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Moving here was against my will, of course. No one ever asks what I really want to do. They just think, Oh he’s trouble, we can’t deal with him. I tried to convince my parents that street fighting wasn’t me anymore. I’d found a gym back home, but I only spent a few months there before they just decided to send me away. So my parents called my aunt and uncle and boom, shipped me here to Houston, Texas to live with my cousin Ruston. I haven’t seen him in fucking forever. He’s pretty much what I remembered him to be except older, and he’s still wrapped around Tamilyn Hudson’s finger. She’s grown—fucking beautiful as hell now, and I want her. That night at the bar, I could see the jealousy all over Ruston’s face but it isn’t my fault he never made a move on her. He probably never will because he’s that nice guy. His loss is my gain, and after dinner last night I was hoping to get a little closer to her, but that didn’t work. Tonight, though, I feel it’s going to be different.
Back home, I never tried for a relationship with any girl. They were all pretty much the same, like me. They wanted one thing, the same thing I wanted, and it was nothing but a mutual exchange and then on to the next. Sex was merely a tool, and I wanted nothing more, but seeing Tamilyn awakens everything inside me.
I drive back to the apartment and I’m relieved to be alone just for this little bit of time. I need time to relax. I was hoping to be a little more active at Lou’s today, but there’s always tomorrow. I have a feeling once things really get started that I’ll be sore and wishing I was able to relax like this. I take a shower first to prepare myself for this evening, then retreat to my bedroom.
I lie on the bed and grab my phone. I know Ruston said Tamilyn was busy, but I choose to ignore him for the time being. She may be taking photographs right now, but she can still reply when she gets a chance.
So are we still on for this evening?
A few moments pass before a response comes through, but I’m patient so it’s not like it’s killing me or anything.
Oh hey! Yeah. Taking a break from the gym?
You could say that. One of the guys’ girlfriend or wife is having a baby.
Oh that’s awesome! Well I’m in the middle of a photo shoot so I’ll be a little longer.
Just let me know when you’re ready.
Okay.
Seconds turn into minutes and minutes turn into hours and no word from Tamilyn yet. The faint sound of the doorknob turning fills my ears and heavy footsteps alert me to the news that Ruston is back. I glance at my phone to see it’s a little after five.
In the living room, I find him setting his phone and keys on the kitchen counter. “Hey, man, home so soon?”
“Yeah. I’m surprised you’re still here.” He grabs a bottle of water out of the refrigerator and takes a big sip.
“Not for much longer. You heading out again tonight?”
“No, I’m staying in. I think I had enough fun last night. I need to relax, especially since we got off easy at the gym today.”
I laugh at him. I’ve never known him to be a real physical guy. Truth is, I never thought he’d actually join when I asked him to. “You’re really going to stick with this? I’m surprised.”
“What? I can’t join a gym? I may have no full intentions of fighting inside the ring like you plan to do, but I can train and build myself up.”
“Dude, you sound like such a pussy.” I laugh. My phone vibrates and I see a text from Tamilyn. It’s time for me to get the hell out of here. “Enjoy your night alone. I’m heading out.”
He waves as I walk out the door and I don’t look back. If I’m going to stay here in this city, I’m sure as hell going to enjoy myself.
Chapter 9
Tamilyn
Fighting the urge is never easy. In fact, I almost feel like I have some sort of insane addiction to my best friend and all I want to do is text him. But I fight it, because I’m not being fair to Austin. I know I was worried things would change but ultimately it looks like I may be the one to change them. I love Ruston. I guess being around someone all your life potentially leads to feelings that are out of this world. This is going to become a mess. Why Austin came walking into our lives at this moment, I’ll never understand.
I finish brushing my hair. All in all, I’ve had a great day and I couldn’t be more blessed. The couple I took the pictures for were nothing short of amazing. They were incredibly photogenic and it was easy to see how in love they were by the way they looked at each other. I took so many amazing photos, I think they will be very pleased. While I snapped away, it seemed like I caught every loving emotion possible. I want what they have. I want someone to gaze at me like I’m the only woman on this earth. I want someone to want me the way her fiancé wanted her. I’m such a hopeless romantic and it’s pitiful.
A knock on the door pulls me away from my fragile state of mind. Nothing seems right anymore. Lines were crossed last night. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to look at Ruston again without thinking of the night I drunkenly gave myself to him. The kisses, the touches, the passion. I’m getting bothered just thinking about it. I shut the light off as I walk slowly to the front door.
I don’t even bothe
r looking through the peephole, I just open the door and there stands Austin, grinning. I turn to grab my purse and my keys. My phone is tucked safely in my back pocket along with anything to do with Ruston. I need to try to just enjoy myself this evening.
“Ready to go?” Austin places his hand on the small of my back as we walk toward his car. His touch should electrify me, make me feel something, but it doesn’t. That doesn’t mean I don’t like him. I guess we just don’t have that chemistry yet.
“Yeah, where are we going?”
He opens the car door and I slide in. I wait patiently for him to get in so he can answer my question. “Well, there’s a fight tonight I wanted to check out. That okay with you? Oh, hey, it’d be pretty cool if you brought your camera. You could probably take some badass action shots.”
