Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(2)

“Please tell me we’re going out tonight, Ty?” Todd asked, rubbing his hands together. “I think I’m in the mood for a blonde with huge f*cking tits, a tight ass, and a strong, Texan accent. Maybe she can show me how she does it cowgirl style.”

We were back at the hotel so I could shower and change clothes. Unfortunately for him, I already had my night planned out, and it didn’t include Todd reversing his cowboy. “Sorry, but I can’t go tonight,” I replied, pouring me a shot of Patron. I tossed it back and poured another one; it went back so smooth.

Todd’s eyes went wide. “Why not? Come on, these Texas girls are so f*cking hot.”

“Not as hot as what I have coming to me,” I gloated.

Groaning, he ran his hands through his hair and straightened up his gray suit jacket. He knew who I was referring to. “Fine, I’ll go see if the twins want to hit the town tonight. Have fun with Gabriella.”

Oh, I intend to.

Drinking the last of his whiskey sour, he set the glass down and headed for the door. “I’ll see you in the morning, bright and early. Our plane leaves at ten so be ready.”

“Got it,” I replied. It was a good thing I could sleep on the plane—there wasn’t going to be any sleeping tonight.

After Todd left, I fetched my phone out of my gym bag and noticed two missed text messages.

Gabriella: Just landed.

Gabriella: I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. What room number?

It had only been one week since she left the note on my pillow saying goodbye. I didn’t know if she’d actually come back to me, but when she called two days ago saying she wanted to see me again, I couldn’t pass up the chance.

I just hoped she wasn’t getting attached to me. I didn’t need that. Her brother, Matt Reynolds – former Heavyweight Champion and my best friend – has always tried to keep her from dating fighters. If he ever found out I was f*cking her behind his back, he’d kill me. As his friend, he trusted me to watch over her. Regrettably, I couldn’t be trusted with her heart.

I texted her back and told her the room number, so she could come right up. I had enough time to pour myself a double shot of Tequila before a gentle knock sounded on the door. When I opened it, Gabriella stood there dressed in a skin tight navy dress, her midnight colored hair falling just past her shoulders, with a small smile on her face.

Now that she’d been training to be an MMA fighter, her arms were toned to perfection and her body was hard as a rock. Yet she still had the perfect amount of curves to get me hard in a f*cking instant.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, pulling her inside.

Setting down her bag on the couch, she then turned and wrapped her arms around my neck, her eyes troubled. “Tyler,” she began hesitantly, releasing a heavy sigh. “As much as I wanted to believe this could work, I don’t think we’re going to be able to do it anymore.”

She tried to look away, but I grabbed her chin and pulled her back. “Why, what happened? In your letter you made it sound like this was what you wanted.”

“And I do,” she replied, shrugging her shoulders. “But I don’t see how I’m going to keep it up with my schedule. Matt’s strict with my coming and going, and if I don’t do as he says, he’ll start asking questions. The last thing I want is for him to be angry with you.”

Narrowing my gaze, I stepped back and crossed my arms over my chest. “You weren’t too worried about that before. What else is on your mind, Gabriella? Is it because I still f*ck other women?”

Halfheartedly, she chuckled and rolled her eyes. “No, jackass. I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to all of this. Honestly, I think it’ll be best for us both to keep the other weekend as a wonderful memory. I have too many guy problems right now as it is.” She sat down on the brown leather couch and the pressure she was under came out in her sigh.

I never understood why Gabriella wanted someone like me when she could have anyone she wanted, someone who wanted to be with her and only her. I wasn’t that guy. I cared about her, but love wasn’t what I wanted.

“Who’s giving you problems?” I asked, sitting down beside her.

“Well, let’s see,” she began, “I wouldn’t exactly call this a problem, but Bradley wants to see me again. He’s actually going with me to Aspen to see Ashleigh. Apparently, things got a little crazy when I arrived home from Vegas that fateful morning.”

Bradley was the guy she dated before me. I knew eventually things would change between us, and she would want something more than what I could give her. Hopefully, he could do that for her. She needed something real. As long as she wasn’t with another fighter, all would be good.

“What happened when you got home?” I questioned.

Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back and rested it on the couch. “I honestly don’t know the details, Ashleigh wouldn’t tell me everything. When I got back to my apartment she wouldn’t come out of her room. I called Colin to come help me get her out, but he said he couldn’t because she’d broken up with him.

“She said she made a mistake. After that whole baby scare in Vegas, it really messed her up. I think she’s in love with Ryley but too afraid to admit it.” She finally opened her eyes and looked over at me. “Colin’s her safe place, he’s someone who won’t hurt her. Ryley, on the other hand, is the wild card, the one who ignites the fire deep inside.”