A Holiday Temptation - Tiffany Patterson Page 0,37
trainer and still trains and runs the Underground fights that Damon and the other guys here participate in. Joshua Townsend, Aaron’s brother, is Connor’s close friend and will likely stop by later on after their family’s dinner.
“You know him?”
“He used to train my brother. Still runs the underground fights.”
That grabs Jackie’s attention, and her gaze narrows on me. “The underground fights you still participate in?”
I smirk at the anger in her voice. “From time to time.” In actuality, I rarely get in the ring to fight, but now and again, I do.
“I should put my foot up his ass.”
Laughter bursts out of my mouth at how her gaze zeroes in on Buddy. I don’t know what I like more, how protective over me she’s being, or how fucking adorable she looks.
“Wouldn’t try that shit if I were you.”
Frowning, I turn to find my brother standing over us with his arms folded, staring at Jackie.
“She didn’t ask you,” I snap.
His gaze meanders over to me, his frown deepening before he turns back to Jackie.
“Buddy’s old as hell, but he’s quicker than he appears.”
“I’ll take note of that,” Jackie replies, looking Connor in the eye.
Inwardly, I grin.
“Food’s ready!” Resha calls as she enters the dining room with bowls of food in each hand.
Connor and I both move to take the bowls from her and place them on the table.
“Where’s my baby?” Resha asks, looking around.
“Being passed around like a damn hooker on Tenth Street. Gimme my son,” Connor insists as he takes Colin from Buddy’s arms. Jackie’s mom had held him for a little while also.
“You weren’t lying when you said his language was colorful,” Jackie murmurs in my ear.
“I never said colorful, sweetheart. I said the bastard talks and curses like a sailor.”
She snickers and turns to help her mother take her seat, which I notice is right beside Buddy, who’s handing her another drink. Jackie sees as well, staring at the glass in her mother’s hand.
I watch as she says something to her mother, but the older Hinkerson shakes her head dismissively.
“Everything all right?” I ask as I move my chair in to sit beside her.
Jackie turns worried eyes on me. “I’ve never seen her drink more than half a glass of wine.”
“She’ll be okay,” I say, not because I know it to be accurate but because I hate the look of concern in Jackie’s eyes.
Dinner goes by quickly. For once, I find myself more involved in the conversation with the woman beside me than the food. Don’t get me wrong, Resha’s food is terrific, but something about the way Jackie giggles at my corny jokes makes me want to keep hearing it forever. The turkey, stuffing, and green beans on my plate don’t compare to hearing that sound.
“You’re ridiculous,” she huffs. “Wilkens is no match for Gabriel Townsend.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Wilkens has the speed and endurance, and if he can last on his feet, Townsend’s got trouble on his hands.”
She shakes her head, wiping her mouth with her napkin. “See? That’s the thing … if he can stay on his feet. How many have tried, unsuccessfully, to remain on their feet with Townsend? He’s too strong, and they can’t do it. Wilkens won’t be any different.”
I shrug and throw up my hands. “I’ll concede that point. I just think Wilkens has what it takes to last more than two rounds with Townsend. If he gets his head out of his ass and trains for it.”
Jackie nods vigorously. “That’s another thing. Wilkens is too cocky to see the blindspots in his game. His old trainer said that’s why he chose to move on.”
I nod, enthralled with her knowledge of the MMA fighting world. Another thing we had in common that surprised the hell out of me when I was younger.
“Hey, with the last name Townsend, do you think your Aaron Townsend and Gabriel’s family are related? Townsend is a common name, but maybe, right?”
I grin. “First of all, he’s not my Aaron Townsend.”
She snickers. “You know what I mean.”
Chuckling, I nod. “Yeah, they are related.”
Her eyes widen.
“Turns out, Aaron didn’t even know, according to what I’ve heard. But apparently, Gabriel and his side of the family are cousins with the Townsends here in Williamsport. Isn’t that right, big guy?” I ask, turning to Connor.
“Don’t ask me. I don’t get involved in other people’s family shit. Pass me those sweet potatoes.”
I snicker as I hand off the bowl he asked for. “Give me my nephew before you