Maybe this asshole isn’t so much of a pussy after all. He does have a set of testicals. I admire his honesty. “I was a kid when our Uncle Connie came to me. A desperate kid, who had no idea what he was getting into at the time. I made a decision that I thought would be best, and it took me years to finally grasp the concept that the decision I had made wasn’t a good one at all.” I sigh. “Now I’ve kept Tee away from all of this shit I’m mixed up in. I’ve done my best to keep in her the dark about a lot. But I think you and I both know Teagan and how she always likes to get the bottom of things.” He flashes me a knowing smirk and nods. “In the past, I protected her. But I’m not the number one man in her life anymore, you are. Now it’s up to you to guarantee that’ll she’ll be safe. I want you to promise me you won’t let anything happen to her.”
“But what about you?”
I balk at that and sit back in the booth. “Me?”
“Yeah, you. What if something happens to you? I know how much Teagan loves you. She talks about you all the time. How proud she is of your boxing. How you’ve always looked out for her. What if something dire happens to you? Teagan won’t ever be able to get over it.”
“Why don’t you let me worry about my own well-being? You just focus on Teagan, all right?” I’ve been on my own, taking care of myself for so long that I know how to do it. Still, it kind of feels nice to have someone else worrying about me for a change.
“All right,” he says levelly.
At that point, Emerson and I shake hands. My new brother in law isn’t so bad. I still don’t trust him, but at least now I know that his intentions for my sister are honorable. And that he loves her.
We eat breakfast together, and chat about my upcoming fight. Emerson tells me he’s going to place a bet that I knock Mullins out in the second round and I laugh. We cover sports, and he happens to be a Browns fan too. He tells me a little bit about his family, and the death of his parents. And there’s a moment toward the end of the conversation where I can see why Teagan loves this asshole so much.
I pay the bill. Emerson tries to fight me for it, but I insist. Then we walk to the door and I say goodbye, pat his back and tell him to have Tee call before they leave so I know they got back safely. He promises me he will and turns a corner, disappearing from my sight.
I decide against jogging to the gym and mentally curse myself for eating such a big breakfast when I know I’m trying to lose weight. Fuck, Joe is going to kick my ass if I don’t make weight. Maybe I should be jogging. I bounce lightly on my feet and head toward the gym, keeping my eyes peeled in case I have another fed spotting.
But as I continue running, I don’t spot the black Crown Victoria’s anywhere. Maybe they’ve given up. Maybe their lead didn’t actually lead them anywhere . Maybe it was a bunch of bull shit. A feeling of relief flushes through me as I walk into the boxing gym. The last thing I need is that on edge feeling right before a huge fight.
My mind should be clear.
I should be focused.
I head in the direction of the locker room, and spot Melissa standing at the receptionists’ desk in the waiting area. “Morning, Sean,” she greets me with a wide smile. And at that moment, I have an idea.
Something genius.
I’m not sure if she’ll go for it, but I figure hey, might as well give it a shot.
“Morning Melissa,” I say back. I stop in the entranceway of the gym and motion her over. “Hey, can I talk to you for a second, I have an idea I want to throw at you.”
She laughs and follows me through the door. “Go ahead and hit me with it.”
Chapter Twenty One
~Hadlee~
I sit patiently on the blue, carpeted floor along with the other attendee’s of this week’s self-defense class.
My mind isn’t where it should be.
It’s off on a cumulus cloud, drifting, floating through powder blue skies.
It’s twisted with so many thoughts that I stare off at the royal blue carpet in a trance. I’m thinking about school. My final exams are coming up and I’m overly stressed from cramming for them. I’m thinking about work and how Ryan has been extra moody lately. Not to mention extra grabby. And lastly, I’m thinking about Sean and that tender moment we shared while I cleaned his cut up knuckles.
“Hadlee!” Melissa calls my name and I snap out of my trance like state.
“Um, yeah.” Melissa beckons me with her finger and I eye her cautiously. Upon approaching her I ask, “Did I do something wrong?”
She lets out a jovial laugh. “No. Not at all. But you’re not in my class today.”
I don’t think she’s speaking English because I’m not quite sure what she’s getting at. “I don’t understand. Aren’t you the only self-defense instructor?”
“Not today,” she says in a sing song voice as she hops to her feet.
I glance over my shoulder and shrug at Lara with wide eyes. “What about Lara?”