No Regrets (No Regrets #1) (19 page)

“Dude, just let it go. I’m fine, trying to get ready for this fight. I don’t need any distractions and you looking at me like that just pisses me off.”

She nods as she attends to opening up the bar.

The bar fills up
, making the time pass quickly.

I
vowed that I wouldn’t drink again until after my first fight. I need to keep my weight steady and my body has a more difficult time coming back from the alcohol when I’m training this hard. So when Jimmy enters the bar at exactly eleven o’clock, I regret the decision for a moment.

Dealing with Jimmy sometimes needs
the filter that alcohol can bring. He fits into a chair at the bar exclaiming, “Hey, Grey, long time, buddy.” We slap hands over the bar before I pour him a double shot of whiskey. Jimmy can drink me under the table any day. I never understood how that was possible given his slight frame, but I don’t doubt it’s still true.

I
wipe the counter in front of him. “You ready to get down to business?”

Jimmy smirks
. “Isn’t that my line? Of course, the sooner the better.”

I nod
to an empty high top across the room and snake my way around the bar, grabbing a bottle of water. As I pass Christina, she looks at Jimmy and back at me, a concerned look crossing her features.

“It’s all good
, Christina. Actually, come over and meet him. I have a feeling you’ll hit it off great.”

Christina follows
me to the table where Jimmy has made himself at home. He looks ahead, his glance passing over me and immediately eyeing Christina. His brows rise as he asks, “Grey, you been holding out?”

I slide in across from him and smile
at the fact that Jimmy will never hold back. It’s not a bad trait to have in this business.

“Jimmy T, this is Christina, my very good
friend
. Christina, Jimmy is my manager, newly rehired.” I stress the word friend so that Jimmy is clear on my meaning but he doesn’t seem to acknowledge it.

“So, you
’ve been keeping this beauty to yourself. I’d keep her locked up at home if I were you. A bar like this is no place for a chick like her.”

“She owns the bar
, Jimmy.”

Jimmy grins his shitty ass
smile like he’s a dirty car salesman. I would knock his arm if there wasn’t a table between us. He looks at me and holds his hands up. “Come on, buddy, you know I’m just playin’.”

Christina chuckles at the whole scene. She looks
at Jimmy. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Jimmy.”

“No
, doll, the pleasure is all mine.”

“Well, I’ll let you two talk
business.” She winks my way before turning to go back to the counter.

I look pointedly
at Jimmy before tipping the bottle of water back. Jimmy taps his glass but I shake my head.

“No getting drunk on me yet
, Jimmy. I need to know what the deal with Jesus Reyes is. He was the only fighter to beat Parker Harris. Did you represent him?”

As I
was thinking about this meeting, I mulled over how Jimmy, Parker, and Jesus fit together. I figured Jimmy was Jesus’ manager, but beyond that it could be anything with Jimmy. Somehow he screwed things up. When I fought Jesus a few weeks back I itched to ask, but by the end of the day I was so over it all that it didn’t matter. Now it matters. If I’m going to go down this road with Jimmy again, it all needs to be out on the line.

Jimmy slams the rest of his drink back and places it softly on the table. He turns the glass around as if stalling for time or lookin
g for words.

“When you left
, Grey, it was tough. I had things lined up for your pro fights already. I knew you’d do it, so I put my name and money out there. I know it wasn’t exactly legal but it was necessary to get you in.”

I frown
, trying to understand what Jimmy is telling me.

“I wasn’t there yet
, though. What if I had lost?”

Jimmy shrugs
, still refusing to meet my stare.

“It doesn’t matter now. You left and I was stuck. The guy I was dealing with had me
, and if I didn’t come up with a fighter right away…let’s just say things wouldn’t be good. So I found Jesus Reyes. He was struggling with drugs. I offered to clean him up. He was already in the circuit; he was just losing in the ranks because of his addiction. It wasn’t public knowledge, so I thought I could patch it all up before it got out.”

I think back to the day I met Reyes
on the mat at Jackson’s. He was clean that day. I would have been able to recognize it.

“Anyway, he got cleaned up and fought. You were who they wanted but they settled for him. He started winning. His streak wasn’t as clean as Harris’ but it was good enough. So they were matched. And he won. I was shocked. Actually, I think everyone was shocked.”

He leans his head down and shakes it. The next words are softer. “He used a dirty move during the fight and it came out that he had been using. The fight didn’t count. Of course if you ask anyone, they’ll tell you Reyes beat Harris and that was his one loss. But in the rankings, Parker is undefeated. ”

He looks
into my face, determination in his eyes. “I know he wasn’t using, Grey. I checked with him regularly and had him tested. I don’t know what exactly went down but that was it. His reputation spread as a dirty fighter and he couldn’t get any matches after that.”

