Smash: A Stepbrother MMA Romance (Includes bonus novel Rock Hard!)

by Hamel, B. B.

  “Used to be.”

  We got our drinks and I looked at him, interested. There seemed to be something bugging him, though he wasn’t saying what.

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “Since I was gone for so long, it’s like they all forgot about me.”

  “You were gone a long time. You’ll get back into it.”

  He nodded. “I know. It’s okay.”

  “When do you fight again?”

  I didn’t know why I asked, because I shouldn’t have cared. I just wanted my divorce and that was that. But being there, in that crowd, I suddenly had a new respect for what Cole did.

  “Soon,” he said. “Very soon.”

  I sighed, sipping my drink. He didn’t seem very talkative, and I didn’t feel like drawing him out all night. If this was his way of convincing me to stay married to him, he wasn’t doing a good job.

  As I sat there looking around the room at all the interesting people, at the trophies lining the walls and the women in too-short dresses, I couldn’t help but wonder why he even wanted me around. The fight seemed so exciting, almost glamorous, and I was just a regular, boring girl. There didn’t seem to be any reason for him to want to mess with me so much. It wasn’t like he actually wanted to be my husband; I couldn’t imagine that was the case, at least.

  “Are you sure it’s a good idea to leave your friend over there alone?” Cole grunted at me, breaking the silence.

  “She’s a big girl. Plus, she does this a lot.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

  “She doesn’t mean anything by it. If I really cared, I’d tell her.”

  “Bet she doesn’t do it in a fighter bar much.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  “Means these aren’t your usual guys, sweetheart. She should be careful.”

  I looked over and watched Lacey take a shot, laughing loudly with the group of guys. They seemed harmless enough, or at least they weren’t the scariest guys in the place. She was going to be fine.

  “Since when do you care?” I asked, frustrated. “And what am I doing here, anyway?”

  “Having a drink.”

  “What’s your game?” I was about ready to get up and leave. I was suddenly frustrated again as the memories of the last year came back to me. It had all been pushed to the background because of the excitement of the fight, but I couldn’t hold it all back forever.

  He gave me a long, penetrating look. I felt a shiver run down my spine. “See that guy over there?” Cole asked, nodding across the room.

  I risked a glance in that direction and saw a man sitting at a table with an older woman.

  “Sure,” I said.

  “He’s a pimp and a drug dealer. And he’s one of the better trainers in the business.”

  “Seriously?”

  “And that guy,” Cole went on, “feeding a shot to your friend, he’s deadly as hell on his feet, an awesome striker. I’m pretty sure his fists could break concrete.”

  I raised an eyebrow, watching the guy. He seemed so normal and harmless.

  “That guy is a thief. That guy’s a drug addict. That guy can strangle you out in three seconds. That girl’s a fighter, too.”

  I sighed, sipping my drink. “Okay, I don’t get this.”

  “These are my people, Alex. This is who I am.”

  “You’re not a pimp or a drug dealer.”

  “No,” he grunted. “But I am a fighter.”

  “So what?”

  “So, I don’t belong in your world. You’re like my mother, clean and proper. I live my life fast and hard.”

  I felt my anger rising again but forced it back down inside me. For as annoying as he could be, I was surprised by how open he was. It was like he was trying to bring me into his world but didn’t know how to do it.

  And I didn’t know if I wanted to see it. Part of me wanted him to just be that guy from the vacation. I wanted him to stay a faceless and nameless force that I needed to exorcise from my life. I didn’t want to get to know him, because I was afraid that I was going to like what I found out.

  “Then divorce me if you really think that.”

  “Not yet.”

  Before I could respond, a man suddenly loomed up in my peripheral vision.

  “Cole,” he said, “I’m surprised to see you here.”

  Cole barely acknowledged him. “Ronnie.”

  I looked up at the guy named Ronnie. He was tall, maybe as tall as Cole, and about as built. He had a scar down his lip, making him look like he was constantly sneering. His eyes were so brown that they were almost black.

