Fighting For Love - A Standalone Novel (A Bad Boy Sports Romance Love Story) (Burbank Brothers, Book #5)

by Naomi Niles

  I had spent the night with her. It was the first time I had ever woken up with a woman, and I had to admit it was a strange feeling. But the more surprising thing was that I wasn’t upset by that fact. I was actually happy to find myself next to Brittany this morning.

  I glanced at the clock and realized I was already late. I didn’t want to wake her, but I couldn’t be late, either. Gently, I eased her onto the pillow next to me and extricated her from my arms.

  I froze when she stirred in her sleep. I saw her eyes flutter a little, but they stayed closed. She looked so peaceful and calm that I couldn’t resist giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek before I got out of bed and started dressing quickly. I had just pulled on my shirt when I turned to the bed to find that Brittany was awake and watching me from behind the covers.

  She had a slow smile on her face. “Morning,” she said.

  “Morning,” I replied. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “No, I’m glad you did,” she replied. “I’m late for work.”

  “And, I’m late for training,” I said.

  “Does that mean you won’t be stopping into the diner today?”

  “Not today,” I told her. “I have to head straight to the campus.”

  “Bummer,” Brittany sighed, as she pulled the covers higher up on her chest.

  I could see the outline of her hourglass body through the sheets, and it made me want to strip down again and join her in bed. It was like she knew what I was thinking because she gave me a seductive smile.

  “See something you like?” she asked teasingly.

  “I see everything I like,” I replied. “Unfortunately, I don’t have time this morning to unwrap it.”

  Brittany laughed and moved to get out of bed, but I stepped forward and stopped her. “No, don’t worry about me. You don’t have to walk me out.”

  “Sure?”

  “Positive,” I nodded.

  I leaned in and gave her a hard kiss on the lips. Then I ran out and headed straight towards the facility. Ryan was already in the ring when I arrived. He was punching the air when I joined him.

  “I think that’s the only opponent you can actually beat,” I joked. “The invisible kind.”

  “Talen!” Ryan roared, turning to me. “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you to show up all morning.”

  “Umm… Why?”

  “Because I have so much to tell you about last night.”

  I groaned, knowing immediately what he was talking about. “I didn’t ask,” I said quickly.

  “Too fucking bad,” he said happily. “We went back to her place, and we hadn’t even made it through the door before she attacked me. I mean, that’s the only word for it, she was so fucking horny that she was on me before she even had the door open.”

  “I’m sure that’s an exaggeration, but I’ll pretend to believe you,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  “Please, that’s exactly what happened,” he insisted. “And, you know what she had on underneath that outfit?”

  “Do I really need to know this?”

  “Nothing,” Ryan replied. “Okay… Well, she had on a bra…and panties…”

  “So…not nothing,” I said, shaking my head at him.

  “But you should have seen the underwear… It was like she wasn’t wearing anything,” he said excitedly. “They were so fucking sexy. Oh yeah, and she’s a screamer. At one point, I actually thought her landlord might show up at the door and ask if someone was being murdered.”

  “Murdered, huh?” I repeated. “Was it that painful for her?”

  “Fuck you,” Ryan said impatiently. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “That’s what you said.”

  “I’m trying to paint a picture here,” he replied, narrowing his eyes at me.

  “Which is exactly why I’m trying to change the subject,” I said. “I really, really don’t want to hear this.”

  “The sex was so good, man!” he continued, as though he hadn’t heard me. “I mean, I think I had her twelve different ways.”

  “I thought you only knew two ways-”

  “And, she gave me head,” Ryan said, talking over me. “Damn… I’ve never had a blow job that good before.”

  “Urgh,” I groaned. “How much longer is this going to go on for?”

  He sighed. “You are no fun,” he complained. “How was your night?”

  “It was good.”

  He looked at me with a slacked jaw. “That’s it?”

  I raised my eyebrows. “What more do you want?”

  “Something more than that,” he said. “I just gave you some juicy details, and you just gave me squat.”

  “Yup…that’s all you’re going to get, too.”

  “Bastard.”

  I laughed. “You are such a freak.”

  “Guilty as charged,” he nodded, giving me a wide smile. “By the way, did I think you?”

  “For what?”

  “Introducing me to the sex goddess that is Lacey?”

  “I think you just did.”

  “How about a hug to show my appreciation?”

  “How about I punch you in the face?”

  “Fine,” Ryan said, rolling his eyes. “No hug. Geez… What messed you up as a kid?”

  I smiled and turned away. “Can we just get on with training?”

  “Fine,” he said in an annoyed voice.

  We had just started trading punches when a booming voice rang through the room, calling out my name. “For fuck’s sake,” I sighed. “We just started.”

  Then I noticed it was Steven and he had Wendell in tow. I exchanged a glance with Ryan as they were approaching the ring.

  “Hmm…looks like this is going to be about your fight,” he said.

  I suspected as much, too. I hoped nothing had been cancelled. I ducked out of the ring and jumped down to the ground in front of Steven and Wendell. I couldn’t help notice that both men wore different expressions on their faces. Steven looked a little cautious and unsure, while Wendell looked positively enthused.