Jimmy’s explanation answers the questions
roving through my head since the day with Reyes at Jackson’s. I wondered why Reyes would take the time to spar with me.

“Who did you make a deal with
, Jimmy?”

He shakes his head
. “That’s not important, Grey.”

“It is important because if you make deals this time around, I’ll drop you so fast you won’t know what hit you.”

Jimmy nods. “I know now, Grey. Trust me, everything we do is legit. I promise.”

“Okay, then you’ll
need to talk with Jackson. He set something up already for the day after tomorrow in Vegas.”

Jimmy’s hand
moves through his thin hair. “Shit, Grey, I didn’t know there was already something in the works.”

“Who?”

“David Pontas.”

Jimmy relents
. “All right, I’ll talk to Jackson, but just so you know, he doesn’t like me too much. No more fights scheduled by anyone but me, deal?”

I nod
, wondering how this will affect Meyer and Mollie.
Fuck Mollie.
I can’t sit here any longer. “I gotta get home, only two more days to train.”

Jimmy nods
. “So is your girl over there taken?”

“Ji
mmy, what the hell? Yes, she is and you’re not her type.”

“Didn’t think it would hurt to ask. Can you send
her over?” He lifts his glass as an explanation.

“Are you going to behave yourself or do I have to kick you out now?”

Jimmy raises his hand. “Scouts honor.”

“
Fuck, that doesn’t mean shit. You are anything but a scout. Night, Jimmy.”

I head to the truck
, satisfied about the deal with Jimmy. He knows not to screw me over. Refraining from any drinking was tough, but I’m glad I did it. It wasn’t necessary this time. Jimmy was on his best behavior. I hope he remains that way but Christina won’t put up with any shit.

A
s I pull into a spot in front of the apartment I realize that I might be drinking tonight after all. Either that, or killing someone, which will put me right back in jail, somewhere I don’t really need to be right now.

I move
out of the truck quickly, worry etched into my face, as I approach Trinity’s small figure on the first step near the door leading up to the second floor apartments.

I
can tell she’s upset, but instead of anger showing in my voice I try to make light. “Hey, kid. What are you doing here?”

She glances up at me from her crossed arms and my
heart falls. Her eyes are swollen from crying and she looks exhausted. My fist clenches, wanting at Parker more than anything.

“Aw
, Trin, what happened? Why didn’t you call me?”

She shakes her head
, sinking back into her arms.

I move
to sit next to her along the step.

“I don’t believe you. If it was nothing, you
wouldn’t be here on my stoop waiting for me to get home.”

She looks up
, new tears following each other down her cheeks. I’m so pissed I start to see red. How can one fucking dude hurt someone so much? Now I’m pissed at myself for telling her not to give it up. I knew the guy was bad from the start. I should have fought their relationship from the beginning; anything for her to avoid this heartache.

She wipes her eyes quickly
. “Can I stay over tonight?”

“
Of course, Trin.”

I stand
, grabbing her hand. I pull her into a hug. She relaxes into me, letting more silent tears fall. I need to stop pushing her. If she wants me to know what happened, she’ll tell me.

O
nce in the apartment, she settles in my bed as I take the couch. Hopefully she’ll open up in the morning and I’ll be able to let out some of this anger on the person it’s directed at.

Chapter 24

A fist comes at me but I duck out of the way. Automatically my arm swings and the sound echoes through my head, the crack of bone.
My body quivers as I call out,
“No!” The exclamation wakes me.

I sit
straight up, disoriented from the dream and my location within the apartment. I look around and sink back into the cushions of the couch. My breathing slows and my eyes close for a moment as an arm comes up to drape across my forehead. Somehow I need to get this under control.

A soft voice coming toward
me breaks through my thoughts.

“Grey, are you okay?”

I glance at my sister’s face, concern etched into her expression. She moves to sit on the chair across from my makeshift bed.

“Yeah, just
… I’m okay.”

“I heard you yell. Did you have a nightmare?”

I squint at her, not wanting to admit anything but determined not to lie to her. So I don’t answer.

“Do you have them a lot?”

I look away and I know that she knows.

“Grey, have you seen anyone about it? It’s about that night, isn’t it?”

I push up to a sitting position, eyeing her for a moment.

“How are you? What happened
last night, Trinity?”

“Way to change the subject.”

I wait. There’s no way I’m going to share how I don’t ever get a full night’s sleep because of my crime. I believe I deserve it and Trinity doesn’t need to know how fucked up I really am.

