The Heartbreaker (Fighting the Odds Book 1)

by Tricia Andersen

  “Guess who’s here.”

  “I don’t have a fucking clue.”

  “Your manager. Reese, I’m sorry. I didn’t know why you left. I assumed you decided you were done with Braden and ready to go back to the limelight.”

  “Well, you know what they say about assuming things.”

  “Point taken. Are you okay?”

  “I am sleeping on my coach’s couch…”

  Buddy could swear he heard tears in Reese’s voice.

  “…And training sun up to sun down. What does that tell you? How is Lily? Is she all right?”

  Buddy paused. Should he say anything? Screw it. He has a right to know. “Reese, Lily’s pregnant.”

  “She’s what?”

  “Pregnant. Having a baby.”

  There was silence. “How far along?”

  “Thirteen weeks. She has a tiny little baby bump now.”

  “So…” Reese’s voice trailed off.

  “Congrats. You’re going to be a dad.”

  “Why didn’t she tell me?”

  “She thought the same thing I did. We all thought it. But there’s something more. Conner proposed to her and she accepted.”

  “She didn’t wait for me.”

  “She didn’t think you loved her or were coming back. She doesn’t love him. She feels that the baby needs to be protected to have a father around. He brainwashed her to believe he was the only option. We can change that.”

  “How? I can’t let that asshole marry her. Especially now that she’s carrying my child.” Buddy heard him breathe out a cuss word or two. “I’m going to be a father. Shit.”

  “Buddy!” Roxy screeched from inside the bar.

  “Listen, I have to go tend to the she-bitch. I think I have a plan. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “She-bitch? I like that.” Reese chuckled. “Call me tonight and tell me your plan. All right?”

  “Deal. Talk to you then. Adios.”

  “Adios.”

  Buddy ended the call with an evil smile. Reuniting two lovers while dealing revenge to two horrible people at the same time? It was interesting how the universe came together like that. With a laugh, he strode back into the bar. “Coming, Roxy.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Crowds of people bustled through the Las Vegas airport. Lily tried to keep up with Connor as he nearly dragged her across the concourse. He was like a kid at Christmas getting ready to open his presents. Lily was just trying to not throw up. Again.

  Tears burned her eyes as they passed one of what seemed like a thousand posters slapped on the walls advertising the fights the next day. Her eyes met an image that tore her apart. Reese, dressed in his tight fitting spandex fight shorts, stared back at her. She fought back a whimper as Connor tugged her along.

  “So did you arrange us a sweet ride, Buddy?” Connor questioned excitedly.

  Lily rolled her eyes and huffed.

  Buddy had been grinning like a crazy Cheshire Cat since they boarded the plane in Cedar Rapids. Buddy warned her to not marry Connor. He even proposed to her to keep her from marrying Connor.

  It made no sense. Why was he now arranging their wedding so happily? The change in attitude was baffling.

  “Of course, man. Only the best for you,” Buddy reported. “Got any big plans for the honeymoon?”

  “Gonna gamble. Gonna hit the strip clubs. Then when we get home, we have an appointment with the adoption agency. I’m sure as hell not raising the spawn of Reese Cooper.”

  Lily fought her grip from Connor. She winced as he tightened it nearly breaking her hand. “Connor, please. I don’t want to give up my baby.”

  “Lily, no man in Braden is going to touch you now. You’re lucky I’m marrying you.”

  “Sounds like a great plan,” Buddy agreed, his crazy smirk still plastered on his lips. “Let’s get our bags then get to the car. Can’t wait to get this weekend started. Just down this escalator ahead.”

  Lily felt like she was going to collapse—this all couldn’t be happening—and her wrist felt dislocated as Conner yanked on it some more.

  Connor almost skipped to the moving staircase, leading Lily behind him with the vice grip on her fingers.

  She kept her eyes to her feet. She hated her fiancé. And she was about to marry him in the town where the man she loved more than her own life was about to fight. Things couldn’t get worse.

  Conner halted. “What the…?”

  Lily looked up at Connor, then ahead where his eyes were locked. At the foot of the escalator was Reese waiting for them, his strong arms crossed over his chest. His grin was nearly as crazy as Buddy’s.

