Page 48 of Tease
“Ah, I’m so glad you asked, Dimples. I actually just accepted a six-month cage fighting contract. I’ll be living here.”
Her expression falls flat, and she throws her head back, eyes closed. “Here? As inChicagohere?!”
“Yep...” I make sure to pop the p dramatically while shrugging my shoulders, looking anywhere but at her beautiful face.
Kailey’s nostrils flare and she stomps her feet like a toddler would when pouting. “Why?”
“What do you meanwhy?” I place my elbow on the bartop, resting my cheek on my knuckles, then lock my stare onto those whiskey hazel eyes. “Because I’m a cage fighter. I mean, you know that; you were at my fight the other night, right?”
Her knee is bouncing up and down when it accidentally bumps into mine, and her body freezes from the contact.
“Yeah, with myboyfriend, and I assure you it wasn’t to seeyou, Jared. I had no idea you’d even be there.” Kailey’s fingertips are now drumming on the bartop.Ohh, she’s anxious—maybe even nervous?I’ll allow her to fight this attraction… But not for much longer.
I snap my fingers. “That’s right. Brittney’sboyfriend, Skyler,is one of my teammates. I assume we’ll be seeing a lot of each other. Sooo… Now that I happened to run into you, I needed to make sure everything was all good between us.” My finger points back-and-forth in the space between us.
Kailey’s eyes water at my last statement, making them appear greener than usual. Her front teeth sink into her plump bottom lip. “Of course we’re ‘all good.’” She lifts her fingers to make air quotes. “Our past is just that, Jared… In the past, right?” Kailey’s stare is now looking up at me from under her eyelashes, and it takes my breath away. Makes me envision her with mascara running down her face, on her knees, with my dick down her throat.
No, Kailey’s statement about us being in the past is not at all fucking right. So fucking wrong.
My heart starts to hammer against my chest; my palms are clammy, and sweat starts to drip down my neck. All of my feelings toward her that I’ve been able to keep contained over time are about to rupture out of me.I can’t take it anymore!I stand up abruptly; the legs of the stool squeal across the floor, and it almost falls over.
Hanging my head low, because I’m unable to look atthatface anymore today, I tap my knuckles on the bartop twice. “Right.” The pain I’ve buried deep starts to consume my whole body. Dimples shredded my heart to pieces five years ago. Didn’t eventryto work through the trauma of that night with me. Her silence is enough to give me the willpower to leave this bar.
I turn away from her, not waiting for her to reply. I walk around multiple tables where people are laughing and having a good time, and right out the door. Kailey doesn’t know it yet, butshe’sthe reason I’m in this town. The only reason I signed with the Chicago team.
Greg let Brittney and Kailey’s little secret destination slip around six months ago. Not that it’s his fault really. He didn’t realize I’d walked back into the room and could hear his conversation with Steffan on the phone, about Brittney’s upcoming graduation. The emotions that call stirred inside me was enough to set this whole plan into motion. Dimples has never left my heart or my soul. Of course, I couldn’t let any of our friends in on my plan; somebody might have tried to talk me out of it. There’s no going back for me, unless Kailey returns with me. Everyone will know soon enough…
The universe must agree, because how lucky am I that she put herself in my sights? Seeing her at the fight was a surprise that sealed our fate. I thought I would’ve had to hire a private investigator to track her down once I arrived in Chicago. Beau giving me the details on her job made it a hell of a lot easier. And Brittney’s dating a cage fighter on my team. Check, check, check. The signs are all there.Dimples, oh how beautiful you’ll be when you’re mine again.Even if I have to drag you down to see it. Mathew may be her fucktoy for right now, but everything in her world is about to change.
I’ll make sure of it.
CHAPTER 37
Jared
Iwoke up to my phone bombarding me with text messages from the guys back home. I knew it wouldn’t take long for Kailey or Brittney to reach out to them in regard to me being here. I played it off, acting like it was all just a coincidence. Did Greg and Steffan buy it? It’s doubtful…
Walking into the gym that my new team manager owns, instantly a sense of calmness washes over me. Dim lights, overhead fans going, controlled environment, and people who want to fight. After seeing Kailey earlier, my mind and emotions have been all over the place. The need to punch something or someone is overwhelming. I look around the building; it’s already booming with loud music, and multiple sparring matches are happening, while other guys are training on machines and utilizing the jump ropes. The salty, stale scent of sweat fills my nostrils. I’m unable to control the wicked smile that spreads across my face when I spot Skyler in the corner, leaning into Brittney’s neck, kissing her.
After I drop off my gym bag, containing my cell phone and a change of clothes, in the locker room, I head directly for them. I’m still in my black hoodie and sweatpants. There’s a roll of hand wraps close to Skyler. I grab it, and while wrapping myfists, I speak loud enough to startle Brittney and Skyler. “Hey! What’s up, man?”
Skyler’s stare jumps from me to Brittney, then back to me. “Just saying hey to my girl; she stopped by before going out with her friend.” He grabs the back of her head, smashing his lips against hers, kissing Brittney desperately and deeply. This kiss shows much more than just love; it’s ownership. Brittney pulls herself away, breathing heavily, licking her bottom lip and smiling up at her man.
I always liked her; she was nothing but an amazing friend to Kailey and a good person in general. My stare trails back to my new teammate; something seems off about this guy. I hope he’s treating her right. “Oh, yeah? Anyone that I might know, Brittney?”
Brittney rolls her eyes before turning her body to face me. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Skyler laughs at her side, shaking his head slowly. “Babe, go easy on him. He’s my teammate and someone I hope to call a friend.” He holds out his fist, and I give him a fist bump.
“Yeah, go easy on me Britt.” Placing my palm over my heart, I give her my best doe eyes. Brittney’s face lifts into a small smile and she leans her body against Skyler’s.There’s the crack in her demeanor I was waiting for.
“Jared, I’m sorry. I know it’s been a long time. But truthfully, I don’t know what you want from me.” Shrugging her shoulders, her words come out fast. “Kailey’s moved on, and from the looks of the other night, so have you.”
What’s she talking about?Oof, the blondes…Putting my hands up in surrender, I say, “I get it. I’m just hoping we can all befriends. You know that I’m still friends with Greg and Steffan even after the incident.”
Her eyes turn into thin slits. “Did they know?!”
“That I’d be in Chicago? No. They knew I’d be gone for six months on a contract. I was going to surprise them with tickets to a fight here though. How was I supposed to know you and Kailey were here?” Shit. I hope my poker face is going strong.
