The Perfect Comeback

by Kacey Shea

  The gym is silent as everyone awaits his next words with bated breath. My heart aches for that little boy. For the pain he endured.

  “Twenty people are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States each minute. Only thirty percent of them receive medical care for their injuries. The number of children who witness these acts of violence is staggering; almost ninety percent. But those are just numbers and it’s really easy to overlook them. Domestic violence is ugly. Rape is ugly. There’s something wrong with our culture, and I’m sharing my story in hopes it can be the difference for someone who is struggling.” Matt turns away from the reporter and faces one of the rolling cameras. His voice is rich with emotion and tears gather in his eyes. “There’s help for you. You deserve better. Your children deserve better. I promise you.”

  I don’t think there’s a dry eye in the room, though everyone is too preoccupied holding back the sound. I have to give the reporter credit because she holds it together and asks the question so many have wondered.

  “Thank you, Matt. Just . . . thank you.” She clears her throat. “Let’s go back to your last fight in the octagon. Reigning champ in your division. You were predicted to win. But things didn’t go your way.”

  Matt laughs but it holds no humor. “You could say that.”

  “What happened?”

  “Victor Suarez caught me with a right hook in the end of the third round. I gotta tell you, that guy can pack a punch. From the moment his glove made contact, my ears began to ring. I was no stranger to taking a hit either, but this time was different. I don’t really remember the fourth round but I’ve seen the footage.”

  “It ended your career.”

  “Yeah, the specialists said if I were to take a hit like that again I wouldn’t walk away. I love fighting. It’s been my salvation. It’s in my blood. At the time that was probably the worst news of my life. It sucks to have what you love ripped from your hands with no say in the matter.”

  “But that’s not the legacy you left. That same night, before that very fight, your own father placed a bet against you. The payout was over five hundred thousand dollars.”

  Matt’s jaw works back and forth, his anger bubbling to the surface. Until now he’s been able to maintain his composure, but this visibly rattles him. “Yes, he did.”

  “It’s bad enough he bet against his own son, but several people came forward afterwards, reporting they saw him go into your hotel the night before the fight. What do you have to say about that?”

  “He came to see me. He asked me to throw the fight.”

  A gasp, from Danny or maybe Xavier sounds from behind me, but I don’t look away from Matt. Much like everyone else in this room, I’m anxiously awaiting his next words.

  The reporter narrows her gaze. “Why?”

  “As a favor. To get out of debt. My father has both a gambling and a drinking problem. I wish I could say what he asked was shocking, but really it was only par for the course.”

  “Did he offer to split the winnings?”

  “Of course he did.”

  “Matt, did you intentionally lose to Victor Suarez?”

  “Hell, no.” Matt’s chest rises with a deep inhale and after he releases it, he continues. “Did I consider it? Not for a second. But I struggled with the guilt. He warned me that night, that if I didn’t lose he was a dead man walking. I can’t even explain how relieved that made me. Because my father has always been there, a poison to anything good in my life. So, to not have to deal with him anymore . . . after everything he did to my mother, to me? To not have him show up and interfere in my career? That sounded just about perfect.

  “But the flip side is I worked very hard to become nothing like him. I was an angry teenager, out on the streets at sixteen. I found peace in the sport of MMA. It gave me control. It gave me confidence. I didn’t fight to kill, I fought for the sport, and yeah, a little for the glory. If I won and in turn I contributed to his death, then wouldn’t I be just like him?

  “In the end, Suarez took the decision from me. He’s one hell of a fighter, and my only regret is not being able to challenge him to a rematch.” At that, Matt’s lips pull into his signature smile. The one that melts even the most jagged of hearts—including mine. Matt continues to answer questions and after they wrap up production we all enjoy a hearty meal of deep dish at Giordano’s.

  I’m proud of him and how far he’s come. For being brave enough to share his story across the nation. He’s humble and kind, and has an incredible work ethic. I know he did the interview to help other women, other families, but as I glance around the table it’s clear he’s already changed so many lives. He’s also forgotten what day it is. I can’t wait to get home and surprise him.

