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

by Naomi Niles

  “Looks like we don’t have to share the drinks,” Talen smiled.

  “They’ll be so disappointed,” I laughed sarcastically.

  A few minutes later, our tray of mocktails arrived. There were seven different drinks there, all of which boasted vibrantly different colors. “Wow, who knew non-alcoholic beverages could be so much fun,” I laughed.

  We spent a fun few minutes tasting all the drinks, deciding that the strawberry lime cooler was the winner, with the frozen avocado margarita was a close second.

  “So, is this your first niece?” I asked, wanting to know as much about Talen as I could.

  “Technically,” he replied. “Sam has a stepdaughter; I suppose she counts as a niece, too.”

  “I’d say so,” I nodded. “Your mother must be thrilled.”

  “I think she’s been pretty thrilled ever since she’s entered into our lives again,” Talen replied.

  “That must have been strange for you?”

  “Very,” he nodded. “At first, I didn’t even want to hear her side of the story.”

  “How come?”

  “Because a part of me wanted to be mad at her forever,” he replied. “I’d been angry for so long, I didn’t know how to stop.”

  “Have you stopped?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he nodded. “I heard her reasons and understood. It doesn’t change the fact that I grew up without a mother, but at least it helps me understand her a little better.”

  I reached out and placed my hand over his. “I know it might not seem this way to you, Talen, but you are lucky. Even without your parents, you had four brothers who had your back. I sometimes wished I had siblings, then I wouldn’t have felt so alone growing up.”

  Talen nodded. “Actually, hearing your story is what opened my eyes a little. I realized how much I had in comparison to you. And, I also realized how much I’d taken for granted.”

  “Well, now that you realize it, you can change a few things,” I pointed out.

  He smiled. “Easier said than done,” he replied. “Especially for a creature as stubborn and proud as I am. But I will certainly try.”

  “And, I will help you,” I said, squeezing his hand.

  Talen smiled. “I’m counting on that. Which brings me to another favor I need to ask of you.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Of course,” I said readily. “Ask me anything.”

  “I have a doctor’s appointment scheduled for Monday morning,” Talen told me. “They want to do another CAT scan to check the swelling in my brain. I was wondering if you could come with me?”

  “Of course, I’ll come with you,” I said, without hesitation. “Gladly.”

  He smiled. “Thanks.”

  I paused for a moment, studying his ridiculously handsome face. I felt a tug at my heart as I realized that if he were cleared to fight on Monday, then he would begin training again soon. I wasn’t sure if my nerves could take that. I knew that every time he took a hit or fell down, I would be fighting panic and worry.

  “Are you okay?” Talen asked, noticing the look on my face. “You seem a little…down.”

  I smiled quickly. “I’m fine,” I assured him. “I’m just a little nervous about the doctor’s appointment, I suppose.”

  Talen leaned in and kissed my forehead. “It’ll be okay, Brittany,” he said, as though he had some inside information that I wasn’t privy to. “Don’t worry.”

  I laughed. “Easier said than done.”

  “I know,” he nodded, with understanding. “But I promise you, I’ll be careful. I’m a strong fighter. I can handle it.”

  My heart beat unevenly at his words. I could see the fever in his eyes, that burning need he had to prove himself further. I could see the ambition there. Talen was still not ready to put the fighting behind him.

  If he gave up the MMA, it had to be his choice. I didn’t want him doing anything for my sake alone. So as hard as it was, I bit my lip and held my tongue – even though worry burned a hole in my heart.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Talen

  I dressed quickly, hoping that the scan would reveal that I was fine and the swelling had gone down. If that were the case, then I knew I would be cleared to resume training immediately and part of me longed to start fighting again. My muscles felt sore from disuse and I wanted to feel strong again. It was hard to just sit around and wait to be told that I was going to be okay.

  I threw on a white hoodie over my jeans and headed to the fridge. We weren’t going to be stopping anywhere for breakfast, so I grabbed some fruit that I had in the fridge and ate it while standing, contemplating the path my future would take.

  It felt a little unfair to me. I had worked so hard to get where I was, and the moment I’d managed to accomplish something, life stepped in and threatened to take it away.

  I knew that I had the option of continuing to fight no matter what my CAT scans would reveal, but I was nervous about that decision, too. I didn’t just have myself to consider anymore. There was Brittany, and I didn’t want to involve her in something that could possibly end badly.

  I kept thinking of the conversation I’d had with Peter. His advice, as always, was sound, sage, and wise. But as usual, I had a hard time following it. My ambition still sat with me all the time, reminding me that I still had more to prove – to the world and to myself.

  I picked up my phone and called Brittany. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Talen,” she replied, sounding a little flustered. “Are you on your way?”

  “I’m about to leave,” I told her. “You alright?”

  “I put my sweater on backwards,” she said. “And, I’ve already lost three of my nails.”

  “Biting them again?”

  “I can’t seem to shake the habit.”

  “Is that my fault?” I asked.

  She chuckled lightly. “Maybe.”

  “Don’t worry too much,” I told her.

  “Easier said than done,” she retorted. “I’ll see you soon.”

