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It makes my stomach warm and happy, but I still worry that I’m getting ahead of myself. People get together and break up all the time.
“How would you know? You’ve only seen us together a couple of times for a few minutes,” I push, shamelessly wanting her to give me more evidence to convince me.
“The man was banging on my door this morning to talk about you.”
“What?” I put my feet on the floor and sit up straight.
“Shit.” She shakes her head. “Rico has turned my brain to mush.”
“Why would he come to you about me?” I’m totally confused.
“There are news crews outside trying to get a look at you. He wanted me to make sure you didn’t leave the building today but didn’t want me to let you know what’s happening.”
“Are you serious?” I stand up and walk to the window then pull back the curtain.
“No, don’t!” Tasha yells. I drop it back when I see all the people standing outside.
“What’s going on?” I turn to look at her as dread fills my stomach.
“Your man is famous, Pep. He knocked a man around last night and now everyone wants to know the girl he did it for.”
“Is he in trouble because of me?” I wring my hands.
He told me he wasn’t, but Bear is protective of me, so he might not have given me the whole truth.
“I don’t think so, but I know he doesn’t care if he is. I bet he wishes he fucked that guy up even more than he did.”
It doesn’t make me feel any better that a stupid decision I made could get him in trouble or hurt his career. I walk over to my laptop, but Tasha grabs it.
“Google is not your friend on a day like this.” She puts the laptop back down onto the table. “Talk to your man if you want to know something. I think he was hoping it would all cool down and you’d never even know.” It’s sweet, but should I be upset he’s trying to hide things from me?
I go back over to my phone to see if he’s texted me back. A touch of relief fills me when I see a text from him.
Bear: I’ll be home to you soon. Then I can show you how much I miss you.
I’m in trouble. Because one little text from him and suddenly all my concerns are gone and I’m tingling with anticipation.
Chapter Twelve
Bear
I throw my phone in my gym bag and try not to think about Pepper for two seconds. It’s impossible and I can feel myself grinning as I pack up my stuff.
“I think I threw my back out.” I look over at Rico and roll my eyes. “I’m serious! That Latin princess has gone and broken my vertebrae.”
“If I had known in third grade what a drama queen you’d be, I would have thought better of letting you be my friend.”
Coach chuckles as he walks by us and tells us goodbye.
“Don’t encourage him!” Rico shouts as he stretches his arms over his head. “So is Pepper cool with all that’s going on? Did you talk to her about the press and the fight coming up?”
A guilty knot rolls around in my stomach. “Not exactly,” I mumble as I throw a roll of tape back in my bag and zip it closed.
“Not exactly?” Rico leans against the locker next to me and stares me down. We’ve known each other a long time and I know he can read me like nobody else.
“I don’t know, man. I thought by just taking care of it and not telling her it would be easier.”
“For you,” he says, raising an eyebrow.
“I just didn’t want to worry her,” I say, knowing he’s partially right.
“If you feel about her the way I know you do, then she deserves to know everything that happens in your life. It’s not some big dramatic story you’ve got to keep from her, but let her in. You can’t just walk down the street or get the cops called and it not be newsworthy.” He puts his hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “If she’s choosing to be with you, then she needs to know exactly what she’s in for. The press, the fights, all of it.”
“So you think I should just throw her to the wolves?” I ask, but I know I’m being unreasonable. He just stares at me and I sigh. “I know. You’re right. I’ll handle it.”
When I get to her apartment Tasha is leaving. I tell her goodbye and lock the door behind her. Pepper jumps into my arms when I turn around, and I smile as I kiss her.
“Miss me?” I ask, and she nods happily.
“How was your day, dear?” she says playfully.
“Miserable without you,” I reply and put her down on her feet. I nudge her hips until her back is against the wall, and I kneel down in front of her. “I went all day without your pussy in my face.”
