Fighting to Forgive (Fighting Series) (21 page)

Walking through the locker room feels like a death march. The thought that Layla’s mad at me is enough to make me sick. But the idea that she may not forgive me is one too painful to consider.

I find her sitting in a chair just outside the locker room door. Rex and Caleb aren’t with her, and she doesn’t look like she’s been crying.
Thank God.

She stands and moves toward me, concern etched into her gorgeous face. “Blake, what happened back there?”

I stop a foot away from her, making sure not to reach out and pull her to me until I know we’re okay. “I’m really sorry, Mouse. I have no excuse other than I’m an asshole.”

Her eyebrows drop low over her blinking lashes.

“I have this impulse to keep you and Axelle safe.” I run my hand over my head, hoping she doesn’t think I’m as pathetic as I sound. “I’m not saying it’s okay, I’m just trying to get you to understand.”

She nods over and over. Her eyes are wide and staring at me, or through me. Not a word is coming from her lips. Did I spook her? She’s still nodding.

“Mouse?”

Her eyes focus on me and shine with moisture.

“Ah, fuck. I’m sorry.” I reach for her and pull her in for a hug. My stomach jumps in surprise when her arms go around my waist and hug me tight. I hold her head against my chest and nuzzle her hair. “Don’t cry, sweetheart.”

As if timing is out to fuck me, Jonah comes strolling out of the locker room. He takes a second to study our position before a smile cuts through his serious expression. I glare at him, but can’t help a small grin from pulling at my lips.

Damn, I hate it when he’s right.

He shakes his head and walks away.

“Let me take you out tomorrow night,” I say into her hair.

“I can’t.” She pushes out of the hug, but I keep my arms around her. “I have plans tonight.”

“Plans?” The word vibrates from my chest. Adrenaline once again roars through my veins.

She places her palms on my chest and tilts her head back to look at me. “I told you the other day. I’m going out with Raven.”

Oh, thank fuck.
“Where’re you girls going?”

“We thought we’d grab some dinner, maybe go watch Ataxia. It won’t be a late night since I have to work Saturday at, um, you know.” A pink hue colors her cheeks.

The publicity party at Flesh. Like I could forget. “All right, Mouse.” I place a quick kiss on her head and release her from my hold. “Another time then.”

A flash of disappointment registers in her expression. I wrestle with the urge to grin like a kid.

She picks at the logo on my tee. “So I’ll see you tomorrow, right? At the—”

“Yeah, I’ll be there.”
Watching over you and wishing like hell I could lock you away to keep you safe.

“Maybe we could, you know, go grab a bite after?”

Battle lost, I grin. “You askin’ me out?”

She smacks my chest, and the bell-like sound of her laughter trickles from her lips and straight to my gut. “You said you wanted to go out.”

I flatten her hand against my chest and hold her to me. “Oh, I do.” Cupping her jaw, I run my thumb along her bottom lip. So plump and kissable… fuck, I’d bite it if I could. “I’m just fuckin’ with you, Mouse.”

Her eyes dart to the side, like she’s looking to see who’s watching. “Blake—”

“Don’t worry, I won’t kiss you again unless you ask.”

The disappointment is back, but this time it lingers. My chest swells with satisfaction. She wants this.

And I’d be a lying fool if I said I didn’t want it too.

Fifteen

Layla

“He did
what?
” Raven slams down her glass, sending cranberry juice over the lip. “In front of Taylor?”

I take a quick look around the restaurant where we’ve been eating, drinking, and gabbing for the last hour. With an apologetic smile to the couple one table over, I sip my wine. “No, he’d left. But Jonah and the guys were all there.”

“Oh, I’m so having a talk with him.” She pulls out her cell phone.

I reach over and cover her dialing hand. “No, you can’t. We already talked about it.”

Her aquamarine eyes narrow at me. “Please tell me he apologized.”

“Yeah, he did.” I smile at the memory of him explaining himself. I’d never seen him look so vulnerable. “It was really sweet.”

Her pinched expression smoothes. “He means well. These guys aren’t used to feeling anything for a woman beyond sex.”

I run my fingertip along the stem of my wine glass. “You think Blake feels something for me?”

She snorts and looks at me like I’d just asked her if the sky is blue. “You’re kidding, right? He’s not the type who goes out of his way for just anyone.”

