Down for the Count (Dare Me)

chapter Thirteen


At first, Lacey’s heart had almost leaped out of her chest. She was sure Galen was going to walk through the door, but instead Cat had thrown some bills on the table and dragged her out of the restaurant. Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up to Beazley’s Gym on South Seventh Street. The parking lot was packed with both cars and news vans.

Lacey turned to Cat. “What’s going on? You said he was at the gym, but what’s all this stuff?”

“He is at the gym. Manny has accepted the terms for the rematch. Galen and his trainer are holding a press conference,” Cat said, as casually as if she were announcing what she’d had for breakfast. She opened her door and swung her legs out.

Panic rose in Lacey’s chest and hysterical laughter built in her throat. She opened her mouth to speak, and it bubbled over. Cat whipped around to face her with a baffled glare. “What is so funny?”

Lacey tried to talk, but the laughter kept coming, swiftly joined by tears. Her emotions were all over the place and she was pretty sure she was having a panic attack. She bent low and pressed her head between her knees.

“Okay, whoa. This was obviously a bad idea. You’re in super crazy-pants mode right now.” She pulled her legs back into the car and shut the door. “Let’s go. We can just watch the press conference on TV and you can catch him later tonight when you’ve had a chance to think. Maybe make a pros and cons list.”

That would be the safest thing to do. She’d had her fill of humiliation for the year, and the prospect of Galen denying her in front of a roomful of people made her legs feel jiggly. A sense of calm flowed over her and the laughter stopped. “No. I’m doing this. It’s time for me to grow some balls. I’ve got to become the meat in my own sandwich now, you know?”

Cat turned and gave her a puzzled stare.

“What I mean is that I need to take control of my life and do what makes me happy. I’m fighting for what I want and I’m not going to play it safe this time in case I lose. I’m going to go big or go home. No more jabs for Lacey Garrity. I’m throwing the haymaker.” Her chest went tight and she opened her car door. Despite the bravado, her gut churned. The thought of going back to life before Galen was too sad to bear.

She stepped out of the car and crossed the parking lot, her friend at her side. When they reached the door, it seemed larger than life. Somehow, if lions had flanked it, they wouldn’t have seemed out of place. She pushed away the ludicrous thought and raised a hand to push it open.

A bald, hulking man in a suit standing next to the door held up a hand. “Press only.”

Cat held up two red badges. “Family.”

The behemoth nodded his shiny head and waved them in.

“Does he know I’m coming?” she whispered.

Cat didn’t turn around, elbowing her way through the milling crowd of reporters. “Nope. Hell, I wasn’t even sure you were coming.”

“So where’d you get the second badge?”

“It’s my mom’s. She, uh, sort of knows what’s going on and wanted you to have it. Just in case.”

Lacey groaned. “No pressure.”

“There isn’t. Be honest, say what you came to say, and that’s all you can do.”

Lacey was scanning the room for some sign of Galen when a voice boomed over the portable speakers scattered around the perimeter. “All right, everyone. If you could take a seat, we’ll start now. Galen, Max, and I will give our statements, and then we’ll open the floor for Q and A.”

Cat tugged Lacey over to the back row of chairs and they sat. It was only when the people in front of her did as well that she caught sight of Galen. He looked gorgeous, dressed in a white button-down shirt and tie. His tan had faded, the scruff on his chin was a little scruffier than usual, and his eyes looked tired, but to her, he was perfection.

For the first twenty minutes, the men took turns talking about the upcoming fight, talking about Manny Hermosa and about the things Galen was going to do differently to make sure he logged the win this time around. Lacey tried to focus but found herself lost staring at Galen.

It felt like hours by the time Max said, “Questions from the press?”

Lacey jerked, the words jarring her from her trance, and Cat gave her leg a reassuring squeeze.

A reporter in a brown ball cap stood. “Yes. Whalin’, if you lose to Hermosa again, will you still consider retirement without the belt?”

“That’s a good question. There’s no way I’m losing this fight. I out-boxed him last time, and I’ll out-box him again. But on the off chance that things don’t fall my way, I will still retire. The outcome of the fight has no bearing on my decision. Next?” He searched the room and for a second she was sure he would see her in the crowd but a slim female reporter in the far corner called out.

“Max, what kind of shape is Galen in after his last fight? Is eight months long enough to recover and train?”

“He only went five rounds, and he’s in the best shape of his life. He’s going to be more than ready, ain’t that right, kid?” Max patted Galen on the arm and Galen nodded.

“Absolutely. Moore was fast, but he didn’t land too many punches. I feel great, and I’m looking forward to hitting the gym super hard in the coming months.”

Galen’s manager held out a hand. “Anyone else?”

It was now or never. Lacey stood on jelly-legs and raised a trembling hand. “I have one.”

Galen’s gaze shot to hers and his eyes widened. “Lacey? What are you doing here?”

