Page 22 of Whenever You Call

“You’ll get there. Give yourselves time,” I said, acting like I’d known them my whole damn life, even though my sentiments were true. She would get there, with or without anyone else’s help. There was a quiet strength in her eyes every time I looked into them. If I had to put money on it, I’d bet she’d spent a lifetime perfecting the art of that quiet strength, and then I began to wonder what the hell she’d been through to have to do that in the first place.

“Thanks, Logan. Maybe I’ll speak to you again soon.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Enjoy finding that life you’re looking for,” she said quietly before she ended the call, making me pull the phone down in front of me. Hannah’s number sat there waiting for me to decide what to do with it, but I’d promised her privacy, and that’s what I was going to give her.

My thumb swiped left across the number before hitting the red delete button.

Probably never to be seen again.

Chapter8

LOGAN

The sound of men and women training filled the air when I stood at the entrance of the TKO MMA Gym, where I’d once spent the majority of my time before my career had taken over.

It sure had been a while.

“Can I help you?”

I turned to see a middle-aged, tall, bald guy beside me, running a sweat towel over both his hands. He wore a smile and a scowl that somehow seemed to work.

“Just admiring the view,” I said with a flat smile.

“First time here?”

“Not exactly. Used to train here a few years ago.”

“Back in the Viper days?”

“He isn’t here anymore?”

Viper had opened TKO Gym and was the very first guy to give me a leg up into the world of MMA when I’d been an inexperienced twenty-something kid who didn’t stand a chance. He’d seen potential that turned me into one of his best amateur fighters, and I’d always regretted losing contact with him once my paramedic training took over, consuming my life and making this place a thing of the past.

“He still comes in from time to time. He begrudgingly took early retirement at fifty-five. His wife had his balls in a vise over it, and while Viper may have been a hard bastard, no one ever goes up against Gloria and wins.”

“I remember.” I laughed, gesturing to one of the many cages at the back of the huge warehouse space. “Does he still own it?”

“He’s a shareholder, but it’s small now. He cashed out to take Gloria around the world, though rumor has it that he still hasn’t made it out of the states. Viper likes what he knows.” He raised his chin, tossed his towel over his shoulder, and held out his hand. “I’m the new owner. Real name’s Mark Shaw, but this lot call me Creed.”

“Creed?” I shook his hand.

“Viper was the peoples’ champion. I’m the second—the guy who came in to replace his legacy, only I don’t think I’ve ever quite matched up to it. People like me being here, but I’m no Viper.” He smirked, crossing his arms under his solid chest, and I immediately liked him, despite it looking like he could eat me for breakfast with a spoon. “You’re looking to get back into the game?”

“Something like that. I have a little free time over the next couple of weeks. Thought it was time to stop making excuses for not doing what I used to love.”

“Love, huh? Were you any good?”

“I held my own.”

“Any professional fights?”

“Unfortunately not.”

He reached over to grip my right bicep in his hand, his fingers and thumb feeling the size of it before he offered me a downturned smile and nodded once. “Got some muscle on you still. Your job keep you fit?”

“It… keeps me on my toes.”

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