  “Our ride is here,” Buddy crooned into Connor’s ear.

  Connor stepped off the escalator and stormed toward Reese, yanking Lily in tow. “Get the hell out of my way, Cooper. I’m marrying her. And you are the last man to stop us.”

  “Really?” Reese dared. He clamped on to Lily’s wrist gently as he stood toe to toe with Connor, glaring him down.

  Cowering, Connor let go.

  Reese pulled Lily to him, cupping her face in his hands. “Hey, Lilybug,” he whispered. Slowly, softly he pressed his lips to hers, taking the first chance he could to part them to deepen the kiss.

  Lily didn’t want to kiss him. He broke her heart and left her alone and pregnant in Braden. But Reese Cooper was a craving she just couldn’t get out of her system. She melted into him, sighing as she surrendered.

  “Get your hands off my fiancé!” Connor shouted, drawing the attention of the travelers around them.

  “Reese,” Buddy hinted.

  Reese broke the kiss, not pulling away. “Envelope is in my back pocket.”

  “Are you serious? I’m not fishing around your ass.”

  “It’s been nearly twelve weeks. I’m not letting her go. Get it.”

  “Fine.” Buddy dodged around Connor, tugging free an envelope poking out of the back pocket of Reese’s jeans. He waved it at Connor. “Two thousand dollars. A limo. A prepaid luxury hotel room. All the gambling and strippers you can do in three days. All you have to do is break off your engagement.”

  Lily wanted to protest. Connor certainly wouldn’t sell her out. But she was frozen, confused, in Reese’s arms. From the corner of her eye, she saw Connor snatch the envelope from Buddy and study the contents.

  He was silent for a brief moment before he glanced up at her. “Keep the ring, Lily. I got it for twenty bucks from the pawnshop. It isn’t worth trying to sell back. Have a nice life.” Whistling, he started to walk away. “Where’s my ride, Buddy?”

  Buddy looked over at Reese.

  Reese sighed as he reluctantly let Lily go. “Fine. We could just let the son of a bitch wander around the airport.”

  “Your plan won’t work then,” Buddy reminded him.

  “I know. I’ll hurry. Come on, Connor.” Reese led the man through the crowd towards the baggage claim, disappearing from sight.

  Lily could have sworn she heard Connor giggle like a girl. She shook her head silently as tears filled her eyes again. “I don’t…” She spun around at Buddy. “Why did you bring me here? I thought you hated Reese for leaving.”

  Buddy took her arm and led her away from the crowd. “I did. Then the truth came out.”

  “What truth?”

  “Reese’s agent, Roxy, showed up at my bar to shoot a quick documentary on his life in Braden to show for promotion for the fight. She told me why he left. He never told her he was healed. He planned to retire and never step foot in the octagon again. His life was in Braden, not Las Vegas. She had to get the information from his doctor. She threatened to sue him if he didn’t leave immediately and take this fight. He didn’t pay her cut from the last fight. He used the purse to buy other things. If he didn’t fight, she would take everything he had. Then she would target us. She threatened to take my bar too. He couldn’t let her do that. He felt that leaving was the only way he could protect you and me. He sacrificed everything for us.”
<
br />   “He didn’t have anything but us,” Lily protested weakly.

  “Not necessarily. Just before he left, he put a down payment on a house in Braden and on half of my bar. The house is four buildings down from me. And he bought something else I’m not at liberty to say but I can tell you it’ll look beautiful on you.” He tilted her head up to look into her eyes. “He planned to quit fighting. He was never going to leave Braden. He tried to tell you goodbye, to tell you he’d be back. You were visiting Adam. Roxy said he wouldn’t stop talking about you. It drove her crazy.”

  Lily shook her head again, as her hand dropped to her slightly rounding belly. “But Reese doesn’t know.”

  “Yeah, Lilybug. I do.”

  Lily spun towards Reese, her lower lip dropping open in surprise by his sudden appearance.

  He slowly approached her, taking her in his arms. He smiled gently. “I know about the baby.”

  Lily frowned, her heart still felt bruised and battered in her chest. “You said nothing. You just left.”

