Walk of Shame Series (Books 1-6)

by Victoria Ashley

  I hate that Knight is already there. The last thing I need is for him to see how torn up I am over Kash right now.

  Just something else for him to rub in my face and try to make me feel horrible about myself over.

  When I pull up in the driveway, Knight is sitting on the porch and Alec is playing with the baseball Kash gave me to give to Alec that first night he took me out to the baseball field.

  Knight looks up from his phone with a cocky grin when he sees me step out of my jeep. “Looks like showing my face was enough to show that asshole I wasn’t going anywhere.”

  “What are you talking about?” My heart stops, nervous that Knight did something to Kash that I don’t know about.

  “I have eyes, Eden. I see that he hasn’t been around in days. Do you really fucking think that I haven’t been watching him, making my face known to him?”

  “You’re an asshole.” I look across the yard and smile at Alec as he tosses the ball up and down, playing by himself. “Don’t cause a scene in front of my son, Knight.”

  “Don’t have to.” He stands up and places his hands on my shoulders, rubbing them. “He’s out of the picture and that’s all I wanted.”

  Feeling disgusted, I shake his hands from my shoulders and back away from him. “It’s not because of you. Your face isn’t as intimidating as you think. Trust me on that.” I push past him and to the house. “Now go play with your son for once and leave me the fuck alone.”

  I begin shaking the moment I step inside.

  What the hell did he mean by making his face known? Kash never mentioned to me any problems with Knight.

  But knowing Kash he was probably just looking out for me.

  “Shit.” I lean against the wall, everything hitting me all at once.

  All Kash wanted to do was protect me from the truth until he knew I was ready. I told him over and over again how Alec had been hurt by his father and he knew how scared I was to let another man into his life.

  I can’t really blame him for already knowing Alec ahead of time. He was stuck in a situation that he didn’t know how to handle and I’m punishing him for that.

  Is this how I should look at it?

  Fuck, I don’t know . . .

  It’s not even five minutes later that Knight barges his way into the house, looking pissed off. “You never gave Alec the gift I left for him?”

  “Nope.” I stand up and brush my hair out of my face. “You need to give it to him yourself. It’s not my fault it’s taken this long for you to come spend time with your son.”

  “Well where the fuck is it?” He rushes into the kitchen and begins pulling out drawers. “When I leave something here for my son you give it to him.”

  “No, I say firmly. “You come around enough to give it to him yourself.”

  He finally pulls the small box from the kitchen drawer I hid it in. “I’ll give it to him myself right now, bitch.”

  “Fuck you, asshole,” I say through clenched teeth. “Give it to him and leave. And by the way . . . I still need that child support money you promised. This is your last chance or I’m taking your ass to court and letting them deal with you.”

  He stops at the door and looks back at me. “Like I said before. You want the money you come and get it tonight after the fight.”

  With that he walks outside and slams the screen door shut.

  I jump from the sound, my nerves all messed up right now.

  This asshole must be crazy if he thinks I won’t show up tonight for the money he owes me. I’m getting every last cent of the two grand he owes me for back child support.

  A few minutes later, Knight speeds off and Alec comes rushing into the house, holding up a video game that he already owns.

  “Daddy got me this game. I told him I already have it and he got upset.” He gives me a sad look and runs into my arms. “I miss Hunter, mommy. He always played with me and knew all the games I have. Where is Hunter? He hasn’t come to Hannah’s to bring me pancakes anymore. Did I do something wrong?”

  My heart drops to my stomach when I hear the pain in his voice. I hate it so damn much and I hate that I’m the reason Kash isn’t in his life right now.

  I’m so scared right now, but I think now is the time I tell him the truth.

  “No, baby boy. Never. Don’t even think you did something wrong.” I crouch down in front of him. “Mommy cares about Hunter in the same way I cared about your father. Something happened and I asked him to stay away for a bit. I’m so sorry, baby.”

