Hooked (TKO #2) Read online

  Hooked

  TKO Series, Book 2

  By Ana Layne

  Hooked

  Copyright © 2015 by Ana Layne. All rights reserved.

  First Print Edition: April 2015

  Limitless Publishing, LLC

  Kailua, HI 96734

  www.limitlesspublishing.com

  Formatting: Limitless Publishing

  ISBN-13: 978-1-68058-107-2

  ISBN-10: 1-68058-107-4

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

  Dedication

  If you’re reading this book, it’s dedicated to you.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  I’m not the best guy in the world. I’m the guy your mother will warn you to stay away from in the bar because I only want one thing.

  And I usually get it.

  Things at Joe’s are looking just like they should tonight. The drinks are coming, the music is bumping, and the hotties are here. Damn, it’s going to be a good night. I shouldn’t be here tonight, or any other night, but it’s the only way I know how to deal, and keep my head on straight.

  Mom is dying. Dad knows it, I know this. It’s why I fight. I fight to help pay her medical bills, and make sure the house is taken care of. Dad shouldn’t have to carry that weight alone, and I refuse to let him.

  She was diagnosed with lung cancer a few years ago, and she was a strong fighter from the beginning. The cancer went into remission, but it’s come back with a horrible vengeance. She’s steadily going downhill, refusing to go to the doctor. Her stubbornness pisses Dad and me off, but we don’t let her see that. We don’t force her to go, either, which is probably wrong on our parts. I just don’t want to make anything harder on her than it already is. I can’t imagine my life without Mom in it, but soon I’ll know what it’s like, and I’m going to hate it.

  Garrett buys a round of shots, passing them out to us, and lifting a glass to Raegan. “I’d like to give a toast to my sexy, stubborn-ass girlfriend. She’s one hell of a woman, and I love her so fucking much.”

  Before I throw my shot back, I shoot her a grin. “I fucking love her, too!”

  She rolls her eyes at me, laughing. If there’s one thing I’m happy about, it’s that Garrett found Raegan. They are perfect together, even though they are aggravating as hell sometimes.

  As much as I want to hang around these two tonight, I can’t help but scan the crowd. I glance between a blonde with a pixie style haircut and a brunette whose breasts are spilling out of her shirt. She approaches the bar.

  Come to Daddy. Raegan and Garrett already know what I’m up to, and they don’t mind. They’re used to my antics. I stroll toward the brunette at the bar.

  I watch her intently. She notices me, and her eyes widen as her cheeks turn a slight shade of pink. She’s gorgeous. Her hair cascades over her shoulders, the ends meeting where her cleavage begins. I lick my lips as I inch closer to my prey. She knows what’s coming. It’s written all over my face.

  “What’s your name?” I whisper into her ear. She practically shudders at the sound of my voice. That’s right, baby, I want to say.

  “Hilary.” She turns and stares at me, looking so sexy and innocent.

  “Hi, Hilary,” I say, twirling a strand of her hair around my finger. “I’m Lance. Can I buy you a drink?”

  She looks a little nervous at first. Something about her is familiar to me, but I can’t put my finger on it. “Sure. Bud Light.”

  She’s a beer drinker, nice. I expected some fruity cocktail, but I can handle anything. She sips the beer as a song comes on, and I grab her hand, leading her to the dance floor. I don’t see Raegan or Garrett anymore. They must have left. An upbeat tempo plays as we begin to dance. Hilary is grinding her ass all over me. Damn, she’s turning me on. Her perfume hits my nose and the soft fragrance lingers for a moment. I can tell there’s already something different about this girl, but what am I thinking? I’m not here to analyze her. I’m here for a different reason.

  Two songs later, we’re still dancing. She’s right where I want her. “Come with me,” I growl. She places her hand in mine as I lead her back to the closet. Not very romantic, I know, but I’m not a romantic guy.

  I crush my lips against hers, and she lets her mouth open slightly, letting my tongue explore hers. She lets out a light moan as I lift her shirt over her head. I cup each of her breasts through her pink lace bra, teasing each one through the fabric. She closes her eyes and throws her head back as she lets out another moan. I’m fumbling with the button on her pants, and I’m so close to finishing this and getting what I need. As the button unfastens, her eyes pop open and she stares at me. “Wa-wait,” she stammers. I stop to look at her.

  “It’s okay, baby,” I murmur, leaning in to kiss her again.

  “No, wait…I’m a, a virgin.”

  Every breath inside me is sucked away. Did this girl just say she was a virgin?

  Panic floods through me. I can’t do this to her. I can’t take her virginity away in some sleazy closet of a bar. Fuck. I pull away from her as if she’s toxic, and stumble backward until I bump into a pile of boxes. The boxes I would have bent her over. Shit, I can’t think about this right now.

  “I’ve, uh…I’ve got to go. I’m sorry, Hilary.”

  I rush out feeling like an even bigger jackass for leaving her alone in that closet, probably scared. I’m heartless, yet I don’t feel that way right now. I want to go back in there and scoop her up in my arms and tell her she deserves better, but when have I ever cared about any girl I’ve brought in there? I don’t go back in there. I head straight for the doors, and walk out frustrated as hell.

