Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(30)

“More than anything,” she murmured, smiling off in the distance. “But at least I have Bree. She’s been the only thing holding me together.”

Taking her hand, I brought it up to my lips and kissed her palm. “Well, now you have me . . . that is, if you want me.”

“I’m still deciding on that one,” she teased. “But I’ll let you know.”

Little did she know, but her smile gave me the answer I needed. She was mine.





“WHAT ARE WE doing at your gym?” I asked curiously.

Tyler parked his truck and turned to me, chuckling. “You weren’t really being serious last week, when you told me you weren’t coming back, right?”

“Kind of,” I confessed. “Especially now that I know Liam is part of the fighting crowd. He and his clients don’t come into your gym do they? They are the last people I want to be around.”

It was an underhanded question, but at least it would give me peace of mind about hanging out in his gym. If I knew Kyle’s friends wouldn’t be there, I’d be safe. Immediately, he growled low, “They know not to step foot in my gym, unless I’ve given specific permission. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Then I’ll go in there,” I replied, breathing a sigh of relief. “Is there a reason we’re stopping here?”

Tyler grinned sheepishly and opened his door. “Actually there is. I need help with something and I was wondering if you’d be able to do it.”

“Do what?”

He winked and slid out of his truck. “Come and find out.”

After everything he’d done for me, I’d be more than happy to help him out. His smile, on the other hand, had me suspicious. He was clearly up to something.

Once inside, it was like every person in the room instinctively turned their heads toward him, especially the women. I waited for his eyes to linger . . . but they never did. He kept them solely on me.

“Okay, so what do you need help with?” I asked.

Taking my hand, he pulled me over to the front desk and pointed to the seat. “I need you to sit right there for a minute.”

“O-kay,” I muttered, sitting down in the chair. “What now?”

“Just wait there. I need to check on something.”

What the hell was he doing? Even some of the patrons in the gym were wondering, as their looks bounced between the two of us. Tyler hopped up into the practice ring where his father stood coaching two teenage boys. Words were exchanged between them, ending with his father glancing up my way and waving with a grin on his face. Unsure of what was going on, I smiled and waved back.

Before Tyler could get back up to the desk, his mom, Mary, beat him to it. Her sandy-colored hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and she looked to be in her sixties. Although, her body was well-toned, with defined muscles. That didn’t surprise me, considering she owned a gym.

“Kacey, right?”

Quickly, I stood and moved away from her seat and around to the front of the desk. “Yes, ma’am,” I replied, holding out my hand.

Instead of taking my hand, she laughed and pulled me into a hug. It was awkward for me, so I just stood there until the next words came out of her mouth. “Dear girl, there’s no need for such formalities. Tyler told me about your grandmother. I can’t begin to express how sorry I am for your loss. I’m glad he was able to stay with you and help you through the worst of it.”

“Thank you,” I murmured softly, returning her embrace. “It would have been unbearable without him.”

Letting me go, she smiled and stepped back. “So did Tyler ask you yet?”

Furrowing my brows, I didn’t even get a chance to reply before Tyler interjected, grinning mischievously.

“Not yet, but I was about to,” he said to his mother, coming to my side. “I wanted to make sure she was comfortable coming back here, before I threw the question at her.”

“Well, then I’ll excuse myself so you two can get down to business.” His mother winked at him and then smiled at me one more time. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around, Kacey.”

I nodded. “I’m sure you will, Mrs. Rushing.”

“Mary,” she corrected. “I want you to call me, Mary.”

“Okay . . . Mary. It was good to see you again.”

Once she walked away, I watched her walk out the door and disappear around the corner. I wish my mother could be more like her—heartwarming and loving.

“Kacey? Are you okay?” Tyler asked, bumping me in the shoulder.

“Yes,” I answered hastily, glancing up. “Sorry, I was just thinking. Your mother is pretty awesome. I’ve never met anyone so genuine and approachable.” I looked away and smirked to myself. “Too bad you didn’t take after her.”

“What?” he asked incredulously, head whipping around.

Turning to him, I shrugged. “I’m just sayin’ . . .”

His eyes bulged, mouth opening and closing like a fish.

Breaking into a laugh, I pinched his side. “Yes, yes. You’re the same way, dear. I’m positive you got it from her. So what is it that you needed to ask me?”

Pushing me away and then immediately taking my hand and pulling me back, he chuckled. “You’re the devil.” Kissing just above my ear, he pulled me behind the desk and pointed to the chair. Once I sat down, he locked me in with a hand on each arm rest and sank down to his knees, caging me in.