the patio. “Maybe we need to just have lots of hot sex to calm us.” I grabbed my water bottle and took a long swig. “Maybe try out some new kinky stuff.”

  “That’s Tyler’s department not mine.”

  I spit out my water. “What did you just say?”

  “Lies,” Tyler said and stepped out onto the patio.

  “Hey, sweetie.” I walked over and gave him a big hug. “Ignore your brother. He’s just jealous.”

  “Of using kinky toys during sex? Um, no.” Brooks sat down on a patio chair. “Although, I can’t say I’m not curious.”

  “So this is all real?” I directed that question to Tyler. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

  I noticed Tyler roll his eyes as he sat down next to Brooks. He swatted his brother’s shoulder. “I may have dabbled a little in high school. Now he’s determined to remind me of that time every day.”

  “He’s an ass. Ignore him.” I blew a kiss toward Brooks and walked back into the house right as the doorbell rang. “Is there a party and I wasn’t invited?” I swung the front door open to squees of excitement. Lily and Zoe had their arms around each other with a bottle of wine in their hands. “Did Brooks plan a party?”

  “No,” Zoe said and threw the wine behind her back. “Shit, you can’t have this.”

  “This is news to you?” I was cutting in preparation for the fight.

  Lily patted my cheek. “Just pretend you never saw the delicious booze.”

  “Who’s—”

  “Here,” Lily finished Tyler’s sentence.

  It was weird. I never noticed Tyler seem so tongue tied before. Was it Zoe? She did recently color her hair a bright red. Maybe that was it? Then the gorgeous redhead locked her eyes with Tyler and sauntered toward the patio. Well shit, was there a thing between Tyler and Zoe?

  Lily kissed my cheek. “No.”

  “No what?”

  “No they’re not together.”

  “How did you know what I was thinking?”

  “It’s the hot question of the week at the gym.” She winked and made her way inside. “Zoe would love to connect with Tyler outside of practice.”

  “But he refuses to?”

  “Hard to say because he doesn’t communicate for shit. He just barks orders at Zoe and then calls it a day.”

  I stood there staring out the sliding glass window that led to the patio and crossed my arms. What was it about Tyler? He was the kindest soul and would give you the shirt off his back in a heartbeat. The kinky toy conversation played over in my mind and made me wonder about the real Ty.

  “You okay over there?” Brooks said and opened the refrigerator.

  “What? Yeah.” I smiled and walked over to the kitchen island. “No, I have a question.”

  Brooks set his water bottle on the counter. “Shoot.”

  I looked back to see where Tyler was located before asking. “When’s the last time Tyler had a girlfriend?”

  “Shit, I have no idea. Why?”

  “I don’t know. Just thinking.”

  “You plan on setting him up?”

  I made sure to face Brooks as I rolled my eyes. “When did I become a matchmaker?” The sliding glass was slowly opening, so I shut down the conversation and turne
d. “Leaving already?”

  Tyler had his keys in his hand. “Yeah, I need to get some stuff done.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “See you at the gym tomorrow.”

  “Bright and early.”

  Tyler was almost to the front door when Brooks yelled, “What, no kiss for me?” I burst out laughing the moment Tyler ran back into the room and dipped Brooks back. He planted the biggest kiss on Brooks’s lips, surprising the shit out of him. Brooks pushed him away. “You’re an asshole.”

  God I loved them. Never a dull moment.

  “Tyler ran off quickly,” Lily said and took a swig of her wine. She had her feet up on the side of the porch railing with a glass resting in her lap. It was nice to see her living a little once in a while. I’m not sure why she didn’t drink before, but lately she’s enjoyed a glass or two.

  “Yeah, he had an appointment,” I lied and glanced in Zoe’s direction.

  “You mean he needed to leave because I arrived.” Zoe smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “After a while you get used to it. It’s fine.” I felt uncomfortable and really didn’t know what to say. Did I console her or deny it was true? “Hey, I’m fine. Let’s discuss the big story of the day instead. Sounds like the man who raised you is in deep shit?”

  “Did you read the article?” I said and felt happy we switched topics.

  “Yeah and my phone sent an alert regarding the raid.”

  “Apparently during the raid of his house and office they found substantiating evidence. Shit is falling fast for that asshole.” I sat down on the bench that was built into the porch. “I should feel something, but I don’t.”

  “Why should you care?” Lily patted my leg. “He was an awful man.”

  “Yeah, I know you’re right. It’s just all really weird to process.”

  “I get it. After everything that happened with my mom, nothing surprises me anymore.”

  “I guess I should be thankful my parents are somewhat normal,” Zoe teased and ran her hands through her long hair. “Do they have any idea when the trial will start?”

  “I was told soon. There’s so much to dig through, it could take a while.” I reached for Lily’s glass of wine and drank some. “Those poor jurors will be there forever. Can you imagine?”

  “No,” Lily said and snatched her glass back. “Get your own. Oh wait, you can’t.” She tried to hide her laugh but failed.

  “You’re evil.” I pulled her closer to cover her face in kisses.

  Knowing there were still family members in my life whom I could trust made living that much better. I went through some serious emotions after my sister and Mom were killed. Jackson was and would always be my rock. It was just hard to process everything that had happened. When I would say the words “my father wanted me dead” out loud it all felt so fictional. The day dear old Dad is locked up for good—that will be the day I can finally breathe again. Until then, I will probably always look behind me.

  Thirty-Six

  “You know the rules, ladies,” the referee said and placed his arm in between us.

  Nikki Grant had been smash-talking me all over social media before our fight. I was the underdog and planned to prove all the naysayers wrong. Nikki was an amazing fighter and had every right to win the championship belt. Her time had expired, though. It was time to crown a new flyweight champion.