Memories from the night when Elle came home drunk infiltrate my thoughts. His quiet support when I spoke about my marriage, and his advice on how to deal with Elle.
Which reminds me…

“I hope it’s okay, but Blake told me about your place. Raven’s Nest?”

She nods.

We talked earlier about what brought me to Vegas, and I gave her the Cliff’s Notes version of my old life.

“I’m sure you can imagine after our move and my divorce, Elle’s been having a hard time adjusting. Blake suggested that we check out your place, maybe get some counseling.”

She doesn’t say anything, and nerves have me rushing to fill the dead air between us. “I’m so afraid that if I don’t jump on getting help, it’ll be too late. It may already be too late, but I have to try.”

She stares at me, unmoving for a few seconds, and then blinks. “That’s a good idea. We have some great therapists on staff.” Phone in hand, she taps something onto the screen. “There. I sent you the contact info. Ask for Milena. That’s my mom.”

Her mom?
“Great. Thank you. I know it’s probably weird me asking you for all this help, first my car, now this, but—”

“No.” She shakes her head. “I’m happy to do it. It’s nice to see a mom who cares enough about her relationship with her daughter to fight for it.” The sadness in her eyes is hard to look at. “I get it, Layla. Things haven’t always been good between my mom and me, but we’re working on repairing old wounds.”

“Are you sure that’s possible? I mean, some hurts run deep. What if the damage is too much?”

She stares out the window, her finger brushing absent-mindedly across her scarred eyebrow. I’ve heard whispers of her story at work, that her father kidnapped her before she was forced to kill him. It’s amazing to look at this young woman today. Despite all that she’s been through, here she is. Laughing, smiling, living. Moving on.

Shaking her head, she turns back to me. She smiles and takes a sip of her drink. “You know, I have to believe that forgiveness is possible for even the worst offenses. If not, then what’s the point in it all? Everything shapes who you are, who your daughter will become. And even the bad can be used for good.”

“I hope you’re right. I really do.”

“I know I’m right. I’ve lived it.” She tilts her head to fix her eyes on mine, and I see the faith in her gaze. “It’ll all work out for the best. Don’t give up until it does.”

I focus on my wine and consider her words. I could leave it at that, but in the end, curiosity gets the best of me. “What happened between you and your—” Before I can ask for more details, a beautiful blonde with thick bangs comes and flops down in the booth beside Raven.

“Fuck, finally. Sorry I’m late.” She drops her head back against the high-back seat. “I thought my shift would never end.”

Raven smiles at the woman, the shadows in her eyes from our earlier discussion now gone. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic.” She shoves her with her shoulder. “Eve, this is my friend Layla. Layla, my overly dramatic friend Eve.”

Eve rolls her head on her shoulders and meets my eyes. “Hey—wow! You’re gorgeous!”

My cheeks heat, and I smile at the ballsy girl. “Thank you. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Propping her head on her hand, she leans in. “Are you single?”

“Eve!” Raven says, her eyes bulging and her mouth slack.

“What?” She looks from Raven back to me. “So? Are you?”

Raven shakes her head and groans. “She’s with Blake.”

What?
“No, I’m—”

“Really?” Eve looks as surprised as I feel by Raven’s announcement.

“Yes. She’s still coming to terms with it, but yes.”

I’m shaking my head “No”, but my body is screaming in agreement.

Eve shrugs and slumps back in her chair. “Damn, all the hot chicks are taken.”

Raven rolls her eyes. “She got burned pretty bad, now she swears she’s off men forever.” She turns her body in the booth to face her friend. “Eve, you’re not gay. You
like
men.”

“I need a drink.” She leans over to inspect Raven’s glass. “What are you drinking?” Eve takes a sniff of the red juice. “Is this a vodka cranberry, minus the vodka?”

Raven’s cheeks flush pink, and she fidgets in her seat. “Yeah. So, I’m driving.”

“No, you’re not. We’re taking a cab.” An uncomfortable silence passes between the two friends, and for a second I wish I could melt into my seat and disappear.

Eve turns her body completely so that she’s facing Raven head on. “You’re lying. I can tell. You’re doing that…”—she rolls her hand and wiggles her fingers in the air—“fidgety thing you do.”

