by Piper Rayne
My head trainer, Craig, walks in as I’m discussing with the chef, Iris, what Nikki likes. “Sugar with her coffee,” I say, and she nods, putting away some key ingredients she brought with her. The entire group seems to think I moved them to Greenland and they won’t be able to get anything up here.
“I figured we’d go for a run,” Craig says, stretching.
“You just got in. What the hell?”
“There’s a gym in town I want to check out. See if we can make an arrangement with them to get in there.” He rotates his head. “Come on. You’re on a time crunch and need to get started. You’ve been having fun long enough.”
“Fun?” I ask.
He punches me in the shoulder. “Bedroom exercise doesn’t count, you know that.” He laughs.
Iris shakes her head. “You two can leave my kitchen now.”
I stand from the stool. Craig is right though. I need to get my ass in gear. “I’m picking up Nikki after work.”
“Man, you’ve got it bad.” He walks out, still stretching his arms. “I’ll be outside.”
He leaves the house and I put on my shoes before joining him. Usually no one has to push me to work out, but lately, all I want to do is sit around and heal from the last fight. I won’t tell anyone, but Garcia gave me a run for my money.
Craig and I start off with a jog, but it quickly turns into a run and I realize way too late he’s mapped out all of Sunrise Bay. The fucker took me the long way to town and up every hill.
“We’re gonna have to do a lot more cardio this time. You were fading too fast with Garcia,” he says.
“I know. The guy has the energy of a puppy.”
“And Rinaldo isn’t a sleeping twelve-year-old basset hound either. So get ready for lots of running. We’ll be concentrating a lot of our effort there at first.” He pats my stomach and runs up the hill, turning around to egg me on.
“Please, you can’t beat me.” I run up and past him, continuing on the path.
He quickly catches up. “I have to say, I never thought I’d see the day you’d get married.”
I glance over, then set my eyes on the downtown area that’s coming up. “Why do you say that?”
“You never seemed much interested in it. I thought for a while maybe with Melanie, but after she quit her job and started playing those games with the media, I hoped you wouldn’t.”
I definitely dodged a bullet with Melanie.
“It just kind of happened.” I’m not lying. Nikki seemed to drop into my life at the best possible time.
He pats me on the back. “I’m happy for you. I saw your interview with Rick and you both seem very into one another.”
I smile, thinking about how close we were on the couch. Her hand on my thigh and my arm around her shoulders. The way she’d look up at me to answer a question and then have a soft smile on her lips afterward. “Yeah. You’ll meet her in a few.”
We finish our run and slow down to a walk as we reach the town square from one of the parking lot entrances.
“I see these cobblestone streets and I think where the hell are we?” Craig laughs.
“Crazy, right?”
Craig leads the way to a place called Pump It Up, and I quirk an eyebrow as he opens the door.
“This is the best I can do without us going into Anchorage. You picked here, remember?” He pats me on the back, and we step into the gym.
“Logan,” a guy says. As he gets closer, I notice it’s Jed, Nikki’s brother. He puts out his hand. “Are you gonna work out here?”
He’s sweaty and I wonder what the hell he does for a living that he can work out midday. Oh yeah, he owns the brewery, I think.
“Are you the owner?” Craig interrupts.
“No, this is Nikki’s brother, Jed,” I say. “Jed, this is Craig, one of my trainers.”
Craig puts out his hand and they shake. “Try, the trainer.”
I shake my head because I have more than one trainer, but Craig would be the lead trainer if that was actually a title.
“Nice to meet you. The owner is Trent. He’s in the office.” Jed points us in the right direction.
“Thanks.” Craig heads to the office.
“You like it here?” I ask Jed.
He runs a towel down his face. “I do, but it’s not like there’re other options either.”
I nod, looking at the equipment. It appears on the old side. Plus, I’m gonna need a ring if I really want to make sure my sparring stays in place.
“You’re probably thinking right now about how my sister moved you to the sticks.” Jed laughs. “I get it. We lived in Arizona before we came up here and I was like, ‘What kind of place is this?’ But it grows on you.”
I nod, staring at the pathetic gym. For the first time, I wonder what my long game here is. Do I think I’m going to live here forever if this thing with Nikki works out? Surely I can’t live here permanently and still fight. My wheels are turning, but I stop them before I get ahead of myself. There’s a high probability that in three months, I’ll be leaving as a divorced man.
“Nah, I love this town.” Except for right now when I realize that not all my training requirements are at my disposal.
Craig comes out with who I suspect is Trent. He’s a taller guy, in his thirties, and from the belly that strains over the waistband of his pants, doesn’t look like he actively uses his gym.
“This is Logan Stone,” Craig introduces me, and I shake Trent’s hand.
“Nice to meet you,” I say.
Trent crosses his arms. “So your buddy says you’re a big fighter. You’re the one who married Nikki Greene?”
“He’s my new brother-in-law.” Jed winks then smiles at me. “You missed your opportunity, Trent.”
Trent tilts his head, giving Jed a disgruntled expression. Is this one of Nikki’s exes?