  I said goodbye and hung up. Then, I finished the apple in my hand and headed to her place to pick her up. I noticed her standing by her window, ready and waiting for me, when I pulled up. I got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side door to hold it open for her as she came down the drive.

  Brittany reached out on her tiptoes to give me a kiss hello. I pulled her a little closer, prolonging the kiss until her hands were wrapped around my neck. When I finally let go, she looked a little red faced and breathless.

  “You sure know how to wish a girl a good morning,” she smiled.

  “One of my specialties,” I replied with a wink as I carefully closed the door on her and walked around to the driver’s seat.

  She looked simple and beautiful in her dark jeans and white turtleneck sweater. Her black hair hung loose around her shoulders, a start contrast to the bright white of her top.

  “You seem nervous,” I observed, glancing at her.

  She smiled. “Aren’t you?”

  “What will come will come,” I said, trying to sound confident. “No point is worrying before I have to.”

  “I wish I had that kind of attitude,” she sighed. “I keep replaying every possible scenario in my head.”

  I didn’t want to ask her what those scenarios involved. I held my tongue and took her hand, squeezing it gently. “Have you decided what you’d like to study?” I asked, trying to distract her.

  She gave me a smile. “There are so many choices,” she said. “It’s like being at a buffet and you want to try every single thing there, but you know you can’t.”

  “Have you narrowed it down at least?”

  “I’m thinking something creative,” Brittany admitted. “Maybe photography or design… I could get into marketing or advertising. But I’m also interested in history.”

  “History?”

  “But what kind of job would I get with a history degree?”

  “A job in a museum maybe?” I suggested.
/>   “Hey, that’s a thought,” she nodded. “I would quite like to work in a museum, actually.”

  I smiled at the expression on her face. She really did look like a kid in a candy store. After a moment she turned to me. “Thank you,” she said softly.

  “For what?”

  “For distracting me,” she replied shrewdly. “You brought me for moral support, but you’re the one doing all the work.”

  I smiled. “Just having you near me helps,” I assured her.

  We arrived at the hospital, found a parking spot, and headed straight in for my appointment. I was told I needed to do my CAT scans first before seeing the doctor. He would be the one to read the scan and tell me what my situation was.

  I could tell Brittany was nervous and ironically, that made me calmer. It was as though she were feeling everything for me so I didn’t need to worry too much.

  She gave me a kiss before I headed into the room for my scan. When I emerged, she jumped to her feet and came towards me.

  “How was it?” she asked. “Are you okay?”

  “It was fine,” I assured her, rubbing her shoulders gently. “Nothing I haven’t seen on television before.”

  That got a smile out of her. We were ushered into Doctor Arden’s room and told to wait there till he arrived. Brittany and I walked around, picking up the objects we didn’t recognize, trying to make sense of them.

  “Well, medical school is definitely out,” Brittany said. “This all just looks too freaky.”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “I think you’d make an amazing doctor.”

  “Based on what?”

  “Your face,” I smiled. “I’d certainly feel cured if I was sick and you walked in wearing a white coat.”

  She laughed and rolled her eyes at me. “Oh sure, doesn’t matter if I kill you as long as I look cute doing it?”

  “At least I’ll die happy.”

  She shook her head at me and then approached me slowly, with a little glint in her eye. “The doctor’s taking a long time,” she observed suggestively, getting closer and closer to me.

  “He is,” I nodded.

  “I don’t think it was very wise of him to leave us alone in this room…unsupervised.”

  I raised my eyebrows as she pressed herself up against me. I could feel the firmness of her breasts through my hoodie. I had to concentrate very hard not to get all hot and bothered right there in the middle of the doctor’s office. Brittany certainly wasn’t helping matters. She leaned in and kissed my neck sensually as her hand slipped down my pants.

  We heard voices just outside the door and Brittany pushed herself away from me just in time. Doctor Arden walked in a moment later. He was a short man with a medium-sized build and a full head of hair. He had the kind of face you trusted, though. I’d only met him once before, but he had managed to win my approval. I didn’t, as a general rule, like doctors very much. He walked up to me and shook my hand.

  “How are you, Talen?” he asked.

  “Doing okay,” I nodded.

  Doctor Arden turned to Brittany and gave her a smile. “You brought your girlfriend?”

  “I’m Brittany,” she said, making her own introductions.

  “Nice to meet you, Brittany,” Doctor Arden replied. “It’s good that you’re here for support.”

  I raised my eyebrows and glanced at Brittany for a moment. Doctor Arden had the results of the CAT scan in his hands and I looked at them suspiciously.

  “What did the tests say, doc?” I asked. “Am I good or…not?”

  Brittany moved a little closer to me, but her eyes were fixed on the doctor. Doctor Arden shifted uncomfortably on his feet, but he met my eyes.

  “I’m afraid it’s not great news, Talen,” he said gently. I felt my stomach plummet. “The swelling hasn’t gone down; it’s being stubbornly persistent.”

  “What does that mean for him?” Brittany asked before I could.

  “At this stage, the swelling can be managed,” he continued, “with no permanent damage to your personality or behavior. But if you continued to fight, you’re risking serious brain damage.”