She stares
, waiting for me to tell her something. Her arms cross in a draw between us.

“Damn, Trinity, why do you have to be so fucking stubborn?”

“Language, Grey, and I’m fine, just like you.” Her mouth draws into a smug line.

“I am fine. You
, on the other hand, are here at my apartment and not at your house with your fiancé. What’s up with that?”

This seems to do it. Her face turns soft as she looks down to her la
p. Guilt takes a hold of me but I remain quiet in hopes of her confessing what a dick Parker is.

“We had
a fight.” She looks up to my face. “I’m not sure I can marry him.”

I wrestle with my words. I’m
glad to hear her news but pissed she’s so obviously heartbroken over it.

“What happened
, Trin?”

She shakes her head
. “It’s complicated. I told him I’d go to Vegas with him after that first argument. I thought we’d come back after a while but he wants to sell the brownstone and never come back.” She looks into my eyes. “Grey, I don’t think I can do that. This is home. It’s all I’ve ever known. I feel that if I agree to this, I’ll be missing a part of myself. I’m scared to leave.”

She looks away and shakes her head
. “It sounds so stupid, I know. I can’t really explain it and he doesn’t get it.”

Of course he doesn’
t get it, but I do. This is where we grew up, where both of our parents are buried. Everything is here. As much as I want to fight, I’m not sure how I’ll feel giving this place up, either.

“I get it
, Trinity. Did he kick you out?”

“O
f course not. I left. Stop trying to find a reason to go and beat him up.”

My
mouth turns up in a smile. She knows me so well.

“
What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure. I wish it wasn’t all or nothing. He won’t even compromise
, which is making me wonder if marrying him was the right decision in the first place. If
he
is the right decision.” She shrugs her shoulders. This is the first time she’s been indecisive about anything since I’ve been out.

I nod
, no words are necessary, just another example of Parker’s shitty side peeking out. If he’s willing to give my sister up for fighting, what does that say about how he is in the cage? I know it’s going to be tough beating him, but I’m determined. And now I have more fuel for my anger at the pussy.

“Trin, you can stay as long as you want.”

“Thanks, Grey.”

I move
over, encouraging her to fill the empty spot next to me on the couch. She slides in next to my side and grabs my hand. A moment passes before she asks, her voiced laced with worry. “Greylan, how long have you been having the dreams?”

I do
n’t look at her. It’s hard enough that she knows I’m having a hard time dealing. I was always the one to take care of her. Now that Parker is being an asswipe, I’m here for her as usual. The last thing I want is her seeing how weak I am. I’m a fighter; I’m not supposed to be weak, especially when it comes to her. A few minutes pass before she tells me, “Grey, if you talk about it, you’ll feel better.”

I nod. It’s the best I can do. I know talking helps and I’m
working on it, but keeping her in the dark on this is going to happen. She has enough to worry about without my shit, too. Her fucking fiancé is practically calling off the relationship. I say good riddance.

Squeezing her hand
, I ask, “Want to go and do something together today after I go to Jackson’s for a couple of hours?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

I stand from the couch and head in the direction of the bathroom.

Trinity calls out, “Greylan,
I know this is hard. I know you’re still going through a lot of stuff. Please talk to me. Let me in. Maybe I can help.”

My feet falter in their steps. I glance
back over my shoulder, muttering, “I’ll try.”

I do
n’t wait for a response. This is always my way of dealing when she asks for something and sooner or later she’ll be over it. Eventually she’ll demand more from me. Until then though, I’m determined to keep my own shit separate from hers. She doesn’t need my burdens to bear.

After a shower and a quick breakfast
, still avoiding Trinity’s questions, I head out to the gym. She told me she needed to go by the house to get some clothes but I talked her into waiting until I got back. I hope she keeps her word. She doesn’t need to face the idiot on her own.

Jackson calls me
over to the ring when I step into the gym. My shoulders are sore from the shitty night’s sleep on the couch. Trying to shake it out, I lean over the ropes next to Jackson and focus my attention to the fighters on the mat. Both are young, maybe nineteen or twenty and pretty vicious. I can tell already that the dark-haired dude of the two will win. Jackson leans over, still gazing ahead. “What do you see?”

“The
dark-haired one has a better hold on his strategies. He moves almost anticipating the other guy’s next move. If he continues, he’ll get a tap out.”

Jackson smiles and stands
upright again. A few minutes later the light-haired man taps out after being taken to the floor in a choke hold. He tried to wiggle out but the other guy was locked.

“Okay
, guys, go and hit the bags or something.”

Both men leave the ring
, laughing and making digs about the fight.

