It had to be when I was with Gunner to run into Cole; out of all times, it had to be at a place Gunner owns.

What are the odds of that?

I haven't seen or heard from Cole since the day I broke it off with him. So when he came over to me, putting his hands on me as if we had never broken up, saying he regrets leaving me for his secretary, and asking that I take him back like it was no big deal for what he'd done, shocked me. He didn't ask that I take him back; he begged. I also wanted to put everything Gunner and Neron taught me to good use for thinking it was okay to touch and have his lips on me.

Jackhole.

Does Cole honestly think I'm that stupid to take him back?

Never would I ever take him back.

It's like the old saying, once a cheater, always a cheater. So why would I be dumb enough to leave Gunner for him and put myself in the same position of feeling disconsolate as before?

I have no idea what was so important Cole had to tell me, and I couldn't care less. I just wanted him to leave before Gunner felt threatened by Cole and where he felt the need; he'd have to beat the living crap out of him. But, unfortunately, he didn't leave before Gunner came back, and now I'll have to talk about the one person I hoped to forget.

Gunner looked disturbed as his eyes anchored on me, wishing to know why Cole said what he did. However, he also looked concerned, which worried me as well.

I had no answer to why Cole threatened us. So I shrugged my shoulder and sighed, "I have no idea what he meant by that."

Hmm, he hummed.

"What did he say to you before I got over to you?"

I know Gunner won't like hearing why Cole confronted me, but since we're both asking, to be honest, he needs to know, even if it upsets him. "He told me he regrets leaving me for his secretary and begged that I take him back."

His arms folded against his chest, and then he raised a brow while asking, "Would you?"

"Would I what?"

"Take him back?"

My eyes widened quickly, surprised by his question. "Hell no! Are you crazy?"

"Why not?"

The corner of his lip curled into a devilish smirk, with a glint of amusement in his eyes. If I knew any better, he's messing with me to get me riled up.

And it's working.

"Because I fell in love with someone else. But if he's willing to let me go, maybe I'll reconsider," I teased, giving it right back to him to see how he'd react. But my snarky tone may cause him to want to discipline me, which is fine. I'm in the mood for it, anyway.

His eyes squinted. "I would never let you go," he groaned.

He uncrossed his arms, reached for me, then pulled me onto his lap, nudging my hair away with his nose to get to my ear. And when he spoke, it made the hair on my arms stand tall. "If you left me for that wanna-be fighting weasel, someone will be sorry."

Excuse me?

Wanna-be fighting weasel?

I turned my head, furrowing my brows when our eyes met. I raised my hand and then used my fingertips to push his chin, moving his face further away from mine. "Is that a threat to me?"

"I didn't say you; I said someone... meaning your ex."

I tilted my head to the side as I studied his face. "Truth or dare?"

"Back to playing that game?"

"I'm asking, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"What would you do to Cole?"

"Honestly?"

I nodded.

"I'd want to break his neck. But that's illegal, and if I were to, it would land me in prison for the rest of my life, costing me a life with you. So I'll go with the second-best thing by beating and breaking him. I know that idiot from somewhere; I just can't place where I've seen him before. And if it's who I think it is, he's a fucking imbecile."

Gunner's worried about doing something illegal?

Since when?

"Since when would wanting you to do something illegal stop you? You still fight underground, and that's illegal."

"That's different. I won't get caught there, but I'd definitely get caught killing a man."

"Never say never. Eventually, you'll get caught."

The room started spinning, but I also wasn't done with my questioning, and there was still a dance he owed me, so before the alcohol kicked in any further, and to get what I wanted, I changed the subject. "I'll take that dance now."

He reached for my hand and stood. "I thought you'd never ask," he said, looking relieved I chose to end our conversation about my ex and his underground fighting.

I wanted this dance with Gunner, but I wasn't in the mood to dance with him to Metallica. Instead of telling him I wanted to dance to something more romantic, I looked at him, twisting my lips. Afraid to upset him since I know how much he's into them.

"What's that look for?"

"What will we be dancing to? Because Metallica isn't my choice to slow dance with a guy I wish to be romantic with," I admitted, finally.

He chuckled, then started walking me up the stairs with him. I guess we're not dancing anymore; we're going to bed.

"I listen to more than just Metallica," he enlightened.

Now that surprised me.

"That's all I've heard you listen to. So if you're going to give me that dance, why are we going up here?"

"It's where my music player is." He stopped heading up the steps and then turned towards me, activating the butterflies inside my belly when he smiled and winked. "Don't worry, hun, the song I have in mind I know you'll enjoy; it's also one that reminds me of us."

"Which is?"

"You'll see," he grinned.

