Sucker for Payne

by Carrie Thomas

  “Are you pissed?”

  “No. Just tired,” I said, pulling the blankets up under my chin. “Goodnight.”

  I was pissed, and hurt. But more than that, I was annoyed with myself for feeling hurt, because even though I did want to meet his mother, and see for myself what kind of woman could turn her back on the man that I loved, Conner had every right to feel the way he felt.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Conner

  “Stop fuckin’ around, and get it done! Quick.” Steele’s voice echoed from my right side, as I took another gulp of water.

  The fight had already lasted two rounds. I gritted my teeth in annoyance. There was no way around it. If I did decide to sign the contract, Willow would have to be closer to me in future fights, or I’d have to leave her ass at home, because I couldn’t concentrate knowing she was down in the crowd. Flashbacks from the night Mikey accosted her broke through the mental wall I’d created just before the fight. Most of the time, focusing was one of my strong suits. It wasn’t tonight though. I found my gaze searching for her, between each punch I threw.

  “Get her,” I ordered, never looking at him, because my steady connection with Willow kept me from it. At least she didn’t look terrified, like the last time I’d fought. Given that I had two of Steele’s clients surrounding her this time, I’d hoped she wouldn’t.

  “I’m watching her. Dammit, man. Keep your mind here.”

  “I’m here. Just get her.”

  “I’ll send Gage.”

  “If he touches her, I’ll kill him.” I was only halfway joking. I knew that little fucker would take whatever shot he had at making moves on a beautiful woman.

  “Got it. Now go. End this, so we can celebrate.”

  I nodded once, finally feeling at peace. Since Willow would be making her way to me, I knew I had just enough time to choke him out before she made it cageside.

  Once I was back in the center of the cage, I wasted no time taking my opponent to the ground. One leg lock, and an arm hold later, I had him. I squeezed once, and held it. My legs brought him closer to me for a firmer grip. I pulled my right fist toward me with my left hand, closing the gap between my forearm and his neck. Cutting off his air, I felt his head lull, causing the referee to call it.

  I stood and looked to my corner. She wasn’t there yet. With the crowd screaming and chanting, I blocked it out until I saw her being led by Gage’s arm down the aisle. I knew he’d find a way to touch her. That asshole.

  The ref called me back to the center. I followed his instructions, and once my name was called as the winner, I exited the cage, not caring about anything other than having Willow in my arms.

  “Conner, I’m fine.” She wrapped her arms around my sweaty body. Obviously, she could tell from my demeanor that I’d been troubled.

  “I couldn’t keep my head in the game.”

  “I know. I was worried there for a minute.”

  I should have felt bad for ruining her perfectly put together outfit, or her hair, but I didn’t. I just needed to hold her, more for my own well-being, now that she was with me.

  “I’m so proud of you. You made it.” Her smile was infectious, and her words gave me more confidence than ever before. She was proud of me. Proud.

  I kissed her, pouring every ounce of adrenaline I had into it. I was so overcome with emotion, I hadn’t noticed the flashes of the cameras, until she pulled away and ducked her head into my chest.

  Feeling like I could hit one of the people taking the photographs, I grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the locker room. Uncertainty filled my bones with each step. What would they say about us? About her? Were they going to print those pictures? I still hadn’t heard a word about the investigation since Mikey had been arrested.

  “Dude!” Gage said as he entered the room with Steele.

  “Who were those photographers? Are they from the newspaper?” I asked, wanting to know exactly what outlet they’d be published in.

  “Chill out, man. Those are Richard’s photogs. They print for him and a couple of national magazines. Most of them are reputable. He’ll go over all that at the press conference.”

  “Press conference?” No one had mentioned a press conference.

  “Yeah, he’ll announce your offer after he speaks with—”

  “Conner fucking Payne.” Richard appeared in a suit that probably cost more than Willow’s whole wardrobe. He was followed by his asshat son, Preston, his daughter, Navie, and what appeared to be two bodyguards.

