Page 120 of On the Edge

“I heard Galway’s a charming place. Maybe we can have a fun getaway here sometime, but I’m thinking tonight won’t be the most romantic of evenings.”

She had a point, but I wasn’t in the mood to face the reality of what I was about to do. Not yet, at least.

My pulse quickened as her bright green eyes roped me in, which wasn’t the best idea as I was beginning to drift into oncoming traffic.

“Are you sure this is what you want? I know I suggested it, but—”

“You’re right about going. It’s time I do this.” I scratched at the stubble on my jaw and continued to drive. Anna leaned back and shut her eyes, and I allowed the silence to eat the air between us until the GPS alerted me that I’d arrived at my destination. “What’s this?” I slowed, looking at the sign on the building before us. It read “MMA Training Center.”

“Why would Owen live above a gym? It can’t be easy for him to be around fighting,” Anna commented as she stared at the building.

“Damn. I don’t know.” I had a bad feeling in my gut, and I was wondering if maybe I shouldn’t get out of the car.

I hadn’t even heard her exit the Porsche; I must’ve been in a fog because she was now standing outside my door. “Come on,” she said through the window, tapping on it with her fist.

I raised my hands in submission. “Okay,” I mouthed.

As she secured the straps of her long coat, which covered the bare skin of her legs just above her boots, I noticed that she was shaking. I didn’t think it was from the cold. “Are you okay?”

“I think so.” I could see the movement in her throat as she swallowed. “You think the place is open on a Saturday? Only two cars in the parking lot.”

“We’ll see.” We walked to the building and a slow roll of fear moved through me. Would I be able to face him again? Could I look him in the eyes in a wheelchair, knowing I’d put him there?

“I don’t know if I can do this.” My hand hovered in front of the door.

Anna’s fingers rested on my forearm. “You’re the strongest man I know, Adam. So yes, you can do this.”

Her hand moved down my arm and covered mine as I gripped the door handle now. We opened it together and then I took a step back, allowing her entrance first.

“Guess it’s open,” she said as she went in.

I nodded and followed after her. The bright lights of the gym had me squinting, and I looked around, only finding two people sparring on a mat off to my right.

Then I saw him.

“What—” My heart was about to obliterate my insides as I stood stupidly, gawking at Owen as he moved toward us. He looked as shocked as me. His eyes round. His mouth parted. “That’s—that’s him.”

“Oh my God,” she whispered.

“Adam McGregor?” Owen looked the same as he had five years ago. Except this time, he wasn’t lying in a hospital bed. This time, he was standing right in front of me.

It didn’t make any bleeding sense.

“You’re walking.” I took a step back, needing more space to process what I was seeing.

“I’d hope so, but what the hell are ya doing here?” Owen folded his arms and looked at Anna then back at me.

I blinked a few times. “I’m a bit out of sorts right now,” I finally said.

“Do you want to sit?” Instead of waiting for my response, since apparently, I was unable to formulate sentences, Owen waved to the seats outside one of the room’s many fighting rings. He took two big strides and pulled a chair around for Anna.

Anna sat and then looked up at me. “Sit, Adam.”

I scratched the back of my head and finally sank into the black folding chair. “You’re supposed to be paralyzed.” I raised a fist to my mouth, tapping at my lips. “I came here to apologize like I should have done five years ago, and—wow.” I was going to lose my damn mind right now.

Owen straddled a chair and nodded. “The doctors weren’t sure if I’d walk again. These things aren’t set in stone.”

I was shaking my head. “My folks said you were—”

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