  “You realize how much I want you right now?” Matt aligns his body against my backside as I slip the key into my apartment door.

  I push my ass back a few inches and feel his hardness through his pants. “I’m guessing a lot,” I smart and am met with a growl.

  His lips bury into the crook of my shoulder and he kisses the skin there. “So damn much. Can we go inside now?” His rough chuckle only spreads goosebumps across my flesh.

  Shaking him off, I turn the key and push inside my apartment and stomp all the way to the bedroom.

  “Where are you going?” He laughs after me.

  “Stay there.” I slam and lock the door with a giggle. “I’ll be out in a minute!”

  “This is not what I was expecting,” he grumbles through the door, but he doesn’t try to gain entry. I hear the television click on and quickly get to work. I’ve been planning this for a month. It is his favorite holiday, after all.

  It takes me longer than it should because I’m not a lingerie kinda girl. But I get the black lace bra, thong, garter, and stockings all in place, then head to the bathroom to pull back my hair in a high ponytail. Painting on a nose and whiskers is simple. The headband with cute little ears adds the final touch. I spin in the mirror with satisfaction. Not bad, considering the improvisation.

  A knock at the bedroom door interrupts my preening. “You almost done in there? There’s a new Wandering Dead episode calling our names.”

  I pull open the door and greet him with a smile. “I was thinking we save the show for later.”

  He tilts his head and his smile’s wide. “What’s this? Did Halloween come early this year?” His eyes take me in with an appreciation that’s worth all the effort.

  “Sexy Groundhog. Of course.” I wrinkle my nose and shake my butt.

  He nods, his lips fighting a full blown smile. “Oh, right. My first guess was puppy.”

  I shrug. “Must have been the ears. They don’t really make groundhog costumes. I had to improvise.”

  “I’m glad you did.” He steps forward so I have to back up, and he doesn’t stop until the backs of my legs hit the bed’s edge. He catches me before I fall and his lips press against mine. Like all the times between us, I can’t help but kiss him back. Our mouths and tongues battle against each other for the lead and by the time he lowers us against the mattress we’re both out of breath.

  “Matt?” I whisper against his lips.

  He pushes up to his forearms to meet my gaze. “Yes, Mia.”

  “Happy Groundhog Day.” I grin, hoping he understands just how much I love him. How thankful I am to have a partner like him in my life. There are so many stupid, mushy things I want to say, and if I weren’t so damn happy I’d be sickened at myself by the thoughts. I have so much to learn and I’m not perfect, but as we make love Matt makes me feel as if I am. As if what I have to offer is more than enough. He’s awakened my heart. He honors my mind. He’s a man I’ll fight for to the end. Zombie apocalypse and all.

  Can’t get enough of Matt and Mia? Good, because I couldn’t stop writing about them! Click here to join my newsletter and receive a bonus epilogue absolutely FREE! It’s exclusive to all newsletter subscribers and believe me when I say you don’t want to miss it!

 
If you enjoyed reading The Perfect Comeback try one of Kacey Shea’s other published titles. Detour brings the same humor and heat, when rock star Trent Donavan meets his match in Lexi Marx. Click here to read or download a sample!

  Also by Kacey Shea

  Firefighters

  Caught in the Flames

  Caught in the Lies

  Rock Stars

  Detour

  Derail

  Hinder

  Replay

  Sports Romance

  The Perfect Comeback

  Uncovering Love Series

  Uncovering Love

  Uncovering Desire

  Uncovering Hope

  Uncovering Love: The Wedding

  Thank You

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for spending your time with Matt and Mia! Writing these characters became all-consuming, and I’m so in love with their story. It’s one of redemption, and rising above the experience of abuse. If you or someone you know is caught in an abusive relationship www.thehotline.org is an excellent resource, or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224 (US). No matter your past, or what you’ve endured, you deserve to be loved without physical or emotional abuse. We all do.