  I pushed Willow behind me, feeling like I needed to protect her, yet not knowing why. Fortunately, for once, she went willingly. “Richard.”

  “I knew you had it in you.” He pulled an envelope out of his suit pocket. “You want an audience for this?”

  I glanced around the room, taking in everyone from Steele to Navie. The bodyguards remained stiff, with no emotion on their faces. In fact, they looked just ahead like they’d been instructed to do so. Preston’s perfectly gelled hair made him look weak to me. I wanted to wipe the smirk off his face, but didn’t care enough about him to give him a second glance. Gage seemed enamored. I knew, like me, he was working his ass off for the opportunity. Steele was perfectly composed; relaxed, even.

  Navie seemed a million miles away, but smiled at both me and Willow. It was the first time I realized how pretty she was. Her body was lean, but muscular, as anyone could see, due to her black pantsuit fitting like a glove. I looked to Steele, hoping he would pick up the conversation slack, but to no avail. He might as well have been a cartoon character with heart-shaped eyeballs.

  “We’re doing this here?” I asked.

  “We are.” Richard grinned. “And as soon as you sign, we’re going to announce it.”

  “Why so soon?” I questioned him. “No one mentioned anything to me about a formal announcement.” Willow grabbed my hand in support.

  “This is how I do things. You sign, I announce.” He handed me the contract. “I’m a busy man, Conner. This is the most efficient way.”

  I took the envelope from him, and took a seat on the old, worn-out couch in the corner. My eyes widened as I read over the contract.

  Holy shit. One million dollars?

  I refocused my eyes, thinking I wasn’t seeing the numbers on the page correctly. Willow’s hand landed on my arm, but I couldn’t look away from the page. All my thoughts floated around in my brain, continuously coming at me from all sides.

  One million dollars for seven fights. I glanced up at Steele, feeling like a fool. I had no idea he made this kind of money. Hell, he made way more than what I was being offered, considering he’d been fighting for years. And I’d been living off four grand a month, thinking I was really doing something.

  “Conner?” Willow’s voice broke through my thoughts.

  I glanced at her, then back to the page. As her body leaned into mine, so that she could see what I was reading, pride swelled in my gut. God, I couldn’t believe it. One year. Seven fights. And enough money to take care of her the way she deserved.

  “I’m assuming you’re good with the amount?” Richard asked, speaking loud enough for the whole room to hear.

  “I want to talk to Steele,” I said, not answering his question. “Alone.”

  “Very well.” Richard nodded. “I’ll wait in the booth. Don’t take too long. Time is money. Remember, we have to make the announcement that you’ll be joining the AFL.”

  As each of them exited the room, my nerves swooped back in, making me feel sick. I wasn’t too keen on losing my privacy.

  “Let me take a look.” Steele approached the couch. “If you don’t mind me seeing what he’s offering.”

  I handed him the packet and collapsed back onto the sofa. I still hadn’t changed, or even showered. The tape on my hands seemed tighter, as if my knuckles were about to burst through. I flexed them both as they sat on my knees.

  Willow noticed and began to unwrap them. “Don’t sign if you have any doubts,” she counseled.


  I looked up at Steele, who was vigorously reading over every word. “It’s not doubt I worry about.”

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “I have you to think about too. That money—we will be set.” I brought my hand to my face, placing my index finger and thumb on the bridge of my nose. “But as you know, I’m not comfortable with losing my privacy. Not to mention, you will lose yours too.”

  “Don’t base your decision on me.” She rubbed my arm. “Do you want to do this?”

  “Everything I do in life from here on out will be based on you.” Her head tilted to the side in surprise. “I want—” Steele had made his way over to an oak desk in the corner. I lowered my voice and continued. “I want to marry you. I want to live the rest of my life knowing you’re mine, and that whatever happens, we’re doing it together.”

  Her eyes widened, and she smiled. “I want that too.”

