Page 16 of Further To Fall

Austin threw an arm over my shoulders, pressing the side of my body against his. My stomach did a little flip. “I know you’re making that kind of difference in more than one of these kids’ lives,” he said and then let me go.

Clearing my throat, I asked, “So, what about you? Why fighting?”

The shutters went down over Austin’s eyes, and for a moment, I thought he wouldn’t answer. “My dad and I watched a lot of boxing when I was growing up. It was just him and me, my mom bailed when I was three. Money was tight, but he worked extra shifts to pay for my youth league fees and gear.”

My heart ached at Austin’s revelation. Every time we had one of these heart-to-hearts, I got a little more insight into how Austin had become the man he was today. “As I got older, MMA was really taking off, and we got into that. He was at every one of my matches. He would switch shifts, work doubles, whatever it took. He was always there. I owe him everything. I hate that he can’t come to fights as easily now, but he loves it back in Michigan.”

We crested the top of the hill just as Austin finished speaking and, suddenly, we were looking out over all of Los Angeles. I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out to squeeze his hand. “He sounds like an amazing man.”

“He is.” Austin’s voice sounded just a little rougher, a little more ragged.

“Just like his son,” I said, squeezing his hand again before letting it drop.

Austin turned his face towards me. “I was an asshole to you when we first met.”

Chuckling, I said, “That is true. I used to call you angry mountain man in my head, but you’ve grown on me.”

He barked out a laugh and pulled me into a tight hug. We were sweaty and gross, but I didn’t even care. Having his arms around me felt like the dip in a rollercoaster and coming home all at once. I could feel his heart beating against my cheek, and when he spoke, his voice sent vibrations through my whole body. “I’m so glad you gave this angry mountain man a second chance.”

I tipped back my head so that my chin rested on his sternum. “You’ve proved your usefulness. Like when I needed help opening that particularly stubborn jar of pickles, even though I’m pretty sure I loosened it for you.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Or when I needed someone really tall to reach that light that was out in my apartment.”

“You’re basically saying that I could be replaced with a ladder and an increased upper body workout.”

“Hmm, now that I think about it…”

Austin released me with a shove. “You little stinker.”

I shot him a smirk. “Race you back down?”

He shook his head. “No, because you’ll end up tripping over your own feet, and I’ll have to take you to the emergency room so they can put two-dozen stitches in your face.”

That little jerk. I gaped at him. But, mentally, I was plotting my revenge. “I’m notthatbad.”

Austin snorted. Hesnorted. My revenge was going to be epic, like putting pink hair dye in his shampoo. “Whatever you say, Firecracker. Whatever you say.”

“You’re walking funny again.Another workout with Mr. Muscles?” Taylor’s voice sounded from behind me as I hobbled across the parking lot.

I turned my head towards her. “He made me run hills last night.Hills.”

Taylor let out a throaty laugh. “Youmustbe in love with him. No man is going to get me to run up a mountain if I’m not head over heels.”

My steps faltered, and my stomach dipped. I wasn’t in love with Austin. Sure, I was attracted to him, but we were friends. Falling in love with Austin would be a recipe for disaster. I forced myself to find a normal walking rhythm again. “Nope. Just a sucker of a friend, apparently,” I said with forced levity.

“Whatever you say, girlie.”

“Hey, ladies!” Taylor and I turned to see Kyle Davis jogging towards us. Kyle was a fellow teacher with a few more years on the job than Taylor and me. He was handsome in that conventional, country-club kind of way. He was also incredibly kind and just a bit nerdy. I wished he made my stomach flutter a fraction of the amount Austin did, but he just didn’t.

“What are you two up to?” he asked.

“Just talking about Carter’s newfound love of running,” Taylor answered with a light laugh.

Kyle’s face brightened. “You like to run? I go jogging every morning before school if you ever want to join me.”

I groaned. “I actually hate it. I only go because my friend, Austin, is trying to get me into shape. It’s not working.”

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