Page 200 of Between Secrets and Obsession

Rampage laughs. “I dunno, Tyler. Liam’s a big dude.”

Tyler glances at him. “I know how you are. How about you not Tyson him like you did that other guy?”

Laugher escapes Rampage, and he looks pleased with himself. “Got it. No biting off ears.”

“You did that to someone?” I try to keep my reaction flat as I tighten my laces.

He grins before stepping into the ring. “I’d do it again, too. The bastard deserved it, and there was a lot of money riding on that fight.”

What the fuck did Tyler get me into?Or rather, who?

I follow him and stand on the opposite side of the ring. Tyler tells me he booked the space for an hour and will probably use up the entire time. After he sets the clock and talks about the rules—three to four rounds, three minutes each—we begin. The time counts down, and I size Rampage up, noticing how he doesn’t take his eyes off me. It’s as if someone flips a switch because, in a flash, he rushes toward me. His hands cover hisface before laying into me with so much fucking power, I almost lose my breath. After a few seconds of taking a beating, I snap.

The maneuvers Tyler and I have been practicing every day come to me in full force, and a second later, I kick my leg out and take Rampage down, but he’s relentless and snaps his fist behind my knee, and soon, I’m falling too. This happens over and over again through every round, and soon, I catch on to his moves and reactions, then allow my adrenaline to lead me. During the final round, we’re both tired as hell but continue kicking each other’s asses. About a minute in, he swings, and I duck, giving me the opportunity to put power into an uppercut using all the strength I have in my legs. As soon as my fist connects with his jaw, Rampage takes two steps back, then falls down.

Tyler jumps over the ring and goes to him, waiting for him to come to. My lip is busted, and my body hurts from being beat the fuck up, but I feel good. Tired, but good and confident. Rampage spits out blood, then Tyler helps him stand. He takes off his gloves and gives me a handshake.

“Great fuckin’ job, man. You’re a natural.”

I almost laugh, considering what the past week has been like for me. “Nah.”

“I’d bet on you,” he says.

“That’s just one week of intense training. Sending him to Dice in Vegas next week,” he explains, beaming proudly. “He’ll be sweating his body weight by the time he returns.”

That statement has my stomach roiling. I’ve been working out nonstop for seven days, and though I need a day off, there isn’t time to rest or get lazy. Whoever this Dice guy is will make sure I’m prepared as much as possible.

I untie my gloves and get out of the space. There’s a group of guys waiting to get in, and I can see how excited they are for their turn. For the first time, I understand why Mason usedboxing to get out his frustrations. It’s a great outlet, and if I didn't have to do this because of a stupid situation I got myself in, I’d enjoy it.

Once we hydrate, the three of us stand to the side for a little while longer. Tyler goes over my strengths and weaknesses he observed, and Rampage gives me a few more pointers as well. I have a little over two weeks to make sure I’m prepared, and after today, I feel better.

As we head out, Tyler walks with me to my truck. “He didn’t go easy on you today.”

“I didn’t expect him to. My muscles are sore as fuck.” I rub a hand over my shoulder and squeeze.

Tyler grins. “It’s progress, Liam. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks to you, man. Now I just need to win this fight and forget any of this ever happened.” I sigh, feeling anxious as hell as the closer New Year's Eve comes.

We go our separate ways, and I text Maddie to meet her for lunch. She typically has a break between classes, and I miss her like crazy. By the time she gets home from school and her extra rehearsals for her upcoming senior recital, we’re both exhausted. Things have been tense between us. The no-sex rule is driving us both insane, but we’re making the best of it. As I’m arriving at the house, I get a text from her and smile because she’s agreed to lunch.

Maddie

It better be something good. I need carbs before I kill someone.

She has a way of making me laugh.

Liam

Carbs are guaranteed. I’ll pick you up at 11.

I shower and do some work on my laptop, then head across town to pick up Maddie. She’s waiting for me in our old spot, and it brings back memories of when she first moved into the house. So much has changed since then, but she’s been one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. Maddie keeps me grounded when my world crumbles around me.

She climbs inside the truck and leans over, giving me a sweet peck on the lips. “Hey, handsome.”

“Hello, beautiful. Missed you,” I tell her, wishing we could spend the day together like we did during summer, and she was home a lot more.

“I’ve missed you, too. Have fun today so far?” she asks as I pull out and drive.