Once we got near his bed, he pulled me to him, then looked me in the eye as the palms of his hands rested on either side of my face. "Before I have the song play, I'd like to explain why it reminds me of us. After Shelby left this world, I felt lonely and helpless. And I assumed I'd never find love again. But then, when I wasn't looking, I found an extraordinary woman, you. So this song I want us to dance to will tell you how much I appreciate you coming into my life and how appreciated I am with your smoothness and gracefulness."

Hmm.

I'm interested to hear it now.

He stared deeply into my eyes while saying, "Alexa, please play Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton."

Oooh. One of my favorites...

I know the song well, but I was taken aback by it because I couldn't imagine Gunner drowning himself in booze. Not him... But then again, maybe this is another secret he wanted me to know. "I didn't think you were much of a drinker."

"Would you like the truth?"

"Yes," I responded as we moved to the music.

"For the past six years, nearly every night I was in town, I'd sit down at the bar, observing while drinking-polishing off an entire bottle of bourbon or whiskey, whatever I was in the mood for that night. The only time you'd never find me at the bar was if I had a fighting match the next day or if I were out of town."

"Other than tonight, I've never seen you drink."

"I haven't had any reason to drink. And that's because I found life again. It was something I shouldn't have been doing in the first place. And Neron was constantly on my ass about my drinking." He cocked a brow. "Why do you think Malcolm looked at you and me the way he did?"

I remember seeing the surprised look on Malcolm's face and assumed it was because Gunner told him I was his girl. Now I know it was because he was having a drink after taking a break from alcohol.

I wanted to enjoy this moment, so instead of responding, I rested the side of my face against his chest and closed my eyes to continue listening to the song and enjoy our first dance. The more I get to know Gunner, the more I see how much he hides behind his tough skin. He claims that's something I do? Well, he does too. He's tough on the outside, but in reality, he's one gigantic teddy bear-lovable, endearing, large, strong, and one incredibly sweet man.

Gunner's the only man I've ever known to be as sweet as him, and I love it. He chose me for a reason; he knew I'd be the one to help mend his broken heart.

And I'll do everything in my power to help him with that.

"Truth or dare?" I whispered.

"Still want to play?"

I smiled widely.

I didn't plan on asking him any more questions tonight, but I decided to start the game again, hoping he'd finally say dare.

"Truth."

I frowned and puffed out my bottom lip.

"You don't want to be dared, do you?"

"You've been asking to hear the truth, so I'll continue answering everything you wish to know."

Hmm...

I don't know what to ask now?

Finally, something came to mind. "Are you honestly letting Shelby go for yourself, or are you doing it for me?"

"Alexa, play The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face, by Roberta Flack. This song is you to a T."

He's avoiding the question.

Now it makes me wonder if he's only letting Shelby go for me. Because if he is willing to let her go, I want him to do it because he wants to. Not because I want him to.

"You didn't answer my question."

"Shh... listen."

Ugh...

Is it me? Or am I overthinking what he's doing here? Because this isn't the first time he's had me listen to the lyrics of a song, hoping to help me understand what he's thinking or feeling. First, with his walkout song, Don't Tread on Me. Secondly, Nothing Else Matters, then Tennessee Whiskey, and now this?

I remember him mentioning before that the music he listens to explains who he is and how it's his life-Metallica, especially. But what I don't understand is why can't he just tell me instead of having me listen to lyrics?

Is it because he's afraid to say how he feels, or does Gunner fear that it'll come out wrong if he opens up to me? Because I know he's trying to tell me something with these songs he's choosing, especially now. After the other song ended, he asked Alexa to play Everything I Do; I Do It For You.

I enjoyed all these dances he was giving me, so instead of asking if he was afraid to tell me how he felt, I asked, "How many dances are you giving me?"

"However many dances it takes for you to see and realize I love you." There's my answer. "And to answer your question, I'm letting her go because of you. I refuse to lose you to someone who hasn't been a part of my life for the last six years. She's the past, you're my future, so it's time I let her go."

I slowly gulped.

He loves me with all his heart.

And he repeated it... he wants a future with me.

I believe him how he talked to her about me, how he was in love with me, and how he would finally let her go. So I will accept everything he has told me, and from this day on, I'll never bring up anything more about her.

"If you haven't figured it out, I'm doing this for me. But I'm also doing this for you. Not because you asked me to let Shelby go. But because I want to. You're the one I need to keep happy and satisfied, not her and not someone who isn't here anymore."

"Truth or dare?"

He grinned and groaned while tilting his head back to face the ceiling. "Aria..."

I silently giggled.

Hopefully, he chooses dare this time.