  A tear falls from his eye that he quickly swipes away. “Are you mad at Hunter, mommy? Don’t be mad at my friend. He’s my only friend. I miss him.”

  His bottom lip begins to quiver so I quickly pull him into my arms, wanting nothing more than to stop the tears from coming.

  Kash not being in our lives is hurting the both of us and I hate it. Alec just hasn’t been the same since the first day Kash didn’t show up at Hannah’s when he was expecting him.

  “You’ll see him soon, baby.” I rub the back of his head, before kissing it. “He misses you too. I promise you that. I’ll fix it, baby. I’ll fix it . . .”

  Alec must be exhausted, because I feel him going slack in my arms the more I rub the back of his head.

  Picking him up, I carry him to his room and place him in bed.

  I wait until he’s asleep, before leaving him alone in his room and shutting the door behind me.

  Sitting here alone on the couch, my thoughts go back to Kash and that little ache in my chest returns and this empty feeling fills my stomach.

  I find myself staring at my phone for a few minutes, before I pull up his number and type out a message. I need to fix this. To fix us.

  Eden: Can we talk tonight?

  I just hope I haven’t waited too long . . .

  Kash

  IT’S BEEN TEN DAYS SINCE I’ve seen or spoken to Eden and Alec and it’s fucking with me big time, sending me into a depression I haven’t felt since losing my father.

  I’ve been doing everything I can to try not to think about how bad it fucking hurts losing them, but it’s the only thing that matters to me now.

  The only thing that’s been slightly distracting is my constant training for the fight that’s happening in less than ten minutes.

  I don’t even give a shit about the money at this point. All I want to do is fuck Knight up for placing his hands on Eden and treating his family like they don’t matter.

  Family is everything and he has one that means the world to me. I’d give anything to have them as my own.

  “Fuuuuck!” I swing out and punch the bag one last time, before grabbing it and fighting to catch my breath.

  “You’re good, man,” Calvin grips my shoulder and hands me a bottle of water. “You’re taking this motherfucker down. Don’t even sweat it.”

  “I’m not,” I grit out. “I’m just getting my head in the right place and trying to keep it there.”

  Abe laughs from the doorway. “He’s going crazy right now, breaking stuff and shit. He just realized Hunter Knight is you because of the poster on the wall. I’ve never seen him so worked up about a fight before. This is fucking awesome.”

  I broke down and told the guys everything a few days ago. The whole damn situation. I had no choice. They could tell I was fucked up.

  I grin and crack my neck, before pouring water over my head. “Good. I want him worked up for our fight. It’ll feel that much better when I take everything from him.”

  I take a seat on the old worn out couch and close my eyes, getting lost in thought as Calvin re-wraps my hands for me.

  I may have been giving Eden space, but doesn’t mean for one fucking second that I’ve given up. That’s something I’ll never do when it comes to her. When it comes to them.

  Even if it takes a year, I’m not going anywhere. I already promised her that and I don’t break promises.

  “Hey, bro. You’re bag’s vibrating. Want me to get it?”

  I open m
y eyes and look up at Abe, who’s holding my gym bag. “Nah. I can’t have any kind of distractions right now. It’s probably just one of the guys checking on me for the hundredth time this week. Leave it.”

  Abe shrugs and tosses my bag back down. “Knight may not lose fights but he is tonight. Don’t let his experience in the ring intimidate you. Fight with your heart. Just like you taught us. From what I can tell, man, he doesn’t have much of one.”

  I nod and jump to my feet, getting myself pumped up as we begin making our way to the main event.

  There’s people scattered all around this place, in the hallways, in the rooms with other fighters that fought earlier, but the main event is packed full. There’s barely even room to stand without being shoulder to shoulder.

  This is the craziest shit I’ve ever seen.

  But when you fight without rules, it brings curious people in. Everyone wants to see someone get hurt and everyone wants to bet on who that person is going to be.

