Sucker Punch (TKO #4) Page 5

  “It really is.” I grin just thinking about it.

  Lucas cries and Raegan sets the plate in her hand down. “Mommy’s coming, baby. Did Uncle Lance scare you with his singing again?”

  “I did no such thing. Tyler loves my singing.” Lance frowns. “Lucas just needs a better appreciation for music. What are you teaching this kid?”

  Raegan rolls her eyes and laughs. “We’re teaching Lucas all about anything but what you sing.”

  Hilary laughs and asks Lance to take Tyler so she can go to the restroom. The way Lance holds his son is adorable. Who would have ever thought he would reproduce?

  Raegan looks over at them, smiling. Lance gets started on the Disney trip he’s been dreaming of and Garrett glares at him. I stifle a laugh, knowing all is right in the world.

  If Paige and I ever really hit it off, I’d love for her to meet everyone here. She would love them.

  When Lance and Hilary decide to leave, they offer me a ride and I accept. I know Garrett told me he’d take me home but he’s already home, I don’t want to make him have to leave again. I hug Raegan and thank her for the delicious meal. I’ll be sleeping well tonight. I can’t wait to climb into my bed now. Good food and good friends, that’s all a man needs nowadays.

  Chapter 9

  Paige

  After a long day, what I would call one of the toughest I’ve had since becoming a nurse, I was relieved to have my parents insist Darla and I eat dinner at their home. Darla pulled their legs and got them to make spaghetti and meatballs. Even as a grownup, I love my parents’ spaghetti and meatballs.

  They ask about my day and I sadly inform them what happened. It’s nice having someone to talk to that understands. It’s not like I could sit down with Darla and explain my day; she’d never be able to comprehend. I have no friends except for Nora. Being with Brendan pretty much severed all of my friendships. They sensed his toxicity before I ever did and left me high and dry because I couldn’t see it at the time. Even after he was gone, they kept their distance. They say you find out who your friends are when shit gets tough. Well, I found out I had zero friends. Lucky me.

  I help Mom clean up the mess and notice Darla beginning to yawn. I love my job, but sometimes it makes me sad when I think about the little moments I’m missing. There are some days where I barely get to spend any sort of time with her because she’s already falling asleep. This is one of those times. I can already guess how the rest of the evening will go. I’ll drive us home, somehow manage to wiggle her out of her clothes and put her jammies on her, and then I’ll tuck her into bed and kiss her forehead. I’ve become a pro at this.

  I kiss my parents bye and tell them we’ll be back in the morning. Just as I suspected, Darla is beginning to fall asleep in my arms. Juggling her and the small suitcase of toys is not easy. I load her into her car seat and toss the suitcase haphazardly onto the floor.

  By the time I reach my apartment complex, she’s snoring. I chuckle, thinking about how cute she is right now. I’d take a picture but I don’t want the flash to wake her. I have the thought to leave her suitcase in here, but she may want to add to it in the morning so I begin the struggle of juggling both her and it again. The handle begins slipping from my hand. I know something eventually will fall and it sure as hell won’t be Darla. She wiggles her little body and the suitcase lands with a thud on the ground.

  I sigh as I hold her steady and begin to bend over to grab it.

  “I can get that for you.” A voice comes from nowhere.

  I look up to see a girl about my age with a lopsided bun of brown hair sitting on top of her head. “I’m Raegan, are you new in here?”

  “Thank you. I’m Paige. I’ve been living here for a while now, probably almost a year. I’m a nurse so I’m rarely here, it seems sometimes,” I tell her.

  “I’m always here.” She smiles as she reaches down and grabs the suitcase. “My son’s favorite toy is in my car and he can’t sleep without it. Let me guess, this is full of toys.”

  “You guessed it.” I chuckle. “Darla packs about everything she can into this suitcase every morning.”

  “She’s so adorable. Which apartment is yours?” Raegan asks.