"Dare," he exhaled, lowering his head. "And you better give me a good dare, too."

My smile became much more significant because I knew he'd enjoy doing what I planned on daring him to do.

"I dare you to handcuff me to your bed. And I want you to discipline me for making you play this game." I smirked. "And I dare you to discipline me well. I want you to discipline me by fucking me hard, or you can go easy by making passionate love to me. I'll take whichever punishment you decide to give me."

"Now this game I like," he grinned. His hands lowered from my hips. He stepped back, then smiled more devilishly as he pointed at me. "You're in big trouble now," he teased. "While daddy goes to find something to use as handcuffs, I want you to strip naked, and then I want you to lay on the bed-spread-eagle."

"Daddy? Do you plan on spanking me?"

"You want discipline? I'll give you discipline," he winked.

***

"About damn time you come to my rescue," old man Clayborn growled when I walked into his room.

I giggled. "Oh, Walter. It couldn't have been that bad. I did as you asked and called every day. Each time I talked to you, you were fine."

"You never called yesterday."

"It was a long day."

"What was long? Him or the day itself?"

"Walter!" I scolded. I walked over to his wheelchair and then pushed it towards the bed. "I keep telling you, my sex life isn't any of your business."

He snickered. "I never would have asked if you hadn't walked in here looking like you were ridden hard all night."

What?

How can he tell that?

I rushed over to the mirror, looked at my face and neck, and then combed my fingers through my hair to ensure my hair wasn't all over the place. I didn't know what Walter was talking about or how he knew what Gunner and I were up to all night because I made sure to shower before coming here. I also let my hair air dry on the way here.

I walked back over to him, shaking my head. "I have no clue what you're talking about."

He laughed. "Help me in that chair. I'm starving." He held up his finger. "But first, I want you to give me an I'm sorry for leaving you behind for five days kiss."

Pfft.

I don't think so.

"No. You're not getting a kiss from me. And I still don't know what you're talking about-saying I look like I was ridden hard."

"Yes, you do. You gave me the answer I was looking for by running to that mirror," Walter pointed, grinning like he had won the lottery.

What a wise guy.

"That means one thing, woman. It's true. You got laid-what a lucky, lucky man. If only I could switch bodies with him for a day," he said in awe, admiring a man he wished to be. "You would be in love with me, too."

Not happening, I murmured.

"I heard that."

I looked down and frowned. "Can't you behave yourself for one day?"

"No, I can't. Did you forget that you left me for five days? And three of those days, you left me with that one idiot I despise."

"He can't be that bad."

"He's a moron and an asshole. I told him he was, too. I don't think he cared too much for my choice of words for him, but I don't care."

I sighed. "He's doing his job."

"What job? Is it his job to be an asshole?"

"You just don't like him because he doesn't have tits."

"What's wrong with that? I'm an old man. I need to see tits and ass. Not twigs and berries."

I should have known that response would've come out of his mouth. I facepalmed. It's my fault for saying tits.

He has no filter.

None at all.

I looked at the cashier and shrugged my shoulder, nervously smiling. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry," she giggled. "I'm just glad you're back. Walter gave Stewart quite the hard time."

I looked down and groaned. "Walter."

"That's my name, and don't you forget it."

I looked back at the cashier with an apologetic look. "How bad was he?"

"Put it this way... he refused to eat."

"There was no love in him fixing my meal. He just slapped it on the tray and told me to eat. Whereas you put love and effort into getting my meal together. As I said, he's an asshole."

"Thanks, Sidney," I sighed.

I sat at the table watching Walter scarf down his food. Wondering what Stewart does, that's so bad for him to complain every time he takes care of Walter. I also couldn't believe he refused to eat because it wasn't me getting his food.

"Did you eat while Amber took care of you?"

"No. I had no appetite."

I shook my head. What a stubborn man. "Well, I can see that you do now."

"I told you I was starving."

"You shouldn't eat fast like that; you'll get a stomach ache."

He pushed his empty tray towards me, grinning. "I'd like seconds, please."

I pulled his tray towards me. "Is he really an asshole, or are you just saying that because I wasn't here taking care of you?"

"He's an asshole; how many times do I have to repeat it to get you to understand what I tell you?" he groaned. Then he leaned forward. His eyes rolled from side to side, and then he looked behind him. Finally, he looked back at me and whispered, "I'm telling you, he's an asshole, and I firmly believe he's up to something."

"Like what?"

His hand rested on top of mine. "I'm not sure. But I'm not as deaf as he thinks I am. I was taking a nap when he came into the room to check on me. Only I wasn't sleeping. I was faking it, so I didn't have to deal with him. Anyway, he wasn't alone. He was with Cole, and they were talking... about you."