  “Thought you ran away.”

  “You know I didn’t,” Cole grunted.

  “Yeah, I know. You were busy sucking Skad’s dick out in the jungle.”

  Cole looked up at Ronnie then, his expression completely blank. “You should walk away now.”

  “Nah, don’t think I will. See, you’re a low-life piece of shit, and I don’t want you coming back here.”

  Cole sighed, slugged back his drink, and then slowly stood up. “All right. If that’s what you want.”

  The two men squared off, and there was a hush over the room. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, trying to explode out of my rib cage. I was terrified that violence was coming, violence like the kind I had seen in the ring. But I wasn’t sure I was ready to see it up close.

  And then Ronnie burst out laughing, and Cole grinned, and they threw their arms around each other, hugging. The room resumed talking as they laughed and embraced.

  “You piece of shit,” Cole said. “Jealous motherfucker.”

  “Jealous? Fuck yes I’m jealous. You got to train with fucking Skad.”

  “Alex,” Cole said, looking at me, “this is Ronnie. He’s my old training partner.”

  “Well hello there,” Ronnie said, turning to me.

  “Nice to meet you.” I was so relieved that I could hardly form words.

  “I think we scared the lady,” Ronnie said to Cole. “Listen, Alex, how about I buy you a drink?”

  “Careful,” Cole said to him.

  Ronnie raised an eyebrow at him. “What? She yours?”

  “I’m not anybody’s,” I said.

  “That’s my stepsister.”

  “Stepsister?” Ronnie burst out laughing again. It was an infectious sound, and I found myself giggling with him. “Can’t believe there’s finally a girl you can’t actually fuck.”

  Cole gave me a grin as Ronnie calmed down and sat with us. He ordered new drinks for everyone, and then Ronnie and Cole began to talk shop. I got lost in their back and forth banter about the different fighters. Ronnie caught Cole up on what had happened since he had been gone, which apparently was a lot.

  I kept glancing over at Lacey. She seemed okay, though she was awfully close to that one dangerous boy, and I was pretty sure she was hammered. I didn’t care if she wanted to go home with him or whatever; I just wanted her to be safe. Cole noticed me glancing at her and gave me a look, like he was reassuring me or something.

  An hour and more passed that way, and the night was getting late. We finished off our third round, and Ronnie leaned back in his chair, checking his watch.

  “Shit,” he said. “Time to get the fuck out.”

  “Why? Got an early date tomorrow?”

  “Nah,” Ronnie said, looking nervous. “I’m just beat. That’s all.”

  “Come on, man. One more round.”

  “Look, we should go.”

  “What’s your problem?”

  Ronnie took a deep breath and sighed. “Look, man, Trent is going to be here soon.”

  Cole got serious. “So the fuck what?”

  “Who’s Trent?” I asked.

  “Some mindless goon,” Cole said.

  Ronnie gave him a look. “The last time Cole and Trent saw each other, Cole was smashing Trent’s face into a wall.”

  “We don’t get along,” Cole grunted.

  “Why?”


  “Cole got that training gig and Trent wanted it, so Trent thought he’d fuck Cole up.”

  “He’s an idiot.” Cole paused and sighed. “There’s more to it than just that.”

  “He is an idiot,” Ronnie agreed, “but he’s undefeated since you left.”

  “Who cares? He fights nobodies.”

  “Actually,” Ronnie said, “he has some good names under his belt. Come on, man, let’s get out of here.”

  “Fuck that,” Cole growled. “Trent can fuck off.”

  Just as Cole was beginning to get annoyed, I heard something from over toward Lacey’s table. I looked over and saw the guys getting up, looks of horror on their faces. There was a slight commotion. I quickly got out of my chair and ran over.

  “What’s happened?” I asked.

  “She’s puking!”

  I looked over and, sure enough, there was Lacey on her hands and knees, puking all her drinks out.

  “Oh shit,” I said, running to her side.

