“Of course,” he says with a laugh. “He kicked my ass in an amateur boxing match a few decades ago. I still wince whenever I think of how those big fists felt when they slammed into me.”
We talk for a bit about my training and my record. I’m 19 and 0, but it’s all amateur fights. I still don’t have a professional fight under my belt.
“I’d like to give you a shot,” he says after looking me up and down.
My whole body perks up. “Really?”
He puts his hand up. “An undercard slot,” he says like it’s not that good of an offer, but it’s still the second-best thing to happen to me. The first was getting a date with Hope. “The GPC is coming to Boston for a Pay-Per-View event next month and we want to showcase some of the local talent. You’ll be on before the main events start and before the cameras are rolling. Basically, you’re going to be fighting in a nearly empty arena. We’ll pair you with another rookie. If you impress us, you’ll get to stay. If you don’t, well… I’m sure Papa Pain will take you back.”
I can’t believe my luck. This is the best night of my life.
“The pay is not much,” he says, thinking about it. “Ten grand.”
Ten grand? I want to shout. I’ve never seen that much money in all of my life.
“What do you say?” he asks.
I shake his hand so fast and hard that I nearly dislocate his arm.
“Yes! Abso-fucking-lutely yes!”
We iron out the details and then I’m walking home with a big grin on my face.
If I make it into the GPC, I know I’m going to make it to the top. Hope needs me to.
I finally have something to fight for.
Her.
And I’m going to be unstoppable.
Chapter Four
Nate
I’m having the best training session of my life today. It could be because I have a real shot at joining the GPC, but I think it’s something else.
Every time I slam my fist into the heavy bag—with every grunt, every groan—all I can think about is Hope. Knowing I’m about to see her beautiful face and curvy body is making my heart race double time. It’s giving me endless energy.
Our date is in fifty-two minutes and I can’t take my eyes off the clock.
“You have a pedicure booked or something?” Teddy shouts when he sees me glancing at the clock for the trillionth time today. I pound the bag with a triple combination that has it jerking around violently on the old rusty chain.
“Why, you want to come?” I grunt back between vicious punches.
He laughs. “Last time someone touched my feet was when I kicked Frank Hage in the face. Knocked him out in the first round.”
“From the smell?”
He laughs deeper this time. “Probably. But seriously, why do you keep looking at the clock? I usually have to drag you out of this gym at closing time.”
He comes over and leans on the bag next to me.
“Where’s your head movement?”
I start jerking my head erratically from side to side as I throw more punches.
“That’s better. You got a date?”
His question throws me off and I turn to him before I finish my combination.
“You do,” he says with a knowing grin. “Who is she?”
I take a deep breath as I drop my hands and stand up straight. “She’s perfect, Teddy. I can’t stop thinking about her.”
It’s been killing me all day that she’s not here with me. I want to keep my eye on her at all times. She’s too precious to be out there in the world without a killer like me to protect her.
I was still rock hard when I got home last night. I jerked off so much that my forearm was burning. No matter how many times I came, I still couldn’t get any relief.
No relief will come until I’ve sunk my cock into her tight little pussy and unloaded everything I have built up for her. Until every drop of my seed is heading for her ripe fresh womb.
“You met her at Papa Pain’s?” Teddy asks with a raised eyebrow.
“You know about that?”
“I know everything, kid. I thought I told you not to fight there.”
I let out a huff of breath and turn back to the bag, hitting it even harder than before.
“What does it matter anyway? It’s not like I’m going to make it in the GPC according to you.”
He pushes off the bag and turns to walk away. “I heard the scout liked you.”
I stop abruptly. “You know about that too?” I ask as the heavy bag swings back and slams into my chest.
“Who do you think sent him there?”
“That was you?” My mouth is hanging open in shock.
“Looks like you have something to fight for now.” He grins and then starts walking away. “And move your fucking head when you hit my bags. You’re not going to make it in the GPC with that shitty head movement.”
I grin as I turn back to the swinging bag.
I definitely have something to fight for.
And in forty-nine minutes, I’m going to be seeing her.
She looks even more stunning than I remember. I suck in a sharp breath as I watch her standing in front of the coffee shop.
Her hands are all fidgety and she’s shifting her weight from foot to foot as she looks around the busy sidewalk.
A low growl rumbles out of my throat when I see a businessman walking a little too close to her as he passes by. I don’t want anyone touching what’s mine. He looks back at her, taking his time looking her up and down and my blood boils as I watch.
I head for her and make sure to slam my shoulder into the man’s chest as I pass him. He turns to say something, but when he sees who’s glaring back at him, he drops his eyes and hurries away.
This is not the time for a fight. It’s time to make this sweet girl fall in love with me.
I’ve never been good at that, but with Hope, I don’t know… it just feels like it’s meant to be.
It feels like fate.
“You look gorgeous,” I tell her as I look her up and down. She’s wearing the same jeans as last night and an old-looking faded red shirt that looks amazing on her. Anything would look incredible on this girl.
