Page 42 of Dare to Dance
Kross held his jaw as he glanced my way with a blank expression. Dillon, on the other hand, swaggered over with a gym bag in his hand. His brown gaze appraised Norma and me. “I didn’t think you would show.” His voice was husky. “I’m Dillon Hart. I was at your fight with Kross. We never officially met, though.”
“Why does Tommy hate you?” Nerves sometimes caused me to stick my foot in my mouth or babble.
“Ruby,” Norma said. “Sorry. My friend says weird shit when she gets nervous.”
“It’s still true. Tommy is also afraid of you,” I said.
Dillon chuckled. “We have a long history.”
It had to be quite a history. Then again, it really wasn’t any of my business.
Dillon handed me the gym bag. “Kross would like you to change into workout gear while he finishes up.”
I stood dumbfounded as I fixated on the gym bag.
“It’s okay. It’s just clothes,” Dillon said. “You’ll have more flexibility in the workout gear than your jeans.”
Norma grabbed the bag. “Thanks.”
Oh my God. No one had bought me anything in years, not since Raven was born. The money my mom had made had gone to purchase diapers, formula, and clothes for Raven.
“Locker room is behind the boxing ring,” Dillon said.
Norma dragged me with her as we headed in that direction. As we passed the boxing ring, Kross grinned at me, his lone dimple popping out. I blew out a breath. I couldn’t get in the ring with him. The minute he touched me was the minute I would cave. That wouldn’t be so bad, would it? Or I could look at this another way.I get to take out my anger on him.Suddenly, I couldn’t wait to get in that ring.
13
Kross
Kade, Dillon, and I were huddled outside the ring. I was waiting on Ruby to emerge from the ladies’ locker room. Kade had been working out with Kelton earlier and wanted to meet Ruby. My sparring partner, Liam, had cut out early to study for an exam he had the next day at the academy. Jay had retreated to his office to finalize a date and time for my upcoming fight with Reggie Stockman. But my fight, which was my vie to impress Gail Freeman, wasn’t in the forefront of my mind even though it should have been. For the last year, Jay and I had worked tirelessly, entering every fight we could so I could get exposure. But the last two promoters weren’t interested. They’d said I wasn’t ready, and that I still had much to learn before I faced the champions on the circuit. Hence, Jay was down my throat constantly. I didn’t blame him. I wanted a boxing contract as badly as he did. He’d worked just as hard and lost sleep at night, trying to get me ready.
But Ruby was on my mind twenty-four, seven. How could I build trust with her? Would she show? Would we argue again? Would she open up to me? So between Jay’s yelling and my mind wandering, my footwork sucked. My jabs were weak at best, and Liam was in a better position than me to fight Reggie Stockman.
Kade snapped his fingers. “Bro, are you with us?”
I tore my gaze away from the locker room door, blowing out a breath. “Maybe you should meet her another time.” I was afraid Kade might scare her. Sometimes, he could be quite imposing to a stranger.
Kade wiped his face with the towel he was holding then threw on a T-shirt. “I’ll say ‘hi’ then leave.”
“And you?” I asked Dillon.
“I’m curious if she’ll change into the clothes you bought her. When I gave her the bag, I got the impression she thought there was a bomb in the bag.”
“A little dramatic, don’t you think?” Even though his comment didn’t surprise me, I had to try. Ruby had said she didn’t want a handout. If she was sticking to her guns and fighting at Tommy’s trashy dive, then I wanted her to be able to move freely. It was easier to throw a punch or a kick without the weight of heavy boots or tight jeans. At least in my mind, wearing street clothes to fight was like trying to swim in wet clothes. The fabric just got heavier with each stroke.
“In all seriousness,” Dillon said, “I wanted to tell you one of my rooms at the house just opened up. I’d like to offer it to Ruby and her friend if you’re okay with that. It will be months before the building I bought is transformed into a place for runaways.”
Man, Dillon had to be an angel in disguise. At first sight, he came off as a scary dude. He normally kept the scruff off his face, his hair was tied back into a ponytail, his body was tatted up, and he had piercings in his nose and ears, as well as a new one in his lip.
“Thanks, dude. I’ll ask, but I highly doubt it.” Ruby wanted to be her own person. “She’s staying with that waitress Alex at Firefly.”
Dillon winced when I said Alex’s name. Kade and I exchanged a confused look. The words “care to elaborate on Alex” started to fall from my lips when a door creaked open, drawing my attention away from Dillon.
Ruby glided out of the locker room with Norma holding her arm. Ruby’s auburn hair was tied up in a ponytail, and she was wearing the clothes I’d bought for her. I grinned like an ass. I had to thank Lizzie for knocking the clothes size out of the park. I’d enlisted her help, giving her a description of Ruby, which was similar to Lizzie, except Ruby was shorter than she was.
Clothes sizes aside, I drank in every curve on Ruby. Each one was accentuated in the tight-fitting sports bra and yoga pants that hugged her body. I shut down a growl that clamored in my throat. Her breasts were bigger than I remembered.
I couldn’t wait to get her in the ring. If she was still as nimble as she’d been in high school, I was in for a treat. Back at the academy, I couldn’t take my eyes off her when she’d practiced ballet. She’d moved to the music with grace and beauty.But nimrod, you’re not here to salivate like a guy who can’t keep his dick in his pants.I tensed every muscle in my body. I was in for a tough hour. Control would be the key as I trained her.
