He backs me up against his bed and holds me up by wrapping his arm around my waist and squeezing me roughly. “Look, I like having you around, Lyric, but liking something isn’t a path I can travel down. You getting close to me is dangerous for you,” he growls out. “Now go home.” He releases me and backs away, keeping his troubled eyes on me.

The look on his face as I turn and walk away is a mixture of relief and regret. I’m so pissed at myself, because in a weird, screwed up way this only makes me want him more.

I SIT AT HOME, WATCHING Bailey practically face rape Landen in the living room, until finally I’ve had enough. I need to get some fresh air.

For some reason I still can’t get past my last conversation with Memphis and it’s been eating at me since. I mean . . . why the hell do I even care? He’s no one to me, yet it angers me like nothing else for him to just push me away. In fact, I’m so angry that I couldn’t even force myself to go through the photo shoot edits, despite how bad I’m really looking forward to it.

I clear my throat as Bailey sticks her hand down the front of Landen’s pants and growls, proving that I am in fact invisible now. Who needs to pay for porn? I have it in my living room. “Oh, please don’t mind me. Just pretend that I’m not even here.”

Landen gives me the middle finger and nibbles on Bailey’s neck, causing her to giggle like a drunken little schoolgirl. “Landen!” She squeals. “Stop it! Stop! Oh no, wait . . . now that feels good. Don’t stop.”

Rolling my eyes, I stand up, slip on my jacket, and walk toward the front door. “Later, horny assholes. I’ll be back.”

“Sure . . . bye . . . take your time,” Bailey yells out between giggles.

I make a disgusted face. “Oh, I definitely will, but go to your damn room this time. I’m not paying rent to sit on cum stains. Next time you fuck on my couch you can pay to get that shit cleaned, so I better not come home to disgusting white stains.”

I walk outside, slam the door shut behind me for a dramatized effect, and get ready to walk over to my jeep, but stop myself. I haven’t been able to get any exercise in for a while and I’m starting to feel restless. A walk will be good right about now and will hopefully calm my thoughts, or at least make me forget about that ass.

I shove my keys in my jacket pocket, deciding to walk instead, letting my legs guide me. A rush is starting to build. I need something exciting right now and I know just the place to go.

As I’m walking my phone starts to ring from my other pocket. I reach my hand in my jacket and pull it out. My reaction is always the same seeing his name on the screen. I scowl when I see my father’s name flashing as it rings. It’s been almost six months since I have even heard from him. It pisses me off that he always expects me to pretend everything is normal, and to be happy when he calls. I can’t do that shit and I won’t, especially not tonight. I’m sick of it.

I’ve had enough crap from men. If that man taught me anything, it’s to stand up for myself and never let anyone walk all over me or kick me when I’m down. That’s all he was ever good for, but it also goes for him. Damn hypocrite.

“Go to hell,” I say into the phone as I press the answer button. As quickly as I answered it, I disconnect the call.

I slip my phone back into my pocket and smile to myself, but then I hear distant shouting. I wasn’t prepared the last time I stumbled upon this place, but I’m definitely ready to enjoy myself tonight. The buzz from the wine has worn off and suddenly—I want a different kind of buzz.

I make my way toward the crowd and stand up on my tiptoes to get a glimpse at the fighters that everyone is screaming at. It’s hard to tell from this distance, but one of the guys looks familiar. I push my way through the crowd to get closer and that’s when I realize why. It’s that Trevor guy that I got into it with the last time I was here. He’s fighting some tall, skinny guy with long, blonde hair.

Trevor swings his elbow out and hits the other guy in the nose, before throwing his arms up to cheer the crowd on as the lanky guy stumbles backward. He doesn’t say anything, but you can see the rush in his eyes and the adrenaline he gets from the attention. I’ve seen that look many times before.

His eyes scan the crowd for a minute until they land on me. He gets ready to turn away, but then stops. A cocky smile spreads across his face before he grabs the other guy by the neck and forces him to stand up straight. They’re both out of breath, but Trevor seems to hide it better. He’s definitely more trained and has better skill. “Sorry, man. I’m done playing.”

I watch as Trevor swings out one more time and punches the other guy in the side of the head, causing the guy to fall down on his knees as Trevor releases the hold he has on him. He grips the dirty ground in defeat.

The crowd cheers while a small group starts to boo and yell for Chris—I guess his name is—to get up. He doesn’t. He shakes his head. He’s done.

I swallow as Trevor’s eyes land back on me and he pushes his way past the few guys surrounding me, stopping directly in front of me. Someone throws him a bottle of water and he catches it before opening the cap and taking a long drink. He wipes his mouth off. “I knew you forgot something.” He smiles, his teeth still slightly red from blood.

“Oh yeah,” I say, still not quite impressed. “And what was that?”

He takes a step forward and spits out a mouthful of water before grinning. “To give me your number . . . and your name. I may need that too . . . you know . . . to ensure I’m calling out the right one when I come.”

I can’t help the small smile that takes over. I have to admit, he is kind of cute when he flirts, cocky, but cute. It’s still not going to work, though. “Sorry, Trevor. I–”

“What are you doing here?”

Oh that voice. So deep and commanding and full of authority . . .

My whole body trembles at the sound of Memphis’ voice behind me and a chill runs up my spine. I feel him move against me, causing another shiver as his body skims mine, before he looks over my shoulder and I hear his voice close to my ear. “She’s not interested, Trevor. She just came to find me. She shouldn’t be here.”

I pull my arm away as he grabs my wrist, pulling me away from Trevor. “Really? Let go. What is your deal?”

Trevor reaches over me and grabs Memphis’ shoulder. “Hey, man. I knew your ass wouldn’t stay away for long. It’s all good.” He steps closer until I’m practically smashed between them. “She’s cool, bro. I can take care of her. No worries. Want me to set up a fight? I think Matt is good to go another round. I’ll keep her safe and entertain her.”