  I heard Brittany’s intake of breath, but I kept my eyes fixed on Doctor Arden. “It is my medical recommendation that you stop fighting, Talen,” he continued. “You’re young; you have the rest of your life ahead of you. Don’t waste it.”

  “Fighting is my life,” I said softly.

  Doctor Arden looked at me sympathetically. “I know it can feel that way sometimes. But trust me, at the end of the day, the MMA is your job. And, a job cannot make up a man’s entire life.”

  I couldn’t bring myself to look at Brittany, but I could feel her hand on my arm, giving me the support I needed.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you better news, Talen,” Doctor Arden sighed.

  “Thanks anyway, doc,” I said, shaking hands with him again.

  We left his room in silence. When we were back in the car, Brittany turned to me. Her blue eyes looked like they were a little damp, but there were no tears that I could see. I thought she was going to ask me something about the CAT scans, about the appointment, or about the MMA.

  But instead, she said, “Let’s go get some ice cream.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. “Ice cream sounds…perfect, actually.”

  We headed back into town and stopped at an understated little ice cream parlor wedged between a cheese shop and a clothes store. There was no one inside when we walked in except a cheery-faced server behind the counter.

  Brittany ordered two scoops of the salted caramel with pecans, and I ordered two scoops of the double chocolate with almonds. Then we sat by the window to enjoy our cones. By unspoken agreement, we didn’t touch on anything serious while we ate our ice cream. We spoke about my brothers and my new niece, we spoke about Brittany’s potential enrolment at one of the local colleges, we spoke about Ryan and Lacey and their somewhat disturbing relationship, but we stayed away from any topic that was too serious.

  And then, when our cones were gone, I reached out and took both Brittany’s hands into mine. “What do you think?” I asked, knowing she would understand.

  “This is your decision, Talen,” she said. “I can’t make it for you.”

  “I don’t want you to,” I told her. “I just… I want your opinion.”

  “You really want to continue fighting, don’t you?” she asked with conflicted eyes. “Even after hearing those results?”

  “I have a slight invincibility complex,” I admitted, only half joking. “So, yes, I think that maybe I can continue to fight through the swelling and prove the doctors wrong.”

  “And, you love it.”

  “And, I love it,” I nodded.

  Brittany took a deep breath and sighed. “Like I said, it’s your decision. All I can say for myself is that I want you around for as long as humanly possible. But if you love to fight that much, if you still want to fight no matter what…then I will stand by your side and support you, come what may.”

  I smiled at her with gratitude. “Come what may,” I repeated softly.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Brittany

  “Man, this place is busting,” I said, joining Lacey behind the breakfast counter. “Why is it so damn crowded all of a sudden?”

  “You don’t know?” Lacey asked.

  “Umm…should I?”

  “It’s because of Talen,” Lacey replied.

  “Talen?” I repeated frowning. “What do you mean?”

  “Words spread that he’s the new investor at the diner,” Lacey explained. “And since his amazing MMA win, his popularity is through the roof. I think people are coming here partly because they’re hoping to run into him and get a picture and an autograph.”

  “Oh,” I said, looking around at the crowded diner. “How did word get out that Talen was the new investor?”

  Lacey smirked at me. “How do you think?”

  “Danny?”

  “Of course,” Lacey nodded
. “The boy’s nothing if not smart. He’s been on top of things lately. He’s already hired two new waitresses.”

  “When did that happen?” I asked, in amazement.

  “Yesterday,” Lacey replied. “You took the day off and while you were off, we interviewed a couple of candidates. There were quite a few.”

  “And, he’s already hired two?”

  “Emily and April,” Lacey replied. “April’s shift should start in half an hour. She should be on her way right now.”

  “Wow, how did I miss so much?” I asked.

  “Well, in your defence, everything happened pretty fast,” she said. “And, Danny was adamant about hiring people as soon as possible. Which I’ll admit is necessary, considering the number of people we have in here now.”

  “How are the newbies?” I asked.

  Lacey raised an eyebrow. “How do you think?” she said. “They’re young, hot, and perky. Not as hot as either one of us, obviously…”

  “Obviously,” I laughed.

  “But they’ll attract attention, that’s for sure.”

  “You’re not feeling threatened are you?” I asked innocently.

  “Me?” she asked defensively. “Bite your tongue.”

  I held up my hands. “Sorry, I was just asking.”

  At that moment the door opened and a young blonde walked in. She was wearing a pair of low-rise jeans that showed off her midriff and a sexy top showing plenty of skin. She removed her jacket and gave Lacey a smile.

  “Hi,” she greeted. “I thought I’d get here a little early since it’s my first day.”

  “You must be April,” I said, stretching out my hand to her.

  “I am,” she nodded. “And, you must be Brittany.”

  “That’s right,” I nodded.

  Lacey grabbed a thin white apron and threw it to April. “We’re a little busy at the moment, so let’s exchange pleasantries later, shall we? Can you start with those three tables by the window, April?”

  “Sure thing,” she nodded as she put the apron on and headed down the diner.

  “Three tables?” I said. “Surely you and I can pitch in.”

  “She has to learn,” Lacey said uncaringly. “Besides, you and I are talking.”