  “I’m so sorry, baby. I tried calling you every day. I left countless messages. After a couple weeks, I knew you were done with me. It killed me. I love you with everything I am. I didn’t want to leave. But the threats Roxy gave. I don’t care if she destroys me. I can’t let her hurt you and Buddy. It was twelve weeks of training, misery, heartbreak and boredom. I just wanted you at my side.”

  “Reese, I’m sorry. I should have put my pride aside. And I should have told you about the baby. I didn’t think you wanted to be a father so—”

  “Stop. Just stop. Do you remember that night when we made burgers at midnight?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you remember asking me what was wrong? Do you remember my answer?”

  “You wanted something you couldn’t have.”

  “Yeah. I wrapped my arms around you to open the olives. For a moment, I let my mind wander. We were still in the kitchen cooking but it wasn’t Buddy’s house. It was our house. We were cooking late, not because we had sex. It was because we had just gotten our baby to sleep. What couldn’t I have? You, baby. All I ever wanted was you. And all I wanted was to have a baby with you. To start our family together.” He paused. “Why didn’t you wait for me?”

  “You know how fast rumors travel in Braden. When the news of my pregnancy spread, I became a pariah. People avoided me. Not everyone. The Mayor wouldn’t let me quit my position at the library. Connor convinced me that he was the only man who would ever want me. My baby needs a father too. I didn’t think you were coming back. Your life here had to be far better. Fighting is what you love.”

  “No, baby. You’re what I love.”

  Lily eyes brimmed with tears as she smiled and gazed into his brilliant blue eyes. “I love you too.”

  “I got a bunch of stuff planned for us but I have to get to my weigh in. Roxy and my coach are probably flipping shit right now.” He rubbed her arms before taking her hand gently in his.

  Blinding pain seared through her arm. She fought back her whimper but failed.

  “Lily, what’s wrong?”

  “Connor got a little excited when he got off the plane. He squeezed my hand a little hard.”

  Reese’s face darkened as he let go. “Make a fist.”

  She flexed her fingers to her palm, cringing as she did so. Most of her digits complied. A couple didn’t curl up completely. She looked up as she heard Reese curse under his breath. “Is it bad?”

  He nodded his head at her. “I knew I should have cold cocked that son of a bitch when I had a chance. We need to get your hand looked at. I think it’s broken.”

  “Reese, tell me where the hospital is and I’ll take her. Just get to your weigh in,” Buddy volunteered.

  Reese glared at him evenly. “Nothing is more important than her. I’ll take her.” His gaze turned back to her as his expression softened. “Come on. Let’s go.” He wrapped his arm around her carefully and led them to the baggage claim to get their bags.

  Tension filled the silent cab as it flew through the Las Vegas streets to the hospital. The sound of a phone vibrating caught Lily’s attention multiple times.

  Reese slipped the phone out, glanced at it, then shoved it back into his pocket. He glanced out the window anxiously.

  “Reese, go to the weigh in,” Buddy demanded. “Don’t you think I’m capable to take care of Lily?”

  Reese shook his head. “No. Nothing is more important than taking care of this.”

  “Except for Roxy suing your ass and leaving you less than broke. How are you going to provide for her and your child if she does?”

  Lily glanced between the two men, seeing the silent battle of wills.

  The lines etched in Reese’s face betrayed his confusion. He was torn.

  She hugged tight to him in the cramped backseat. “Sweetheart, Buddy is right. He can take care of me. I know you are committed to be at the weigh in. Can we come watch after we’re done?”

  “Of course,” he whispered.

  “We’ll meet back up with you. I promise. I’ll be all right with Buddy.”

  Reese caressed her cheek. “I won’t abandon you. I’ve spent my entire life being abandoned. I won’t walk away from you.”

  Lily turned her face into his hand and kissed his palm. “You’re not. You’re going to work and leaving me in the hands of your best friend. I’ll be back at your side as soon as I’m done.”

  Reese sighed. “Promise me, Buddy.”

  “Reese, you know I will protect her and the baby. It’s what I’ve been doing. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  “All right.”

  Lily kissed Reese goodbye as the taxi stopped in front of the emergency room door. She hated the sad look in his eyes.

  Buddy handed the driver two twenties. The door was barely shut before the car sped off. “Let’s get you inside.” He nudged her. He escorted her into the hospital and stood at her side as she checked in.

