Page 54 of Ever's Last
“Memphis, it’s time.”
Now is the time where I get another chance to stick it to the asshole that knew my wife was married and decided to stick his dick in her anyway. Sure, he might have apologized, but I have to wonder where I would be if I hadn’t caught them. Would I still be in wedded bliss with blinders on? Or would Skye and I already be on the outs? Not that it matters. My heart wasn’t in the marriage to begin with, neither was hers. But I still feel like his betrayal was a punch to the nuts.
“Memphis.” Carson reaches out to shake my hand as if we never had beef.
“Carson.”
“I know I apologized before, but I’m sorry.” I’m sure he is, but this is my time to right my wrongs.
“Sure. I just have one question that’s been eating at me. How do you know Rachel?”
“She’s my sister.”
I did not see that coming.
“Umm . . . ”
“Does this make us even?” He chuckles.
“Not in the least, but I’ll forgive you for your earlier discretions. And I hope Rachel knows I wasn’t the guy for her.” I sound like a wimp.
“I think she realizes that. I make sure she stays away from the gym. I’m hoping this guy she’s been seeing will settle her down.”
“She’s dating?”
“A lawyer from the firm where she’s a secretary. I’ve taken care of her since she was little. Our parents died in a car crash and I’ve been her guardian since I was eighteen. Before that, we were in foster care. I applied for guardianship as soon as I could.”
“I didn’t realize she was that young.”
“She’s in her twenties, so no, you weren’t robbing the cradle.”
That’s a relief.
“Are we ready, gentlemen?” Sal asks from the door.
“Let’s do this.”
Carson is a worthy opponent. As soon as we hit the ring, I’m jumping around, trying to dodge his punches. And where the last guy couldn’t hurt a fly, Carson hits like a freight train. He’s gained some strength through the years.
“Don’t just let me win, Heat.” He calls me by my nickname.
“Never,” I say as I come at him with a left hook.
“You’re getting old, Memphis.”
He continues to taunt me, but I keep going. His words fuel me as I see the last five years pass before my eyes. Ever telling me she loves me. Skye pushing her around. The accident. My wedding to Skye. Coming home to Carson and another guy in bed with Skye. All the women I’ve slept with since then. Ever’s face when she found out the truth. And then I see stars.
Carson swings and connects with my jaw and I go down. Shit, I let my guard down.
“Time.” And then a swarm of people is above me, shouting at me.
“I’m okay.” I sit up.
“What happened?”
“I saw my life flash before my eyes,” I reply.
“Like that Christmas movie?” Carson asks.
