Page 10 of A Fighter’s Love

She was a doormat. Just when she’d made a decision to leave her shitty relationship she’d been exposed for what she was. The moment she’d scraped courage together, it had been revealed how little bravery she had.

“Hey, hey.” Suddenly strong arms wrapped around her and she found herself pressed up against a hard, warm chest.

Dale wore a black vest top and smelled of fresh sweat and lingering aftershave. She closed her eyes and allowed another sob to erupt. It had to. It was too big to contain.

“It’s okay, really it is. You’re not alone.” He held her head with one hand and pulled her body closer with the other. “Jackson and I are here, we’ve got your back.” He spoke against her ear, his lips in her hair. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

Chapter Three

After a few minutes of regaining her composure, Jenny pulled back and looked up at Dale. His eyes were so soft and gentle, his expression full of care and concern.

He kept hold of her shoulders, his big hands pressing lightly as he studied her. “Are you feeling better?”

“I think so…well, not completely, this whole situation.” She gestured around the room. “It sucks.”

“It does.” He frowned. “Listen, I’m going to take a shower, sorry for hugging you in this state, then we’ll go for a drink.”

“No, really, I have too much to do and—”

“Don’t say no automatically. You need some time off in your day.” He shook his head. “For God’s sake, I work like a demon from dawn till dusk, but then this is my relax time, and an hour in front of the TV when I get home. When do you do anything other than work?”

“It’s pathetic.”

“No it isn’t. It’s unfair, and you’ve had a rough ride.”

She glanced away. He didn’t know the half of it.

He ducked his head, then tipped her chin with the crook of his finger. “A drink, with me and Jackson, it’ll do you good. You shouldn’t be going home alone feeling like this.”

All she really wanted to do was be home alone so she could curl up in shame. She needed to lick wounds that had been slowly opening over the last few years. Then she’d be able to heal and gather her strength. She wanted to be the type of woman she could be proud of, someone her beloved mother would be proud of. It was time to step up to the mark. But first she needed to go home and finish this cry and sleep…sleep for a very long time.

“So I’ll be back,” Dale said, “In ten minutes. To get you. So finish up what you’re doing.”

“But—”

“I’m not in the habit of being bossy, but damn it, Jenny, you need a drink and a friend, surely you can see that.”

Her heart swelled and a fresh batch of tears threatened. He was being so kind. She always knew he was under his tough exterior. But she wouldn’t cry again, not here at the gym. So she took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. One drink.”

“Great.” He stroked her hair, as if smoothing it down from where he’d been rubbing it as he’d comforted her. “Ten minutes.”

He turned and walked from the room.

She watched him leave, wrapping her arms around herself in a tight hug. Dale was handsome and sexy and had every quality she wanted in a man. Every quality Billy was lacking. It was a damn shame he was gay and taken.

By Jackson.

She remembered the way Dale had tenderly touched Jackson in the van. It was the same way he’d just touched her. With respect, affection and care.

She’d liked it a lot. No wonder Jackson did too. For all he was a big guy, Jackson clearly had a soft spot and Dale knew where it was.

With a sigh she looked at the marketing file for Jackson’s big match. It was bulging at the corners. Most of the information was on paper rather than the computer as Billy was so technophobic. She’d made a start, the posters being part of it, but there was still a lot to do. Plus she needed to work on the website and get the tickets on sale.

It would have to wait. Right now she’d had enough for one day and she was going for a drink with two guys who really did seem to have her back.

Half an hour later, Jenny walked into theDog and Duckwith Dale leading the way and Jackson coming up close behind her. She felt tiny between the two muscular men and for once, absolutely safe.

What is it about them?

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