“So, Pace, two more days and we’re Vegas
bound. What are your thoughts?”

My
thoughts have been all over the place except here where they need to be. I lean forward, resting my forearms on the ropes, shaking my head.

“Jax, I’m trying not to
have any thoughts. They’re dangerous.”

“Fair enough. But there is one thing we need to discuss before you hit the mat today.” There’s an undertone of anger lingering in his words.

I wait.

“I could tell you I’m disappointed or my feelings are hurt but I don’t work that way. Instead I’ll just as
k, Why in the hell did you ask Jimmy to represent you?”

My lip quirks
. Jimmy didn’t waste any time. I straighten up, my back muscles shifting, causing brief discomfort. Just in case Jackson decides to throw a punch, this is a better way for me to take it.

“T
ruthfully, Jimmy knows what he’s doing.”

“Shit
, Pace, do you never listen to anything I say to you? Jimmy Turner took Reyes down a bad road.”

I
knew there’d be another side. A sigh escapes my lips. “Okay, Jax, tell me about it.”

“Seems to me like you’ve already made up your mind. No shit I have to say is gonna make a difference.”

“Probably not. I’ve known Jimmy for a long time and I know he won’t do me wrong. This is what he does.” My voice is firm with meaning.

Jackson glares at me
before stalking off to his office.

Maybe Jax needs to hit a bag a few times.
I turn to the mat and my eyes move to the fighters on the other side of the room. I need a good practice match. The kid Jonesy is punching a bag in the corner. I call him over and the smile spreading over the kid’s face is priceless.

When Jonesy comes near
, he asks, “You want to go at it?”

My hands slid
e into my gloves. “Better wipe that smile off your face, though. I need a good session and no fooling around.”

Jonesy nods
, fitting into his own gloves, seeming to get serious about the ass whipping I’m about to deliver.

A few hours later I climb into the truck when my phone rings. My
sister’s face lights up the screen.

“
Trinity, are you okay?”

A sob escapes her lips before she can answer.

“Trinity, what is it?”

“I’m at the brownstone and Parker is here.”

“Fuck, Trin, I told you not to go over yet. I’m on my way.”

I hang
up before she can protest. Maybe this is best. I can get it out of the way and Parker will know what he’s up against. My body heats up at the thought of the pain in her voice.

As soon as
I’m out of the truck, Trinity runs down the walk towards me. Her hands try to halt me from walking to the door but I’m determined to teach this asshole a lesson. He should have never messed with a Pace. Trinity pleads, “Grey, please don’t do this.”

I stop
a moment at the pain in her voice. My eyes meet hers, the brown so dark in them today they’re almost black. My breath escapes in a rush. “Trinity, if you didn’t want me to come here, why did you call me, crying? I told you to wait until I got back to the apartment to come here.”

She shakes her head
, sinking to the ground. “I know, I just thought I could come and talk to him. But he doesn’t want to talk.”

My pulse races again. I glance
at the house as the door swings open. Parker steps out onto the step looking just as miserable as Trinity. He glances toward me, a hint of fear in his face, and directs his gaze at Trinity, longing spreading over his features.

I crouch down and grab
her arms gently. “Trinity, let’s get your clothes and go back to the apartment.”

She covers her f
ace with her hands, her shoulders shaking, making her hair sway with the movement. My chest feels as if a fist is clenching it watching my sister hurt like this. Finally after a few more minutes, she stands on wobbly legs. I help her up the steps and through the door. Parker is absent from the doorway by the time we get there. I lead her up the stairs to the second floor and help her load a bag with clothes. On the way down I look around, wondering where the coward is hiding.

Once outside I help
her into the passenger seat of her car. I turn around and Parker is standing in the doorway again. There’s something in his face, regret maybe, but I shake it away. If he was sorry this wouldn’t be happening. My feet march up to the bottom step and I toss the keys to the truck up to Parker. He catches them, his brows rising in surprise.

“I’m not gonna beat your ass right now for
breaking my sister’s heart because you looked out for me when I got out and I’m thankful for that, but more because it will break her heart even more. But Harris, when we meet again, you can be sure I won’t pass up the chance at you. What you’ve done to my sister, the only family I have left, is not okay.”

Parker watches as I walk
back to the car. His eyes meet Trinity’s and her face goes back into her hands again, no doubt crying.

He calls out to me as my
hand reaches for the handle of the car. “For the record, Greylan, she left. I’ll do anything to keep her, but she’s the one that broke it off.”

I pause
a moment, my hand lingering on the car. I take a deep breath and climb in. My hand automatically grabs my sister’s and we pull away from the brownstone as Parker looks even worse watching us drive away.