Faye told me Ali was coming tonight.

Apparently, they’d gotten on like a house on fire and had been texting all week. I was glad she was making friends, and it was me who’d introduced them, but it was becoming awkward.

Faye was my fuck buddy. Ali… Well, things were a little complicated there. If the lines blurred, then their friendship would blow up. The more time I had to think about her, the more I realized she’d come here because she’d had nothing to lose. Not in the ultimate life or death kind of way. No, it was more about connection. She seemed unsatisfied, lonely almost.

I lingered just outside the cage, fronting up for my scheduled fight. No Championship points for this one, just a wad of cash if I won. I would take either considering I was saving the lot. For what, I wasn’t sure yet.

The cage opened, and I strode in, my gaze raking the crowd as I circled. Fixing the Velcro around my wrists, I tested the flexibility of the wraps over my knuckles. That was when I saw her. Ali. She’d come back, and my lips curved into a smile.

My gaze flickered to the guy standing next to her, and I scowled. Some normal-looking douche who probably ran drugs here on the side. He looked the type.

He was checking out her tits, but she was oblivious, her gaze glued to me. My change in expression caused her to look to the side, and she smiled awkwardly at the pervert. She was too polite. It would get her into trouble.

Cursing, I turned away and shook out my arms, flexing my fingers. I pitied the poor guy I was fighting tonight. He was going to get smashed.

I toed my line, facing off against Rocket. He was a small guy and not as built as I was, but it meant he was quick. He was also a complete smartass, who needed a good smack in the mouth, but I had to be careful. Anything went with him, and he tended to resort to dirty tactics when he couldn’t get the upper hand. It could spell trouble for me if I wasn’t careful.

Narrowing my eyes at him, I decided I didn’t give a stuff. My patience had worn so thin I could see right through it, and the view was nasty.

The bell rang, and I launched myself forward with a roar, my fist slamming into his face. The impact jarred right up my arm and snapped his head to the side. He ducked as I swung back with my left, and he countered with an uppercut that connected with my jaw.

My teeth clacked together, forcing my head back, and I slipped, landing flat on my back. Stars exploded in my vision, and I rolled to the side as Rocket brought down his knee. He slammed into the concrete, and I winced at the sound of flesh and bone colliding against the hard surface.

The crowd let out a collective ‘ohh’ and hissed, but Rocket was back on his feet as soon as I’d righted myself.

We circled, and I studied his gait. He was limping, his kneecap likely broken, but he was still alert, which meant he wasn’t tapping anytime soon.

We exchanged blows, Rocket getting in a lucky punch. His knuckles grazed my eyebrow, opening up an old cut. It started to bleed, dripping down my face and onto my chest as we danced around one another.

I had to get the fuck out of this cage already. All I could think about was Ali and that pervert. He’d probably convinced her to go off someplace quiet so they could ‘talk.’ It was guy code for ‘I’m going to feel you up and finger your pussy in this dark corner and later, let’s find a private place so you can suck my dick.’

Anger clouded my vision, and I shoved Rocket off me. He slammed against the side of the cage, rattling the chain link. Before he could get his footing, I was on him. My fist pounded into his temple, and he dropped, flopping like a rag doll.

Knockout.

The crowd roared, hundreds of feet thundering on the bleachers. I’d just pulled the move of my underground fighting career, but all I wanted to do was get the fuck out of there.

Pushing past the referee before he could grab my arm, I gestured at the security on the cage to open up. The moment the door swung open, I strode out, my bare feet slapping on the concrete floor. I didn’t even stop to grab a towel to wipe the blood off my face, I just growled as people parted to let me pass.

Spotting Ali, I almost threw down then and there. The guy was still standing next to her. They were talking, and although his hands were nowhere near her, she was smiling at him. The moment he looked up and saw me prowling toward them, his expression faded, and he backed away. Ali turned, her pretty brown eyes meeting mine, and her smile faded.

I didn’t like other men touching her, and I especially didn’t like the way it made me feel.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I replied. “It’s just… Don’t forget what this place is.”

“I know,” she said, her frown deepening. “I know exactly who these people are.”

A crowd was gathering at the sight of a fighter causing a scene outside of the cage. Grasping her arm, I led her out back, away from prying eyes.

“You’re bleeding,” she complained. “Shouldn’t you do something about that?”

“I’m not a pussy, Ali,” I snapped.

She flinched as my words hit her. “What’s up with you? Did I do something?”

