Take Me On

by Katie McGarry

  She nods like she understands...like really understands. And the sincerity in her eyes gives me a flash of hope. “How about we start at the beginning? When did you first meet him?”

  West

  Holding on to her elbows, Haley toes a rotted piece of floorboard in the corner of the living room. Isaiah gave Kaden and me a lead on the place. It turns out he lived here for a couple of months.

  “What do you think Jax will do?” she asks. I glance away, unable to endure the worry lines on her forehead. Next week, Kaden, Haley and I are graduating. Haley’s determined to stay in the camper and save her money for college and Jax...Jax is considering heading home.

  “I don’t know. He’s worried about his mom and brothers.”

  Haley bites her bottom lip and assesses the walls.

  “It’ll look better once we get furniture,” I say.

  “The floor will fall through when you get furniture.”

  “Not true.” I grab Haley’s hand and guide her into the only bedroom. “See.” I motion to the mattress and box springs I bought today. “Floorboards are still intact.”

  Haley claps her hands together and the pride radiating from her eyes causes me to grin. “You bought furniture!”

  “Yep.” And in one solid motion, I bend over, connect with Haley at her knees and flip her onto the mattress. “And I’m bent on trying it out.”

  She giggles and I love the sight of her light brown hair sprawled all around her. The strap of Haley’s pink tank top slips off her shoulder and my heart freezes at the sight. “You’re beautiful.”

  Haley becomes serious as she raises her fingers to my face and traces an outline of where my eye had been swollen weeks before. “You fought for me.”

  “Yes.” And I’ll be fighting again. Not for her so much as for me. I’m staying amateur and will be in the cage again in the fall. Haley’s deferred the training to John, but what I like is that she’s training along with me, though Haley has yet to decide if she’s returning to the tournament ring.

  I yank my shirt off and lower my head to taste Haley’s lips. Shock registers through my body when she presses a hand against my chest. “I have something to show you.”

  “What?”

  A sexy smile tilts her lips. “Are you impatient or something?”

  I prop my hands on either side of her head and kiss a trail from her renegade tank top strap to her neck, keeping my body from touching hers. “We haven’t been alone in weeks, Haley, and I’ll be living with your brother. How much alone time do you think he’ll be giving us?”

  We barely find enough alone time to kiss now and I don’t foresee our opportunities improving with her brother sharing a room with me. But it’s all worked out for the best. Haley’s been talking with Mrs. Collins regularly, which means Haley’s been dealing with some heavy shit. Because of that, we’ve been taking it slow. Doesn’t matter. I’ve waited this long for the perfect girl. I don’t mind waiting a little while longer for her to be ready.

  A contented sigh escapes Haley’s mouth when I part my lips and kiss her neck deeper and longer. Her hands wander to my biceps and begin a gentle massage that causes my head to spin.

  “You don’t fight fair,” she breathes.

  I chuckle against her sweet skin. “You’re the one that taught me all about offensive attacks.”

  Before I can react, Haley twists her legs with mine and we roll without my consent, but how can I complain when I have such a beautiful creature lying on top?

  She waggles her eyebrows. “Amateur.”

  “Give me a couple years and I’ll be a pro.”

  Haley doesn’t scoff at me like some of my old friends do when I tell them what I’m doing with my life. Instead, a twinkle in her eye says she believes in my dreams. It’s a step-by-step process that will take years.

  I’m allowing Dad to pay for my education at the University of Louisville. In return, I will work for him thirty hours a week during the summer and twenty during the school year. I work another five to ten for Denny at the bar and the two of us continue our fucked-up relationship of never mentioning he’s my father.

  The rest of the time, I spend at the gym training and helping others train. I’m going to see how far I can take this...how far I can go.

  Haley reaches back and produces a letter from her back pocket. “It’s my answer on the scholarship. The one we did the videos for.”

  “What did it say?” I wrap my arms around Haley and I sit up so that she’s straddling me.

  Haley and I discussed Dad’s offer to pay for her education. I even brought her to the house and Dad talked to her as well as my mom. She won’t accept our money. She’s hardheaded and stubborn and I love her more than my own life.

  Haley’s enrolled both at the University of Louisville and the community college. This scholarship will answer where she’ll spend at least the next year.

  “Well?”

  She loses her spark. “I don’t know. I haven’t opened it yet.”

  Adrenaline pours into my veins. I’m more nervous about this than she is. “Are you going to?”

  Haley slides off me and I immediately miss her warmth. She and I are like two separate halves to a whole. Separate in that the two of us could live life apart and be successful, but when we are together—when we are whole—that’s when the magic happens.

  She tucks the letter into the crevice between the bed and the wall. “I’ll tell you what. Kiss me and when we’re done, I’ll open it.”

  I know her. Haley doesn’t think she won. I slip my hand around her waist and pull her back into me. My lips roam her neck and my fingers lift the soft material of her tank top. “No matter what, you’ll be okay.”