  “What’s up?” I asked, looking from Steven to Wendell.

  “I have good news…” Wendell started.

  “That’s a matter of opinion,” Steven cut in.

  Wendell rolled his eyes, but kept looking at me. “Your match…”

  “Against Kendrick Conner,” I nodded quickly. “Yes, what about it?”

  “We have the option of fighting the two of you sooner,” he said.

  “Sooner?” I repeated.

  “In a few weeks, to be precise.”

  “Seriously?” I said, looking at Steven, who looked much less happy.

  “Apparently, your upcoming fight with Conner has generated interest,” he explained soberly.

  “Interest?” Wendell said, cutting in. “It’s more than just interest – it’s excitement, it’s curiosity, it’s intrigue. Everyone wants to know about the newcomer with big enough balls to go up against an MMA champion his first time in the ring. We want to capitalize on the interest you’re receiving because it seems that people are actually rooting for the underdog.”

  “That or they just want to see how long you’ll last,” Steven said quickly. “Listen to me, Talen, Conner is an experienced fighter. He’s won titles and championships, and he’s got a loyal fan base. All you’ve got at this point is a fickle crowd whose interest will shift the moment the first punch comes in.”

  “You’re assuming that Conner will make the first punch,” I said, somewhat defensively.

  “You’re still in training,” Steven said bracingly. “You need more time to ready yourself for the fight. You need more practice. Agreeing to bring up the match is not a good idea.”

  “And, what if I say no?” I asked.

  “Then they’ll find someone else to take your place,” Wendell said immediately. “Make no mistake, there will be a fight in the next few weeks. The question is whether you’re going to be the second man in that ring.”

  �
�Talen…” Steven started.

  But Wendell cut him off. “The prize money is significant.”

  “Fuck the prize money,” Steven said with annoyance. “He’s not going to see that cash if he loses.”

  “What makes you think I’m going to lose?” I asked challengingly.

  “You’re good, Talen,” Steven said. “But I’m not going to mince my words – you’re going up against a superior opponent. Why risk losing now, when you can train up and make a proper attempt at meeting him in January?”

  “We need to capitalize on the crowd’s interest in you, Talen,” Wendell countered. His reedy eyes were hypnotizing, and I knew he was giving me his best sales pitch. “By January, it might have dried out. Do you want to risk that?”

  “Do you want to risk fighting Conner before you’re ready?” Steven demanded.

  “Okay, hold on,” I said, raising my hands up to both of them. “I’m a grown man, and I can make my own decisions. Just… Give me a minute.”

  I turned my back on them and walked back to the ring. Ryan was leaning against it, but his eyes were fixed on me. “Tough choice, huh?”

  “You were listening?”

  “Of course,” he nodded unapologetically.

  “And?” I asked. “What do you think?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You’re asking me for my advice?”

  “Apparently,” I nodded.

  He smiled as though I had just handed him a prize. Then he jumped down from the ring so that he was at eye level with me. “You should listen to your heart,” he said seriously.

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m sorry I asked.”

  Ryan laughed. “Listen, man, in all seriousness, I think I’ve come to know you pretty well in these last couple of weeks. You’re not the sort of guy who’s going to listen to anyone else’s advice. No matter what I say to you now, you’re just going to do what you want in the end. And, a part of me suspects you’ve already made the decision.”

  I stared at Ryan for a moment. “Well, what do you know, Ryan,” I smiled. “You’re not as stupid as you look.”

  “Fuck off, Burbank,” he said, punching me in the arm.

  I laughed and headed back in the direction of Steven and Wendell. I understood both their points and even happened to agree with them, but Ryan was right – this was no one’s choice but my own.

  “I’ve made my decision,” I said.

  “And?” Wendell asked hopefully.

  “Let’s bring forward the fight,” I said. “I’m in.”

  “Yes!” Wendell said happily.

  Steven just looked resigned. “You’re sure about this?”

  “Positive,” I nodded. “I understand your concerns, Steven, but… I need to do this. I need to prove myself. If I can beat Conner at this stage, after only a few months of training…think about the impression I’ll make. Think about my reputation, then.”

  “You’ll be a star,” Wendell said dramatically. “The new Kendrick Conner.”

  “And, what if you lose?” Steven asked somberly.

  “Then, I’ll do my best to give the crowd a show,” I said, with determination. “Either way, if I can hold my own, if I can make it through to the third round, at least… It’ll be enough to make an impression, even if I end up losing. At least, I’ll be remembered.”

  “That’s right,” Wendell nodded approvingly. “Boy’s got the right attitude.”

  “Boy’s got too much damn confidence,” Steven said, shaking his head at me. “And, too much damn pride.”

  He was not wrong. In fact, I was fairly certain that Steven’s was the advice I should be taking. But the truth was I had never been one to choose the safest route and I didn’t see the point in starting now.

  I felt my game face slip on as I turned back to the ring to resume training. This was it, this was where years of ambition had led me, and I was ready.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Brittany

  I saw Lacey pull up in her car just after I caught sight of the diner. She was walking fast for the door when she caught sight of me.