  I believed in sportsman-like conduct, so I lifted my fists to tap against Nikki. Instead, Nikki proved to be something altogether different and stepped away without tapping my fists. Her action surprised me for a split second and then somehow motivated me.

  We were both waiting against the side of the fence for the bell to ring. We had five rounds and each round was five minutes long. This would be my longest fight, but I planned to shut it down in one round.

  The bell rang and I hopped forward, ready for action. We started to circle each other like caged dogs ready to attack. Brooks yelled, “Get in there, Charlie. Make the first move. What are you waiting for?”

  “Yeah, Charlie, what are you waiting for?” Nikki repeated. I didn’t plan to talk during each round; I needed to save my energy for a fight. When I didn’t answer, she laughed. “Not a fan of trash talking? Come on, don’t be boring.”

  I let her continue yapping. If she was talking, that meant her focus was off. It also meant my chances of taking her down where stronger. Nikki hopped back and forth but never made an attempt to advance on me. It was time for me to make the first move. I bent my body and plowed forward, bringing her body to the ground.

  “You bitch,” she yelled and struggled to free herself.

  “Maybe you need to pay attention,” I said and threw a few punches against the side of her face.

  “So you can talk.”

  I didn’t respond. Instead, I managed to keep her back flat on the floor for several seconds. When she finally freed herself, Nikki was completely out of breath, and then the bell rang to end the first round. I knew I had an advantage now.

  Tyler was my corner tonight. “You’re looking good, C.” He rubbed some Vaseline under my eyes and wiped away some sweat. “She looks exhausted already. Don’t hesitate. Take her down the moment you see her pause.” I was catching my breath, so I only nodded.

  “You look amazing, sunshine,” Brooks said and rubbed a bag of ice up and down my back.

  Round two was ready to begin, and I was ready for this to be over. I wanted that belt in my hands and now. Normally we would tap fists before each round, but Nikki just wasn’t interested. We hopped around the octagon twice while circling each other. I was getting bored just standing around, so I made the initiative to throw a few punches. One of the strikes landed on the side of her eye and immediately there was blood. I didn’t wait for her to respond. My hand flew up and landed on her jaw. Her eyes were telling—I had caused damage. She stumbled back, which was my cue to pounce. I was looming over Nikki’s body, throwing one punch after another, determined to force her to tap out.

  Nikki was curled up in a ball with her arms over her head, trying to shield the punches. I didn’t show sympathy—that’s not why I was here. My goal was to win the flyweight title, and I planned to fucking get it. My punches became faster, and then suddenly my body was pushed out of the way by the referee. I looked around and realized she had just tapped out. I fucking took her down and won.

  I turned my body toward my team, and I threw my hands up in the air. I ran around the octagon yelling and jumping up and down. Brooks wrapped his body around mine. “Oh, my God, I did it.”

  “Sunshine, you just won. I knew you could fucking do it.” He picked me up in the air and spun me around.

  I glanced over to see Nikki sitting on a stool, being checked out by the on-site doctor. My mom always taught me to be the better teammate. I walked over. “Good fight,” I said and held out my fists to tap with Nikki.

  She shook her head and stood up. “That was amazing. I pegged you wrong.” Nikki tapped my fists and pulled me in for a quick hug. “Congrats.”

  The belt was heavy and wrapped tightly around my waist as I made my way to the locker room. My mind wandered to the day I left home. I knew my dad had never believed I could fight, let alone win a title. All this time I had no desire to see him, but as I rubbed my hand over the gold surface I thought about how much fun it would be to enjoy the look on his face. Then a vision of The Punisher flashed in my mind and I knew my dad was smiling. He had always believed I would win the belt, probably because he knew I had the fighter bug in my blood. I only wished I could share this win with him.

  As I stepped into the locker room, several people sprayed me with champagne. “You know that’s a waste, right?” I teased and brushed the loose strands of hair out of my eyes.

  Lily stepped forward and handed me a full bottle. “Don’t waste this one.”

  I tugged my sister forward and hugged her tightly. “If I can’t celebrate with The Punisher, you have to take his place.”

  “Are you trying to make me cry?” she said and wr
apped her arms around my waist.

  “Let’s save that for later when we visit his grave site.”

  She leaned back and smiled. “I love that idea.”

  “So, you did it.” Chuck Anders laughed and held out his hand. “This is a big deal. You know that, right?”

  “You mean I get to be all big and famous like my sister now?” I loved calling Lily my sister.

  “That and we need to discuss your salary.” He nodded and took a full glass of champagne from one of the team members. “We’ll talk after you get back from vacation.”

  I groaned at the thought. Lily was hell bent on making this vacation perfect. “Vacation, right. Do you have a fight I could do instead?”

  “Fuck that,” Lily said and stepped in between Chuck and myself. “We’ll send you a postcard.” She pointed at Chuck.

  “I think I need to listen to her. Sorry, Charlie.” Chuck took a swig and then set his glass down to leave.

  Brooks snuck up behind me to wrap his arms around my waist and spin me around. “You were amazing out there.”

  The moment he let me down, I turned my body to face him. “What happened? Why did she bonk out so fast?”

  Julian stepped close to Brooks. “From what Chuck just said, Nikki thought this would be an easy fight. She didn’t think you would give what you did.”

  “Which means what exactly?” I still felt surprised by the win.

  “She didn’t train as intensely. I talked to one of her trainers who was heading to her locker room. She went out to celebrate with friends last night.”

  “You’re fucking kidding, right?”

  “I wish I was.” He smiled and reached for Lily’s hand.

  “How stupid can you be? The title is on the line, and you know you have broken records for consecutive wins.” I was completely lost on this one. It made no sense. “She doesn’t deserve the title with that attitude.”