Free Destroyed by the Bad Boy by Madison Collins

“What?” I say faintly. “I never said I was talking about Cage.”
    “Of course you were talking about Cage. I’ve seen you two making puppy eyes at each other since the day he walked into this gym. I’ve been waiting for that boy to grow a set of balls and ask you out. I think he was worried that I’d kick his ass, or that you’d choose his brother instead. But...” Dad smiles. “If he makes you happy, then you have my approval. And you need to stop worrying about Davis so much. Your brother is strong, and he’s healing more every day. Your brother would kick himself if he found out he was the reason you were choosing fear over happiness, and so would I. Cage and Tripp’s mom was hit by a car and killed while crossing the street when she was thirty-seven. You need to grab what makes you happy, and not let it go. You could do much worse than Cage. He’s dedicated, hardworking, and he cares deeply for you. And if he doesn’t take care of you, I really will kick his ass.”
    I don’t think I’ve ever heard my dad give such a long speech in his life. I bite back a smile. “Thanks, Dad. I, umm, guess I need to talk to Cage.”
    I walk out of Dad’s office feeling buoyed by the speech he gave me. The part about Cage being in love with me made me feel even better, but I can’t let myself believe it’s true. Cage might hate me for sleeping with both him and his brother last night. He did leave her this morning. No matter what nonsense Tripp spouted, Cage could have left because he’d realized that he didn’t have feelings for me after all.

Chapter Six
    Cage
     
    My knuckles are raw from all the punches I’m throwing at the bag. I didn’t want to go to the gym and risk seeing Lily, so I’m training in my basement. I’ve still got some mats down here from back before Tripp and I went semi-pro and joined the gym. I throw a jab at the bag again.
    I shouldn’t be wasting my energy on this before my fight tonight, but I need to hit something. Preferably Tripp. Since I can’t beat my brother to a pulp, the punching bag will do.
    Last night was a mistake. I want to be with Lily on my own, not with Tripp. I need to show her how good we could be together. Just us. I know she has a prejudice against dating fighters, but I could be loyal to her. We could have a good life together. I just don’t know how to explain it to her.
    “Cage?” Tripp calls down the staircase.
    I ram my fist into the bag.
    Tripp walks down the stairs and frowns at me. “Thought I’d find you here. Should you really be doing that? Don’t you have a match tonight?”
    “Yes.” I hit the bag with a roundhouse kick.
    “Yes to which?”
    “Doesn’t matter.” I don’t want to talk to Tripp. I still can’t believe he horned in on Lily after I told him I was going to make a move.
    Tripp catches the bag. “You mad at me?”
    I don’t answer. I know if I hit the bag while Tripp is holding it my anger will get the best of me. I’m mad at him, but I’d rather not injure him, so I take a pause to catch my breath.
    Tripp snorts. “If anything, I should be mad at you. You left me alone with Lily this morning.”
    “Lily is none of your business.”
    “Yeah, she is.”
    I shove past Tripp and head up the stairs.
    “What’s wrong?” he calls after me. “You a coward?”
    I rush through the house and hit the sidewalk running. I needed to do laps before the match anyway. I continue making up excuses for why I’m running away for the rest of my workout.
    * * *
     
    My fight is at my favorite local stadium. They also host poker tournaments and a few musical productions. They don’t host MMA fights often, but when they do they give the fighters a free buffet. Which is why it’s my favorite stadium.
    The spotlights feel like they’re on too hot tonight. I’m sweating even as my cornerman is applying Vaseline to my face.
    “Is Lily here?” I ask him. I regret the question as soon as I ask it. I don’t even know if this new guy,