Raven rolls her straw between her fingers. “I’m not lying, I—”

“Holy shit! Holy fucking shit, you’re pregnant!” Eve darts out of the booth and jumps up and down. “Don’t lie to me, bitch!” She points at Raven. “You are!”

Raven buries her face in her hands, her shoulders bouncing with what I think is laughter. Or, is she crying?

“Hey, are you okay?” I ask Raven, ignoring the mixture of excited curse words that pour from Eve.

Raven looks up, smiling.

Oh, phew
.

“She’s psychotic.” Raven smiles and now that I take a closer look, she does have that glow. I’m surprised I didn’t see it earlier. There’s only one thing that causes a woman to shine like that.

“You are.” A grin brought on by her contagious joy tugs at my lips.

“Sit down and stop making a scene.” She leans over and yanks Eve back into the booth.

“Fess up, Rave.” Eve crosses her arms in an I-won’t-tolerate-bullshit way.

Raven looks back and forth between us, and we lean in, hanging on for an answer.

She gnaws the inside of her mouth, her eyes sparkling. “I’m not sure.”

Eve throws her hands in the air. “What do you mean, you’re not sure?”

“Did you skip a period?” I’m trying to speak softly to avoid listening ears, but loud enough to be heard over Raven’s boisterous friend.

“I did, but it’s only been a few days.”

I grab my purse and slide out of the booth. “Come on. We’re getting you a pregnancy test.”

“Fuck yeah, I knew I liked this chick.” Eve slides out behind me, Raven giggling behind her.

~*~

An hour and one very interesting visit to the drugstore public restroom later, we’re at The Blackout. Mac just delivered our drinks and hung out for a little to shoot the breeze. We’re huddled around a high-top table, our eyes on each other, taking long sips from our drinks.

I smile around my straw, trying to keep my eyes on stage where Ataxia is setting up. Eve’s smiling too, her head rocking back and forth in disbelief.

Someone needs to say something. From the moment we left the drugstore and hopped in a cab, no one’s talked about it.

“Lookin’ good ladies,” says a guy from the table next to us.

They haven’t been discreet about their gawking, but what started as appreciative staring has escalated to catcalls.
Annoying
.

“You know them?” I break the silence at our table.

Raven and Eve turn in unison, then turn back, shaking their heads.

The guys smile our way, and one even holds up his drink in an air-cheers. “Let us know if you get lonely. We’d be happy to keep three beautiful—” His eyes move to something just over our heads, and his face pales.

What the hell?

And that’s when I feel it.

An electricity charges the air. The kind that makes girls stand taller and men slink in their seats as if a predator’s on approach. The tension in the air is palpable, and all eyes are aimed just past our table. I swing around and—of course.

Strolling toward us like they own not only the club but the air in it, is a group of UFL fighters. Jonah and Blake are up front with Caleb, and Mason is at their back. They walk with a swagger that makes even the homo-curious Eve push out her breasts.
What is it about a good-looking man that makes a woman’s breasts take on a life of their own?

They saunter toward us. Jonah’s eyes are on Raven, and Blake’s are on me. I suck down the rest of my drink in the seconds it takes for him to step into my space, the sound of my gurgling straw greeting his approach.

“Hey, Mouse. Think we could get in on girls’ night out?” He throws his arm over my shoulder and hugs me to his side. The smell of rain and woods makes my head swim.

I tilt my head up to look into his perfect, handsome face. “Depends. You comfortable talking about menstruation?”

“Nope.” He dips his head, motioning to Jonah. “But that bitch is. I’m sure him and Raven are on the same cycle by now.”

“One more word about my girl’s cycle and I’ll cycle my fist through your jaw,” Jonah says from his place behind his wife. He runs his hands down her arms and kisses her neck.

Blake laughs at the verbal jab.

“Dudes crashing ladies night. Awesome.” Eve’s sarcasm draws the attention of the table.

Blake grins her way. “Quit your bitchin’. You come to The Blackout, you had to expect we’d be here. Next time hit up the drag club. Won’t find our asses anywhere near that shit.”

“Whatever.” She flicks her straw to point at Mason. “Who’s the new guy?”

He takes his cue and slides in next to Eve, his bright white smile shining along with his equally bright eyes.

“Baywatch, this is Eve.” Blake nods across the table. “Eve, Baywatch.”

“Name’s Mason.” He corrects then shakes her hand. “Did it hurt?”