“I’m in this.”
Both hands clapped my cheeks, and he squeezed hard. “You sure about this?”
“Absolutely.”
“I need you every day. No more bullshit. No putting me off. If you want to get back in the ring, we can’t do this half-ass. Every morning, you’re here at six.”
I remembered Parker’s offer to train with me, but now that Austin was on the loose, I wasn’t sure he would still be willing to help me out.
“I’ll be here.”
“Good. Now, get changed and let’s get to work.”
I spent the next three hours working hard, focusing on training. It wasn’t until Deke told me we were taking a breakthat I noticed it was already lunchtime. I’d left Cassidy for longer than I expected, so I shot off a quick text to check on her.
Sam: Still training. Are you okay for a little longer?
Cassidy: Yes, I’m fine.
Sam: I won’t be much longer.
Cassidy: Okay
Another hour or two of training was all I planned, but I got so wrapped up in my workout, getting in a run, weight lifting, and my end-of-day rundown that I didn’t even notice it had gotten dark out. Mix in a few breaks for rest and eating, and the day had flown by.
And Cassidy was still at the shop.
“Shit.” I ran out the door, getting in my car, hoping she hadn’t done something stupid like try to walk home. But when I pulled up to the shop, the lights were still on, and she was reading a book behind the counter.
“I’m so sorry.” The words tumbled out of my mouth as I rushed inside, running my eyes over her body, making sure she was okay.
She let out a big yawn, stretching her arms over her head, but she otherwise looked fine. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve just been getting some reading in.”
He looked around the shop, frowning. “Where’s JR?”
“He had to leave.”
“But—”
“Relax, it was two seconds ago. Besides, I was ready for them to leave so I could relax and enjoy myself.”
That’s what she said, but she looked exhausted. “Are you planning on coming back tomorrow?”
“And every day after,” she grinned.
“I’ll make sure I’m back earlier. I just got carried away today.”
“It’s fine. Now, hand me my crutches and let’s get home. I’m starving.”
Her words struck me hard. It was so domestic. How the hell was I going to tell her that I wasn’t going to continue living with her? This was only a temporary situation until we caught Austin. Yet, as my eyes ran over her body and I thought about all that was waiting for me tonight, I couldn’t seem to find the words to tell her this was about to come to an end.
36
CASSIDY
I was trying really damn hard notto be mad at him. After all, he’d given up everything to stay at home with me, even if I hadn’t initially wanted it. And as much as it pained me to admit it, he saved my life. There’s no way I would have survived with my mother at my house, and I knew I couldn’t do everything on my own.
I was getting better, able to maneuver things more easily, but Sam made everything so much simpler.