My beating heart came to a complete halt.

Cole?

My ex Cole?

What the hell was he doing here?

"What were they saying?"

Walter looked around us, then quietly asked, "Did you dress up looking like Annie while in New York?"

My eyes widened. "Yes... how did you know?"

"Stewart commented about seeing you on TV, that you disguised yourself as little orphan Annie. He said it was your eyes that caught his attention. I'm telling you, asshole Stewart and that no-good ex-boyfriend of yours is up to something. And then just when the conversation started going somewhere, I blew my cover by sneezing."

There are many reasons I like Mr. Clayborn, and one of them is how smart he is. I leaned closer to him, whispering, "What do you think they're up to?"

"At one point, I heard them both say Gunner's name. And if you want my honest opinion, I believe they're setting up a fight. And I believe you'll be the one they'll be fighting about."

Shit...

"What else did you hear?"

"That's about it since my dumbass sneezed. But I need you to be careful. I feel that lame ex of yours is not who you thought he was because after they left, I put my smarts to use and did some digging on Cole and Stewart. They're both tied up in what your boy toy is in. Did you know that Cole was a fighter?"

"I knew he liked fights and how he was involved in some barroom fights, but I didn't know anything about him being a professional fighter."

"He's an underground fighter, Aria. And they call him The Quiet Psycho. As for Stewart? He's a fighter also, along with his two brothers, Hunter and..."

"Walter," I whispered, cutting him off after my heart and ears couldn't take hearing any more deceit. Now I know it wasn't Maxwell, Neron, Xavier, my brother, or my friends who ratted me out. All of them were telling the truth. Instead, it was fucking Stewart who busted me. And if it wasn't him, it was Cole.

Just wonderful.

"Weird stuff happened while I was away, too. So hearing you tell me this, it's making me sick to my stomach. Why don't we go somewhere to talk? Or how about we go outside for a walk and enjoy the weather?"

***

Five o'clock came quick, and I was out the door faster than anyone could say, Jack Robinson. As I rushed out the door and saw the doors to the bus closing, I held up my arms and yelled, "Wait!"

The bus driver ignored my demand and continued pulling away from the bus stop. But there was no way I was about to let him drive off, so I scared myself by jumping in front of the moving bus-the bus stopping inches away from me. I rushed over to the door, and after the doors opened, he snapped, "Are you fucking nuts?"

"Yes, I am. Thanks for asking. But, more importantly, thanks for stopping," I smirked as I handed the driver money. "Keep the change."

"I could have killed you, you know."

"You could have, but you didn't," I boasted while walking towards the only open seat in the middle of the bus.

"You're lucky he opened the doors for you. He never does," the lady sitting directly beside me sneered, giving me a disapproving look.

"He probably knew I'd jump in front of him again," I hissed. After hearing what I did from Mr. Clayborn, I wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone's shit, especially from a woman with crazy hair looking like she was Medusa.

Instead of seeing Gunner, I should really visit Cole. I shouldn't be upset with him, but I am. After Walter told me he discovered Cole was an underground fighter, I thought about all those nights he came home with cuts and bruises on his face and how he said it was from being in a fight at the bar. The funny thing is, he's not big like Gunner, and I would never have suspected him of being who Walter claims he is. I always assumed Cole was just some hothead whenever I wasn't with him at the bar.

Asshole.

I wonder if Justin knew, and he was afraid to tell me?

I wasn't sure if Gunner and Neron were still at the gym, but as soon as I walked through the doors, the uncertainty I had of them not being here changed after hearing Neron yelling, and it was echoing through the hallway. "Damn it, Gunner, I need you to focus!"

The closer I walked to the area where Neron and Gunner were, the more I couldn't stop thinking about what Walter had told me and Cole's role with these guys.

Does he have anything to do with The Phantom or The Tormentor?

I stopped walking and looked down at the phone in my hand, wondering if I should contact Cole.

Fuck it; I should...

What's the worst he could say?

I looked at the doors Neron and Gunner were in, closed my eyes, and mumbled, I can't believe I'm going to do this.

I opened my eyes, held up my phone, and with nervous fingers, I texted Cole.

Me: Do you still want to talk?

Cole must have been waiting for me to contact him because he responded quicker than I thought. He got back to me within seconds.

Cole: Did you finally come to your senses and dump that loser, Gunner? You've missed me as much as I've missed you, haven't you?

Ewe.

I don't think so...

Me: That's not what I asked or said. Now, do you want to talk or not?

Cole: Meet me at the Back Door Lounge at seven o'clock, not a minute later. And come alone...

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! 🤞🤞🤞🤞