Page 32 of Spar
“Why does that name sound familiar?” Travis asked, snatching the flyer from Chris.
“He won the Junior World Boxing Championship in 1999,” Benny said, not taking his eyes off Chris.
Travis nodded, giving Chris an understanding look.
Chris grabbed a hardhat from his desk and took off out the door, not looking back as he spoke. “I’ve got to get to work. Thank you for coming down, Benny, but I’m not interested in fighting anymore.”
Tori browsed throughher closet, thankful that Chris had gone to the trouble of unpacking her things. She needed an outfit that would stun him, a feat not easily obtained when she thought of all the times he’d already seen her dressed up for formal events or nights out. Finding something to wear that would wow him in a way she hadn’t before seemed an impossible task.
She threw another outfit on the bed, dismissing it as an option for tonight. Their first date. Considering all they had been through, it seemed silly to be so nervous and excited, but she was both as she whirled around the large room, the scent of him still clinging to the walls. Every paint color, every piece of furniture had been chosen, or at the very least signed off by him. The effect was beautiful and mesmerizing.
Tori waited until she heard Chris pull up outside before leaving the comfort of her bedroom. Her bedroom. It had started to feel like home in such a short amount of time. The butterflies in her stomach nosedived.
She stopped at the bottom of the stairs just as the front door opened.
“I said, drop it.” Annoyance colored Chris’ voice as he stormed through the door.
Charlie and Travis were right on his heels, sharing a perplexed look. Charlie spoke up first. “I don’t understand why you didn’t tell us.” He sounded hurt, almost regretful.
Tori felt like an intruder. She tried to sneak back up the stairs unnoticed, but at the click of her heels on the stairs, all three men turned in her direction.
Chris looked at her with fire in his eyes. She held on to the banister, afraid the weight of his stare would throw her off-balance. She wasn’t sure if the look in his eyes was due to his annoyance with his siblings or because of her, but she was choosing to believe the latter.
“We’ll talk about this later,” he said, dismissing his brothers without a backward glance and approaching her.
Tori continued to hold the railing as she stepped off the last stair. He pulled her to his chest roughly and bent down to brush a kiss on her lips. His hold around her waist was brutal, but his kiss was soft and ended quickly.
“I’ll be back in two minutes,” he whispered in her ear.
He took the stairs two at a time and disappeared into the first bedroom.
“You two got a hot date or something?” Charlie asked.
She turned to find both guys giving her a smug look. Their easygoing and playful mood helped to ease the tension she’d been holding. They moved to the kitchen and alternated opening and staring into the fridge then shutting it empty-handed.
She rolled her eyes at them and sauntered into the kitchen.
Charlie whistled as she got closer. “Da-a-amn.” He gave her a onceover that felt more friendly than sexual.
Tori twirled, hands above her head, getting a few hoots and hollers and smiles from Charlie and Travis.
“Maybe you can get him out of the God-awful mood he’s in.” Charlie returned to the fridge and peered in.
She nudged him out of the way and pulled a foil-covered dish off the bottom shelf.
“What did you two do to him?” she asked as she uncovered the lasagna she had made earlier today.
“Fuck yeah!” Eyeing the food, Travis grabbed a fork and shoveled it into his mouth without heating it up, as if he hadn’t eaten in weeks.
“Dude, at least get a plate,” Charlie said, shaking his head. “Apparently, some dude named Benny stopped by the job site today and wants Chris to fight some guy this weekend.”
Travis shook his head. “That is the worst recount of the story ever. Not someguy,” Travis said between mouthfuls. “Louis Kay.”
Tori’s eyes widened at the name. Now she understood the foul mood. Louis had been the one to destroy Chris’ hopes of winning the Junior World Championships, beating him in the semifinals on a split decision.
“Did you know he was fighting again?” Charlie asked.
“Yes, she did,” Chris said, appearing in front of the kitchen island.
