Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(59)

Tightening his gloves, my father hopped up into the ring and beckoned me to join him. “Your mother and I have been talking. How would you feel about taking full responsibility of the business?”

Wide-eyed, I joined him in the ring. “You mean, take over the gym? I didn’t think you were going to retire so soon. What changed your mind?”

Getting into stance, my father attacked with a jab and left cross. I ducked and roundhouse kicked him in the back of his head. I didn’t hit him hard, but it still threw him off balance.

Righting himself, he nodded his head with a huge smile on his face. “Good one, son. You’ve gotten much better at anticipating. But to answer your question, your mother and I feel you’re ready to take over. At the end of the year, we’re stepping down and you’ll be the one in charge. Do you think you can handle it?”

For so long, my father had made comments about how I wasn’t ready and how I was never good enough. My time had finally come and I knew it was all because of Kacey. She was the one who made me want to be better, to rise above everyone else and show them I was worthy. I was more than ready to take that final step. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to let my family down.

“Yes,” I answered wholeheartedly. “I’m more than ready.”





My father and I trained for another hour before the doors opened up and a swarm of people came in for their early morning workouts. I wanted to call Kacey and tell her the good news, but I knew she had to be exhausted. I was on air and happier than I ever thought I could be.

After running on the treadmill, I started toward the break room to grab an energy bar before I began my next workout routine. However, I stopped when none other than Jaden Eller stepped in my path.

“What are you doing here?” I grumbled. “Aren’t you in the wrong city?”

Jaden Eller was one of the UFC’s female MMA fighters and Kyle Andrews’ whore. She and Gabriella fought here in my gym just a couple of months ago when Gabriella kicked her ass. Her long dark hair was pulled tight into a ponytail and her blue eyes stared at me in full blown lust. Usually I got off on that shit, but now things had changed. I wanted her to get the f*ck away from me.

“I’m in town for the time being, at least until Kyle wants to head back home. He wanted to visit his family,” she informed me.

“That’s great,” I commented sarcastically. “Enjoy your time in town.” Quickly, I walked around her in hopes of getting away. Unluckily, she wasn’t done with me.

“Oh, I’ll definitely enjoy my time. But there’s something I thought I should tell you. You seem like the type of guy who likes honesty.”

“What the f*ck are you talking about?” I snapped impatiently. “You better start making some sense before I get pissed off.”

Smiling, she lifted her hands and nonchalantly inspected her short, pink fingernails. “Oh, I just wanted to let you know your girlfriend has a secret. I’m pretty sure she hasn’t told you yet. ‘Cause if she had, I highly doubt you’d have anything to do with her.”

“Like I’d believe anything that came out of your mouth,” I hissed. “You need to get the f*ck away from me.” I was done. Turning on my heel, I marched off to the back room, hearing her obnoxious laugh behind me. Before I could turn the handle and be done with her for good, she stopped me with her next words.

“Kacey is Kyle’s sister, Rushing,” she blurted out.

I froze and the whole gym grew silent. No, there’s no f*cking way that’s true. Her last name is Andrews, but she couldn’t be related to that f*cker.

“If you don’t believe me, call her and ask. Kyle’s over at her house right now—I just came from there. I must say out of all of the things he’s done, this one takes the cake. He got you to fall in love with the enemy. I didn’t think it would be possible.”

Hearing her cackle and the whispers in the room set me off. My body was on fire, anger and rage surging through my veins. All I could see was red, as I stormed through the gym. I had to get out of there. Clenching my teeth, I grabbed my keys and headed for the door.

“Son,” my father called out.

I didn’t turn around, but I did stop.

“I’m not going to try and stop you because that would be foolish, but I want you to keep your wits about you. You can’t always believe what you hear. Don’t let your anger cloud your judgment.”

Easier said than done. Without another word, I slammed open the door and charged toward my truck. The pieces were sliding into place and it all made perfect sense now. She knew Paxton and he was one of Kyle’s best friends, she grew up in California where Kyle was from, and I bet she knew the guy from last night that messed with her. Was it all a ploy from the very beginning? Whatever was going on, I was about to find out.

Either way, Kyle Andrews was f*cking dead.





KYLE WAS WAITING for me on the front steps with an evil smirk. I couldn’t wait to see Tyler punch that look off of his face.

“It’s good to see you again, sis,” he called out.

Shutting my car door, I stormed up to him and slapped him across the cheek. His head snapped to the side, but his leer grew even bigger. I hated him. “How dare you do this to me. Why do you always have to tear people down to get ahead? Why can’t you do what normal people do and just work hard to be the best?”