  I point straight ahead and she follows behind me. I unlock the door and push it open. “Thank you so much, Raegan. It was nice to meet you.”

  “You’re welcome, Paige. My apartment is two doors down. Garrett is at the gym most of the day and sometimes our friends come over. You’re welcome anytime.”

  “That means a lot to me,” I tell her. Little does she know, I’m being brutally honest.

  “Next time you’re off or have free time, just come by.”

  Raegan sets the suitcase inside for me and steps out, waving bye as she walks off. She’s the first neighbor I’ve ever met. I’m not used to letting people into my life, but it doesn’t hurt to try to have another friend around. Nora has her own life and we may talk sometimes outside of work but it’s mainly a workplace friendship. Raegan is two doors down, which could be perfect.

  I lock the door behind me and carry Darla to her bed. I quickly change her into her nightclothes and cover her up. My sweet girl is tired. I yawn, realizing I’m just as exhausted. I walk straight to the shower and clean up quickly so I can lie down. I pass out the minute my head hits the pillow. I had told myself I was going to check my phone before I fell asleep but that doesn’t happen.

  ***

  My alarm blares in the morning, reminding me I need to get up and start my day. I realize I’m alone in my bed. Darla must have slept soundly through the night. I slowly get up and walk towards her room. When I see she’s still sleeping, I go and make a small pot of coffee. While the coffee brews, I put on my scrubs for the day. My curls are all over the place and I grab a pony tail holder. Once I adjust my ponytail, it’s time to wake up Darla.

  I fix her a small bowl of cereal this morning, watching as she eats it right up. She runs towards her suitcase and begins tugging at the zipper. I help her open it up and watch as she analyzes all of the toys inside. She closes it back and I zip it back up. Son of a bitch. I really could have left the suitcase in the car last night. I should have known better.

  I chuckle as I set the suitcase back by the door. We finish our morning routine and soon we’re back at my parent’s house and then I’m heading back to work. My phone vibrates as I pull into the hospital, but I know better than to check it while I’m driving. Whatever it is can wait until my car is no longer moving.

  My usual parking spot is already taken so I drive around until I spot something that isn’t so far away. Then I take out the phone. Austin’s name pops up and butterflies invade my stomach. I’m not used to this feeling at all.

  Austin: This may be a long shot but do you have any plans this evening?

  I swallow as I read his message. I can’t make plans with him. He doesn’t know about Darla and it’s not like I would have anyone to watch her anyway. My parents do more than their fair share during the work week.

  Paige: I’m having dinner at my parents’ house.

  It’s not like I’m lying. If I had to put money down on it, I could almost guarantee a meal will be cooked and Darla and I will be eating there.

  Austin: No big deal, I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out and maybe get a bite to eat.

  He’s such a damn sweetheart and it’s killing me I can’t tell him yes.

  Paige: Oh, I’m sorry. Can I get a rain check?

  Austin: Of course. Just let me know when works for you.

  Paige: I will!

  Austin: I hope you have a good day, beautiful.

  My throat closes up and my heart stops beating in my chest. Beautiful. I almost forgot what that word even means. It’s been forever since a guy has called me beautiful. Now I really feel like shit for having to tell him no. My hands get all clammy on me as I type back to him. I’m actually kinda glad this is happening over text message because I’m not sure I could hide these rosy pink cheeks.

  Paige: You are too sweet. Have a good day too!

  I want to wait for him to reply but I need to get inside. I’m never late, but I’m pushing it a little today. Austin’s last message was definitely worth it, though.

  Chapter 10

  Austin

  I may have crossed some sort of imaginary line, but fuck it. We only live once and my life could have easily been taken away from me a few months ago. I’m living it to the fullest, and if telling Paige she’s beautiful is the best thing I do today, then I’m okay with that. I can’t seem to wipe the grin off my face and Lance looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have, maybe I’ve finally fallen off the deep end.

  “Why do you look like the weird neighbor I had as a kid?” he asks me.