  I stand in front of my truck trying to adjust my pants, attempting to dismiss the hard-on I got from Hilary. I can’t believe she’s a virgin. Christ, I need to be more careful at the bar. Is she even legal? I don’t even want to think about that right now. Her face stays imprinted in my mind like I’ve seen her somewhere before but I can’t quite recall.

  Where do I know her from? All of a sudden I remember we went to the same high school. Hilary Vaughan. How could I forget her? We were in the same graduating class. She always kept to herself, content to read rather than become engulfed by all the relentless high school bullshit. She was bullied constantly, and I stepped in more than once to defend her. Even though I barely knew her, I couldn’t allow a person to be treated that way.

  I am frozen in place, lost in thought, unable to believ
e I just pulled Hilary Vaughan into a dirty closet.

  “Hey, Lance. Leaving so soon, babe?” Shelly approaches me, swaying her hips. We’ve had many a round in the closet at Joe’s. Her blue eyes are fiery with desire tonight, and her blonde hair is pulled up in a messy bun. The skirt she’s wearing should be illegal, but maybe that’s why I like her time and time again. Easy.

  “Yeah, not feeling it tonight. I’m just going to head out.” I reach for the handle of my truck door, my keys in my hand.

  She pouts. God, I love her lips. “Oh, come on, baby. Not yet. We haven’t gotten to have our fun yet. It’s been a while, you know.”

  It’s been at least a few weeks since I’ve run into her. I shouldn’t be excited to see her, but I am. “I have some time for you. Hop your fine ass in my truck.”

  I open the door, letting her in first. Once we’re inside, and the doors are shut, she immediately reaches for the zipper of my jeans. I groan as I help her lower them. She wraps her soft hands around my dick before pulling it into her mouth. Oh god, yes, this is just what I need.

  Shelly moves her mouth up and down my shaft, making me grunt with pleasure. “Oh yeah, baby, that’s it.”

  She presses her lips on the tip, almost sending me over the edge. I have to blink for a moment, readjusting my eyes in the dark, and shake my head. I haven’t had that much to drink, but I see Hilary there instead of Shelly.

  What the hell? Hilary. Damn, why is this girl stuck in my head?

  I can’t look at her face anymore, even if this is the most amazing blowjob I’ve ever had. I stop Shelly and pick her up on the seat where the skirt she’s wearing slides up to reveal she’s wearing no panties. Growling, I reach for a condom. Once I slide it onto my dick, I steady her hips and slam into her, trying to forget Hilary’s face. Once I’m finished, Shelly sits up and plants a kiss on my lips. “Damn, Lance, that was hot. I missed this.”

  “Me too, Shell.” I’m lying. Not that it wasn’t amazing, but she wasn’t the one I wanted to be with.

  “Catch ya later, baby.” She smiles as she steps out of my truck and makes her way back into Joe’s.

  I start the truck, silently cussing myself for being such a dick. I need to go home. That’s the only place I want to be right now. All I can see on my way there is Hilary’s face. Every song I hear on the radio, I imagine her. More than anything, I imagine the expression on her face as she told me she was a virgin. Asshole, that’s what I am.

  Dammit, I fucked this up big time.

  Chapter 2

  3 Months Later

  That night changed my life. I know it did. While Mom was sitting at home, slowly dying, I was out and trying to mask the pain. I’ve been more fucked up than usual since Hilary walked back into my life. For once in my life, I actually want a girl and not just to screw her. But I can’t have her. She’ll never forgive me for that night.

  I should have seen the signs going off all around me. She seemed hesitant as I led her to the closet. She followed me, though. She trusted me. Damn, could she kiss. Her shirt came off with no problems, but the real warning signs came as I fumbled with the button of her jeans, dying to feel her wet and ready for me. I couldn’t believe she said she was a virgin. I fucking freaked.

  I couldn’t do that to this poor girl, knowing she deserved so much better than some fuck up like me looking for a cheap lay. She deserves the best, and I wish to God I could give it to her, but I can’t. She was mortified. I could tell by the look in her eyes. Part of me wanted to console her, but instead I walked out, leaving her all alone. The guilt is heavy, weighing me down. I shouldn’t have left her like that. The realization of who she really was, the girl who took the brunt of everyone’s jokes in high school, really woke me up. I doubt she even remembers me. Back then, I knew she often regressed into her mind to escape the humiliation she was experiencing at school. She could have blocked everything out—including memories of me. I wonder how she’s doing. Where her life headed after we graduated.

  I’ve been back at the bar almost every day, hoping to run into her. No luck. I tried to forget her, but she’s all I can think about. God, I’m so screwed up.

  “Earth to Lance, come in, Lance.” I look up to see Garrett waving his hand in front of me. The anxious look on his face shows he’s been trying to get my attention.

  “Yeah, I’m ready.”

  “You’re up, are you sure? If your head’s not in it, just forfeit. It’ll be okay.”

