Page 49 of Spar
Tori stretched outin Chris’ large bed while she listened to his deep voice on the other end of the phone.
“What was it like fighting him again after all these years?”
She could hear the ruffling of sheets in the background and pictured him moving around in the hotel bed, trying to get comfortable.
“It was just like any other fight. Our old titles don’t mean shit anymore. It was just two washed-up dudes fighting.”
“You’re not washed-up, or at the very least you’re the best of the washed-up dudes,” she teased into the phone.
He chuckled softly, and she smiled, hoping he was moving on from the accident.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were fighting him that night? It may not have been what I thought you should do, but I would have understood.”
She heard his hesitation as he let out a sigh. “It wasn’t a big deal. Everyone was making it a big deal, like fighting Louis somehow made up for the past. It doesn’t. It didn’t. Beating him sure doesn’t make me feel any better about losing the title match fifteen years ago.”
His tone had an edge to it, and she wondered how they’d gone from laughing to him being pissed in such a short span of time.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply it was a big deal. I’m just trying to understand why you did it.”
“Because I wanted to.”
His frustration bit through the phone, and she stilled, waiting for him to apologize. His voice was quieter when he spoke again. “I’m sorry. It’s just… it’s over now. It doesn’t matter. I need to focus on Travis and being there for him now. Everything that’s happened in the last week just makes me realize what an ass I’ve been. I brought him home with me and then didn’t take any measures to help him get back on his feet.”
She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and stared around the room — his room — wondering where that left them. She decided to test the waters and see how he felt about her moving out. They hadn’t discussed it, but he must have known her place was ready.
“I went by my apartment today. I can move back in tomorrow.”
“We won’t be back until Friday or Saturday, so there’s no need to rush off.”
Did that mean once they got back there was a reason to rush off?
“Sorry to cut off, but Charlie just walked in. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She nodded, biting her lip.
“Good night, sweetheart.”
She heard the beep of his disconnection as she whispered back, “Night.”
Tori lifted theheavy box from her trunk, cursing Chris for moving everything out. This was only the start of the many things she’d have to bring back. After she’d gotten over the initial shock of him moving her stuff, she had been thankful to have everything she needed. Now she was seriously questioning that thankfulness as she maneuvered the box awkwardly through the parking lot. Sweat trickled down her face as the afternoon sun and humidity beat down on her.
She heard her name, and Dax’s heavy footsteps fell in beside her. “Need a hand?” He removed the box from her grasp before she could say no.
“Thanks,” Tori said sheepishly.
Dax shifted the box over to his hip and held it in place with one big arm wrapped around the top. “I hope you’re not planning on moving all the boxes back one at a time.”
He winked, and she cringed, remembering he’d been the one to box up and move her things the first time.
“I can send one of the guys out when you’re ready. I’m sure that’s what Chris would want if he were here.”
His words made her mind reel to what exactly Chris’ intentions had been when he moved her out of her apartment. It was as if he had done it without thought of her returning to her place. But then again, he’d taken such drastic measures to make sure her apartment was safe, he must have wanted her to leave.
“Thanks, but I can manage.” She felt a little better taking control of her things and her life, even though she had to admit it would be nice to have some muscle to help her move.
They entered the apartment, and Tori went to enter her code into the beeping alarm system while Dax placed her box on the floor.
“Let me know if you change your mind,” he said with a grin and left her to her quiet apartment.