  I laugh hysterically, wondering why he even talks sometimes. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Old Man Hanks. He always stood on his front lawn wearing some godawful grin like he was up to something. He had no teeth though. You’ve got him beat there.”

  “You make no sense. None whatsoever. How’s Hilary and Tyler?” I ask, changing the subject. I’m done with him referring to me as the creepy neighbor.

  “You know she actually told me she misses being pregnant? She was the cutest pregnant woman, though. Anyway, she and the baby are good. Laney is a great big sister. I’m blessed, man.”

  “That’s awesome. I’m happy for you.” Truth is, I really am. I have no clue what it’s like to really be around kids, but it sounds like it’s work but fun at the same time. Lance and Garrett are the first people I’ve been with who have them. None of my friends back home were knocking up the women around town. They were fucking, but that was about it.

  “Yeah, so you want to spar with a real winner or you still
want Garrett?” He grins.

  “You talking shit, Lance?” Garrett pops up out of nowhere. “I’ll tell Raegan not to cook anymore. She was supposed to come today but she forgot Lucas had some sort of check-up this morning.”

  “You turned her into Betty Crocker and I love it. You better not tell her not to cook.”

  “You guys crack me up,” I tell them, reaching over for my right arm. This happens to me sometimes—I forget the arm is not there. Tears well up in my eyes. I put my head down pretending something got into my eye. I would have thought I’d be used to this by now, but it’s still like it’s hitting me for the first time all over again.

  “Lance should have been a clown or something. I hear the circus is hiring.” Garrett grins.

  “Very funny. Maybe I’ll check it out.”

  Howard yells for Garrett from the office and he smirks as he walks off. I look at Lance and wiggle my hand into my glove. “I’ll spar with you. Don’t hold back okay? Garrett has been getting tougher on me,” I tell him.

  He gets serious all of a sudden and that’s how I know he’s in the zone. Lance knows how to joke and have a good time, but when it’s time to take care of business, he can flip the switch automatically. “If I go too soft, let me know to step it up. I haven’t really sparred with you since the accident.”

  “Trust me, I’ll say something.”

  Getting into stance is the easiest part. Garrett and I have been sparring for a few days now, but adjusting to this one arm is still not as easy as I want it to be. Once I’m feeling confident in my skin, I put my arm up, ready for whatever Lance is about to bring my way.

  Lance goes to throw a punch but stops mid-swing. “I’m sorry, man,” he tells me, shaking his head.

  “What’s wrong? Are you feeling sorry for me or something?” I ask, disappointed he didn’t throw that punch.

  “I…I don’t know what happened. It won’t happen again,” he assures me.

  I sigh, hoping he’s right. I don’t need him feeling sorry for me. I’m tired of feeling sorry for myself, I sure as hell don’t need anyone else to do it. “Can we try again? What if I make the first move?”

  “Oh, a man that goes for what he wants. That’s what I’m talking about.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

  “You need psychiatric help.” I get back into stance and wait for him to stop laughing and do the same.

  He takes a deep breath in and then out. I watch his movements, studying each and every one of them as he gets ready. I can do this, I’ve got to do this. I swing my left arm towards him, wondering if he’s going to actually let me get a hit in on him. He blocks the hit and I grin proudly. Lance reciprocates the swing, catching me off guard. I was so caught up in myself he caught me completely off guard. I stumble a little, losing my balance, but I never fall.

  We go round and round until I’m gasping for air. I’m exhausted but happy. Once Lance put his mind into it and quit worrying about my well-being, he brought the heat.

  ***

  I thank Lance for the ride home and walk straight for the front door. I need a shower so bad. I smell like ass from sparring all afternoon. I’m getting better, though, and that’s all I really care about.

  Ruston is sitting on the couch and he glances toward me as I walk inside.

  “Hey Austin, what’s up?”