“Did you date my girl?” I ask because why fuck around? I meant it when I told Nikki I don’t play games.
“Ah… once, but it was just coffee.”
“Technically, it was a book reading and coffee was served. Nikki and Trent shared a table, right?” Jed continues.
“Yeah,” Trent admits with his head down. “She said she didn’t do relationships.”
“Well, she doesn’t. She married Logan the same night she met him.” Jed laughs, and when I don’t, he’s quick to walk toward the free weights. “I’ll be over there if you need me.”
I walk around the gym, Craig following. “What are you thinking?”
“Honestly, the guy’s got more space than he needs. I say we offer to rent out a section. Put up a ring. We can get you weights back at the house, but if you want to get your own here, we could do that too.”
I nod as Craig maps out what he’s thinking. Though I’ve given some thought to retiring from fighting, if I did choose to, I’d be disappointing everyone on my team. I’m amazed every day by how dedicated they are to my success. I know that’s rare in this business. I’ll have to make sure they all land in a good place whenever I do call it quits.
“Okay, let’s do it,” I say. It’s not ideal, but I’m confident we can figure out a way to make it work.
I didn’t really need to see this place. I trust Craig to make the decision on his own, but I like that I’ll be working out close to where Nikki works.
“All right, I’ll go work my magic.” Craig goes back to speak with Trent.
I pull out my phone.
Me: When are you off?
Nikki: In about ten minutes. Just in a meeting.
Me: Wait for me. I’m coming to get you.
Nikki: No need. I’m good.
Me: Did I put a question mark in my last text?
Nikki: Do you really think that bossy tone is going to work on me?
Me: :P No, just testing the waters.
Nikki: So??
Me: So what?
Nikki: I’m waiting for a please
Me: PLEASE let me come and pick you up.
Nikki: Fine. We shoul
d make an appearance together anyway.
Me: Be there in fifteen.
Nikki: I don’t like to wait.
I click the screen off on my phone and pocket it.
Craig comes over and slaps me on the back. “Sold. We have to move their gym equipment over to the other area, but it’s ours. I texted the guys and they’re coming here today.”
“Perfect. And the ring?”
“Should be here in three days and we can start assembling it.”
“Man, a smart person hired you.” I smack him on the back, and we head out of the place. “See you, Jed.”
“One piece of advice,” Jed calls. “I heard Ethel and Dori were looking for you. Something about you teaching a self-defense class at their retirement place.”
“Who’s that?” Craig asks.
“Nikki’s grandma and her friend,” I say.
“And I’m telling you this because you’re new here,” Jed says. “That place isn’t like any retirement home you’ve ever been to, so I’d dodge it if you’re able.”
“Thanks. I’ll remember that.”
We leave Pump It Up and I say goodbye to Craig to go over and meet Nikki. She’s waiting outside, sitting on a bench and looking at her phone.
I slyly sit down next to her. “How is my wife today?”
She glances at me and laughs. “She’s tired and needs a foot rub.”
“Well then, let’s get you home so I can handle my husbandly duties.”
She stands and puts her bag over her shoulder. I take it from her. “I was just kidding about the foot rub.”
“Hey, this might not be real, but this is how’d I be if I were your real husband.” I swing her bag over my shoulder and entwine our hands to walk down the street.
“You’d be a nice husband then.” She tips her head toward the street that will take us to the Linville house.
“By the way, the team is here, and Iris wants to know what you want her to stock.”
“Stock? And who is Iris?”
“She’s our cook, and she wants to know what your staples are. What you like to eat.”
Nikki shakes her head. “Man, marrying you comes with perks girls only dream about.”
Isn’t that every woman’s first impression? But I want Nikki to want to stay married to me for me, not the perks that come with me.
Chapter Thirteen
“You can’t get drunk-married in Vegas and expect people not to make fun of it.”
Nikki
Sunday at three sharp, we walk into my mom and Hank’s house. I already know Cade and Adam are here from the trucks parked in the driveway. I shouldn’t have been so naive to think she wouldn’t invite more people. It’s classic Mom.
“Mom!” I yell as we slip off our shoes and our coats. Logan, ever the gentleman I’m discovering, helps me with mine. We hang them on the coat rack and walk farther into the house.
Glancing into the living room, I see chairs situated in groups of two and I groan.
“What?” Logan asks.
“Let’s just hope my assumptions are wrong.”
“Okay.” He laughs, but he doesn’t know. He’s not used to this family. I know my mom has some sort of game planned.
As I expected, Mom is busy in the kitchen. Cade and Adam are watching a baseball game, and Presley and Lucy are snacking on the appetizers. Hank is outside by the grill.
“Hello,” I say.
Presley and Lucy come over and hug me, then shake Logan’s hand.
My mom wipes her hands on a dishtowel and rounds the counter to hug Logan and me. “So happy you both could make it.”
“Can you explain the living room to me?” I whisper in her ear.
“Later, sweetie.” She pats my hand and goes back to preparing a ginormous salad. “So, Logan, I had no idea what to serve you, so I did a little research.”