  Haley melts into me. “I know.”

  She lays a hand over mine and I stop, giving her a moment to collect her thoughts. It’s hard for her to not live in her head and the time to process those thoughts is all she really needs.

  “I’m scared of the rejection, but more...” She inhales deeply and I urge Haley onto my lap. With her head resting on my collarbone, she traces the spot on my chest where I had been bruised for weeks. “I want to be a sports trainer. Sort of like John, but not. I want to help athletes recovering from injury. Watching your sister learn how to walk again...personally learning how to battle through emotional injury... It’s what I want to help people do for life.”

  I tip Haley’s chin so her eyes meet mine. “Okay.”

  Her head shakes against my fingers. “No. I need someone to know this before I open that letter. When I applied for it, I was looking for money and I would have majored in kinesiology because that’s what I had money to go to school for. I need someone to know before I get my answer that I’m choosing this degree...that it’s not choosing me.”

  Of all the people in the world, she knows I understand. I lower my lips to hers and kiss the soft part between. She presses back and her hands move along my chest—a tickle, a caress and it’s enough to set me on fire.

  We roll and soon her tank joins my shirt on the floor. I explore her curves, enjoy the taste of her skin and memorize each hitch of breathing and soft sigh that escapes from her mouth. My mind reels when her body responds to me and the fierceness of the heat created.

  Time loses meaning and the only thing left is her touch and her love. Soon we are gasping and holding and whispering words that will only be said between us. Then everything stills as colors burst into the world.

  I edge Haley so that she’s lying beside me. Her hair tickles my chest and I rub her spine, half awake, half reliving kissing her in a dream.

  A crinkle to my right causes my eyes to shoot open and I snatch the letter held prisoner by the bed. I hand it to her and kiss her temple.

  With her head resting on my arm, Haley stares at it for a moment before ripping the ba
ck seal open with her finger. The envelope falls away as she unfolds the letter. I search her face for any sign of frustration or hope. Every ounce of me tightens as I pray for a miracle.

  With a short release of air from her lips, Haley refolds the letter and lets it drop to the floor. My head hits the back of the wall. Just fuck. How could they deny her?

  I tighten my hold on her. “It’s okay.”

  Haley runs a fingertip along my cheek and a smile forms on her lips. “Yeah, actually, it is. I won.”

  * * * * *

  Acknowledgments

  To God: NIV John 15:12–13—My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.

  For Dave: with your forever gentle patience, you always let me know that I was worth fighting for.

  Thank you to...

  Kevan Lyon—I am continually honored to have you in my corner.

  Margo Lipschultz—you out of anyone understand how difficult this book was for me. I will never forget your support, the phone calls and the encouragement. You have no idea how grateful I am for you.

  Everyone who touched my books at Harlequin TEEN, especially Natashya Wilson and Lisa Wray. Honestly, you are all truly amazing!

  Eric Haycraft, Scottie Sawade and the other fantastic people at Real Fighters Gym. I can’t thank you enough for welcoming me into your gym. I also especially thank you for your patience with me, the girl who had to always think for a second about which one was her cross and which one was her jab and yet you still let me stay. The talent in your gym is world-class and astounding.

  Angela Annalaro-Murphy, Kristen Simmons, Colette Ballard, Kelly Creagh, Bethany Griffin, Kurt Hampe, Bill Wolfe and the Louisville Romance Writers: if it weren’t for your continued support and love, this book never would have happened. Thank you from the deepest depths of my heart.

  A huge thank you to all my readers and especially to Linda Marie Bofenkamp. It still amazes me to see my books for sale and I am forever humbled by my readers’ love and support.

  As always, to my parents, my sister, my Mount Washington family and my entire in-law family—I love you.

  Katie McGarry and Harlequin TEEN are thrilled to announce the next book in the PUSHING THE LIMITS series!

  Echo and Noah’s story continues in BREAKING THE RULES, coming soon....

  NOAH

  Echo shifts, and the cold rush of air against my skin causes my eyes to flash open. The Colorado State Park Ranger for the Great Sand Dunes wasn’t kidding when he said temperatures drop overnight. I stretch the muscles in my back, then turn onto my side in order to touch Echo again. My palm melts into the curve of her waist.

  She’s curled in with her back toward me and she’s tugged the blanket tight to her shoulder. Her tank top no longer provides protection against the elements. Last night was hot, in more ways than I can count, and the cover wasn’t required for any of our activities—neither for the sleeping nor the kissing. Without a doubt, this has been the best damned summer of my life...

  And look for the first book in Katie’s brand-new series set in the dangerous and exhilarating world of motorcycle clubs, also coming soon!