“No… You didn’t do anything.”

Her gaze fell to the floor, and it was like she just switched off. Her invisible barrier slammed down, and the Ali who’d been coming out to play was shoved back into her box.

“I hardly know you,” she said quietly. “I have no illusions or expectations… You were just being nice. I just…”

Last thing I wanted was a relationship or an attachment to her or anyone, but her words cut more than any punch I’d copped in the cage. I was such a bastard.

“Just what?” Curiosity won out, and my mood began to simmer down some.

“Nothing…” She glanced at the door. “I’d better go.”

“Yeah,” I muttered.

“I can look after myself,” she went on. “You don’t have to get all…” She waved her hand at me, lost for words.

“If you say so, little mouse,” I drawled.

She frowned, and her eyes took on a sadness that seemed never ending. It was like she’d expected me to brush her off, and it stung.

Wriggling out from where I’d backed her against the wall, she shrank into her jacket and practically fled. I watched as she walked through the doors, her hips swaying back and forth, her head down, and it took everything I had not to rush after her. I couldn’t handle this shit.

It wasn’t meant to be this hard, right? You found someone you liked, you got together. Easy. Thinking about Ali, I shook my head. It was all kinds of complicated with her. In the space of a week, she’d turned my peaceful little life ass over tit. I wanted any little scrap of attention I could get until she got too close, and then I pushed her away like a complete ass.

She was…nice, sweet, genuine, passionate, thoughtful…naive. I couldn’t live up to anyone, especially not her. All I was doing was making things worse for her.

Cursing for what felt like the hundredth time that night, I walked out back to the change rooms. Showering, I contemplated jerking off to relieve some stress on my poor cock but decided against it. When I was this amped up, a wank only ever made things worse. Instead, I changed back into my street clothes and went into the warehouse.

Making the rounds, I soon realized Ali was nowhere in sight. She was probably upset with me and had gone home.

Spying Faye by the bar, getting ready to leave herself, I stalked up to her.

“Hey,” I said, my voice rasping.

“Hey yourself,” she said, looking me over with a raised eyebrow. “Nice fight tonight.”

I grunted, my gaze falling to her tits. I wondered if Faye was up for it tonight.

“You and Ali?” she asked, cocking her head to the side.

I grunted again, tearing my gaze from her tits and focusing on her face like a gentleman.

“You sure seem protective of her. If I’m not mistaken, it looks a lot like lo—”

“Wanna fuck tonight?” I asked, cutting her off.

“You know I’m always up for it with you, but…” She glanced over my shoulder to where I knew Ali had disappeared.

“Don’t go there, Faye,” I snapped.

“She’s really cool, Liam,” she countered. “You’d be good together. I can see it in your eyes when you look at her, you know.”

“I seriously doubt you can see anything.”

“You want her.”

My scowl deepened. “Leave off, Faye.”

“Admit it.”

“You know this conversation will only end one way,” I said, glaring at her. “Wanna fuck or not? Last time I’m askin’.”

Rolling her eyes, she asked, “Why do you sabotage yourself like this?”

“Fine, I’ll go find someone else.” I turned, angry as a bee in a jar. Faye grabbed my arm before I could stride off, her fingernails digging into my skin.

“Liam,” she said firmly. “Don’t run off like that. You’re pissed, and I pity the poor woman who’s on the receiving end of it. Hang on a second.”

She let me go, and I stood there, waiting like she’d asked. When she came back, we went outside to my car.

Faye turned in the passenger seat, her hand resting on my thigh. She had something to say, and knowing her, I’d hear it whether I wanted to or not. Complaining would only lead to me going home alone. So I remained silent, readying myself for the dose of reality she was about to serve.

“Listen, I know you only met like a week ago, but she’s not like the other women here,” she said. “If you want to make a play for her, you’ll have to go all in. No more sleeping around.”

“I don’t want to go all in,” I lied. “I just want to get off.”

She snorted and rolled her eyes. “So you weren’t jealous when you barged out of the cage tonight?”

Reaching down, I flipped the latch under my seat and pushed it all the way back. Grabbing Faye’s leg, I eased her over the center console until she straddled my lap.

“Liam,” she complained, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“Shut up for once in your life, Faye,” I said sharply, undoing my fly.

One day, my self-destructive bullshit would come back to bite me in the ass, but for now, I was content to sink my cock into it and forget everything that made me the asshole of the century.