  “Yeah? So, you’ll marry me?”

  She laughed with glee. “Yes. I will marry you!” Jumping in my lap, she kissed me before I could respond.

  My hands—one still taped—gripped her ass as hard as I could. I pulled her into me tighter than ever before, knowing if we both hadn’t been so happy, I probably would have hurt her. I couldn’t help it. Everything in my body needed her to be as close as I could get her.

  “You guys done yet? Or should I leave the room too?” Steele interrupted.

  “We’re getting married,” Willow announced.

  “Figured. Since I heard the proposal.” He grinned.

  “I don’t give a fuck who heard it.” I beamed, keeping my eyes trained on Willow’s. “What do you think about the contract?” I hated to talk business, when all I wanted to do was take her back to our hotel, and show her how happy she’d just made me.

  “It’s a good start.”

  “Start?”

  “For your first year. Next year, depending on how much money you bring in and how many fights you win—which better be seven—I’d say you could get four or five times this amount.”

  Willow screeched, causing me to jump. I chuckled when she covered her mouth with both hands like a child. I hugged her again before I stood to sign the contract.

  “One thing.” Steele held up a finger. “He wants you to move to Vegas for training.”

  My smile fell. “Is that something he would reconsider? I’d rather keep things the way they are, and train with you.”

  “Let’s see. I’ll go get him.”

  Steele walked out, leaving me and Willow alone for the first time since the fight had ended. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her in tight.

  “I don’t mind moving, if we have to,” she said.

  “I appreciate that, baby, but I don’t want to.” I kissed the top of her head, trying to calm my nerves, worried Richard wouldn’t give in.

  “Conner, don’t lose this opportunity because of it.”

  “I don’t want you to be away from your mom.” I couldn’t ask her to leave her mother. Not when she was such a huge part of her life.

  “We will work it out.”

  Steele reentered, along with Richard, Preston, Navie, and his two bodyguards. “I assume you’ve made your decision.”

  “One thing,” Steele cut in. “He doesn’t want to move. He can train with me, until two weeks before each fight. At that time, he’ll fly to Vegas. That should be enough time for your trainers, doctors, and anyone else you want him to work with to formulate your plans.”

  “So, basically, he wants what you have.” Richard eyed Steele.

  The tension in the room was thick. Steele seemed his easy-going self, but Richard wasn’t pleased.

  “Basically, yeah. I’ll change it here.” Steele pulled a pen from the desk, jotted down the changes and handed the paper to me to look over.

  It read word for word what he’d said to Richard. I nodded, letting him know I agreed and he handed the pen to Richard. The room was silent. Richard grabbed the paper from my hands and walked with purpose to the desk. My grip tightened on Willow’s waist as he placed his initials beside the changes.

  “Do we have a deal then?” Richard asked.

  “Yes, sir,” I said, signing my name to the bottom of the page.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Willow

  “I’ll join you if you don’t mind,” Navie said, as I excused myself to use the restroom. It had been twenty minutes since Conner had entered the AFL, and they were chatting about how the press conference would go.

  “Of course.” I smiled. “You can show me where it is.” Once we’d made it out of the room, and away from the men, I hugged her.

  “I’m so glad you’re doing okay. I’ve been worried about you,” she said.

  “Me? Girl, I’ve been worried about you. I still can’t believe all that happened. I’ll never be able to repay you.”

  “Oh, please! I wish I could have done more damage.” She chuckled.

  “I’ve never seen a woman so fierce. I was super impressed with your moves.”

  “Thanks. I’ve trained in secret for years. My dad knows, but he thinks I’m just working out to stay in shape. Because that’s what ladies do, stay fit to look good for men.” She rolled her eyes.

  “That is so sexist. I mean, doesn’t he see how talented you are?” I asked as we entered the restroom.

  “No.” She sighed. “He won’t even give me a chance to show him.”

  “You don’t have to go?” I asked from the stall.