  “I’m pukinggggg,” Lacey groaned.

  “I know. I know.”

  She finished and looked up at me, still clearly wasted. The guys were all yelling as Cole and Ronnie waded through the crowd.

  “Now we can go,” Cole grunted.

  “Sorry, girl,” Lacey slurred. “I ruined your date.”

  “Wasn’t a date,” I said.

  Cole swooped down and grabbed Lacey, slinging her over his shoulder. “Come on.”

  The bartender was yelling, but we ignored him as Ronnie and Cole made a path through the crowd. Lacey’s ass was hanging out from her short dress, and I did my best to keep it covered as we went out into the night.

  “Holy shit, did you see her hurl?” Ronnie cackled.

  “She was like a dragon,” Cole said.

  “Shuddup,” Lacey groaned.

  I stood out in the street and flagged a cab.

  “I’ll leave you here, man,” Ronnie said.

  “Good seeing you, brother.”

  “Same to you.” Ronnie grinned at me. “Be good to your stepbrother, Alex.”

  “Bye, Ronnie.”

  Cole gently pushed Lacey into the back of the cab, and we both followed her in. I gave the driver our address.

  “If she pukes,” the driver said, “it’s double.”

  Cole burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help but laugh along. Even though it had been a weird night in a weird place, I had to admit that I’d had a good time. I liked Ronnie, and Cole seemed nicer when he was around, not quite so gruff.

  I didn’t love Cole’s world. It was violent and seedy. But I maybe understood where he was coming from, why he felt the way that he did. I didn’t want to stay married to the guy, but I didn’t hate him quite so much.

  “Take us home,” Cole grunted at the driver, and we pulled out into traffic.

  Chapter Six: Cole

  It was early the next morning, the sun just peeking over the horizon, as I finished my run. I hated getting up early, but I could barely sleep the night before. I kept thinking about her, about my stepsister, about my fucking wife.

  I’d never brought a girl around my life like that before. It felt safer because she was my stepsister, but it was definitely far from safe. We were married, and I kept imagining all the dirty shit I wanted to do to her body.

  I knew I could make her wet like a waterfall with just a touch. I wanted that soaking pussy to grip my cock like a vice, and it drove me fucking crazy. The run did barely anything to get her out of my brain.

  Why the fuck didn’t I just divorce her and be done with it?

  I was a masochist and knew it.

  “Good morning,” Cindy said as I came into the kitchen. “You’re awake early for once.”

  “Good morning,” I grunted at her, filling up my coffee mug. I felt the two-day stubble on my chin and resolved to shave.

  “How are you adjusting to the new house?”

  I shrugged. “Fine. How are you adjusting to your new husband?”

  “Frank is a good man. I wish you’d get to know him.”

  “I’m sure you wish a lot of things, Cindy.”

  “Don’t be a brat,” she spat at me. “You can at least be civil.”

  I took a deep breath and let it out. “Fine. Frank seems nice enough.”

  She nodded curtly. “Thank you.”

  “I’m told there’s trouble in paradise, though.”

  “With Frank? Things are great.”

  “Your job.”

  “Ah.” She nodded and looked away. “That’s great, too.”

  I knew she was lying. My mother had only ever cared about one thing, and that was power. People sometimes called her the Ice Queen, and for good reason. I liked to call her Mussolini behind her back. She was intense and task-driven, always on to the next thing that would further her desires.

  We were similar like that. I was driven to be the best at what I did, just like she was. The biggest difference was, Cindy was willing to sacrifice anyone or anything for her own personal gain.

  I believed in hard work. I trained my ass off and put my body on the line. I didn’t need anything from anyone, and I never would. I also didn’t believe in fucking others over just because you wanted something.

  “Not what I heard,” I said.

  She gave me a frown. “My work is not your concern, Cole.”

  “Please, mother. You’ve been trying to get me to act proper for years because of your job.”

  “And now you’re interested?”

  I shrugged, sipping my coffee. “Trying to make pleasant conversation.”