  “Oh you know, just the typical stuff from Lou’s. I did nothing but spar with Lance all day.” I want to plop my ass on the couch but I really need to clean up first. “I’m going to shower real quick. I’ll be right back,” I tell him.

  I didn’t lie. I’m in and out of the bathroom in a matter of seconds and damn, it feels so good to be in clean clothes. Ruston is still sitting on the couch and this time, I can actually sit next to him. He’s flipping through the channels on the TV and I raise my eyebrow. “So what’s going on? Where’s Tamilyn?”

  That must be a sore subject, because he actually glares at me. I throw up my hand in surrender. “I don’t want to talk about her right now.”

  “I’m sorry, man. Anything you want to talk about?” I have no clue why I ask when he just told me he doesn’t want to talk about her.

  “We’re fighting, in case you haven’t gathered that. She’s pissed because I went to lunch with a female client today. My dad was there too, but Tamilyn wouldn’t listen. So I told her if she wants to be that way maybe we shouldn’t be together.”

  I try to hold back my laughter. This is so petty, it’s actually cracking me up. “What is this, Rus, high school? Want me to talk to her for you?”

  “You two have a past, you think I want that? She may try to hit on you or something,” he snaps.

  “Seriously? Did you just say that to me? I was just trying to help you out.” I can’t lie and act like I’m not offended. I’m offended as hell right now.

  “I’m sorry, Austin. It’s just exhausting. I don’t get why she can’t trust me. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “I wouldn’t stress. Let’s hang out and drink a few beers here at the house tonight and just forget it. She loves you. She’ll come around. She’s a female, they love that drama shit.”

  “Yeah, well there’s some beer in the fridge. I’ll grab us a few.” He stands from the couch and walks straight to the refrigerator, where he grabs four beers.

  I laugh when he hands me two of them. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. So tell me, what’s been going on with you besides fighting?” he asks me.

  I take a drink of the beer and set it on the coffee table. “I’ve been talking to that nurse from the hospital.”

  Ruston actually smiles. “Really? What’s her name? I can’t remember if you told me.”

  “Paige.” Just thinking of her and saying her name drives me all kinds of crazy.

  “I’m happy for you, man. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

  I listen to his words and chuckle on the inside. He sure wasn’t thinking that a few months back when he was after Tamilyn at the same time I was.

  “I don’t hardly know her but I really like her. I tried to see if she was free for the night but she said she had dinner plans with her parents.” I’m still bummed about that. I haven’t seen her since that night at Joe’s.

  “Good things take time. Look how long it took Tamilyn and me to get together,” he reminds me.

  “Touché.” I clink my beer against his. “But if it takes that long, I may go crazy. Either that or my dick will fall off.”

  “We could always go to Joe’s and find you a piece of ass for the night.” He grins.

  “Yeah, so Tamilyn could kick your ass and mine? No thanks.” I grin back, finishing my first beer.

  “Suit yourself.” He laughs as his phone vibrates on the coffee table. He lets out a loud sigh and picks it up to see who is texting him. “It’s Tamilyn.”

  “Aren’t you glad we didn’t go to Joe’s?” I ask him.

  “Yeah, I am. She’s apologizing. She wants to know if I want to go over, but I’m telling her I’ve started drinking and I’m hanging out with you.”

  “Go see her if you want,” I urge him. I don’t want to keep him from her.

  “No, you’re my family and we’re having a guy’s night tonight. I’ll see her tomorrow,” he states firmly.

  Watching him text Tamilyn makes me want to talk to Paige. I know she’s with her parents, but a quick message won’t hurt anything, right? I talk myself into just texting her and getting it over with. I open my second beer and take a sip, trying to muster the courage to type. I tap her name and grin.

  Austin: When are you going to let me make plans with you?

  Chapter 11

  Paige

  I’m sitting across the table from my mom, trying not to blush. The last thing I need is for her to realize I like a guy. Then I’d never hear the end of it. She’d probably be elated if I found someone worth a shit to have in my and Darla’s life.