  Lily glanced around the waiting room find only a couple people sitting there. She smiled. She would be back with Reese in no time.

  Buddy stretched out his long legs with a groan as they settled into a couple chairs to wait their turn.

  Lily folded her hands in her lap, brushing them against the subtle bump of her belly. She smiled contentedly as she turned to him. “How did Reese get the nickname ‘The Heartbreaker’? He said his agent gave it to him.”

  “She did. That’s true. He earned it from all the attention women would give him. Girls would fall for him at first sight.”

  “Did he—?”

  “Sleep with any of them? Sweetheart, you know the answer to that. And you don’t want to dwell on it.”

  “Oh.” Lily’s heart fell. Of course, women fell all over Reese. He was drop dead gorgeous. And she was as plain Jane as they came.

  Buddy patted her hand gently. “Lil, really. Just wait. Great things are about to happen.”

  She nodded but it didn’t help her heart any. Just because she carried his baby, didn’t mean Reese would be hers forever. Both of their families proved that. She glanced up as her name was called. She stood and followed the nurse in with Buddy on her heels.

  After checking her vitals, Lily hopped onto the exam table. She watched Buddy as he sat on the chair beside the table chuckling under his breath. “What’s so funny?”

  “Well, while watching over you I didn’t realize I received five different texts from the same person.”

  “One of your girlfriends?”

  “Nope. Reese. He’s having a meltdown. He’s on the verge of kicking Roxy’s ass.”

  “Why is he upset?”

  Buddy glanced up to where she was perched on the table. “He’s not here with you. The closest thing he has to a family is here hurt and he’s not. Didn’t I tell you not to worry about ‘The Heartbreaker’ thing? You broke The Heartbreaker.”

  Lily smiled to herself as Buddy hissed under his breath and typed on his phone. “Oh, for the love of…calm down. I g
ot this.”

  The doctor opened the door with a smile and introduced himself. After studying the chart, he examined her hand. He shook his head. “We’ll have to get an x-ray. How did this happen?”

  “Well,” Lily stammered.

  Buddy sat back in the chair. “Her psychotic ex-fiancé was dragging her through the airport. He crushed her hand as he did so. No, I’m not the ex. I’m the friend who reunited her with her one true love. I’m sure it’s all on video tape.”

  “I’ll take your word for it. Any chance you’re pregnant?”

  “Four months along.”

  “Got it. We’ll take precautions to keep the baby safe. The tech will be in shortly to take you to radiology.” With a nod, the doctor slipped from the room.

  Lily turned back to Buddy who was back in his phone. “What now?” she questioned.

  “He doesn’t like the fact you have a male doctor,” Buddy sighed. “I texted him about the x-ray. I’m waiting for the fallout. Wait. There it is. Holy shit, Reese. Chill.” He raised the phone to Lily. “Smile. Okay? I’m sending that to him to prove I haven’t killed you yet.” Buddy was still typing furiously on his phone when the tech arrived for her.

  Leaving him behind, the young woman helped her into the wheelchair and took her to the machine. Studying the chart, the tech plucked two lead aprons off a hook on the wall and draped them over Lily. “Just some extra protection,” the tech assured with a wink. “So what brings you to Las Vegas?”

  “I was supposed to get married,” Lily shrugged.

  “Supposed to?”

  “Well, my ex-boyfriend convinced my fiancé to dump me, so we can get back together. It’s sort of crazy.”

  The tech slid some films into the box under the table then carefully positioned Lily’s hand over it. “Do you want to get back with your ex? And which of them did this?”

  “The ex-fiancé did this. And yes. I love him so much.”

  “Sounds like he loves you too to chase you out here.”

  “He was already here. He’s fighting tomorrow night.”

  “Your boyfriend is an MMA fighter? Who?”

  “Reese Cooper.”

  “You’re dating The Heartbreaker? Wow! I don’t ever remember him having a girlfriend. Ever. And I am a huge fan. No offense, but your boyfriend is insanely hot. I was devastated when he got hurt. Hold still. I’m going to go snap these.” The tech disappeared behind a wall. The x-ray machine whirled to life followed by a series of clicks. “Does he know you’re pregnant?”