She nervously plays with her blonde hair and smiles while blushing shyly. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure if this was the right place.”
I think about what I would have done if she hadn’t shown up. An image of me going from cafe to cafe, kicking down doors and shouting her name comes to mind.
I’m already crazy for this girl. Utterly obsessed.
“You seem like you’re new in town,” I tell her. My hands are aching by my sides. I just want to touch her and it kills me that I can’t. Not yet anyway.
“Do I make it that obvious?”
“Well, you did show up at Papa Pain’s backyard brawl, which was a dead giveaway. What were you doing there?”
“That was my brother’s genius idea,” she says. “What were you doing there?”
I grin. “Just having some fun.”
Her sexy lips part and my heart stops when I get a glimpse of her tongue. “You think that getting punched in the face is fun?”
I shrug. “It beats sitting in an office. Let’s go in and get something to drink and eat. I’m starving.”
I catch a whiff of her intoxicating scent as I reach behind her and open the door. She smiles at me as she walks into the cafe.
My heated possessive eyes are already darting around the inside of the cafe, searching for anyone who’s daring to stare at what’s mine. I don’t want any other men to look at her. Not until I’ve fully claimed her as my own. It’s something a caveman would do, but no one has ever accused me of being civilized before.
We’re both a little awkward and shy as we wait in line. I want to talk to her but I don’t want any of the nosy people around us to hear. Finally, it’s our turn at the counter. I order a coffee and a couple of sandwiches. Hope just orders water from the tap.
“Take something,”
I tell her. “It’s on me.”
I know she doesn’t have a lot of money. I can tell.
I’m not a rich man either, but I have enough to take care of her. I spend the winters driving a snowplow and the summers training every minute I can.
“I’m fine,” she says with a nervous smile. “I ate before coming.”
She’s lying. I can see the hunger in her eyes.
When it’s clear that she’s not going to take anything, I order four different sandwiches, an extra coffee, a soda, and a couple of salads.
I carry the full tray of food to an empty table in the corner where we can sit by ourselves and have some privacy.
“Are you hungry?” she asks with a laugh as she eyes the food.
“Take whatever you like,” I say as I push some food in front of her. “You’re my guest.”
“Thank you,” she whispers as she picks up a sandwich and starts taking ravenous bites of it. I just watch her as her chin moves up and down while she chews. I could watch this girl forever.
“So, what do you do?” I ask her.
She pushes up her big glasses and looks at me. “What do you mean?”
“School? Work?”
Her cheeks start to turn red as her eyes drop down to the half-finished sandwich. “Oh, right. I’m a… looking for a job.”
“Doing what?”
“Anything.”
“Why don’t you work here?”
She looks around nervously.
It would be perfect for her. And for me. It’s just down the street from my gym and I could run down here and check on her whenever I like.
“Would you like to?”
She seems taken aback. “That would be amazing,” she says as she looks at me with the most adorable blue eyes. “But they’ll never hire me.”
I stand up and head over to the counter. The girl who served me the sandwiches gives me a wide smile.
“Is Joey here?” I ask.
She goes and gets Joey who’s the manager. Sometimes he comes to the gym and I help him improve his sparring.
“Hey, Nate!” he says with a smile. “I’ve been meaning to come by the gym, I’ve just been… lazy.”
“I’m not here to give you shit,” I say with a laugh. “Are you looking for any staff?”
“You’re looking for a job?”
“It’s not for me.” I turn and point to the most beautiful girl in the world. “It’s for her. But she’s mine so watch yourself.”
He’s seen what I can do in the gym and won’t lay a hand on her. Plus, Joey is happily married so I shouldn’t have to worry about a thing.
He comes back to the table with me and after asking Hope a few questions, he offers her a job. She’s thrilled.
“I can’t believe I start tomorrow!” she says once he leaves. “Scott is going to be ecstatic!”
The rest of the date goes wonderfully. I’m falling in love with every word that she says.
“I feel like I’ve known you my entire life,” I tell her once the sandwiches are all gone and the coffee cups are empty.
“I know,” she says as she slowly reaches across the table with a shy hand. I put my palm on it and she squeezes my fingers. “I’ve never had a connection quite like this before. With anyone.”
“How come you keep calling me Nathan?” I ask her. “Everyone calls me Nate.”
“I don’t want to be just anyone to you,” she says. “I hope that makes sense.”
“It does. And I like it.”
It’s getting dark outside already—the time has flown by—but I’m not ready to let this girl out of my sight just yet.
“I’ll drive you home,” I tell her. “Where do you live?”
Her cheeks turn pink and my cock turns rock hard. I love that shy innocent look on her. It kills me every time.
“What’s the matter?” I ask her.
She drops her head and sighs. “I live behind the YMCA.”
“In an apartment?”
She shakes her head. “In my brother’s car.”
I stand up and my hands squeeze into fists. “Not anymore you don’t.”
