Free Holding Huck's Heart (Marco's MMA Boys #3) by S. M. Donaldson Page B

four minutes, that’s all I have to do. Dance for four minutes. Remember to take the pieces of clothing off as practiced at certain key points in the song. Smile at the patrons, graciously accept the tips and work the entire stage. Make every patron feel like the only person in the room for four minutes, just four minutes.
    This is the mantra I repeat in my head every single time I take the stage. It’s the only way I get through it without throwing up.
    Once my song finishes, I collect the extra money from the bouncer that people laid on the edge of the stage and make my way to my dressing room. I know that Liz will be waiting for me when I get there.
    “Good set tonight. I know you’re just going through the motions now, you’ve managed to block them all out. They can’t tell it, which is even better,” she says as soon as I walk in the room.
    I laugh at her candidness. “Thanks. I always appreciate the words of encouragement.”
    She laughs. “So I saw on the schedule that it’s your birthday this weekend.”
    I nod, wiping my face lightly. “Yeah, I was going to do something with my mom but she’s gone to my aunt’s.” I reach and slip on my cover up. “I’m going to talk to the boss about working this weekend, or I may just stay home and eat my weight in ice cream.”
    “I have an idea. Why don’t you come with me to the fight this weekend in Jacksonville? Sloan and Kara will be there. I think Kara’s sister Jade is coming down, it should be a lot of fun. We can have a spa day while the guys train,” she says light heartedly.
    She filled me in on Huck spilling her secrets, but I have to say I agree with him. My father and I may not have had the closest relationship, but he would have never kept me from my mother’s things or made me pay her medical expenses if he were still living. He may not have accepted my choices or preferences, but he wouldn’t have just written me off after the fact.
    “So you up for it?” she says, smiling.
    Can I spend an entire weekend around Huck without losing what’s left of my sanity?
    “Sure, I guess,” I say.
    “Don’t get so excited or anything,” she says sarcastically.
    “I’m sorry, it’s just-.”
    “I know. This thing, whatever it is between you and Huck. I see how you two look at each other.”
    I interrupt her. “Wait, how do we look at each other?”
    She snorts, “Like you’ve seen each other naked.” She waves her hands around dramatically. “Whatever, it’s no big deal. You’ll hardly see him this weekend. He’s so head tripped about this damn match, I’m sure he’ll be training.”
    I take a drink from my bottle of water. “This is the guy he fought before, right?”
    “Yes, this guy has him second guessing himself. It isn’t like him at all. As much as he pisses me off sometimes, Huck’s confidence wins just as many fights as his skill does in my opinion,” she says seriously.
    Moving around my dressing room, I gather my things and start to dress in my street clothes. I think about her offer and finally, I make eye contact. “Okay, I’ll go.”
    She smiles and claps her hands like a seal. “Yay. We’re going to have so much fun. All of the kids are staying with grandparents so Sloan and Kara want to have a lot of fun.”

 
     
    CHAPTER 12

    HUCK
    My brother has turned into an idiot. No, he was already an idiot, now I think he could possibly get a check from the state. We are never going to leave here today if he doesn’t get a fucking move on. I’m nervous enough about the fight this weekend. I’m pacing around the room.
    “Sly, come on. We need to get going,” I say, standing at our front door. “The girls will meet us this afternoon.”
    “I’m saying goodbye to my little girl, shut up,” he says, snuggling the little squirming pink bundle.
    Ah hell. I walk back over to her. “Bye, Princess.” I kiss her forehead. “I know you won’t care that we’re gone but your daddy may have a nervous breakdown.”
    Sly