  “Fuck,” she said, as I approached. “You’re late, too.”

  “I had to walk,” I reminded her.

  She shrugged. “I live farther than you.”

  “Let’s just hurry up and get inside,” I suggested. “Danny’s going to be livid.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about him,” Lacey said. “It’s too early for diners. He would have been forced to do the prep.”

  “And, we both know how much he enjoys that.”

  As we walked through the door, Danny was in our faces. “Nice of you two to show up,” he said, glaring at us. “Had a nice chat outside?”

  “That was barely a chat,” I said apologetically. “But I’m sorry we’re late, Danny.”

  “What’s your excuse?”

  Lacey and I exchanged a glance. “Umm…we had a really late night,” she said, trying to suppress her smile. “And, we both missed our alarm clocks.”

  He narrowed his eyes at us. “Seriously?” he said. “That’s the excuse?”

  “Would you prefer we lie?”

  He sighed and threw the table cleaner liquid at me and the wiping rag at Lacey. “Just get to work,” he said. “I have to start breakfast for our regulars.”

  He disappeared into the kitchen looking positively harassed, and I smiled after him in sympathy. “Poor guy,” I said. “I really need to buy him something nice one of these days.”

  Lacey nodded distractedly. “Sure, sure, we’ll do that,” she said. “Now, how was your night?”

  “Same as yours,” I said coyly. “You were there.”

  Lacey rolled her eyes at me. “I’m talking about afterwards, obviously,” she said. “Stop it with the evasive routine. I hate when you do that. Just tell me what happened.”

  “What do you think happened?” I laughed. “We went back to my place and…”

  “Stuff happened?” she asked eagerly.

  “It did,” I nodded, blushing slightly.

  “As good as the first time?”

  “Better,” I replied.

  Her eyes went wide. “Better?” she repeated.

  “Yeah… I don’t know how to describe it,” I said. “It was just that we were more comfortable with one another. We were more…in tuned to what we needed from each other. There was more of a connection there, you know? He spent the, night too.”

  “Did he now?” Lacey asked, with interest.

  “Did Ryan?”

  “Nah, he left last night after we fucked.”

  “And, how was he?”

  Lacey seemed to consider the question for a moment. “I honestly had higher hopes,” she said.

  “Really?”

  “First of all, he attacked me before I could even get the door open,” she said. “I mean I was literally just trying to get into the apartment when he started pawing at me. I mean, I didn’t mind very much, it was actually kind of hot…”

  “But?”

  “He was good,” she said, with a shrug. “But there’s definite room for improvement.”

  “In what way?”

  “He could do with a few more moves,” she replied. “And I wanted it to last longer than it did. He lasted about ten minutes, but it was still ten minutes too early.”

  “Ah,” I said sympathetically.

  “I’m guessing you didn’t have that problem with Talen?”

  I smiled. “I don’t want to get into the gory details.”

  “Why not?” Lacey demanded.

  “Because I might make you jealous,” I teased.

  She groaned. “You’ve already done that, you heartless bitch.”

  I laughed as the door to the diner opened and Monica walked in. “Morning, ladies,” she greeted. “Is my breakfast ready yet?”

  “In the process of being made, Monica,” I said. “Why don’t you take a seat, and I’ll bring you some juice and a piece of pie.”

  “What are the options?” she demanded loudly.r />
  “Pecan and strawberry shortcake.”

  “Bring me a slice of both,” she said. “And, don’t dawdle.”

  After I had given Monica her pie, I headed back to the counter. It was a quiet day. The other regulars hadn’t turned up yet, and I knew that Talen wasn’t coming in today. I glanced outside the diner and my eyes fell on Lacey’s car. It was just another reminder that I needed to repair my car as soon as possible, or I would be coming in late more often than not.

  I sighed, knowing that my funds were woefully limited. I was already counting pennies like a miser, and this repair would take much more money than I had. Even if I took another job, it would take me months to earn enough cash to put towards the car repairs. I needed a windfall and I needed it now. It wasn’t just my car, either. It was rent and electricity and hot water, and I wasn’t sure I had enough to stretch me through the next few months.

  “Something the matter?” Lacey asked, as she saw my face.

  I sighed. “Just trying to make a difficult decision,” I admitted.

  “How difficult?”

  I stared down at the counter for a moment. “I think I need to talk to my father.”

  “Fuck,” she said slowly.

  “Yeah…”

  “I didn’t think you’d actually consider that until you were desperate-”

  As she said the words, she colored a little bit, realizing that she had hit the nail on the head without thinking. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

  “You know what they say,” I said, trying to sound resigned and cheerful. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

  “It’ll be okay, Brit,” Lacey said bracingly.

  “Will it?” I asked uncertainly.

  “It’s one conversation,” she said. “Think of it that way – it’s one conversation and afterwards you can forget about it.”

  “How?” I asked. “How can I forget about it? First, I have to go through the humiliating process of asking him for money. Then I have to look into his cold, hard face and wait for his answer. If he says no, then I’ve humiliated myself for nothing, in addition to being hurt. And if he says yes, then I have to accept his money with a thank you and the acknowledgement that he was right about everything.