Free Redemption by Alla Kar

which did no good for my racing hormones. This man was so male that it embarrassed me to look at him.
    ***
    The bell dinged around four, and a man came in holding a bouquet of flowers. “Are you Neveah?”
    “That’s me.”
    He placed the flowers down, turned and left in a mad dash for the door. The roses were gorgeous until I saw the handwriting scribble on the note, I knew they were from Heath.
    A group of boys pushed through the double doors and called their goodbyes to dad. I was snarling at the note when someone knocked their knuckles against the desk.
    I glanced over at Chase. His lip was busted, and for the first time I felt sorry for him. “Is your lip okay?”
    He laughed and gave me a boyish smile. It was definitely still a panty dropper. “It’s fine. Do you know how many times you’ve given me a busted lip or black eye?”
    “Well,” I grinned. “It’s okay when I do it. Plus, my punch isn’t nearly as hard as his.”
    He nodded and placed his index finger against my nose. “I didn’t know you cared so much.”
    I rolled my eyes but gave him a small smile. “I don’t.”
    He gestured toward the roses. “Flowers, huh?”
    I groaned and eyed the beautiful bouquet. “Unfortunately.”
    “That’s not the response a guy hopes for when he sends flowers.”
    I shrugged. “Well then, he shouldn’t have had sex with another woman.”
    Chase frowned and caught my chin with his fingers. “He’s a damn idiot for cheating on you, Nev.”
    The sympathy in his eyes saddened me, but I quickly recovered when the double doors swung opened. “Who sent you flowers?” Dad asked.
    I glanced over to my dad but looked past him at Declan. The flustered look on his face grew angrier by the second. But I managed to turn my eyes to Dad before I needed to change my panties again. “Who do you think?”
    Chase turned toward Dad. “Her ex-fiancée I’ve been told. He’s a douchebag to let this one go.”
    Dad rolled his eyes. “Didn’t we just talk about running laps for hitting on my daughter?”
    Chase laughed. “I heard you, old man. I’m stopping. No more offering my bed to Neveah.”
    Oh God .
    Dad narrowed his gaze and shook his head. Heat scorched the side of my face, and I didn’t have to look to see that Declan glared at me. God, make him stop .
    “I’ll see y’all next week.” Chase knocked his fingers against the wood, and I jumped. “Be safe, Neveah. If you get bored come over to the house. We can spar or something.”
    “Thanks, Chase. See you.” With a jump, he jogged out of the gym, disappearing behind the front door.
    “You gonna keep them?” Dad asked from the hallway entrance.
    “Probably on the desk but not at the house.”
    He nodded. “I’m going to go lock up. Can you go get some garlic bread from the store? Maybe Declan can go with you.”
    Widening my eyes, I tried to get Dad to look, but he’d already turned his back to me. “You two can go ahead. Neveah my truck is outside, and the keys are in it. We’re having dinner with Cooper tonight.”
    What! This day just keeps getting better and better. I tried to hide the horror on my face. Not only did I have to give him a ride home, but Cooper was coming? What baby did I kill in a past life? I groaned. “Dad.”
    He narrowed his gaze at me. “Don’t start, Neveah.”
    I held my hands out in surrender and called Lucy who bounded up from behind the desk. “We’re going.”
    The small steps I took around the desk felt like they took years. Those eyes scorched the side of my face, nerves fluttered deep in my belly.
    “Ready?” I asked.
    I met his eyes and nearly choked at the anger in his smile. “Always.”
    Tension settled around us, and I had no idea where it came from. Suddenly those large shoulders were tighter and his fists clenched. “Is there something wrong with you?” I asked.
    I swore I heard his teeth grind together. “No,” he spat.
    I rolled my eyes. “Well, fine, don’t tell me then.” I shrugged and