Her mouth drops open but no words come out.
“You’re staying with me.”
“But… just until I can get my own apartment?”
“No,” I say as I grab her hand and pull her up. “Forever. Come with me.”
Chapter Five
Hope
Scott is sleeping in the car when I knock on the window. He jumps up and his eyes fly open in panic. The cops have been coming around more and more lately, telling us to move our car. Pretty soon they’re going to start giving us tickets.
He takes a breath of relief when he sees that it’s only me.
The doors unlock and I walk around the back to get in. Nathan is watching me with a protective look that causes warm shivers to race down my body. I love the way he’s always watching out for me with that intense possessive gaze.
For the first time in a long time, it makes me feel wanted and needed, like I’m worth something. Like I’m special.
“Let me talk to him first,” I whisper to Nathan. He’s sitting on the hood of his car a little distance away.
I’m Scott’s younger sister and he’s protective of me too. He’s not going to like the idea of me living with this man, even if he gets to come too.
I open the door and slip into the car. Scott doesn’t look too pleased.
“How was your date?” he asks.
He didn’t like the idea of me going out with anyone, especially not the guy who gave him the swollen black eye he’s currently rocking.
“It was incredible,” I say as I feel my heart start to swell in my chest. It was the best date I’ve ever had. It was one of those amazing dates where everything just clicks. Where you know this is someone very special. “And I got a job!”
His sullen face lights up. “You did?!? Where?”
I tell him all about the coffee shop and how I’m starting there tomorrow. Nathan was so sweet to hook me up with it and even sweeter when he brought me to a shoe store and bought me a new pair of black work shoes.
“And there’s more…” I say, not knowing how to tell him the rest. “We have somewhere to live.”
He looks skeptical.
“Nathan offered for us to stay at his place.” Actually, he insisted.
Scott shakes his head and turns back to the steering wheel. “No.”
“You’d rather live in a car?”
“Then with a stranger who’s already obsessed with my younger sister? Yes!”
I take a deep breath and try to calm the rage of emotions swirling through me. How can I explain to him that Nathan is not a stranger? He’s so much more. I’ve only known him for a few hours but it feels like I know him intimately. I already know that I want to be with him.
My body is constantly telling me the same thing. Every time we touch, it’s like electricity flowing through me. It feels like home.
“Well, I’m going,” I say as I put my hand on the door handle. “I’d like it if you came too.”
He eventually but reluctantly says yes. “To make sure you’re okay with this stranger.”
He’s reluctant but I know that living in this car is weighing on him. We haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep in weeks and we’re both sick of having to use gas station bathrooms.
“Thank you, Scott,” I say with a breath of relief. “You won’t regret this. You’ll see. Nathan is great.”
He just grumbles out something that I can’t hear.
I open the door and step out. “Follow us there.”
“Follow you?” he asks as he looks around the dark parking lot. “He’s outside?!?”
I close the door and run over to Nathan. He’s looking gorgeous as he sits on the hood of his Mustang, watching me.
“We would like to graciously accept your offer,” I tell him with a smile.
He grins as he hops off the car. “Good. Because I would have thrown you over m
y shoulder and carried you there if I had to.”
I follow him into his car, feeling hot all over while thinking that his way would have been a lot more fun…
Scott refuses to come into the house but agrees to take the room over the garage. It’s detached from the house and full of free weights and other junk, but I can tell Scott is thrilled when he sees it. He’s not so thrilled about me staying in the house with Nathan though.
“I don’t know about this guy,” he says while Nathan waits outside on the driveway.
“I do,” I tell him. “I know you think of me as your helpless little sister, but you’re going to have to trust me on this.”
“Don’t tell me you’re falling in love with this guy…”
I don’t answer, because I don’t know. I know it’s ridiculous to be falling in love this early, but I can’t help feeling that it’s headed there if it’s not there already.
“Have a good night’s sleep,” I tell him as I close the door. “Come in the house if you need anything.”
“There’s a sink downstairs in the garage,” he says as he looks around. “I should be good. And you come get me if you need anything.”
“I will,” I say as I watch him fiddle with the deflated air mattress that Nathan gave him. “But I’ll be fine.”
“I know you will,” he says as he looks at me with new eyes. “You’re anything but helpless, Hope. Look at what you did for us. A new job. A new place to live. A new boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
Not yet anyway.
“I saw the way he looks at you. He’s your boyfriend.”
I’m not sure if he’s right but I hope that he is.
“We’ll find you a job too,” I tell him. “Everything is looking up.”
For the first time in a long time, I see my brother smile.
I’m filled with an excited nervous energy as I walk back over to the house. It’s small. Really small, but it’s bigger than the inside of our car so I’m not complaining. Actually, I’m thrilled to be staying with Nathan.
There’s a tiny bathroom between the two bedrooms and then one main room that has the kitchen and living room in it.
Fighting For Hope (Worth the Fight Book 1) Page 3