Keeping You Away - Kennedy Fox Page 0,79
it can’t ever happen again might kill me. I’m so fucked. I should’ve walked away when she asked me to kiss her, well before her lips touched mine.
I shake my head.
I should’ve bent her over and given her a dozen reasons she’ll always be mine and not his.
My thoughts jostle as I roughly stroke my shaft and grunt to images of Gemma’s mouth falling open as she came by my touch.
You can’t rewrite the past, I told her.
You were my first love.
Being alone with her is equivalent to playing with fire and then getting pissed when I get burned.
I should know better.
Gemma’s pure and sweet and shouldn’t get wrapped up with a guy like me who has more baggage than an airport. Even if Robert is a phony fuck, he can give her things I never could. A life she deserves.
My balls tighten as my hand squeezes hard, and I hiss through the orgasm as the memories of her flood my mind. I’m never going to get over her.
I toss and turn all damn night, fighting with the urge to text her or keep my distance. Deciding on the latter, I give up trying to sleep and get out of bed at four a.m. Grabbing my workout clothes, I change and brush my teeth, then head outside for a run. This pent-up rage isn’t going anywhere, so I have to work it off.
After an hour, I head to the gym, stretch, then I give the punching bag hell. After another hour, I feel better, but my frustration is still there.
A guy who’s at least ten years younger watches me, and I wonder if he’s on Victoria’s payroll.
“Do you think you could teach me to box like that?” he asks. I realize he can’t be more than a few years out of high school.
“Sure. What do you wanna know?”
“How to kick ass and take names,” he says with a grin. “My name is Luke.”
‘“Tyler.” I give him a pair of gloves and go over some basics. As I guide him on proper form, I hold the bag in place for him while he practices. The kid has some power behind his punch and reminds me of myself when I was his age. Eager to learn. For the forty-five minutes, I instruct him, and I actually forget about being pissed as a rush of happiness surges through me. I loved training and teaching people how to box, and this brings me right back to coaching Mason and Liam. When I moved to Vegas, I taught at an elite gym, and after working with him, I realize how much I miss it.
“You’re so good. Thank you,” Luke says before grabbing a towel. “Will you come back tomorrow?”
I nod with a smile. “Yeah, I’ll be here.”
He waves as he walks to the locker room, and the owner approaches me.
Shit, is he gonna be pissed I was training?
“Tyler, hey.”
“Hi. Good morning.”
“You lookin’ for a job?” he asks, taking me by surprise. “Could use another trainer.”
“Depends. Are the hours flexible?”
“You can make your own. How’s that?”
My brows rise. “Really? I already work a full-time job, but how about evenings and weekends? Maybe a couple of mornings?” Hell, I’d work night and day if it’d take my mind off Gemma and the dirty thoughts that surround her.
Sam smirks, then holds out his hand. I take it, and we shake. “See you tomorrow then.”
Well, that was unexpected. The gym is small, but it’s the only one in town, so it stays busy. I don’t even bother to ask him what the pay is because at this point, I’d do it for free if it meant keeping me busy.
“That looked like the easiest job interview I’ve ever seen.” A girl pops up out of nowhere. I’ve seen her here a few times. Her brunette hair is longer in the front but shorter on the sides. Tattoos cover both of her arms, which I find fascinating. She’s wearing a tank that shows off how muscular she is, which means she must lift weights a lot.
I chuckle at her words and nod. “I guess so.”
“I’m Ruby.” She gives me her hand.
“Tyler,” I reply.
“I work the front counter,” she clarifies. “I guess that means we’ll be seeing each other a lot.”
“I guess you’re right.” I smirk, walking backward toward the door. “See ya tomorrow?”
Ruby smiles, showing off her bright, straight teeth. “Six sharp.”
By the time I make it home, I have thirty minutes to shower and get ready for work. Though I