Free Hooked (TKO #2) by Ana Layne Page A

Garrett’s face breaks out into a grin when he sees me. A few newer members are lifting weights in the corner. They don’t fight, but they like the privacy they get by training here. I make my way to Howard’s office.
    He’s sitting at his desk holding his phone up to his face. His tongue is hanging out, and he’s in full concentration mode.
    “Are you still trying to beat that videogame?” I ask him as I sit in the chair in front of the desk.
    He looks up, setting his phone on the desk. “It’s a bitch. This game is rigged like a motherfucker.”
    “I could have told you that.”
    “So, what brings you in here today, Lance?” he asks me, like he has no clue why I’m here.
    “This place is my life, Howard. I want it back.”
    “I thought you quit. To be honest, I didn’t think that word was even in your vocabulary.”
    “I didn’t think it was, either. I overreacted that night. Travis pushed my buttons and I should have stepped away. He knew what he was doing, and I just couldn’t be the bigger man and step away. Not when he was saying the shit he was. I’m sorry.”
    Howard studies my face intently. His eyes narrow and he’s beginning to scare the shit out of me. “I know. Garrett told me everything the next day. I was going to come to you and talk but you said you quit so I was going to honor your decision. By the way, I talked to Mike, the owner of the gym Travis trains at, and he has decided to suspend Travis for his next few matches.”
    On the outside, my face is hard as a rock. I reveal no emotion. On the inside, I’m as giddy as a fucking school girl.
    “I know you suspended me, but I’ve had time to think over the last few days. If you’ll let me, I would like to come back, Howard. This is my family. This is my home.”
    “I can’t lie. It hasn’t been the same without you here, Lance. Welcome home.”
    He stands, pushing his chair back. It screeches as it slides across the floor. I stand to meet him, and the burly man pulls me in for a hug. “I knew your stubborn ass would be back. Matter of fact, Garrett owes me fifty bucks.”
    “You assholes were betting on me?” I ask, laughing.
    “Hell yeah. I knew you’d be back within a few days. He figured you would take a few weeks. I win.”
    I roll my eyes and look toward the mats. I’m itching to be back out there and now I have my chance. Phase one is complete.
    Garrett’s smile turns to a grimace when he sees Howard standing against the doorframe, holding his hand out. “Why couldn’t you wait?” he asks.
    “Cough it up, Garrett, I win.” Howard laughs, stepping back into his office.
    “Yeah, yeah, okay.”
    I’ve missed this place way too much. Garrett raises his eyebrow like he’s expecting me to just start telling him all my problems, but he pretty much knows it all. I mean, he was outside when the shit with Travis went down.
    “Has, uh…has Raegan talked to…” I stop myself before I can continue. I’m not sure how to phrase the question.
    “Has she talked to who, that girl?” he asks me with a puzzled expression.
    “Um, yeah, her. Sorry, I don’t know why I asked you that.”
    “Don’t sweat it, dude. I think she has been, though.”
    My gut twists as I wonder what Raegan and Hilary have been talking about. It must not be anything too important if Raegan hasn’t told me anything yet. I just want to know what is really going on and if Hilary is okay. She may not give a shit about me, but for some strange reason I care more about her than I should.
    “Oh, okay,” I mumble.
    “What’s going on, Lance?” Garrett asks me with a raised eyebrow.
    Howard interrupts and tells us to get busy. In the back of my mind, there are so many things I want to start telling my best friend but I’m not sure how stupid I would sound once those things started coming out. I’d sound like a pussy for sure. Lance Borel is a pussy whipped man, and he’s not even dating the girl. What a damn joke.
    My hands slide into my gloves