Page 30 of Love to Stay

I take the test and leave it on the bathroom sink before I quickly get ready for the fight. I doll myself up a little—at least for my standards—leaving my hair down and putting on a touch of makeup before I wiggle into a pair of skintight jeans and a white top that has Mick’s last name on it. Well, I guess mine now too. I return to the sink to check the test, seeing what I already suspected: It's positive. So many emotions flood me at the same time, but the alarm letting me know someone is at the front door has me pulling myself together.

“Hey.” Lauren beams at me when I open the door to her and Griff. My eyes drop to her very round stomach. I’ve never seen her look happier. I can’t help but imagine what I’ll look like with a baby bump.

“Hey.” We give hugs before we’re out the door. “How long are you staying in town?” I ask. I have always loved Lauren. I spent many nights at her place eating dinner.

“A few days.” She eyes me. “Is there something you want to tell me?” She gives me one of those looks like a mom does when they know you’re hiding something.

“What the hell?” I swear she can read minds sometimes.

“Really?!” she squeals, making Griff chuckle, shaking his head.

“I’m not saying anything.” Not before I tell Mick, at least. As if he knows I’m thinking about him, I get a text asking me if I’m close.

Me:You know where I am. Get off your phone.

The man tracks my location. Not that I’m any better.

Mick:I need a taste of my woman before I hit the ring.

“That Mick?” Lauren glances over. I press my phone to my chest so she can't read the screen. “You two are so stinking cute. I always knew you’d end up together. Mick would never stop talking about you.”

As much as hearing Lauren gush about us makes me often blush, I enjoy it. It might have taken Mick and me a while to come fully together, but from a young age, we were always destined to be together.

“Holy crap,” I mutter when we make it to the venue. I wasn't prepared for the magnitude of this event. The arena is packed full.

I mean, I should have expected it with all the press and stuff, but seeing it is another level. A guard ushers us into the back and down a secure hallway to a private area. I spot Mick the second I walk into the room. His face is serious as Pedro talks to him.

When his eyes find me, his whole expression changes. I experience the same flutter of excitement as always. It doesn’t matter how many kisses or days spent together. It’s always there.

"Babe,” Mick calls. Pedro rolls his eyes.

“Go see your girl,” he says. “You’re the only fighter I’ve ever trained that a woman keeps them in line and makes them better.” Pedro is shaking his head as he complains, but I don’t miss the hint of a smile he’s fighting. I think Mick and I have grown on him. He’s even helped me with some self-defense after everything that happened.

Mick doesn’t have to be told twice. He comes right to me, claiming my mouth in a kiss. His hands go to my ass, lifting me up off my feet.

“Hey, now.” I laugh. “Let's not get too worked up.”

“Hi. Guess I’m invisible over here.” Lauren gives a wave.

“Sorry, sis.” Mick puts me down and hugs his sister, followed by Griff. We all make small talk until it’s time to head down.

“You stay.” Mick wraps his hand around my wrist, snatching me away from his sister and Griff. “You walk down with me?”

“Is that a question or an order?” I tease.

“Question. It will be televised.” Oh, he’s really asking. I hadn’t thought about that.

"Right.” We have watched a few of the bigger fights before together. “Yeah, I think people know who I am at this point, Mr. TikTok famous.”

“You’re never going to let that go, are you?”

“It’s funny now.” Not so much back then, but it got his name out there quickly. Everyone was asking who he was.

A ton of women were drooling over him with how he took on three men for me. Mick is not fond of the female attention, which is why it only made me laugh. If I’m being honest, Mick isn’t a fan of any attention at all. He’s a homebody like me, and I know without a doubt he only has eyes for me. The way he touches and looks at me says it all.

“You kids ready?” Pedro asks.

“Always.” Mick slides his hand into mine, and we make our way down together. I can hear the cheers before we even enter the main event area. As we reach the end of the tunnel, he plants a kiss on my cheek. “I know you got something to tell me.”

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