Kyle's Return (Gloves Off #5)(4)

The girl definitely had fire.

Accepting defeat, I walked out to my truck and grabbed my gym bag. Looking at the gym, I breathed deep and smiled. Kyle Andrews has returned.

***





THE ASSHOLE WORKED out as if he was in his own world. Never once did he show anger when one of the guys would bump into him or call him names. I also noticed that his legs weren’t as strong as he wanted people to believe. For days now, he’d worked his arms, abs and chest, but neglected his legs. It was always when the gym began to clear out when he started on his leg exercises.

“You sure are staring at him awfully hard,” Tyler made notice.

I rolled my eyes and kept my voice down. “It’s not like that. I’m just watching the way he moves.”

“Well make sure to watch from far away. If he messes with you, I’ll kick his ass.”

“Thanks, boss,” I said, slapping his hand. I noticed he had already changed into a T-shirt and jeans. “Are you out for the night?”

“Do you mind?” he asked, staring at me with pleading gray eyes.

“No, silly, just go. I don’t mind being here. I actually enjoy it. Besides, you’re the one who gave me this job with more than enough pay. I owe you.”

He grinned down at me. “You deserve it. Besides, we take care of our own here. Any friend of Ryley and Gabby’s is a friend of mine.”

I watched him walk through the gym and stick to the shadows at the back, keeping his gaze on Kyle. He studied him for a few and then nodded at me before disappearing out the back door. Kyle was the only one left in the gym.

“You need to work your legs more,” I called out.

Kyle had his back to me and froze. “I am.”

Rolling my eyes, I stalked toward him. “No, you’re not. They’re your weakest links right now. Go deeper with your squats.”

He set down his weight. “Are you trying to provoke me?”

For once, I wasn’t. “No, I was just noticing the way you were doing your squats. You’d have a much better turnout if you go deeper. I assume they aren’t as strong as they used to be.”

“No shit,” he growled.

“Don’t no shit me,” I snapped. “I’m trying to help. But if you want to feel sorry for yourself and half-ass your work out that’s on you. You’re not going to get back into the ring doing it like that.” I started to walk off, but he held out his arm, stopping me.

“All right, I shouldn’t have bitched at you. And you’re right, I am half-assing it.”

Picking up a twenty pound weight, I sat down into a squat, and then another. “I tell you what. Every time I do a squat, you do one. Surely you can keep up with me, right?”

A sly smile spread across his face and he picked his weight back up. “Okay, love. Let’s see what you got.”

For the next fifteen minutes, my legs were on fire. Sweat broke out over Kyle’s brow, yet he kept going, even when his legs started shaking. Before long, I collapsed onto the mat and so did he, both breathing hard.

“Holy hell, my legs are on fire,” I laughed, looking over at him.

He grimaced. “Mine are too.”

“What was it like not being able to feel them? I can’t imagine how scary that must’ve been.”

He slowly got to his feet and wiped his brow with a towel, snorting. “If I knew you were really interested, I’d tell you. The last thing I want is your pity.”

“Is that what you think this is?” I asked incredulously.

He shrugged. “Fuck if I know. That’s all I’ve gotten for the past two years. For all I know you’re probably just screwing around with me as a joke.”

“Yeah, because I want to sit here and help you after hours when I could be at home,” I scoffed, getting up and marching away. “I guess I know not to waste my time ever again.” Grabbing my phone and bag off the desk, I turned and pointed to the door.

“Megan, I . . .”

“Save it. The gym’s closed. Please see yourself out so I can go home.”

Nodding, he picked up his bag and slowly made his way to the door. “Thank you for helping me tonight.”

I turned my head away. “Mmm-hmm.”

As soon as the door shut, I rushed over and locked it. If anyone was trying to play a joke, it had to be him. Someone as evil as Kyle Andrews couldn’t come back from the shit he’d done and be fully changed. It just wasn’t possible.

***





I HAD COME to the realization I wasn’t going to belong in Vegas. So far Megan was the only one who actually talked to me like I was a real person. Why? I have no f*cking clue. Tyler ignored me for the most part, which was actually a good sign.

Maybe there was hope for Kacey and me to mend our relationship. If not, I was packing my shit up and moving across the country. Without Kacey’s forgiveness, there was nothing for me in Sin City. Even my own mother disowned me when I stopped supplying her with funds. I often wondered if Kacey would’ve helped me if she knew I was alone. I was about to find out.

Some would call it stalkerish, but I liked to think of it as determination. I’d been in the parking lot of her restaurant for three hours, not knowing when or if she’d show up. I didn’t want to confront her with Tyler around. Thankfully, she showed up right at ten o’ clock, most likely to get ready for the lunch crowd. As soon as she got out of her car, I made my move.