Spent - Part 1 (Spent, a New Adult Romance, MMA Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

 

    Subdued, and in pain, Luke Richards submits, giving the victory to the man who cheated. Richards’ handsome, battered face looks so blank and confused. I want so badly to reach out to him and tell him that I’m so sorry.  

    The crowd erupts into a fit of applause and cheers. Derrick eats right into it and starts jeering at Richards by giving him a gloved thumbs down and mockingly laughing at him. Cameron squeezes my hand, I can tell from her expression that she already knows that I’ve made up my mind about my relationship.  

    “Let’s go,” I whisper into her ear, “I just want to get out of here.”

    “Okay, Sweety,” her compassionate expression makes me want to cry, but I’m too angry for tears right now, “What about Derrick?”  

    “He can get a ride from one of his trainers. Riding in a car with him for several hours is the last thing I want to do right now. I’ll get Big Mike to tell him that we’ve left.”  

    Cameron nods, “Okay, honey. I’m so sorry.”  

    For a moment, mine and Derrick’s eyes lock. He’s still mocking Richards, who has already walked out of the arena. I shake my head, trying to show all of the disappointment and sadness that I’m feeling. His shoulders shrug as he stares apathetically at me and turns his attention back to the crowd.  

    “I’m done,” I mutter to myself, for no one in particular to hear. Cameron side hugs me and leads me away from the arena.  

    Big Mike is standing at the doorway. Even he looks at me with pity. I can feel my face flush from embarrassment.  

    “Hey Mike, can you do me a favor?”  

    “Anything, Tash.”

    “Could you tell Derrick that he needs to find a ride with someone else?”

    “Sure thing. You better hurry up and get gone. He won’t be too happy when he hears that,” Mike embraces me, “Take care of yourself, Tasha.”

    “Will do. Take care, Mike.”

    As we make our way through the back, copper hair catches my eye. Richards has been somewhat cleaned up already and is packing up his gear. Only a few gashes mar his beautiful face. He notices me looking at him and smiles; a half-hearted smile that makes me want to run up to him and hug him. I edge closer, preparing to tell him that he fought well.  

    A hard hand grips around my arm, yanking me away from Cameron’s grasp, “Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Derrick barks far too loudly, causing several heads to turn to look at us.  

    “I’m leaving,” I whisper, trying to break my arm away from him. Derrick’s eye is still swollen shut, crimson smeared across his face.  

    “Like hell you are…”

    “Is there a problem over here?” Luke Richards is beside us, his voice deep and challenging.  

    “Get the fuck out of my face, Richards,” Derrick makes a fist at Richards. The bigger man doesn’t move, but stands his ground, his expression stoic.  

    “I think you need to let go of her before you do something you’re going to regret, Baptiste.”  

    Big Mike is behind Derrick in an instant, hooking his bulking arms through Derrick’s and yanking him away from me. Derrick is on the ground, Big Mike penning him down with his massive body.  

    “Get out of here, Tasha. Mr. Baptiste won’t be following you. Ain’t that right, Derrick?”  

    “Yeah, yeah,” Derrick mutters under his breath, his dark eyes burning into me with an unspoken threat.  

    I nod my head at Richards and Mike, mouthing thank you to them. Richards nods back in reply, but Big Mike is too busy barking into Derrick’s ear. Cameron grabs me by the arm, pulling me away from the man I thought I loved.

Chapter 4

    As I shrug my green cardigan over my shoulders, I stare out my bedroom window. A light sprinkling of snow is falling on the ground, but so far, none of it is sticking. I sigh, realizing the first day of the spring semester likely won’t be getting canceled today from the snow. Despite the fact that I finally have a reason to get out of the