Page 1 of Fighter's Enemy

1

LOGAN

My palms are sweaty, and I keep wiping them on my jeans as I stand in front of the door to the pub. I don't know why I'm so nervous, considering Mark has always been a close friend, and it was his idea for me to come to see him immediately after I got out. It's been half a decade since I was here, and it was just as uneventful as before.

Mark and I were classmates and have been best friends ever since. We kept in touch even when I first got arrested, and he never failed to visit me. He's like a brother to me; we'd do anything for one another. It's one of the reasons I considered moving here when I got out; plus, I wanted to focus on my fighting and get back to the big leagues or open my own gym. I had enough money from when I was fighting, but being away so long, and with the reason for my absence, it might be hard to put myself out there again.

The last time Logan visited; he asked that I move in next door to their house that was up for sale. I immediately made a big deposit and bought the place while still in prison. It was a great house, and I wanted to be close to friends since I had no one waiting for me. I never knew my parents, and growing up in an orphanage didn't give me the best avenue to make friends. But I met Logan in school, and I finally got the people I cared about in my life.

I was just supposed to show up today and tell her. I was still skeptical about just showing up, especially when Logan told me to keep my arrival secret and move in with his sister. I didn't know how she would react, but a big part of me loved riled-up Kayla Jensen.

Kayla hated me as much as I couldn't stand her. Honestly, I never really understood why she hated me so much. Yes, I constantly teased her, but that was mostly because I loved seeing her cheeks turn bright red. It gave me a thrill every time. She was easy to rile up, even easier to embarrass. She pretends to hate me, but let's be honest, there's hardly anything about me worth hating. Even when she was ten and we'd just met, I could make her blush without speaking.

Also, I loved Peterborough and knew moving back here would ultimately be the best thing. I could say no to Logan, and I knew it was a chance to learn to live again without my past hanging over me like a black cloud.

I took a deep breath and walked into the pub. It was very early in the morning, so only a few people were around. I scanned around for Kayla, but the minute my eyes landed on her, I stopped breathing altogether.

You've got to be freaking kidding me.

How the fuck did Kayla Jensen change so much in five years? In fact, how the fuck did anyone change so much in five years?

She was standing in front of a table, picking up some empty bottles, when she looked up, and our eyes locked. Well, her eyes remained on my face, but mine were all over her body because I couldn't seem to look anywhere else. Her deep blue eyes cut straight to mine with little hesitation and clearness, telling me this wasn't the little teenager I used to tease five years ago.

No, this was a woman. And the most beautiful woman I had ever met. It was alright because I recognized her gaze well enough, but age had changed the colors to a disturbing mix of aquamarine and sapphire.

She curled hair that hung past her shoulders and framed her face with a wildness, making her eyes stand out against the inky black of her hair. Her lush lips are framed by high cheekbones... I couldn't believe this was the Kayla I used to ask if she'd been stung by a bee, then crack up laughing.

I couldn't make that joke anymore now because the only thing that came to mind was that seeing a mouth like hers definitely had nothing to do with bees—just honey. Preferably warm, sticky honey poured over those plump lips and slowly licked off.

Ah, hell. This had to be the universe punishing me. How the fuck was I supposed to live next door with the vivid knowledge of her less than fifteen feet away? The same girl I tortured when I found out she was a few years too late to wear a bra. Now, it wasn't funny anymore. Her breasts were as lush as her mouth and matched the curve of her hips. She was now taller, and this package of female temptation was wrapped up in my best friend's younger sister, who had been nothing but good to me.

How was I going to stay away? Because looking at her now, I wanted nothing more than to bed her over the table she was standing close to and fuck her brains out. She wore a red flowery sundress that emphasized her cleavage, skimmed over her hips, and fell to the floor. Scarlet toenails peeked through shiny red sandals.

I didn't know how long it was, but I stood transfixed at the doorway, looking at her, until somehow, I could fight against my discomposure and walk up to her.

Kayla Jensen had grown up well—a little too well for what I'd prefer. But there wasn't any need to let her know or show just how affected I was by her. I offered her the same neutral smile I'd offer anyone, and when I reached where she was standing, I stretched out my hand for a handshake.

"Well, well, well..." I drawled out when I noticed she wasn't ready to return my handshake. I withdraw my hand and cross my arms over my chest. "If this isn't the surprise of the century. Hello, Kayla. It's been a long time." She smiled back at me, but it didn't reach her eyes. She dropped the bottles in a crate beside her and fisted her hands.

"Hello, Logan. How are you?"

"I have been in prison. Thanks for all the visits, by the way." We studied each other for a few moments, and the silence lengthened. She plucked at the delicate gold bracelet encircling her wrist.

"I am glad you are okay. I didn't visit because I didn't want to, but I always asked Mark about you."

"I'm sure you did." I continue smiling as her lips straighten into an angry line.

"I don't need to explain anything to you. Welcome back to town; Mark is in his office upstairs, asshole." She hisses, throws her hands up, and spins around. She walks to the door labeled "staff only", opens the door, and stalks out, letting the door slam shut behind her.

Yes. That was the Kayla I remembered. Feisty and cute. I was happy to see her. Only this time, my happiness was mainly from all the nasty things I wanted to do to her.

* * *

Kayla

I tried not to look back as I stormed off like a whirlwind with no latitude, that asshole sure brings out the worst in me. When Mark told me he was going to be released from jail and introduced back to civilization, I muttered all the horrible things I wanted to happen to him before he gets back.

I wanted him to get run over by a moving train right about when he steps outside the hellhole, he had been living in for the last five years, and because of his accident, have to undergo lobotomy because his brain does not match his facial figure and then somehow after that acid would be smeared all over his face, so he doesn’t ever look this hot again.

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