  Playlist

  Theme:

  “Harder to Breathe,” by Maroon 5

  “Wild Ones,” by Flo Rida (feat. Sia)

  “Love Is a Battlefield,” by Pat Benatar West:

  “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy),” by Big & Rich

  “Come Over,” by Kenny Chesney

  “This Love,” by Maroon 5

  “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” by The Verve Haley:

  “Fighter,” by Christina Aguilera

  “The House That Built Me,” by Miranda Lambert

  “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” by Kelly Clarkson

  “Roar” by Katy Perry Songs for Specific Scenes:

  The night West and Haley meet:

  “I Knew You Were Trouble,” by Taylor Swift

  West and Haley training in the gym:

  “Good Feeling,” by Flo Rida

  When Haley sneaks West into her room:

  “Secrets,” by OneRepublic

  The fight in the cage:

  “Eye of the Tiger,” by Survivor

  Songs that Represent Haley and West’s future:

  “Price Tag,” by Jessie J (feat. B.o.B.)

  “Heaven,” by Warrant

  Read on for a bonus PUSHING THE LIMITS novella, CROSSING THE LINE!

  Crossing the Line

  Katie McGarry

  Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Epilogue

  Dear Lincoln,

  I saw this card today and thought of you. I know that I wasn’t who you came to meet, but I’m glad we had a chance to talk. Even though I was just his little sister’s best friend, Aires still felt like a brother to me.

  Between you and me, I keep smiling when I think of the look on your face when we decided to sneak out of the wake without being caught. That was a strange, messed-up night, and I’m grateful you were there to help me through it.

  I know how I miss Aires, so I can only imagine how you miss Josh. Just remember that I’m thinking of you.

  Can I write you again? Will you write back? I hope you do. I sort of feel like we were meant to meet.

  ~ Lila

  Dear Lila,

  Thank you for the card. I’m going to admit, I’m not much of a kitten guy, but I appreciate the thought. Mostly, I appreciate your note.

  Yeah, I agree, the night of Aires’s funeral was messed up, but messed up in a good way. Mom and Dad thought if we met Aires’s family that it would help us with losing Josh. I thought Mom and Dad had it all jacked up, and in a way, they did. It wasn’t meeting Aires’s family that helped, it was talking to you—so thanks.

  And no, I don’t mind if you want to write me again. Even if you do it in one of those kitten-hanging-from-a-tree cards.

  ~ Lincoln

  Lincoln

  Is it weird that I feel close to you even though you’re hundreds of miles away and we’ve only met once? I hope not. I’m glad that you’re in my life.

  ~ Lila

  On the computer screen, the question “Why?” glares at me like the correct accusation it is. This dialogue between Lila and me, it breaks every unsaid rule about our relationship. We never plug in like this. Never. Not that part of me hasn’t wanted a faster connection to her. A link beyond the letters, but there was something about the written word that made our relationship safe.

  And now we’re crossing lines. The one relationship I need, the one relationship I depend on...I’ve jacked it up. Fitting since I have a natural inclination toward destroying anything good. It’s genetic, my sister tells me. Anyone sharing our bloodline is inherently doomed.

  “You should have talked to me before buying it,” my father shouts at my mother in the kitchen. “I made a budget.”

  My home is a volcano, a constant gurgle of hot lava on the verge of explosion. I try to ignore my parents, but it’s difficult. We have one computer in the house, and it sits wide open in the family room. From the corner of my eye, I have a clear shot of how Dad’s hands shake with anger and how Mom’s frustration paints her cheeks a frightening scarlet.

  “Why should I have to ask your permission for anything?” A chair slams into the wooden kitchen table
and Mom’s high heels stomp against the tile floor. “It’s my money, too. And as for the budget—you never asked me what I wanted.”

  I asked you why. Lila’s words appear on our direct message conversation.

  I rub at the lines on my forehead, and a tense uneasiness paralyzes my fingers over the keyboard. I don’t know why I did it. That’s a lie, I do know, but I don’t know how to tell her. I don’t know how to salvage this.

  I’m sorry, I reply.

  I didn’t ask for an apology, she rapid-fires back, I asked WHY!

  Because I love you. It’s as if someone places two hands around my heart and chokes it. I love her. I’ve fallen for a girl I met only once, a girl I’ve exchanged letters with for two years. There’s no way she can feel the same about me. Those words would push her over the edge.

  I want to keep her, but what do I say? What can I do?

  Like the warning tremors before an eruption, my parents’ argument becomes more heated. Mom turns on the blender to drown out Dad. In response, Dad yells louder and bangs his hand against the table, making the china clink against the water glasses. The baby who was sleeping moments before, my nephew, begins to cry. It’s not a cry, it’s a shriek—one that causes my skin to peel back from my bones.

  The noises press against my skull, scattering my already screwed-up thought process into more of a mess. I can explain, I type. Though I’m not sure I can.

  Then EXPLAIN! She’s a fast typer. Too fast. My heart thumps in my ears. I mentally will the chaos around me to stop and pray that Lila will...what? What is it that I expect her to do?

  “Where the hell is Meg?” my father roars. “That baby is her responsibility! I never agreed to be her babysitter.” He never agreed to be a grandfather at forty-five, either.