Page 195 of Repairing the Wreckage

“You know I have no problem getting my hands dirty,” I protest.

“We know,” Murphy cuts in, his tone as forceful as Wrath’s. “You also need to take care of that truck right now.”

Arguing with him is pointless. “I’ll get it done.”

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Molly

After the attempted robbery, I never hear about the guy again. I put it out of my mind and focus on school. Griff focuses on his training.

I can’t be here to say goodbye when he leaves tomorrow morning. I’ll be in class when his plane takes off. So he drove out to school to take me out to dinner tonight. Now that we’re back at my dorm, I don’t want to say goodbye.

I’m trying to stay strong, but I hate that Griff’s leaving me again. At least this time there aren’t as many unknowns. He has a schedule for fight camp that he’s shared with me. We have plans to talk every day. The only filming that will go on at the camp is to gather footage to market the fight to pay-per-view audiences.

“In three weeks, you’ll be in my arms again,” he promises. “You’re going to study hard and ace your finals for me, okay?”

I nod and swallow hard, trying to will any tears away.

“I’ll try to scope out some good restaurants for us to try,” he continues.

“No, don’t do anything that distracts you from training for the fight. You need to make that guy eat every insult he’s hurled your way the last couple of weeks.”

His lips twitch. “You caught some of those interviews, huh?”

“Uh, yeah. My YouTube feed is full of them. I want to knock that guy out. Diane wasn’t kidding about how obnoxious he is.”

“Underhill hates him. I think training me is part of his personal vendetta against the guy.”

“He’s certainly worked you hard these last few weeks.” I run my hands over his sturdy shoulders and granite-like arms.

“He and Wrath got along like vinegar and baking soda. It was a real joy.” He scoffs. “Camp’s going to be even more intense. Seven days a week. Coach has someone coming specifically to work on my takedown defense and strength work.”

I don’t have anything to add to that, so I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck. “You’re going to be careful and watch your knee, right?” I ask.

“Yup.” He lifts me off the ground and breathes deep, like he’s inhaling as much of me as he can, then sets me down. “They’ve got a good recovery program there. I’ll have access to cryotherapy and a physical therapist. Trust me, no one wants me to get injured before this fight.”

“Good.” It’s getting harder to look at his handsome face. Every time I do, my heart squeezes with anguish.

“I’m going to call you every morning,” he promises.

“And every night?”

“You know it.” He settles his hands on my waist. “No more YouTube. No social media. Just concentrate on your last few weeks of classes. You can catch up on all that stuff on the plane when you fly out to meet me.”

“Okay.”

“Promise?” He teases his fingers under my sweatshirt, tickling my sides.

Laughing, I twist away. “Yes, I promise.”

The RA on my floor brushes by us, then stops. “Hey, Molly. Are you coming to the ping-pong tournament? We’re getting pizza and baking cookies after.”

I can’t play ping-pong when my boyfriend’s leaving.

“You should go,” Griff urges in a low voice.

“Uh, yeah. Sure,” I say, giving her a weak smile.

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