The people around her began to murmur, all turning in their seats to get a look at who was speaking. It took everything she had not to turn tail and run, but she met his gaze head-on. “I came to ask you a question.”

Max leaned into his mic, his bristly black mustache making a crunching sound when he pressed his mouth too close. “Young lady, I’m afraid this session is only for members of the press.”

Galen tapped Max on the arm. “It’s okay, I got this one.” His eyes were full of questions and Lacey swallowed hard.

She forced her lips to move. “Do you want to play a game with me?”

The reporters realized they were about to witness something juicy, and the cameras began to flash. She ignored them, her entire focus on Galen’s expression. Was that hope? Pity? She squashed down her terror and shifted from foot to foot, awaiting his answer.

“What kind of game?” he said finally.

Her pulse clamored, hope sending her heart into overdrive. “I Never.”

His guarded eyes went soft and he nodded. “Okay.”

She sucked in a deep breath, blocking out the whispers around her to focus solely on Galen. The man she loved.

“I never, in a million years, imagined I could be as happy and fulfilled as I was with you. I never wanted anything more than to spend the rest of my life that way. And if you’ll have me, I will never, ever hurt you.”

“There you go, girl,” Cat whispered.

The room broke out into chatter and Galen stared at her.

“We’re discussing a title fight here, young lady. Maybe this isn’t the time for—”

“Max is right,” Galen cut in. “This is a private issue, Lacey.”

She nodded dumbly, tears springing to her eyes. She’d laid it all out there and at least she could say she tried, but that didn’t stop the pain. “Sorry.” She stumbled down the aisle, Cat hot on her heels whispering apologies when Galen spoke up again.

“No, don’t go. That’s not what I meant. Everyone else can go. Thank you for coming. This press conference is over.”

Max bellowed at Galen, and the room exploded. Reporters shoved microphones in her face, shouting questions at her.

“What’s your name?”

“How long have you and Galen been together?”

“Are you a fan of boxing?”

Cat stood on a chair and let out a shrill whistle. “All right, listen up, peoples. I’m Galen’s sister, Cat, and I’d be happy to tell you the whole sordid tale out in the hallway. It’s a goody, featuring a runaway bride and a torrid love affair in paradise. Let’s give these two young people some privacy, okay?”

She jumped down and strolled away, leading the pack of reporters like the pied piper. God, Lacey loved that girl. The room cleared, with Max the last to go, shooting her a dirty look. “You better be worth it, chickie.”

Soon, it was just Galen and her. She walked around to the side of the table where he sat and looked down at him. All the things she wanted to say, the speech she’d been practicing on the way over, it was all gone. Wiped from her mind like she’d been zapped with one of those Men in Black neuralyzers.

“How’ve you been, squirt?”

Panic lapped at her, and she fumbled for something coherent to say. She was blowing it. Again. “Okay. I quit my job,” she blurted.

To his credit, he barely blinked at the oddly timed declaration. “Congratulations.”

Now that the cover was off, she couldn’t seem to stop. “I’m going back to school. I’m not sure for what yet. I want to find a career I love.” The moments ticked by and a band of tension tightened around the back of her neck, like an unseen hand.

“That sounds like a great idea. How did your parents take the news?”

She opened her mouth to give her typical blow-off response and say that she saw things differently than her mother did, and that was okay. But that was a lie. It wasn’t okay, and likely never would be. It was time to accept that they would never be close.

“Dad was fine. Mother was Mother. She’s not speaking to me right now. Sometimes I think maybe it’s for the best. Either way, I’m done trying to placate her. I’ve done it my whole life, and it’s gotten me nowhere. It’s not like she loves me more for it or it’s helped our relationship in any way. From now on, I’m doing what’s right for me.”

He pushed his chair back and stood, propping his ass against the table. “And the merger?”

“Dead. Marty seemed so desperate to marry me in spite of what happened that my father got suspicious. He had his people do some digging and found out that the Clemsons were on the SEC’s radar and were a few months from an investigation. They had wanted to seal the deal with our firm in hopes of weathering the bad PR over the next year. Once we had that information, my father killed the deal for good. And lo and behold, the sky didn’t fall. Everyone still has their jobs, and the board is looking for alternate ways to diversify. It’s not the end of the world or the end of either business. Marty’s family will take a hit to their image, but that’s due to some questionable business dealings, not to me.”

“You must be relieved.”

“I am. And last I heard, Becca and Marty were shopping for rings. I guess when I told him there was no chance of reconciliation, he went back to her.”

“How do you feel about that? You angry?”

“Not even a little. I’m still really hurt by what Becca did, but at the same time, if not for her, I’d be Mrs. Clemson right now. I sort of feel like I should buy them some flowers or something.”

His lips twisted into a wry smile, and she resisted the urge to reach out and trace them with her forefinger.

