Page 3

Dustin

I ’m standing with Tucker and Raul watching all the last-minute prep for my fight, trying not to think about Tina. I’ve gone years without giving her a thought. And if you believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. Fine. Much thought anyway. Now, she and this damn trip are all I think about.

Fuck, I really hate her for this. For making it seem like yesterday. For making me live through it all again. The loss. The loneliness. The rejection.

I scratch my signature on the last of the promo photos a little harder than necessary, and it tears. I hand over the whole stack, minus this now fucked-up one, to Rosa, who stands patiently waiting. She rises on her toes and kisses my cheek. “For luck.”

I yell after her. “You know what I got is all-natural talent, but I’m not about to refuse a kiss from you, gorgeous.”

Raul makes an unhappy noise beside me, even though he knows I’d never go there with his sister. Not my style.

“Look at them.” Tucker nods towards the few teens who ambushed Rosa, begging for one of my autographed pictures. “They’re practically drooling.”

“Can’t say I blame them.” I’m smug as shit. “I’m sort of amazing.”

He bumps my shoulder with his. “Your head is getting way too big.”

I cup my junk. “That’s not what your mom says.”

Frowning, Tucker points at me, looking a little green. “Ah, yuck. Don’t be gross.”

Raul laughs, nudging Tucker. “You walked right into that one, man.”

“I hope you get your ass kicked tonight.” Tucker crosses his arms like a sullen child, and I laugh. We all know I won’t lose.

From the main entrance of the gym, fans flood in. Amongst them, I spot a few rough-looking guys I’ve noticed hanging out at the gym lately. So far, there hasn’t been a problem, but I don’t like the look of them. “Do you know those guys?”

Before either Raul or Tuck can answer, Lucius joins us, slapping me on the back. “Let’s go, hotshot.”

Nodding, I hand Tucker the ripped picture of myself. “For your mom’s spank bank.” I smile when Raul throws his head back and laughs.

In the locker room, Lucius wraps my hands and goes over a few key points about my competitor. His low rumble soothes any frayed edges. When finished, he leaves me alone to clear my head. All thoughts of Tina and work vanish and I’m back out in the main area in no time, one goal in mind—taking home another win.

It never gets old seeing all the fans wearing some version of my paraphernalia like I’m a fucking rock star. I take it all in from the shadows, feeding off the crowd’s energy. It’s the best kind of high.

Anderson notices me first. He nudges Bryce and the two of them make their way over to where I’m standing, clutching my jump rope, ready to do my pre-fight routine. It’s cheesy and over the top, but it pumps the crowd up.

Anderson steps beside me. “You ready?”

I flash a cocky grin. “I was born ready.”

Bryce holds up his phone, and I’m shocked to see Colin’s face on the screen. He shakes his head. “You were born last.”

Fuck, I miss him. “Dick.”

We both run a hand through our hair. Colin smiles. “I wish I could be there to watch you in person, but I guess this is better than nothing. Good luck, D.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat. “Wish you were here too, man.”

Bryce pats me on the shoulder. “Better get out there and do your thing. The crowd’s getting restless.”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll see you guys after to celebrate.”

With my muscles loose from my warm-up, I jump into the ring and face my opponent. We might be in the same weight class, but his nerves are nowhere near as solid as mine. His eyes are wide, and I can see his Adam’s apple bob in a swallow from here. Just once, I wish someone would offer me a challenge.

His trainer says something in his ear. Last-minute pep talk, maybe? I almost laugh. There’s really only one thing he needs to know…

It’s gonna hurt more than just his pride when I kick his ass.

He gives it his best, I’ll give him that. I’m pumped full of adrenaline and ready to go ten more rounds. I stare down at his unconscious form, disappointed. The fans go wild, stomping and screaming for their champion. The ref lifts my arm to the ceiling, pulling my attention away from the guy taking a mat nap.

And that’s when I see her.