Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(17)

He reached for my hands, and I let him hold them, even though I knew it was wrong. What the hell was I doing? Nothing about being around Tyler was safe.

“What about breakfast?” he offered. “Can you do that with me? That way I’ll be the one on your mind when you go out tomorrow night.”

Shaking my head, I laughed and squeezed his hands before letting go. “You sure are full of yourself, aren’t you?”

“Sometimes,” he admitted. “So what do you say? Breakfast in the morning? I know you’ll be taking care of your grandmother, but I can cook a pretty decent omelet. That is, if you let me come over.”

My heart pounded so loudly in my chest I was sure he could hear it. I didn’t know what to do . . . should I say yes? Bringing his hands up to my face, I stood there frozen in place, as he lowered his lips achingly close to mine. I should’ve pulled back, but that’s not what I did.

The answer was decided when he took matters into his own hands and kissed me.

I was going to see him in the morning.





I ONLY GOT about four hours of sleep before Cindy tapped me on the shoulder. “Kacey, it’s time for me to go. Your grandmother is still asleep.”

Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes and yawned. She was in her dark green scrubs and her tired hazel eyes stared back at me.

“Thank you, Cindy. I’ll take a quick shower and get ready before she wakes up. Did everything go okay last night? I got in kind of late.”

Quietly, she chuckled. “Yes, I saw that. The gentleman who brought you home looks like a nice young man. I’m glad you’re taking the time to date.”

“We’re not dating,” I clarified. “Trust me, that’s the last thing I need.”

Cindy smirked and shook her head. “Okay, child, keep telling yourself that. As far as your grandmother is concerned, I think she’s finding it more difficult to think clearly. All you can do now is go along with it, which will keep her confusion and anxiety to a minimum.”

“I understand,” I said. “I know what to do.”

Once Cindy left, I rushed to the bathroom and took a quick shower. Tyler was supposed to come by for breakfast, but I had no idea what time, or if he was even going to show.

Hurriedly, I put on a pair of denim shorts and a pink tank top before putting my wet hair in a side braid; once it dried, it would be wavy. When I got out of the bathroom, my grandmother was in the living room, sitting by the window.

“Hey, Nana,” I greeted warmly. “Did you sleep okay? I’m about to make us some breakfast.”

Just a few weeks ago, we were told her chemo had stopped working. Needless to say, we stopped treatments and ever since then, her health had rapidly decreased in a short amount of time. She was pale and sickly skinny, with no hair whatsoever. When she was younger, she had the most beautiful, thick blonde hair I’d ever seen. She was happy that I had inherited my hair from her.

“It was the best sleep I’ve had in a long time, sweetheart,” she replied. “I got to see my, Matthew.”

“You did?” I asked nervously. “What did he say?”

My grandfather had died twelve years ago from a heart attack. She’d been heartbroken after that and we all thought she wouldn’t live through it, but she had my father who needed her. She lived for him.

My grandmother looked to me and smiled. “He said he was going to see me soon, and he missed me. Oh, honey, I would give anything to be with him again.”

Blinking quickly, I tried to keep the tears from falling down my face. “I know, Nana.”

It won’t be long now.

About that time, the doorbell rang. “Good heavens, who’s coming by this early in the morning?” my grandmother asked.

“Nana, he’s a friend of mine. He wanted to eat breakfast with me. Try not to tell him embarrassing stories about me, okay?”

Slowly, she got to her feet and followed me into the kitchen where she took her seat in the corner. She always sat there while I cooked breakfast, so she could talk to me.

Taking a deep breath, I licked my dry lips and opened the door. With a sly grin on his face, Tyler stood there wearing a navy baseball cap with a fitted white T-shirt and khaki shorts. His tattoos went down both arms, but they weren’t full sleeves like I’d seen on some of the other fighters. They actually looked really good on his tanned skin and bulging muscles.

“Tyler,” I greeted. “Would you like to come in? I’m about to start breakfast.” I didn’t realize my grandmother was right behind me, until I stepped back into her. “Oh, Nana, I’m sorry I didn’t know you were behind me.”

Her expression was surprised as she looked at Tyler with tears in her eyes.

“Nana, are you okay?” I asked, taking her hand.

“Yes, child,” she whispered. “I think I just got something in my eye. I’m okay now.”

Tyler held out his hand and she took it, never taking her eyes off his. “I’m Tyler. I’m a friend of your granddaughter’s.”

Not letting him go, my grandmother held his hand and led him to the chair beside hers in the kitchen. “Well, Tyler, thank you for coming over. Be prepared though. My little angel cooks the best food I’ve ever tasted. You get kind of spoiled after a while.”

Tyler sat down and winked at me. “I think I could get used to that.”