  She sat up and looked at me. “Okay. My marriage to Frank has caused some problems, it’s true. There’s talk of nepotism and other scandalous lies.”

  “You wouldn’t marry a man to further your career,” I said, nodding, though I knew full well that she would.

  “Of course not,” she said quickly. “It was just a coincidence.”

  “Of course.”

  She gave me a look and nodded to herself. “If you suddenly care about all this, there is something you can do.”

  “Maybe,” I grunted.

  “There’s a dinner for certain shareholders and other prominent members of the company tomorrow night. I’d like you to attend with your stepsister.”

  “And why would I do this for you?”

  “I thought you were trying to be a family, Cole.”

  I laughed, shaking my head. The idea of her trying to be a family again was absurd. She didn’t have a nurturing bone in her body, which was probably why I had ended up seeking pain for a living.

  But that was just stupid armchair psychology.

  “You have no interest in being a family. If you want something, you have to give up something. You know how this works; you’re a businesswoman,” I said.

  She nodded, thinking. “Very well then. If you do this for me, I’ll give you free reign of the cars all summer.”

  I raised an eyebrow. It was an intriguing proposition, especially considering her fondness for vintage muscle cars. It wasn’t exactly a feminine hobby, but my mother never cared much for gender stereotypes. She was something of a feminist like that.

  “You have a deal.”

  She smiled. “Good. Now convince your stepsister to come along.”

  “That wasn’t part of this.”

  “I need you both.”

  I grunted. “She doesn’t listen to me.”

  “You seem to be getting along. Try.”

  “Fine.”

  She nodded again and went back to her paper. I took my coffee upstairs.

  I didn’t usually give in to my mother’s bribes. Normally, the idea of taking something from her made my stomach churn. But I was beginning to realize that if I was staying in that house with her and Frank and Alex, I had to at least pretend to get along with everyone.

  As I crested the staircase, I saw her sneak out of her room. Alex was wearing short cotton shorts and a tight tank top, her long brown hair spilling down
along her back. I could see the bottom of her ass, and I felt my cock stiffen instantly.

  She was the reason I was going through all this bullshit. If we weren’t married, I didn’t think I’d stick around. But we were, and I had to admit that I was having a ton of fucking fun with it.

  I took a long drink of coffee as I came up behind her. “Good morning, sis,” I said.

  She whirled around. “What are you doing?”

  “Going to my room.”

  “You scared me. Quit being a creep.”

  I walked up closer to her. “You look good this morning. Bedhead suits you.”

  “Bedhead doesn’t suit anyone,” she mumbled.

  “Reminds me of how you look after you come. Your skin gets flushed and your hair is a mess.”

  “It’s too early for that.”

  “It’s never too early. Right now I’m thinking about ripping those little shorts off your incredible body and fucking you right here against the wall.”

  “Be quiet,” she hissed. “My dad could hear you.”

  “So what?” I stepped closer to her, and she didn’t move an inch. “They’ll find out how badly I want to fuck that perfect pussy of yours eventually.”

  “No, they won’t, because you’re going to give me that divorce.”

  I smirked. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m going to make your body want to stay married to me.”

  “Whatever,” she muttered and turned away. I could see the blush in her cheeks, and I knew I had riled her up. I could practically smell how soaked her pussy was, and I bet if I really did push her against the wall and press my fingers against her pussy, they’d come away soaked.

  Instead, I followed her into the bathroom.

  “What are you doing?” she practically yelled. “You can’t just follow me in here.”

  “Word from the parents,” I said. “There’s some dinner bullshit tomorrow night. You’re expected to attend.”

  She made a face. “Already? I hate those things.”

  “Been to one before?”

  “Sure. It’s all old people and sleazy businessmen. Not my scene. I’m amazed your mom never made you go to one.”

  “She tried, a long time ago. She stopped trying pretty quick.”

  Alex leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. “If I say I’m going, will you get the heck out of here?”