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“The day Tommy died was also the day I found out someone else had backed out of the charity fight in North Carolina and the recruiters had their eyes on me from a few fights I had recently won in Louisiana. It was a win-win. I don’t have a lot of spare money, so I knew it would get me to North Carolina and hopefully open opportunities for Kiran and me. I planned to come to Richmond Hills and confess everything while I was here.”
Looking into her eyes, I see the truth there. I know she would never have left without telling me everything, even with it being so painful to relive. Another tear trails down my cheek that she catches as she reaches up to cup my face.
“Lennox, I swear I didn’t know you were the main event until a few days before, and then it felt wrong to call you after all this time. I tried speaking to you that day before the fights began, but even that seemed wrong. None of it felt like the right thing to do. I didn’t want to fuck with your head.”
I originally wasn’t on the main event ticket for the charity fight night, until a few weeks beforehand when Cliff asked me. He said it would be great practice for my future contract fights and some of his heavy-hitter donators were asking for me again this year. AKA, me fighting meant dollar signs, but I didn’t mind because the proceeds went to a cause dear to my heart.Domestic violence.
“Seeing you was a mind-fuck, but I’m pretty sure I blacked out when I walked into that cage.”
“You were amazing… I couldn’t look away. Wanna know a secret?” She bites her lip as some of the sadness leaves her.
I nod, my eyes locked on hers as I hold her in my arms.
“Jade kept Kiran for me during your Vegas fight. I found a bar that was showing it near us because I couldn’t afford to rent it at home. I watched every second, and I was mesmerized. Everyone in the bar was talking about you, and it was fucking surreal. I was so hot and bothered by the time I got home, I made myself come to thoughts of you. That was the first time in two years I had since the last time we were together.”
My heart stutters. “What are you saying?”
“There hasn’t been anyone else, Lennox…”
I hang my head in shame, hating myself for how I’ve treated her. She uses her knuckles to pick my chin up. “I would have never expected you to wait on me. I knew I hurt you when I left, and I understood those consequences, no matter how sick it made me.”
I know she’s right about that, but I hate the thought of how I fucked her after everything she’s been through.
“I’m sorry for how I treated you... And back then.” I swallow, almost unable to say it. “Before you left, I was probably rough after everything happened. If I’d have known...”I say, shaking my head in regret and disgust with myself.
Her hands interlock behind my neck. “No…I wanted that. That’s us and that’s what I need, what I crave… For you to treat me like you always have. Please, don’t feel like that. I promise, baby. It was perfect.”
On her tiptoes, she presses her lips to my throat, up to my cheek, all over my face, until she meets my lips. I shiver. It feels like a dream having her in my arms again. Hovering her mouth over mine, she whispers, “I’ve missed you so fucking much, Champ.”
“Good, because I’m never letting you or him go again,” I say, kissing her just as her phone starts vibrating across my kitchen island.
“It’s probably Lottie. I bet Kiran is awake.”
I toss her my key off the counter. “Take my jeep. I need a few minutes, but when I get myself under control, I would love to come see him. I can drive my bike up there.” Her eyes find mine, laced with concern. “Sonny, this was a lot to take in…and you know me, just like you did all those years ago. Since I can’t kill him, I need to take my anger out on something. Just let me process the only way I know how, and I’ll meet you up there by dinnertime.
She nods in understanding. Picking up her phone, she presses a kiss to my lips before making her way to my door. I watch her every step, wanting to pull her back for another kiss. Before she leaves, she turns toward me one more time. “We are going to be okay, right?”
I give her my first genuine smile of the day. “Yes, baby. My sunshine is finally back.” I wink, and she bites her lip, smiling at me with a little wave goodbye.
And with her gone, murderous thoughts take over my mind. The only thing stopping me from burning the Robbins’ house to the ground is the thought of being taken away from Emerson and Kiran.
I make my way into the unfinished part of my garage, where my punching bag hangs, and hit it repeatedly until literal blood, sweat, and tears are a puddle beneath me.
Eleven
The relief I feel when I get into the driver’s seat of Nox’s car is indescribable. To know for certain who Kiran’s father is will hopefully ease my reoccurring nightmares and help us all move forward. After everything, we deserve it.
Walking into the house, I spot Greyson bopping around with Kiran while some old-school Lil Wayne streams through the speakers. I smile at the fact that he’s playing the radio version. Kiran’s face lights up in pure delight, Greyson’s sporting the same joy.
“Leave it to you to get him into hip hop.”
“Gotta teach them young…” Greyson says with a laugh, turning to me.
He must notice the remnants of my earlier tears because his demeanor switches instantly. “You okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, we’re good,” I answer with a soft smile. My eyes fall to Kiran, who’s still dancing in his arms. “But I think your friend might need you.”
Greyson’s expression is unreadable, and I don’t know if I should tell him yet or not. Everyone has been waiting anxiously for the results, but I think if I don’t say something now, he may lose his shit.
