Dirty Love (Fighting Dirty Series Book 1) by Glenna Mayanrd

the less I knew the better, and warned me not to go looking for answers I wasn’t prepared to handle—whatever that meant.  I overheard an argument between my brother and Royce about a year ago that was something along the lines of Royce had better not ever let his job touch me or he would look funny trying to walk without legs. I was promised that his job has nothing to do with drugs so that’s something I suppose.
    Royce leaves me to myself with the promise that I will stay here until he comes home. I want to stay here, but I need to get up with Tiffany to make sure Kline hasn’t deterred her from being my friend completely. Also I need to check in on my mom and the bastard Charlie. And I hope Kline didn’t party too hard, and burn our place down last night.
    Royce doesn’t get off until around midnight so that gives me plenty of time to run my errands, and be here waiting when he returns. I throw his bedding into the wash and make my way to the kitchen for the breakfast that I was promised.
    After I eat I get the sheets in the dryer. I need another shower but I can smell Royce on me.

Chapter 6
     
    “Tiff, what’s up.” I switch my phone to speaker while I remake the bed.
    “Where are you, cause I’m at your place and your bed is empty?”
    I try switching the subject. “I take it you and Kline are on again.”
    “Yeah, we had a good talk last night and I believe we are now on the same page.”
    Here we go again, but who am I to judge. I spent the morning under and on Royce. I smile, his touch, his kiss, his claim on my heart lingering on my skin.
    “You’re with Royce aren’t you?”
    “Not currently no, but I am at his place.”
    “Of course you are. Girl bye.” She laughs clicking an end to the call.
    We hang up and she sends me a text to meet me for dinner so I can dish about my crazy weekend to her. Now to go see how my mom is doing and find out if Kline made enough to pay off Charlie’s debt.
    I pull up to the curb outside of mom and Charlie’s place and I swear I can already feel his smoke fumes penetrating my pores. I hate coming here, but I love my mom, so I have learned to compromise. When I get to the door I can hear loud voices. I stop myself from knocking. Who is Charlie arguing with?
    “Now look, I told you I’d have the money, and I will.”
    A voice I am vaguely familiar with warns Charlie,” I don’t need to remind you what will happen if you don’t pay up. You have three days.”
    Footsteps sound near the door so I scurry to the neighbor’s door and pretend to be unlocking the lock. My face is blanketed by my hair, protecting my identity, but making it hard for me to see the face behind the threat. After hearing the closing of a car door I wait a few minutes before letting myself in at my mom’s. With a cool face I walk into the kitchen, grab a cup of coffee, and calmly ask Charlie where my mother is.
    A grunt followed by the word store seems to be his only reply. I can wait here for my mom to get back and dance in circles with her and Charlie trying to get answers that they won’t give me, or I can go track down Kline and get spoon fed the truth. It's well after noon, so there is only one place Kline will be right now—hitting the mats. Normally I wouldn’t interrupt a fighter’s session ever, but this is special circumstances.  I finish my coffee in silence and ask Charlie to have my mom call me later.
    **
    “Stop avoiding the question Kline! What’s really going on with Charlie, the fights, and the money?”
    His fist stop connecting with the punching bag, and he wipes the sweat from his brow. “Look, can’t you just trust me when I say it’s handled.  Fuck Brandi, I don’t need another mother.”
    “Well excuse me for giving a rat’s ass about my brother.”   I turn and kick the bag sending it flying into his chest.
    “Bran, come on… Don’t walk away angry,” he calls out after me.
    Flipping him the bird over my shoulder I leave the gym more confused