  I know I should be nervous, because a lot is riding on me winning, but I’m not. I’m pumped up and ready to take this asshole out. He’s got me all fired up. Has for a while now.

  Flexing my jaw, I make my way to the middle of the room where the ring is. Adrenaline pumps through my veins the moment I look out into the crowd, listening to the cheers of excitement.

  I know most of them are here for Knight because he’s well known, but I don’t let that mess with my head.

  I keep my gaze straight ahead, never taking it off Knight as he pushes his way through the crowd and jumps between the ropes with a cocky grin on his face.

  He thinks he has me. That this is the moment he’s been waiting for. He’s been following me around for days, keeping an eye on me, and now I’m exactly where he wants me: In his territory.

  That shit doesn’t intimidate me.

  My eyes meet his and lock as we both start to circle around each other, waiting for the signal to fight.

  I’m so zoned in on Knight, thinking of all the ways I want to make him hurt, that I don’t even hear the announcer, until the bell dings, indicating that the fight has started.

  Knight cracks his neck and begins hopping in place, showing me how pumped up he is. “Unlike last time, I’m ready motherfucker. This will teach you to stay away from what is mine.”

  Not letting his little trash talk get to me, I swing out, hitting Knight with a right hook. He stumbles back, not expecting it and spits out blood.

  I smirk as he wipes his lip off and growls at me. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Fuck you!” he bites out, while swinging out with his right foot, knocking me off balance. He takes this as an opportunity to dig into my ribs, pushing me against the ropes with his body weight.

  The crowd begins cheering Knight on, only giving him more confidence that he can take me, but I manage to grab the back of his head and connect my knee to his face, putting all my anger in the blow.

  Blood gushes down his face, dripping down my knee, only making the blow feel that much fucking better.

  I grab his hair and yank his head back so he’s looking at me. “Never fucking hurt the people I care about, motherfucker. Touch her again and your dead. That’s a fucking promise.” Rage courses through me as the words leave my mouth. “I keep my promises.”

  With that I release his hair and swing my fist up, connecting it with his chin. He falls back, but quickly makes his way back to his feet.

  The way he’s looking at me right now, as if he’s got the right to touch Eden anyway he pleases, only makes me want to rip his throat out more.

  The only reason I didn’t come after him the moment I found out about him hurting her, was because I knew this moment would come. There was no way I wasn’t letting it be us in this ring tonight.

  He takes his eyes off me and turns around to face the crowd. He runs his arm over his face and grabs the ropes, screaming out in anger. Then he comes at me, slamming me against the other set of ropes with his body weight, before punching me in the ribs a few times and then the side of my head.

  He continues to take jabs at me, but he’s becoming winded. I can feel it, so I push him away, allowing us both to return to the middle of the ring.

  We circle around each other a few times before Knight comes at me, diving for my legs, but I grab onto his neck and plow my knee into his head twice, allowing him to fall back.

  I stand above him, knowing damn well that I can finish him here and now, but I’m not done with his ass yet. Not until I know he gets the fucking message.

  Taking a slow breath, I look away from Knight and into the crowd when a group of women begin screaming my name, cheering me on. Everything around me stops the moment my eyes land on Eden pushing her way toward the ring.

  Knight must notice who I’m staring at, because before I know it, he comes at me and captures me in a headlock. “Looks like she came here to see me after all,” he growls into my ear, before kneeing me in the stomach and bending down to speak in my ear again. “She’ll always be mine. I was her first and I’ll be her last.” He takes another swing to my ribs, before pushing me over.

  I place my hands on the mat and get ready to push myself up, but get lost in Eden the moment our eyes meet.

  Her eyes widen as if she’s just now noticed me as she continues to push her way through the crowd to get closer to the ring.

  Before I know it, Knight kicks me in the face, knocking me back down to my side. It stings like hell, but I push past it and jump to my feet, him not expecting me to recover so quickly.

  This is it. I’m done playing this little game with him in the ring. This is the moment he learns not to fuck with what I love.