  Now… about that FREE BONUS chapter! I couldn’t stop thinking of these characters, so I decided to write another scene. It’s one that’s only available to my newsletter subscribers and you can claim your copy here. Believe me, it’s one you won’t want to miss!

  If you enjoyed The Perfect Comeback please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. Reviews are a wonderful way to support the authors and books you love. Thank you again for your support. I am forever grateful for readers like you.

  Much love,

  Kacey

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many wonderful souls who help me along my writing journey. It’s truly humbling and I’m so fortunate to have these people on my team. To everyone who has played a part in the development of this book, I offer my sincerest thanks.

  Kerry, thank you for your encouragement and honesty. At every moment of self-doubt, you were there ready to cheer me on. I couldn’t do this without you, and it surely wouldn’t be as fun! You are such a talented writer and I’m forever grateful to have your feedback.

  Thank you to my family, Joe, Abby, JD, and G. Writing this story on such a tight deadline was stressful and without your support I could not have done it. I love you!

  This has been a challenging go around for several of my betas. I have so much love for each of you, even if some of you were only able to champion me from afar while dealing with the many curve balls life likes to throw or pursuing other goals. Rachel and Vivian, your weekly feedback was invaluable. Your overwhelming excitement and love for these characters pushed me to stay the course on many late nights of writing! Amy & Laura, thanks for catching up and for your insight into little details that are often missed. Danielle, thinking of you; I’m so thankful for your friendship. Rikki, keep fighting the good fight; you’re in my thoughts and prayers always.

  Kim and Becky, oh how I love that you’re in Chicago! Thanks for your help on getting the little details to sound just right. I love the city, and it made the perfect backdrop to this story. I can’t wait to come back for more wingman bonding and bathroom dance parties!

  Chrissy, Erin, and Melissa, thanks for your mad proofreading skills. I’m so proud of this final copy and without your time it wouldn’t be such a clean and professional manuscript. Thank you.

  Brenda, thank you for working around deadlines, vacations, and an ever growing manuscript. Your encouragement and knowledge pushes me to grow with each book. This one is special, and as always I appreciate working with you.

  To the other authors and individuals who were a part of the Hot & Sinful Nights boxed set, thank you for all your combined efforts to get this book (along with the twenty-one others) into as many readers hands as possible. It was a great learning and collaboration process. Even better was being able to share this along with my Arizona author friend, Alexis Alvarez. Alexis, thank you for your friendship, support, and witty sense of humor! I love being able to share this writing journey with you.

  To the bloggers who make my writing world go ‘round. I would be no where without the time and energy you put into promoting the books you love. Thank you for the many hours you give to books and the authors who write them.

  Readers, thank you, for choosing to spend time with my characters and the stories I write. I’m honored to bring entertainment and escape into your life for a few hours. Thank you for reading, leaving a review, and telling your friends about this book.

  About the Author

  Kacey Shea is pen name to a mom of three, wife, and USA Today bestselling author who resides in sunny Arizona. She enjoys reading and writing romance novels as much as her son loves unicorns, which is a lot.

  When she's not writing you will find her playing taxi cab to her children while belting out her favorite tunes, meeting friends or family for food and to share laughs, or sweating it out in the gym. Kacey finds that picking up heavy weights repeatedly is good for her mental health as much as it is for the physical.

  She has an unhealthy obsession with firefighters. It could be the pants. It could be the fire. It's just hot. On occasion she has been known to include them, without their knowledge, in her selfies outside the grocery store.

  Kacey one day aspires be a woman hand model in a sexy photo shoot. You know, the woman's hand raking across the muscular back or six pack stomach of the male fitness model. Yep, that hand.

  Until that day comes she will continue writing sexy, flirty romance novels in hopes to bring others joy!

  Kacey enjoys interacting with her fans so please feel free to stalk her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

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  For more information

  www.kaceysheabooks.com

  info@kaceysheabooks.com