Maybe This Time (Maybe #1)(56)

“Both,” I say sleepily.

“Sleep, baby,” he whispers.

I fall asleep instantly.





Chapter Twenty


“What’s going on with Jade?” I ask Tag a week later, who is leaning in a sexy pose against the wall. Tonight is Reid’s fight against the sasquatch guy from the restaurant, and even though I’m feeling a little under the weather, I’m definitely going to be there to support Reid. After this fight, he gets to fight the guy that his brother lost against.

Lost.

Died.

If I’m being honest with myself, isn’t death a chance you take when you enter something like this?

“I dunno, she’s been very quiet though,” Tag says, frowning.

“Did you guys have sex?” I ask, grinning.

“What? No. Why? Does she want to?” he asks, grinning.

“Who doesn’t, Tag?” I tease, winking at him.

He throws his head back and laughs. “No one, babe, no one.”

“That’s what I thought. You coming to the fight tonight?” I ask.

“Nope, got my little girl tonight. We’re watching The Little Mermaid and eating popcorn,” he says, smiling.

My heart melts. This tough looking guy with his shaved head, muscular build and goatee is such an amazing father. Goes to show, never judge a book by its cover.

“Don’t swoon over me, girl,” Tag says, his eyes twinkling.

“I’ll try.”

“Try harder.”

“You’re such a good father, I can’t help it.”

His eyes darken. “It wasn’t always this way. I made some f*cked up mistakes in the beginning.” He turns and walks off.

Touchy subject, then.

“What are you doing here?” Ryan asks, frowning as he walks in.

“I know you guys need help for the rush, so I thought I’d come in for an hour or so.”

“Reid wants you with him,” he says.

“Reid can wait an hour without me.”

Ryan doesn’t look so sure.

“Relax, Ry.”

“I can’t help it, babe, it’s an important fight,” he says, rubbing his hands on his face wearily.

“I know, trust me, I know,” I say quietly.

“Yeah, all I know is you better be there. Jade isn’t going for some reason, but Reid doesn’t care cos he just needs you there.”

“So I’ve heard,” I say dryly.

Ryan tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear. “Go home, babe, get ready. We’ll come pick you up,” he says.

“Alright,” I tell him, but end up serving a few more customers and wiping down the bar before I leave.

A couple of hours later I’m dressed in light denim distressed jeans, a light pink V neck top and black boots. My hair is tied away from my face, and flowing down my back in a ponytail. Reid rang me and said he was going to the location earlier to warm up, so I’ll be riding with Ryan. I hear a horn sound and rush to the front door, locking it behind me. Sliding into the car, I shoot him an amused look.

“Beeping the horn, really? If this was a date you'd be considered a douche.”

“Well, I rang your phone and you didn’t answer, and unlucky for you, but this isn’t a date,” he says, grinning mischievously. I watch as he reverses the car and pulls onto the road.

“Unlucky for me? Really? I’ve seen enough of the Ryan Knox charm to know how you operate.”

“How I operate?” he asks, eyebrows rising.

“Yeah, flashing that charming smile of yours, your smooth lines…”

“Smooth lines?” he repeats, scoffing.

“Yep.”

“Babe, all I need is this face and this body, not to mention what I can do for a woman in the sheets, and I’m pretty much good to go,” he brags.

“So modest.”

He shrugs. “It’s the truth.”

“You’re pretty hot,” I admit, a little reluctantly.

He laughs. “Of course you’d think so.”

“I may be biased, though.”

“Just a little,” he says, squashing his thumb and index finger.

“I’m a little partial to those baby blues.”

“You’re perfect for Reid,” he says, smiling at me with such warmth, I get a little choked up.

I clear my throat. “Where’s the fight held?”

“Place you’ve never been before. It’s a little further out,” he says.

“Is Mia gonna be there?” I ask.

“Probably. She’s not the only doctor that comes out, though, so maybe not.”

“Can I ask you something?”

He nods his head yes.

“Why wouldn’t Reid stop fighting, now that he has River, I mean, wouldn’t that seem more important?”

Ryan sighs. “He considered it. But it’s only two fights left, and then he'll be done forever. He’s come this close.”

“I guess,” I say, starting to feel a little anxious. I only hope he wins tonight.

The drive is about half an hour, and I’m surprised at the amount of people around the warehouse.

“Shit, there’s more people here than the last two fights.”