Page 7 of Keep Your Guard Up
“Thank you, Marilyn. But that’s really not necessary,” the asshole replied.
“Please, I insist.” Her eyes flicked over to me, telling me we would be discussing the matter later.
I sighed.Aw, shit.
“Righto, now that we’re done with the theatrics. Mari, show the lad to his office, will ya?” Al asked, nodding me along.
“Around the corner, past the mat spaces, first door on the left,” I told him.
Nan lifted her chin and gave me a look that said,‘Pull your head in before I do it for you’.
I rolled my eyes. “Right this way then.”
~
I grumbled a string of colourful curses at my 4 o’clock alarm.
Chance-freaking-Riordan had already gotten to my head.
I’d lain awake for nearly half of the night, unable to get fucking comfortable after the day’s events. He was so blasé and collected and laid back—with everyone but meofcourse. But he was somehow meant to step into Allen’s shoes?
He was meant to forge the best fighters out of Knock’s.
He was meant to continue the legacy that my father and Allen had fought for.
He was meant tonotflirt with the staff members.
I cringed at the continuous replay of Chance’s introduction to Liv, one of our Brazilian jiu-jitsu coaches.
“Oh, Chance. What a great name. I’m Liv, Liv Coleman. Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” she purred, wrapping her hand in his.
“Trust me, the pleasure is all mine.” He winked.
Of course he had been happy to meet her—she was a drop dead gorgeous black belt in BJJ. But did it have to be her? Of all people? I don’t even know what I was thinking—perhaps that he would be repulsed by her forwardness?
You idiot, why would he be repulsed? She’s stunning.
A girl could dream.
Whatever.
I took my time walking to Knock’s, as I usually did in the mornings. The dawns around this time of year were always at their peak with the slightly cooler weather and consistently clear skies. The big, bright, burnt orange sign came into view, the beginning of the rising sun’s heavenly rays shining from it. The streetlights began to flicker, almost at the time to turn off. But atthe crest of the driveway, an unusual shadow fell under the tall figure’s feet.
I would have preferred to have Gus with me but since the last time Nan got sick, he’d made it a part of his daily routine to wake her up in he mornings. He always used his patented, proven method of continuous love-licks to the face until she rolled over and put her glasses on. Nan would usually bring him in around lunchtime, and he would spend the rest of the day with me.
My hackles rose as I neared closer to the figure. Heart pounding, I pressed the outer button on my headphones to subtly turn them off and pushed my gait into walking on my toes in anticipation. I grabbed onto the blade I had hidden in my gym bag strap—a handy contraption JJ had helped me build after last year’s drama. Being in a small town, outsiders were the only real risk of safety. In Soggla, everyone knew everyone, so there were never any break-ins when you’d probably recognise the person trying to heist your TV.
The dark figure turned around and met my eyes. That blue that had filled last night’s thought-train bore into me like a laser.
“Morning, Sunny.”
Chapter 4
Chance
It’d been a while since I was nervous. I’d retied my hair so many fucking times I had half a mind just to shave it all off. The shitty little prepaid phone buzzed in my hand, a text from my older brother.
Dylan: Stop messing with your hair and go eat something. Make sure your undies are clean too. No one likes a guy with skiddies. You got this, Chan Chan.