She sucked in a breath, a sudden calm overtaking her. “You were wrong. That day, when you said my catching Marty cheating was the best thing that ever happened to me? You were the best thing that ever happened to me. Our time in Puerto Rico, loving and talking and boxing. I was never so happy in my life.” He opened his mouth to speak but she held up a staying hand. “No, let me say what I came to say.”

Taking his hand in hers, she looked deep into his eyes and spoke from her heart. “It wasn’t because we were on vacation or away from the daily grind. And it wasn’t because I was hurt, or confused, or on the rebound. It’s because I loved you. Hell, I think I’ve loved you since I was a little girl.”

His hand clenched over hers but he didn’t speak. She pushed through the fear threatening to choke her and went on. “Remember when you got that poster of Elle MacPherson in the blue bathing suit? I used to daydream of cutting her hair off.”

His mouth twitched into a tiny smile. “Are you the one who drew the mustache on her?”

She nodded, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Who cared about a little humiliation? Galen was smiling at her again and her heart was singing.

“I blamed that on Cat and she never denied it.”

“Yeah, well, I’d taken the rap for her so many times before, she figured she owed me one. She couldn’t understand my unnatural dislike for the woman.”

“I have to admit, that mustache was likely there for a long while before I even noticed. I wasn’t looking at her face much.” At her long-suffering sigh and muttered, “Men,” he shrugged. “I was thirteen; what do you want from me?”

“Just for you to share your life with me. That’s all.”

His leg began to shake, and he nudged her back. For a terrifying second, she thought he might walk away. Instead, he swung her effortlessly into his strong arms.

She squealed in shock and snaked her arms around his neck for support. “Where are we going?”

“To my house and then nowhere. Not for at least a week.”

He bent low and pressed his lips to hers. She could feel him trembling and held on tighter, wanting to reassure him that she was there and she wasn’t going away. Heat stole through her, melting the cold that had been with her since he’d left Puerto Rico. A long moment later, he tore his mouth away and laid his forehead against hers.

“Ah, Lacey. I can’t wait to hold you and feel your body against mine. I don’t want you out of my sight until it’s sunk in. I love you so much. Walking out of that villa was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but if I hadn’t done it, neither of us would have known what we know now.” He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “That this is for real.”

“I always knew it was. Please don’t doubt that. But my mother—”

“Is a wily one, I know. I had faith that you’d figure it out, but it felt like forever. I was climbing the walls waiting, picking up the phone but then putting it down over and over again. You had to make this decision without me pressuring you. But damn, it took you long enough. I’d almost given up hope. That’s the only reason I booked the Hermosa fight. I needed something to focus my energy on if you never came back to me, or I would’ve gone crazy.”

Lacey tucked her head against his chest and groaned. “I wanted to stop you before you even left but I was mixed up. By that point, I was half convinced you were looking for an easy way to break it off. Then when I got home and you didn’t call…”

He ran a soothing hand over her back. “It’s over now. We’re together, and that’s all that matters.”

“What about your fight and the training? Eight months apart is a long time.”

“We don’t have to be apart. Do a semester out in Chicago. After the fight, we can decide where we want to live. No matter the outcome, I’m retiring after this match. Now that I’m almost thirty, my body takes longer to bounce back, and I want to walk away healthy. I’ve been thinking of opening a gym to train young fighters from the inner city, and I can do that almost anywhere as long as there’s a city nearby.”

A series of clicks caught their attention, and they turned toward the sound at the center of the room. Two reporters who must have escaped Cat’s clutches stood, snapping photos without even a hint of remorse.

Galen dropped a kiss on the corner of her mouth. “I don’t care if they see. I don’t care who knows. I love you.” He turned to the reporters and smiled. “You got that, guys? This is the woman I love.”

Tears rushed to her eyes, and she sniffled. “You’re going to make my mascara run and I’ll look awful for the camera.”

“I don’t care about any of that. Just say you’ll come with me.”

The pain of the past month evaporated like a puddle in the Sahara as happy emotion clogged her throat, but she forced herself to sound stern. “Only if you promise me one thing.”

“What’s that, squirt?”

“Never let me go.”

He tipped her back and bent forward until his mouth was an inch from hers. “I never will.”


Acknowledgments


Thanks to my sister Nicole for teaching me to go for it, balls to the wall, heart first, every time. Even when it’s scary.

Thanks to my cp, Riley Murphy, for being so frigging awesome and coming up with the nickname Whalin’ Galen.

Thanks to Heather Howland for liking me and my little book, and for all of your input. I think you’re the bee’s knees.

And last, but not least, thanks to Team Ninja (AKA, my fabulous editor, the incomparable Kerri-Leigh Grady, and my wonderful publicists, Heather Riccio and Sarah Nicolas). You guys all rock. When they say it takes a village, this is what they mean, and I couldn’t be happier with my crew.