  Grabbing the back of his head with both hands I push his head down and lift my knee, plowing it straight into his face between the eyes. I don’t give him a chance to recover, before my fist connects with his face over and over again, all my rage going into the blows.

  As soon as I release his head, he falls back, knocked out cold.

  There’s a mixture of cheers and boos throughout the crowd, but the only thing I’m focused on is Eden climbing between the ropes and running toward me.

  I have no idea what to expect. Especially since I never told her about my fighting, but I can’t deny that seeing her is the happiest I’ve been in over a week.

  She stops in front of me and grabs my face, before throwing her arms around my neck and kissing me long and hard as if she’s missed me just as much as I’ve missed her.

  Her heavy breathing hits my lips as she pulls away and looks my face over, taking in the blood and bruises. “Shit, Kash! Your face. Are you okay?”

  “Don’t worry about my face. I’m so fucking sorry, baby.” I pull her into my arms and place my forehead to hers, locking my gaze on hers. Looking into her eyes is all it takes to calm me and help me breathe again. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to think I was anything like that piece of shit. This was my last fight. I promise. I only needed the money for my gym and–”

  “I don’t care,” she says cutting me off. Her arms tighten around my neck as if she’s desperate to feel me next to her. “I know you’re nothing like Knight. That’s all I’ve been thinking about for days. I texted you a bit ago because I miss you. I’ve missed you so damn much. So has Alec. I don’t care anymore. We need you.”

  My heart fucking jumps all over the place with excitement. I smile against her lips, before cupping her face and slamming my lips against hers again, desperate to show her how much I need her.

  I don’t even notice Knight being helped up by a couple of his guys, until he pushes one of them down and growls out his anger. “Don’t fucking touch me. Get off me.”

  Wanting to protect Eden, I push her behind me and watch as Knight gets up to his feet.

  “So that’s how it’s going to fucking be, Eden?”

  I wait until he’s steady and looking at us, before I get up in his face. “Never fucking hurt my family again. I plan to take care of them
in ways you’ll never be capable of.” I grab the back of his head and growl the last part in his ear. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Walking away from him before I lose my shit again, I pick Eden up and carry her out of the ring and through the crowd, not setting her down until we’re in the hallway.

  Then I slowly back her against the wall and pin her body against it with my sweaty one. I just stare into her eyes for a few minutes, letting her see how much I fucking care. “I love you, Eden. You may still be pissed at me for a while but I promise to do everything in my power to make up for it. I’ll never lie to you again and that’s a promise. You and Alec mean the world to me. I don’t need months or years to figure that shit out. I’ve been a miserable asshole without you two.”

  She smiles against my lips and grips my face. “Do you mean that?”

  I rub my hands over her head and nod. “With everything in me.”

  “I was scared, Kash. Scared of getting hurt and making it possible for Alec to get her too. It’s my job to protect him. When I caught you two playing and having fun together I knew there was nothing I could do to protect him at that point if you were to walk out of his life. I freaked, unsure of what to do.” She runs her fingertips over my lips, causing me to close my eyes. “I knew at that very moment that Alec and I were both in too deep with you. That we both had fallen. I love you, Kash . . . Hunter . . . I don’t care. I’ll call you anything you want, but I love you. I don’t want to feel the pain I’ve felt for the last week anymore. I’ve realized that letting you in and risking possibly getting hurt in the long run is far better than not having you in our lives. I want to give us a chance. I want you in our lives. No more secrets.”

  Fuck, my heart is beating so fast that it hurts right now. I never thought words could be so powerful until this very moment.

  I hear footsteps behind us, before Abe speaks. “Holy fuck that was intense!”

  “Give us a few,” I growl. “Or maybe thirty.”

  Grabbing Eden’s legs, I lift her up and wrap them around my waist.

  I desperately need to be alone with her right now. It’s been too long since I’ve been able to touch her.