Page 11 of Dylan
“I knew ya had it in ya,” my new little conscience chirped with a wide smile. She went to lift my money from Benny’s pocket as he groaned on the ground next to Roger. “No one will be pushing ya around now. Come on, I’ll let ya buy me a slice.”
“I’m Dylan,” I murmured as I rubbed the back of my neck with the arm she didn’t have her arm linked through.
“I know who ya are, silly. I dated your brother for six months.” She giggled. “That’s how I knew ya could actually kick all their asses. I don’t understand ya, O’Brien.”
“Not much to understand.” I sighed.
“I think there is, and I intend to figure it out.” She looked up at me and beamed. She had to look up at me with her petite frame and it made me wonder if Ciara would be so much smaller than me. “Ya can call me Taegan.”
“Thanks, Taegan.” I genuinely smiled for the first time in a long, long time.
“Don’t mention it, O’Brien. From now on, I’ll be the only one allowed to kick yer ass,” Taegan laughed.
She was right.From that day on, she’s been the only one I allowed to give me any kind of shit. Ma had been right. I do have my da’s temper. Once it was unlocked, I had a hard time locking it back away.
I went from boxing to MMA, needing an outlet for all the rage that had built up inside. Now I’m fighting to earn my way back home.
A smile comes to my lips as I think of Ciara in the ring. I wish I had her talent around here. I shake my head as I focus back on the fighters below. I blow out a heavy breath.
“Fuck, we need some real female fighters. This bullshit isn’t going to fly.”
I turn and look at the flyer on my desk. I need this gym to win that tournament. When we pull off the championship win, I’ll finally have enough to go back home.
It’s taking me long enough. Not being able to fight in the underground fights really set me back. Uncle Ronan made sure to banned me from all his fights and clubs, but I’m almost there.
“I’m coming to you, Ciara. I’ll be home and you can find me.”
“For fuck’s sake, now yer up here talking to yerself. I knew I needed to get my ass up here to check on ya,” Taegan says from behind me, bringing a laugh to my lips.
I turn and look at her standing in the doorway of my office. She’s still the tiny spitfire I met in high school. She gets on Jamie’s nerves all the time. I still can’t believe the two ever dated.
“What’s the problem? You can’t find anyone else to bother?”
She sighs and places her hands on her hips. I know that look, I groan and pray for her to turn around and disappear. I want to get my workout in and head home once I shut this place down for the night.
“Don’t ya give me that look. Ya promised ya’d hang out with me tonight. What happened to never breaking promises?”
“I’m second-guessing that rule. Every time I hang out with you, I end up in the middle of some shit. You’re like a magnet for trouble. Nothing is ever peaceful,” I grumble.
“Ya can suck it. I don’t bring ya any trouble yer not willing to handle.”
I scoff. “Sure ya don’t.”
“Oops, would ya look at that, I think I went and pissed ya off.”
I shake my head at her and go to sit behind my desk so I can get some paperwork done before it’s time for me to go down and train. I need to make sure all the paperwork is done for the tournament and check my emails.
“You haven’t pissed me off. I’ll do whatever it is you have planned. I will keep my word like I always do.”
“Grand. I know how much ya need a new stock of fighters. I have someone I want ya to see.”
I groan. I guess I’m not the only one who noticed that shit downstairs. I have a bigger problem than I’m willing to admit.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Listen, Cadhla might be my cousin, but she’s a shit fighter. Ya and I know she’s here because of ya. Ya don’t have to spare her feelings on account of me.
“Boot her ass from the gym once and for all. She’s a fucking bitch. I come here to chill and kick back, get me work done, and live me good life. She fucks that up all the time,” she says as she frowns.
