Paxton's Promise (Gloves Off #3)(2)

Me: Sure. I have lots to tell you too.

And none of it was good. Quickly, I dialed Ashleigh’s number. I needed her guidance. “Hey, Gabby, what’s up?”

“I just talked to Paxton,” I blurted out.

“And?”

“And I’m in some deep shit.”





I NEVER THOUGHT breaking up with someone could be so f*cking difficult. I was sitting by the window with my legs bouncing up and down while I waited for Bradley to show up. Not only was I letting him go, but it would be the second time I’d done it to him. He deserved someone who could be there for him, which clearly wasn’t me.

I jumped when my phone rang and almost fell out of my chair. Thankfully, the coffee table saved me, but when I looked down at my phone, I groaned. Please don’t tell me my brother needs me to train right now. Fighting was fun, but he had a tendency to overdo it sometimes.

When we were younger, he was the one who took care of me and our mother because our father left when I was just a toddler. Ever since then, Matt had worked for our neighbors, cutting grass and doing odd jobs just to help my mother bring in more money. We lived on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a long time. It was crazy how things changed.

“Hey, Matt,” I answered.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

Turning my head toward the window, I could see Bradley’s blue truck pulling into the parking lot. “I’m waiting on Bradley. He just drove up.”

The sound of my nephew laughing in the background made me smile. I couldn’t wait to hold him again. And now there were two more babies coming into the mix, once Ashleigh and Ryley had their twins. If there was anyone I missed more than anything it would be them. They were my best friends and now they were gone to the mountains to raise their kids in peace. It just reminded me of how alone I was.

“Are you two going out tonight?” my brother asked.

I huffed. “Not exactly. So, what’s going on with you? Do you need me to train today?”

“Actually, no. That’s the reason I’m calling. Since you don’t have any fights coming up for a while, I thought it’d be best for you to take some time off.”

Eyes wide, I jumped out of my seat and squealed. “Are you serious? You’re really going to let me take a break?”

He chuckled. “Damn, don’t sound so surprised. I’m not a slave driver, Gabby.” That’s what he thinks. “But yes, you need some time off. Shelby and I are going to take the baby and go on a vacation for a few weeks. I think we all need it.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more,” I remarked. “How long of a break are we talking about?”

“I’m thinking six weeks. But I need you to promise to keep up with a workout routine and stay active.”

He didn’t have to worry about that. I was going to be with Paxton every day for the next month, and I was positive he would keep me busy. Luckily, my brother was going to be gone and not paying attention to what I was doing. Since none of us could talk about the Dark Side, my brother didn’t know about my involvement in it; hence, the reason why he wouldn’t understand my living with Pax. I had to hope and pray he didn’t find out.

“I’ll be fine, Matt,” I promised. “I’ll work out every single day and eat right. Well, except for my Ben and Jerry’s. I simply can’t live without it.”

He chuckled and I could almost hear him rolling his eyes through the phone. Men would never understand a woman’s need for ice cream and chocolate. “All right, but not too much of it.” I couldn’t promise that. “And just so you know, we’re probably going to our house at Oak Island, but before we leave I’ll give you a call. Make sure you swing by the salon and see mom. She said you haven’t been by in a while.”

“Yeah, well, it’s been a hell of a week. If only you knew.”

“I think it’s best I didn’t.”

“Yes, we’ll leave it at that. Have fun on vacation. Maybe one day I’ll be able to go on vacation like that.”

Both he and the baby laughed. “You’re more than welcome to come with us. I think your nephew would agree.” Bradley knocked on the door and it was so loud my brother could hear it through the phone. “I guess that’s my cue. Oh, don’t forget to call Garrett. He’s been hounding me since you haven’t been returning his calls. He needs an answer about the movie within the next week.”

Yes, he does. Unfortunately, I didn’t have an answer for him. I was being offered a role in a movie, and although the thought was exciting, I’d have to put my fighting on hold while the filming took place. Fighting was what I was good at and I didn’t feel comfortable leaving it. Not to mention, I had no experience in acting. I didn’t want to look like a fool.

“Don’t worry. I’ll call him . . . eventually.”

“Just make sure you do. And while I’m gone, don’t do anything stupid, you hear me?”

Getting up from my seat, I wiped my sweaty hands on my shorts and started for the door. “Gee, I love the encouragement, dear brother. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. You just go and have a good time.”

“Will do, sis. Take care of yourself.”

“I always do.”

After we hung up, I set my phone down on the kitchen counter and opened the door. My heart thumped so hard it made my chest hurt, especially when I got my first look at Bradley. His warm smile was the first thing I saw, followed by his gorgeous caramel colored eyes, which were almost hidden underneath his USC baseball cap.