  “I can’t do that shit, and you know it. The mortgage is due, and I told my dad I’d help him.” Dad’s new job is doing well, but I am so used to helping that I don’t mind. Anything to help take the load off him while he has to sit back and watch the love of his life wither away to nothing.

  “I know, man. I’m just worried about you.”

  I gather the courage to walk out this room, and get into that ring. Somehow, I get my head in the game. I never paid attention to who I was against, I just went in and did my job. I was so pissed about not having the one thing I wanted most that I completely annihilated the poor guy. He only got one hit in, and after that, he didn’t stand a chance. I exited the ring, no less frustrated than I’d been when I first walked into it.

  “Lance, you okay, son?” Howard asks.

  “I’m fine, Howard, just have a lot on my mind.”

  “Your parents okay? You need to take some time for you. I admire you for what you’re doing for them, and I know they sure as hell appreciate it. We just worry about you,” he said, echoing Garrett’s words.

  “I know, man, I’m good. I promise.” All I want to do is get out of here. I know everyone cares, and I love that, but I don’t want to hear it.

  Once I’m in my truck, I’m able to breathe easier. I don’t even want to go out anymore. The bar can’t fix me tonight, not unless Hilary is there and ready to talk to me. I want to apologize so badly. I want to get on my hands and knees and tell her how sorry I am, and that if she will let me, I’d love a chance to be with her. I don’t think the chance will never come.

  I continue to sit there, wondering if I’ll ever see her again. There’s no light in my truck except the light from the moon. I like it this way. No one can see the anguish and the heartache I’m feeling. No one can judge me. Raegan is the only one who knows why Hilary and I weren’t talking anymore. I gave her the whole background story, hoping she’d have some solution that could work to my benefit. She offered to talk to her for me, but I didn’t want her doing my work for me. I already feel pathetic enough. Although I said I wouldn’t, I find myself driving toward Joe’s.

  I walk inside, grabbing the usual beer. The bartenders all know me, so the minute I step up, a beer is immediately in front of me. Before I can press the bottle to my lips, I see her. Hilary is here. I’m not sure who she’s here with, but I want to talk to her. This is my chance. Her brown hair is glowing from the neon light she’s standing under, and she throws her head back laughing at something someone is telling her as she takes a sip of the beer she’s holding. It’s now or never. I make my way up to her. She never sees me coming.

  “Hilary, can we talk?” I lean into her, seeing her freeze like she did that first time. She turns around slowly, her eyes no longer shining.

  “No.”

  “Please, you have to let me explain. You know me—”

  “No, Lance, I don’t,” she snaps, interrupting me.

  I open my mouth ready to retaliate, to convince her she needs to hear me out, when my phone rings. Dad’s number pops up. He’s probably wondering where I am, and I need to let him know I have the money for my part of the mortgage.

  “I have to get this. I’ll be right back.”

  “What is that, a booty call?” Her words are laced with venom. “Maybe it’s someone who can give you what you want, how you want it.”

  I force away the pain her words cause, and glare at her before turning away to answer my phone in the noisy bar.

  “Hello?” I almost yell, trying to get outside so I can hea
r.

  “Son.” There is silence, then a muffled cry.

  I finally make it outside where I can hear. Raegan and Garrett are walking up, and the look on my face causes them stop and watch me, as if wondering what’s going on.

  “Dad, is everything okay?”

  I’m about ready to run and jump into my truck when Dad’s voice comes through the speaker, broken and full of tears. “Your mom just passed, son. I’m so sorry to have to tell you this over the phone. She went peacefully.”

  I’m not sure if he’s still talking, because I don’t hear anything. The phone slips from my hands, crashing against the concrete. “Motherfucker!” I yell, bringing myself to the ground.

  Garrett immediately rushes to my side pulling me close. He knows what happened. I don’t need to tell him. I did the same thing for him when both his parents were killed. My whole world seems to vanish. We all knew this day was coming, but I was never ready for it. Nothing could prepare me for it. My mom isn’t here anymore. She’ll never be there to see me find the perfect girl, or have her grandchildren running around the front yard. I need to get home to Dad. I’m suddenly frantic with worry. They’ve been married twenty-five years, and now he’s all alone.

  Raegan meets me on the other side, wrapping her arm around my waist. “I’m so sorry, Lance.” She has no idea what those words mean to me.

  I want to thank her, but the tears continue cascading down my cheeks. Mom put up a damn good fight. I was so proud of her for never giving up.

  “Let us drive you home, man. Raegan and I can get your truck to you later. You don’t need to be driving like this.” He is right. I am in no shape to get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

  I say nothing, because words don’t seem like enough right now. Numbly, I let them lead me to Garrett’s truck. He turns the volume on the stereo down as I climb in. Raegan sits in the back beside me, and I rest my head on her shoulder. The tears have yet to cease, and she just cradles me like a baby. My heart is broken, shattered into a million pieces. Loneliness is invading me and if it weren’t for my friends, there’s no way I could shake it.