Page 97 of Meant to Be

“That’s what wealldo down here.”

I looked to Damon who was staring ahead at the ring. I squinted, wondering what was behind his need to fight. And a whole world of questions for Joshua came to mind. I needed to see him.

“Is that the changing room?” I asked Damon, pointing to the double doors.

He nodded. “Hey, women aren’t supposed to go back there!” he called behind me.

I looked over my shoulder. “Watch me.”

I turned and kept going, the sound of his laughter fading the farther I moved away.

Chapter Twenty

Joshua

“You’re going to be sore as hell in the morning. You were putting on for your woman,” Buddy called me out, mirth filling his brown eyes.

“You saying I didn’t fight well?” I questioned, holding my hands out as he unwrapped them.

“You know that ain’t what I’m saying. But we don’t call Leo Brick for no damn reason. You’re supposed to leave something off of those punches when you fight him. Your ass got ahead of you tonight. You’ll be paying for it in the morning.”

“It’s okay, I know a good doctor.”

My head popped up at the sound of her voice.

“Get out.” I gave Buddy a stern look.

“Geez, no introductions.”

“Get out,” I said again through gritted teeth.

He chuckled before tossing my hand wraps on the bench next to me and heading for the door. “Ma’am.” He tipped his head at Kay before exiting.

I silently watched as the bottom of the flowy dress she wore skimmed the skin of her brown thighs. I licked my lips as she came to stand in front of me.

Rising to my feet, I advanced on her until her back bumped up against the wood paneled locker that lined the back wall.

“It’s fancy in here,” she said breathlessly looking round, doing her best to avoid eye contact.

“Look at me.”

“Why did you bring me here?” she asked when her eyes finally landed on me.

“Because I love you.”

Her mouth dropped open.

“I know you overheard me that night at Mother’s dinner. What I said to Ty about not having time for love. It was bullshit. I wasn’t ready to admit to anyone, especially my shithead kid brother the truth.”

“Wh-why?”

I lowered my head and gritted my teeth, hating to admit my own cowardice. Lifting my hands, I bracketed them around Kay’s head. “After Chelsea died and you left I felt broken, hurt, and alone. I never wanted to experience that type of pain again so I closed myself off to even the possibility of love.” I pushed out a heavy breath. “And then you came back. And though I was still pissed at you for leaving, I couldn’t stay away.”

She shook her head, lowering her gaze. “I never wanted to leave. I just … I couldn’t face the fact that I was in love with you. I felt like I was betraying my best friend. But even after all these years, it’s like the feelings never left. When I heard you say that the other night I was crushed.”

I bit back my anger at myself, hating that I’d made her feel like she was anything less than the most important person in the world to me. Pushing off the lockers, I moved back to the bench where my gym bag sat. I felt around on the inside for the ring box I’d carried in it. When my fingers wrapped around the box I pulled it free and turned to face Kayla.

“Wh-what’re you do—”