Page 78 of Lavish

That’s when I lost it. My vision tunneled, and I closed the distance between us, landing punches wherever I could—his arms, his torso, his jaw. Each strike was filled with all the things I wanted to yell at him. How we’d thrown away years of friendship, how he’d betrayed me, how I’d turned my back on him, how I’d lost the one person I could trust.

Erik’s final blow connected hard with my jaw, and I staggered, the world tilting sideways as I fought to stay upright. Blood filled my mouth, the coppery taste on my tongue. But I couldn’t fall. Not in front of him.

I steadied myself, eyes locking on Erik.

I took off my gloves, throwing them to the ground. Without a word, Erik did the same. If this was how it was going to end, I wasn’t going to hold back.

He lunged first, fists flying. No technique, no rhythm—just raw, unfiltered aggression. My hands were everywhere, my knuckles burning as I landed hit after hit. He shoved me hard, and I crashed into the ropes.

Before I could recover, he was on me again, I shoved him back, my fist slamming into his gut, and he doubled over, falling to his knees. My legs felt like they were giving out, every muscle burning, but I couldn’t stop.

“Miles!” Reese’s voice pierced through the haze of violence, but I barely registered it.

Shouts erupted around us, arms wrapped around my chest, pulling me back. Reese was yelling, and others were scrambling into the ring to separate us. Erik was dragged back too, fists still raised, panting heavily, his eyes wild with fury. My chest heaved, every breath burning, my body numb from the adrenaline and pain coursing through me.

“Get him off!” I heard someone shout, their voice distant as I tried to focus. But all I could feel was the sharp throb in my face, a brutal ache blooming around my eye.

Reese stood in front of me, hands gripping my shoulders. “Miles! You good?”

My eyes were still on Erik, who was being held back by two guys, his chest heaving, his face a mess of blood and sweat.

He stared at me, his eyes dark, full of something I couldn’t even begin to unravel. He didn’t say a word. He just brushed off the guys holding him, and stormed out of the gym without another look.

CHAPTER 18

Serena

The condo lights were on.

Damn.

That meant he was home.

I stayed parked in my own damn driveway like a visitor, like someone unsure if they were welcome. Which was ridiculous—this was my place. I bought it. Decorated it.

Now it’d been overrun by a man and his cat.

Myhusband.

I hated that word. Not because of what it meant, but because of how easily it fit him. Like the role had always been waiting for him to slip into it. Charming. Carefree. And entirely too comfortable in my space.

I needed a buffer. Which was why it was perfect when Reesecalled me.

“No offense, Reese, but why are you calling me?” I asked, tone bone-dry. “Don’t you have other people to talk to?”

For some reason, Reese talked to me constantly since he became family. I thought Erik and Gigi were better choices, but he picked me. Begrudgingly I allowed it and I ended up talking to him a lot.

The rain had started up again, soft and insistent against my windshield. It blurred the edges of the driveway, made everything feel muted and far away.

“No offense taken,” he said. “But you’re a problem-solver. And I have problems.”

“That’s not news,” I muttered. I already knew what—orwho—his problem was. “If this is about Laurene, I can assure you she’s more than capable of handling herself.”

He gave a huff.

“I didn’t say it was about Laurene.”

“It’s always about Laurene.”