  “No. I just had—I needed a minute.” Her voice dropped at the end.

  I flushed and opened the door. “Is everything okay?” I asked while washing my hands.

  “Perfect.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m in a bathroom fixing my makeup, while Preston is rubbing elbows with my dad’s business partners, and my dad—well, he just made millions by signing Payne.”

  “I’m sorry.” I hadn’t known her very long, but I could tell from what she’d already shared, that her life was probably a walking poster board on how money didn’t equate happiness.

  “For?” she questioned, dabbing two fingers of color on her lips.

  I dried my hands with the fancy towel. “I’ve debated even telling you this, but I saw the video.”

  “Which one?” She stopped fixing her makeup and stared ahead, looking at me through the mirror.

  I wasn’t aware there was more than one. “The one where your father tells you point blank that he would never consider you for the cage.”

  “Oh.” Her face fell, and she slipped the compact back in her purse. “That one’s a classic. But if you really want to be offended, I’ll bring you down to his headquarters. There, you can see me working in the front office, answering my dad’s phone calls, and taking messages for the fighters.” She smiled sarcastically. “It isn’t all bad, I guess. Sometimes, I mess with the cage bunnies who call looking for the guys.”

  I laughed and slung my arm around her neck, as we walked out toward the area where the press conference would go down. I loved Navie. I loved how strong and intelligent she seemed. I knew there were going to be plenty of girls’ nights in our future.

  ***

  Finding my man just outside the room, I made a beeline to him. I was so worried about Conner. We’d just made two life-altering decisions in less than an hour, and I hadn’t even had time to check on him. I could see he was nervous, which made me nervous.

  My stomach was in knots waiting for everything to start, especially when Conner took his seat next to Richard. I did my part and winked at him, trying to reassure him.

  Media people started piling in, one after another, until the whole room was packed so tight, I started sweating from all the body heat. Navie’s brother took a seat next to his father, with Steele on the other side of Conner. There were four other men in expensive suits who finished out the panel, but I didn’t know who they were.

  Flashes from every direction started going off like fireworks. Conner squinted. I wanted to approach the stage
and hug him, but I settled for clasping my hands together as Richard began speaking.

  “Thank you all for being here.” Richard’s voice was deep and thick. It carried through the room, as if he were a professional announcer. “This is an exciting time for the AFL, as we are expanding our family today. Conner Payne will be signing a one-year deal. We will take a few questions, but as usual, this will be short and sweet.”

  An AFL ball cap sat just to Conner’s left. I assumed they were expecting him to put it on at the end. I knew that wasn’t going to happen. I only hoped the media blitz went well, and Conner was able to answer their questions quickly and efficiently, so we could get out of there.

  A scrawny man with khakis and a blue button-up stood with the first question. I glanced at Navie, who sat perfectly poised, her legs crossed and her hands in her lap. She’d obviously attended a few of these before.

  “I’ve followed you since your first fight. What do you think has influenced you the most with your ground work? Is that something you lean toward because it’s natural?” Scrawny dude sat back down, ready to take the notes from Conner’s answer.

  Conner cleared his throat and looked to Steele before answering. “I feel comfortable on the ground. I’m stronger in my legs, and I’m patient. I don’t mind waiting someone out.”

  The crowd snickered. I smiled too, because even though I knew he’d rather chew his right arm off than talk to a bunch of strangers, he was charming with his response, and he didn’t even know it.

  “Richard, will Conner be the only new addition to the family this season?” a woman asked from the back.

  “We’re not releasing any information about the family’s expansion, other than Conner at this time,” Richard answered, after taking a sip of his water.

  “Conner! Do you know who your first fight will be with?” asked someone else from the back.

  “No.” Conner’s legs were bouncing under the table. I wanted so badly to crawl under there and calm them.

  An older gentleman threw a question at him without being called on. “Will Trevor Steele be your trainer? How will he have time to train full time, plus fight his own bouts?”