Chapter 48
Jared
I’ve had a smile cemented to my face ever since the guys and I had an impromptu dinner with Kailey and Brittney.
I know she still feels something for me.
Her telling me at the bar that Mathew was her boyfriend sure changed quickly.
She’ll know soon enough that the reason I look “happy” is because I’m near her again.
But I need to stay on track, not force anything, and try my best to keep from looking like a deranged stalker.
I’m punching the bag when I hear my name called from somewhere near the front of the gym.
Holding my bag still, I look around. “Yeah, back here.” I don’t recognize the guy walking up to me.
Tall and big enough he could be a linebacker, wearing a dark grey suit, he’s probably someone my manager sent to talk to me.
He keeps trying to get me advertisement and sponsorship deals, saying a billboard would be the “real deal.”
The guy abruptly stops in front of me. “Are you Jared Sinner?”
“Yeah, that’s me. What can I do for ya?” Drips of sweat are tracing paths down my bare back.
He pushes me in the center of my chest, then comes face to face with me. “Stay the fuck away from KC. She’s not yours. This is a friendly warning, you little prick.”
“Hey, what the fuck, John?” Beau rushes up, and his hand goes to John’s chest.
“Beau,” his stare is piercing, “King wanted me to have a little talk with the new guy.” He crosses his arms in front of his chest. “Seems like you haven’t explained to him how things are around here.”
What a dipshit. “I don’t need anything explained to me. She isn’t anyone’s property.”
Beau’s hands go to his hips. Closing his eyes, he shakes his head at big boy John. “He’s with me.”
“I don’t answer to you, Beau.” John tries to pat my shoulder but I shift my body away. The fucker laughs it off. “Like I was just explaining to Jared here, this is a friendly warning.”
Beau’s face has shifted from the happy-go-lucky kind of guy to something fierce.
“No, you don’t understand, John. I just told you, Jared’s with me.
Which means, he’s fucking protected.” Beau’s index finger juts out against the big guy’s forehead.
“Now do you understand what the fuck I’m saying?
” Beau walks up into John’s personal space, and they hold a staring contest for a minute before John grunts and slowly turns around and walks away.
Before he walks out of the gym, his feet stop and his body shifts. His dark eyes lock onto mine, and an evil grin appears, then he’s gone.
“What the fuck was that about?” I look to Beau for answers.
“Oh, no. I tried to warn you. That’s what that was.” Beau waves me off, annoyed, already grabbing his phone and texting on it. “You just had to come back for KC, right? Just something about her you couldn’t get over?!” He’s actually pissed right now.
“I’ve gotta make a call. Don’t leave here without me. We’ll head home together tonight.” Beau’s phone is already at his ear as he walks to the locker room.
I can’t let some big fucker scare me off, not when I’m so close to getting Kailey back.
Now that I know she still has feelings for me, nothing can stop me.
The gym is in full swing; random fighters are sparring while others are laid down on benches, lifting.
Brittney catches my eye; she must be waiting for Skyler.
This might be my only chance to plead my case to her.
If her best friend isn’t rooting for us, it’ll be a problem, one I don’t want to deal with.
Casually, I take my time walking up to her, looking around to see where Skyler is. He isn’t near her, so it’s the perfect time to do this. She’s looking at her phone when I stop right beside her. “Brittney.”
Her whole body jumps, and she catches the cell phone before it hits the floor. “Shit, Jared, you scared me.” Her eyes pivot around me. “What’s up?”
“Yeah, sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you like that. I just saw you standing here and wanted to borrow a few minutes of your time.” I start walking over to where a loveseat sits in the lobby area.
“Okay…” Her response is laced with caution, and her eyes continue to dart around the gym.
We both sit down, taking residence on each side, far enough apart.
“I still love her, Brittney.” Her head starts to shake and her mouth opens, but I put my hand up for her to let me finish.
“I always have, okay? All of these years, she’s been the woman in my heart.
I don’t hate her for what she did. I should; she broke my fucking heart.
” I pause, taking a deep breath before continuing, “But over time, I realized it’s what she needed…
And, well, I want to try and win her back. ”
“Wait, what?” Brittney gasps, her brows knitted.
“It’s true. I wasn’t sure if I should even come to you for advice, but let’s be honest: Kailey trusts you, and I wanted to be truthful, so you might trust me too.” I dip my head and fold my hands together.
Her small hand taps my shoulder, making my head come back up.
“Jared, what are you wanting me to say?” Brittney shifts uncomfortably in the cushion.
“Want me to tell you she’s never been as happy as she was with you?
That’s true. Want me to tell you she’s never forgotten about you?
That’s also true. Do I think you two can be happy together?
Fuck, I don’t know. All I do know is that I can’t see her go through that kind of heartbreak again. ”
“But I didn’t break her heart!” I plead.
She stares at me for a beat then nods. “Yeah, I know you didn’t. Back then, you two were the real deal. I would’ve given anything to have someone love me like you loved her.”
“I still do love her.”
“How can you possibly say that and actually believe it? You don’t even know who she is now. What she’s had to do to get where she’s at now. You know and love the Kailey from five years ago, but she’s different now.”
“Then help me get a chance to know her again.” Shit, do I tell her Kailey’s the reason I’ve come to Chicago? All the things I’ve continued to do for her while she’s been away?
I hear Skyler’s voice. He must’ve just gotten out of the shower; his hair is wet and his clothes are fresh. Brittney looks at where he’s standing, talking to another fighter.
“I’ve gotta go,” she rushes out as she stands up from the loveseat and starts to walk in Skyler’s direction before abruptly stopping. Without looking at me, she whispers, “I don’t know if I should even be telling you this, but… I think you should fight for her.”
I don’t stand up. “Tell me how, please,” I beg.
After she huffs out a dramatic breath, I hear her soft words. “She likes books… smutty ones, the ones with happy endings, true love that conquers everything.”
Okay, I’m not sure what she’s hinting at… Should I go buy Kailey a bunch of books?
Skyler spots her, then me; his lips go into a fine line and his forehead wrinkles as he starts to walk straight for Brittney.
“Get her number from Beau. Woo her, Jared.” She snaps her fingers in mid-air and points at the ceiling, like she just got a bright idea. “There’s a book signing convention coming up, and two of her favorite authors will be there: AJ Wilding and Kristina Brand. Do with that what you will.”
“What’s up, man?” Skyler’s tone is sharp as he stops next to Brittney. He grabs her by the hip and pulls her against his side.
“Nothing. Just talking to your smokeshow, asking advice on Kailey.”
“Oh, is that right?” He eyes Brittney then me.
“Yeah, gotta get the best friend’s approval, am I right?” I taunt him.