“Put some power into your punches,” I direct. “You have the positions down but no confidence. You chicken out as soon as you—”
Before I can finish my sentence, Kyle fakes a punch, and as I dodge it, he kicks my knee and forces me down. Instinctively, I hold up my hands to cover my face, but Kyle’s in too much shock to react. I kick out my leg and take him down with me.
“About time a fire gets lit under your ass.” I chuckle as he lies flat on his back. “Nice job. Once your opponent is down, keep them down. Aim for the face and gut, but keep watch so they don’t take you out. You hesitated after the fact.”
I get to my feet and hold out my hand to help him up. “But you did a good job.”
“Thanks. See ya next week?” he asks, ripping off his gloves with a cheesy grin.
“Yep. Nice work. See ya then.”
After I clean up, I order a protein berry blast from the smoothie bar. Tyler finds me shortly after and asks how things are going.
“Great, can’t complain honestly.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Can you believe this time last year we could only talk on the phone a couple of times a month?”
“It’s surreal. I’ve only been out for six months, but so much has happened during that time. My life has changed more than I thought was possible,” I admit. One of those life-changing things is Everleigh. I’m so happy and grateful for what we have, yet I can’t fight the feeling that I’m going to somehow fuck it up. Maybe it’s because I’ve never been in a serious relationship before or that I just love her so damn much that the fear of losing her consumes me.
“Yeah, after I was released, my world drastically changed too. Gemma and I had to become friends again first, and once I confirmed she still had feelings for me, I knew a life with her here was all I wanted.”
I smile as I think about everything he’s overcome. He looks at me as if he’s waiting for me to say something else, and when I don’t, he continues. “I know it’s none of my business, but it’s been weighing on me, so I have to ask.”
“What’s up?”
“Do you think you’ll stay in Lawton Ridge? Since Annie and Sadie are in Wyoming, I wasn’t sure of your plans, especially now that you’re with Everleigh.”
Ahh…the long-awaited big brother talk.
“Honestly, I’ve not thought too far into the future. I enjoy being here, and I love Everleigh. I hope one day Annie and Sadie will move to Alabama, but I think that’s gonna take some convincing.”
Tyler nods with a grin. “I’d like that for ya, man. Family’s important to have around.”
“I agree, though I think of you as my family too,” I say truthfully. “You gave me a home.”
“And I’d do it again, brother.” Tyler hugs me before we part ways.
I decide to walk to the grocery store before I head home so I can make Everleigh dinner. She has a few hours left of work, and I’d like to surprise her.
On the way there, I think about my conversation with Tyler and then send Annie a text.
Archer: Things going okay? Notice anything weird again?
Annie: No, not since that one time. Don’t worry, I’m keeping an eye out.
I grin because she knew what I was going to say next.
Archer: Okay, good. Can’t be too safe. I wish we lived closer.
Annie: Me too. Maybe someday.
I make my way into the store and grab a basket. Next, I find the potatoes, then head toward the meat.
“Oh my gosh, Archer, Hi!” I turn and see Dana standing inches from me.
“Hey, how are ya?” I ask politely.
“Great! How ’bout yourself?”
“Can’t complain,” I say, lowering my eyes to the steaks. “Just grabbing a few things.”
“Ooh, meat and potatoes. Yum.” She places her hand on my arm. “Everleigh’s a lucky woman.”
“Uh, thanks.” I step back, creating space between us until her hand drops. She ignores my unease.
“So what have you been up to? Training lots of people?”
“Yep, staying busy.” I place two ribeyes in my basket.
“It’s a real shame Everleigh took you off the market so fast.” She inches closer. “But can’t say I blame her.” She smirks, and I’m immediately uncomfortable.
Considering this is a small town, people will speculate if we’re standing too close. It’s enough for me to want to get my ass out of here and away from her.
“Well, I better go if I’m gonna have time to cook. See ya later.” I walk away before she says anything else. Not sure what the hell that was about, but I wasn’t staying to find out.
When I’m only a few minutes from the house, I get a text. My heart races when I see it’s from an unknown number.
I click on it and find a picture of Everleigh with Gemma and Katie. They’re sitting together at the deli, and though there’s no date on it, I remember the outfit. Everleigh was wearing it the day Natasha nearly ran her over. That was a month ago, so why is Krystal just sending this now?
And does that mean Krystal was here, or is someone else watching her? Were Natasha and Krystal somehow working together?
A dozen questions run through my mind as I unlock the front door. Sassy greets me, then follows me to the back, where I let her outside. After I set the bag of groceries on the counter, I stare at my phone.
I realize she sent it with a message.
Unknown: It’d be a shame if all three of them got hurt because of something you did.
My blood boils, and I grind my teeth as my finger hovers over the keyboard. I’m tempted as hell to tell her to fuck off, but I don’t want her to get pleasure from knowing she gets under my skin. Instead, I pocket my phone and try to breathe.
Not only has she threatened Everleigh and me but now she’s bringing our friends into this, and it makes me even more mad. I take a screenshot, email it to my parole officer and the detective, then block the number. If I can show solid proof, then building a case for harassment will be easier if she shows up.
Once I let Sassy back in, I clean up the house a little, then start preparing dinner. I’m so lost in thought that I don’t hear Everleigh come in. It’s not until she wraps her arms around my waist from behind that I notice.
“Jesus, you scared me,” I admit, spinning around to face her.
“You were pretty focused,” she says, pressing her lips to mine. “Smells delicious. And I don’t just mean the food.”
“I was.” I grip her hips and pull her in closer. “How was your day?”
“Great. Pretty busy actually. How about you?”
I release her and finish wrapping the potatoes in foil. When the oven beeps, I place them inside.
“Not bad. Was done by three,” I tell her. “I also ran into Dana at the store.”
“Yeah?” Everleigh opens the fridge and pulls out the butter, sour cream, and steak sauce.
“She acted a little…weird.”
Everleigh narrows her eyes. “What do you mean?”
I explain what happened, down to her touching my arm and being in my personal space. I even mentioned what she said about me no longer being single. Everleigh grinds her teeth like she’s ready to take her steak knife and find Dana.