Page 44 of Further To Fall

After buying out the businesses on the floors above, I had gutted the entire building, bringing it down to the studs before remaking it into a training facility that had all of the latest technologies, equipment, and services. It was my baby, and a way to keep my mind distracted from obsessing about Carter since giving up the numbing effects of an entire bottle of booze.

“This place is incredible, A. I’m proud of you, man.”

“Thanks, Liam. I wouldn’t have made it this far without your help.”

Liam leaned back into the couch, resting one ankle on his knee. “I had no doubt you’d make it to the top, and here you are.”

I leaned back in my own chair, my mind running through all that had happened over the past year. I’d accomplished just about everything I’d ever dreamt about. I’d dominated the UFL heavyweight division, had gained crazy lucrative sponsorships, and was now training some of the other top fighters in the world, but ever since that fight a few weeks ago, I had only grown more aware that something was missing. Someonewas missing.

I shifted in my chair. “I’m thinking about dedicating the third floor to a youth program.” I had always dreamed of starting something for kids who didn’t have access to the kind of training and equipment they would need to excel at MMA. A program they wouldn’t have to pay a dime for. So parents like my dad wouldn’t have to work extra hours just so their son could follow his dreams. The more I daydreamed about what something like that could be, the wider the scope grew, and the grander my plans got. It also gave me a great idea for a catalyst to get Carter back in my life.

Liam cocked his head to the side. “Really? That’d be awesome.”

I picked at the fabric on the arm of my chair. “I hope so. I was actually thinking of asking Carter to consult on it, but when I tried to call, her number was no longer in service.”

Liam sat up. “You finally got off your lazy ass and called her?”

He was such a dick. “I’m not lazy. I was just waiting for the right opportunity and getting all my ducks in a row.”

Liam smirked now, and I wanted to wipe it off his face with a nice uppercut to the diaphragm. He was eating this up. “Okay, maybe not lazy. Maybe just a little, itsy-bit scared...of a girl about half your size, literally.”

“Give me a break already, would you? What’s the deal with Carter’s phone?”

Liam’s lips pinched together, and I was suddenly on alert. Something wasn’t right here. “She has a new number. Lexi was pretty persistent in sending her some real charming texts, so she had to change it.”

My jaw went tight at the mention of Lexi. “Shit.” A wave of dread washed over me, and something that felt a lot like shame. “I can’t believe she’d say anything to Carter.”

“That girl is unhinged. She texted Carter weekly, graphic shit that would make even Ford blush.”

My teeth ground together. “What a conniving bitch.” Liam just stared at me. “I know, I know, it’s my own fault for ever touching her.”

“It is your own stupid-ass fault. I don’t want that chick anywhere near Carter.”

“Me either.” I cracked my knuckles. “God, it kills me that Lexi’s been laying into her.” And it did. There were lots of things I regretted doing over the years, but number one would always be touching that snake of a female. My stomach roiled at the thought of her and how much my actions had hurt Carter. I knew I would have to tell her the whole story at some point, but I needed to get her to trust me again before I did. I could only hope that she would forgive me when she learned the truth.

“It should,” Liam shot back, protective big-brother act in full effect. As annoying as it was at the moment, I was glad Carter had someone like Liam looking out for her.

“Enough already. What do you say? Will you give me Carter’s number?”

Liam rubbed his jaw like he was considering all his options. “I’m not giving you Carter’s number without asking her if it’s cool. But before I even ask her, I gotta know where your head is at.”

“I’m ready to go after my girl.” That was the simple truth of it. I never should have let her go in the first place. But the fact was, if I hadn’t lost her, I might have always taken her for granted just a little bit. Having lived without her for an entire year, I knew that life was just a little bit duller without her in it. I didn’t laugh as often or as hard. I sure as hell didn’t look at the positive side of a tough situation. I just plain wasn’t as happy. At the end of the day, I was selfish. I wanted her in my life in every possible way, lighting up every dark corner.

A small grin spread across Liam’s face. “You know you’re going to have your work cut out for you. She thinks you never want to see her again.”

“You know me, I’m not afraid to fight for what should be mine.” Not anymore anyway.

“Just go slow with her. Ease into being friends first, give her some time to adjust.”

I didn’t want to take it slow. I wanted to throw Carter over my shoulder, cart her back to my house, and never let her leave. But that would probably get me arrested. “I’ll try to go slow.”

“All right, good luck, man. You’re gonna need it.”

25

Carter

Iswirled the spatula around the edge of the cupcake, leaving smooth waves in the buttercream frosting. After sprinkling a few sugar crystals on top, I reached across the kitchen bar and placed it into Liam’s waiting hands. “Thanks, this looks amazing.”

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