32. Chapter 29
Mari
“ Y ou need a ride into Koresvale tonight?” Chance asked, finally putting on his clean, post-shower shirt.
It had taken … longer than expected to clean up the mess we’d made in the office. What started as picking things up from the floor, had very quickly turned into round two.
I patted the desk, silently thanking it for not breaking under what we’d just done … twice.
“I … had totally forgotten about that.”
Nan and Al had insisted on throwing a party for Chance once they’d found out about the ‘fight of a lifetime’ that he had accepted. Koresvale was a town about an hour over from Soggla, best known for its nightlife. It was the only town with more than one place to drink.
With three clubs, Koresvale was always popping off on a Friday and Saturday night.
The clubs—Oasis, Moonies, and Karly’s—had only recently implemented the legal rule of smoking to be carried on outside.
Inside each club still reeked of stale cigarettes, but at least now there was a dimmed, coloured lighting that made the space feel somewhat new and refreshed.
Excitement rushed through my body at the thought of him and I showing up together, possibly hand in hand. Possibly dancing up on one another. Possibly getting it on in one of the outdated bathrooms.
But then, the excitement stopped. My eyes landed on the prototype gloves that Camden had had sent to the gym. The same obnoxious, golden gloves that Jayden had paraded around.
That was what happened when I got involved with fighters.
And I was still living with the damage.
“Look, Chance.” My heart thumped in my chest, nerves short-circuiting all over my body. “I think you’re really great, but—”
“Relax, Trevino. I was asking if you needed a lift in tonight, not for your hand in marriage.”
Post-sex bliss, over.
“Oh, uh … I—”
“Assumed I’d fall head over heels in love with you after having sober sex with you?”
I fumbled with the navy blue shirt in my hands, avoiding his heavy gaze.
“No,” I snapped, temper flaring when I met his darkened gaze. “Just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page. I’m not interested in you.”
Stupid, stupid liar. You know this will come back to bite you in the ass.
“Glad we have an understanding.” He slung his duffle over his shoulder, that mask of boredom strapped into place over his no-longer-glowing face. “See you ’round, Trevino.”