Free Finally My Happy Ending (Meant for Me Book 3) by Brooke St. James

get together and watch two guys beat the crap out of each other for fun. It's really secretive, and there's a ton of money exchanging hands. They wouldn't even let me see where we were going. They put me in the back of an SUV and blindfolded me until we got there. I'm pretty sure it was a warehouse like this one, but I have no idea where we were. The next thing I knew, I was standing in a cage, squaring off with a guy named Nick 'The Hammer'. Apparently, he was undefeated. He was a good fighter. We went three rounds before I finally finished it. It wasn't pretty, but I got it done, and I got the ring back as promised. Don't… Aw, come on. Trish, are you crying? Stop. I'm fine. It's not a big deal; it was just a fight. It's not the first one I've ever been in, and it probably won't be the last. It's just a couple of bruises. You should have seen the other guy."
    I sank my face into my hands again, feeling like the scum of the earth for everything I had said to him. "Is this a true story?" I asked, peering at him through my fingers.
    He let out a little laugh. "I couldn’t make that stuff up if I tried."
    "You seriously went to Austin and fought in a cage to get my ring back?"
    "Yes," he said simply as if it were no big deal.
    "And then you brought it back to me and I yelled at you for it?"
    He breathed another little laugh. "Pretty much."
    I couldn't bear to look at him. I just shook my head and covered my face with my hands. "I am so sorry, Brock. I don't even know what to say right now."
    I felt his big arm come around my shoulders before he pulled me in to give me a comforting squeeze. "You didn't know," he said. "It seemed like I was the one who took it. I understand that."
    A few long seconds of silence passed between us. "You should not be comforting me right now," I said, sitting up straight and smiling at him as best I could. "If anything, I should be comforting you. I don't know how you're being so kind. I feel terrible."
    "I'm fine," he assured me, patting my shoulder before letting his arm fall. "You don't need to worry about me."

 
     
    Chapter 9
     
     
    Brock stood up the instant he finished his story. Apparently, I was being dismissed. He assured me he was fine, forgave me for blaming him, and now he was sending me on my way.
    The problem was, I didn't want to leave. I should have been all right with the idea of heading home. After all, there was nothing more to say. He had been more than gracious about the whole thing, and I knew I should let him get back to his project.
    "I know it won't make up for it," I said, "but I'd love to go grab you some dinner if you let me."
    He smiled. "I was just messing with you about that."
    "I know you were, but I really wouldn't mind if you're hungry. It's the least I can do." He started to shake his head as I was still speaking, and I could see that he was about to deny me, so I continued on, trying to convince him. "I know a great place for takeout not far from here. They're a farm fresh, organic type of place since you're obviously conscious about your, uh, health or whatever. I could pick up a chicken wrap or something and bring it back by here. I wouldn't mind at all. I wanted to go by there to get something for myself anyway."
    He smiled at me with that same amused grin that made me want to squirm and continue rambling. "You really don't need to do that," he said.
    "I've already got my heart set on it," I said. "That is unless you've eaten."
    "I haven't," he said.
    "Great," I said, smiling.
    "Caesar, bar-b-que, or Thai?"
    "Thai," he said. "Unless you recommend one of the others."
    "Thai's great. I'll be back in about twenty minutes."
    He smiled and thanked me as he walked me to the door. I got in my car and called Bruno's to place an order for three Thai wraps—one for myself and two for Brock. I figured a big guy like him might have the appetite for two, and if not, he could save it for tomorrow.
    I stretched the truth a little bit when I told him Bruno's was right