I sigh and Logan laughs, running his hand down my lower back. We’ll just ignore the fact I stepped into him because I find myself cherishing the times when we act like a real couple.
“I’m flexible,” he says. “Whatever I eat tonight, I just have to be that much harder on myself tomorrow.”
“Well, I’m sure my daughter didn’t tell you, but I make salad dressings. I did a little digging on you and found out you’re a ranch lover but can’t take the calories.”
“Where did you read that?” I ask. I haven’t had the guts to Google Logan because I’m afraid of what I’ll find out. Even if we’re not a real couple, I have to pretend we are for the next several months.
Mom beams. “I have my sources.”
Hank comes inside with a platter of grilled chicken. “Hey, you two.” He puts the plate down and shakes Logan’s hand, then kisses me on the cheek. “I was just watching this segment on you fighting Rinaldo.”
Logan nods. “He’s favored right now.”
I put my arm through his arm. “You’ll win. I know it.”
Logan looks at me, and the way his blue eyes almost smile at me makes my heart sing. “Thanks.”
I divert my gaze when I realize we’ve been staring at one another too long and find my mom scrutinizing us.
“Okay, dinner, guys,” Mom says, and we all file into the dining room.
Cade and Adam come by, saying hello to Logan and me.
“Tell me about the living room, boys?” I plead.
Cade holds up his hands. “I don’t know. I plan on sneaking out after the meal.”
“Where’s Rylan?” Logan asks.
“He’s at a friend’s house,” Hank says. “We figured adults only.”
I sit in my seat and Adam sits next to me, Lucy sitting across from him.
“Logan and I can separate,” I offer, standing.
“No way, you guys are the newest couple. I know how we were when we first got married.” Adam pats my shoulder. I’d swear my mom set him up to say that.
“Here’s the fettuccini alfredo.” A big plate of pasta is put in the middle of the table. “I have chicken, shrimp, or meatballs. Whichever you prefer.” Mom disappears into the kitchen, then returns with the bowl of salad. I expect her to put it on the side of the table for all of us to share, but she places it right in front of Logan. “So, greens. I added a lot of vegetables in there, like squash and some black beans. Hank, do you have the plate?”
“Got it.” He holds it up, six chicken breasts on the damn thing.
Mom takes the plate from Hank and sets it down next to Logan. “I didn’t put in any seasoning because it said that was a no-no. That you wouldn’t want to retain any water.”
Logan swallows hard, staring at all the food Mom clearly expects him to eat.
“Oh, and just in case you don’t like the ranch, I made you a sampler of all my salad dressings.” She sets six small jars in front of his huge bowl of salad.
“Mom, he’s not going to eat all this,” I say.
Logan’s hand lands on my thigh under the table and a jolt of arousal runs up my leg. “Thank you so much, Marla. I appreciate it.”
Mom smiles.
As she heads into the kitchen again, I whisper, “I’m sorry.”
He squeezes my thigh. “Don’t be. It’s a nice gesture.”
Logan cuts up his chicken and tries every dressing, commenting on them to my mom. He’s sweet and endearing, and even though Cade and Adam asked him question after question about fights and how he heals, he never seemed to grow tired of them.
For a moment when Logan swung his arm around my shoulders in a carefree way, I forgot it was all a farce. Whoever does actually land Logan Stone will be a lucky lady. Too bad I’m not her.
After dinner, Mom looks at Hank. “We’re going to have dessert in the living room.”
Here we go. I can’t even imagine what’s about to happen.
I sigh. “What are we doing?”
My mom gives me her impatient-with-my-attitude expression. “Since Cade and Presley are about to be married, and Adam and Lucy just renewed their vows, and you and Logan are married
, Hank and I thought it would be fun to play the Newlywed Game.”
I’m barely able to keep my head up when she says it. My neck wants to give out and let my forehead hit the table. She’s got to be kidding me. This is her way of toying with us and trying to find out whether we’ve actually connected after our impromptu marriage.
“Mom,” I say, but she ignores me.
“This will be fun,” Logan says.
I look at him as if he’s crazy. But at least we did the whole question round thing the other day after my mom suggested this dinner.
“We’ll do the guys first, so you girls hang out in here.”
I give Mom a wane smile.
Cade kisses Presley bye and Adam kisses Lucy. I stare at Logan, unsure what to do. All this time, our lips haven’t been on one another’s since that first night. Sadly, I don’t even remember it. I bet it was a great kiss.
Logan dips down, and I look from the corner of my eye to see my family staring. At the last minute, I turn and his lips land on my cheek.
“You know how I feel about public displays of affection,” I say to play it off.
A satisfactory grin forms on my mom’s lips as she watches us. Damn it.
Mom, Hank, and the guys go into the living room as the girls refill their wine glasses.
“So, give us all the details,” Lucy says, leaning over the table.
“What details?” I ask.
“He seems so sweet. I mean, to eat almost the entire plate of chicken? He’s probably going to throw up.” Presley eyes the plate with only a half breast left and the majority of his salad.