Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(4)

Reluctantly, I put my big boy pants on, and matched Paxton up against another fighter, even though I really wanted to put my name beside it. I’d kicked his ass a few months ago when he was fighting in the Heavyweight division. Sadly, he moved down a division this season, which meant he’d no longer be fighting against me.

It didn’t matter though. I was going to make sure he left Gabriella alone. If I happened to throw a few punches here and there to get it through his head . . . it wouldn’t be that bad. I could control myself.





The club was packed to the brim, with even more people waiting in line outside. Friday and Saturday nights were always busy at the club, but Fridays were the best. In just a couple of weeks, the last half of the UFC season would start and I’d be one step closer to putting my nemesis out of commission and earning the title. It’s a shame Kyle’s not in town this weekend.

“Did you put me down to fight tonight?” a voice behind me called out.

Without turning around, I chuckled and kept my gaze on the newbie fighters warming up. “Actually, I did,” I replied. “You’re up against, Beckett Miller.”

Ryley stepped in front of me, blocking my line of sight. His hair was still dyed dark brown, after coloring it so no one would get him and his twin mixed up. Of course, his usual smirk was still in place.

“And who the hell is that? I’ve never heard of him,” he retorted. He was already in his blue and white fighting shorts and blue gloves, itching to fight.

His opponent, Beck, was a local guy who started training at my gym. He wasn’t even in the UFC, but he was one hell of a fighter. Tonight was his first fight and I would rather see him go against one of my friends than one of the other douche bags in the crowd.

“That’s because he’s never fought before,” I told him. “He’ll be a good opponent. Just go easy on him, it’s his first time.”

Ryley’s twin, Camden, came up to my side all dressed in his signature red and black fighting gear. “Did you put me down tonight too?” he asked.

Smiling, I pointed over at one of the top upcoming Middleweight fighters in his division. He was about six foot tall, shaved brown hair and a hundred and eighty-five pounds—the ideal weight and height for his class. Never once had I seen the guy smile.

“Landon Baker. From what I hear, he’s going to give you and your brother hell this season.”

Camden barked out a laugh. “We’ll see about that. Have you even talked to the guy? He’s like a f*cking mute.”

“Yeah, when I told him he’s fighting you. He just nodded, that’s it. All I know is that he’s relentless in the ring.”

Tilting his neck to both sides, his bones cracked as he stretched. “Not like me,” Camden gloated. “I’ll take him down.”

Before heading over to the ring, he fist-bumped Ryley and watched Landon from across the room—sizing him up. I had no doubt Camden would win, but Landon had the determination. He had the same look in his eyes I had when I first started.

“So I guess you’re not fighting tonight?” Ryley asked.

About that time, Paxton walked into the arena. He was by himself, which shocked me, considering he was always surrounded by Kyle’s groupies. I hated the f*cknut.

“No,” I growled, “I’m not.”

When Ryley realized who I was looking at, he bumped me in the shoulder. “I take it Gabriella told you about him?”

I nodded.

“I wouldn’t worry about it, man. She has Bradley protecting her. I offered to help her out, but she said no. I swear that girl attracts every single cocksucker in a thousand mile radius.”

Yes, I know.

“Have you talked to her recently?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Yeah, she told me about you and her calling it quits. Honestly, it’s probably for the best. She’s left to go visit you know who in Aspen. I’m surprised her brother let her go with the kind of schedule he put her on. I think she trains more than I do.”

With a coach like Matt, it didn’t surprise me. “What about Ashleigh? Have you talked to her?”

His jaw tensed for a split second, and then he shook his head. “No, and I don’t plan on it. She’s probably off planning a f*cking wedding with her lame ass boyfriend.”

If only he knew the truth.

I wanted to tell him, but I respected Gabriella’s wishes and kept my mouth shut. “All right, I need to make my rounds. I’ll catch up with you after the fights are over.”

Ryley shook my outstretched hand and nodded. “Sounds good. Just do yourself a favor and try not to kick Paxton’s ass. The last thing you want to do is cause problems for Gabriella.”

“Trust me, I don’t plan on it. That’s what I have Tex for.”

Paxton’s opponent for the evening was Tex Montross, a Texan who spent his time fighting and raising cattle on his farm. His real name was Blaine, but only a handful of people knew.

Tex was about six foot two with curly, blond hair he always kept covered with a cowboy hat. I met him about a year ago when I was in Texas for a fight. Needless to say, it wasn’t exactly a warm greeting. It was early in the morning and I was in the hotel gym working out when he noticed me, smirking the entire time. It pissed me off. He then proceeded to challenge me and I was more than willing to kick his ass.