Love in the Ring (The Brunch Bunch Book 4) Read online

  Rachel Hope

  Love in the Ring

  Copyright © 2021 by Rachel Hope

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual personx, living or dead, business establishments, events or lacales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Design: Stephanie Anderson, Alt 19 Creative

  Editing by: Dayna Hart, Hart to Heart Editing

  Rachel Hope’s website: www.RachelHopeWrites.com

  Facebook: RachelHopeAuthor

  Instagram: RachelHopeAuthor

  ISBN: 978-1-9992793-2-5 (print)

  To my husband,

  Thank you for all your support and belief in me,

  even when I didn’t believe in myself.

  Love you too much!

  Contents

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  The Brunch Bunch

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  The Brunch Bunch

  Darren

  Gina

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Darren

  Gina

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  follow the Author

  Chapter 1

  “I have a trust fund that lets me travel the world. I bet I’ve been to more countries than you’ve been to.”

  Gina struggled not to roll her eyes at the seventh mention of his trust fund. Having a trust fund wasn’t something to brag about, especially if you weren’t using it for good in the world. This guy legitimately did not have a job. She pushed her fork aggressively through a crouton on her plate, half of it shooting across the table.

  “Oops! Sorry!” Not the Crouton! That was obviously the best part of any salad, and now half of one had to be sacrificed because she’d stabbed it too hard, imagining she was actually stabbing her date. Why did she ever swipe right on this guy?

  “You’re right, I haven’t been too many places. All my family is here, so I tend to stay close to home. I do a girls’ trip once a year with my girlfriends. This year it’ll be Costa Rica.”

  “I’ve been there! There’re monkeys. A Girls’ trip, eh? Do you need a bodyguard?”

  “No, I think we can handle ourselves just fine.”

  A server came to clear the plates, and Gina was grateful for the slight distraction.

  “So tell me, what is your perfect day?” She was determined to find the good in this guy. Technically yes, she’d swiped right because of his looks… but surely there was more to him.

  “Well… I get up around ten and play some video games. They say that video games first thing in the morning really stimulates the brain and improves your hand-eye coordination.”

  “Who says that?”

  “People do… and then I call Consuela and she’ll make me some breakfast.”

  “Consuela sounds nice…”

  “Then I cruise the showrooms of Mercedes and Hummers and go for test drives. I post my test drives on YouTube, and then I hit up some college buddies. And then I take out a lovely lady like yourself and woo them.”

  “Oh… I’m being wooed? I didn’t realize.” Who said that? “Um… so do you work? At all?”

  “Not really. I’m rich. I don’t need to work.” He stated it in such a matter-of-fact tone that it was almost impossible to argue with.

  “And you woo a different lady every night? My, you must have incredible stamina.” There was no way Gina was going home with this Lothario, but she could play with him for a little longer. “Do you think we could get dessert before the night is over?”

  “I can make that happen for you. And maybe I woo a different lady every night, but I make sure they are all satisfied.” He grinned at her.

  He must think that that’s impressive?

  Gina was on her fifth date that month, because her mom was on her case that she needed to get married and make babies soon. So she went out with almost any Italian-sounding men on Bumble, Tinder, and just about any other dating app you could find. Most of them turned out to be mama’s boys or utter idiots like this one, Benny. But she picked restaurants that had light meals on the reasonably priced side, so she could cover her own meal.

  One would think that Gina could sort through all the fake news on a dating app better than most, with the fact that she was a PR and Marketing Specialist by day.

  She ordered a piece of lemon meringue pie, while Benny decided on the tiramisu. “I like it because not only is there whipped cream, there’s espresso and liquor in it, helps me keep going for a couple more hours.”

  “Oh… I must have forgot to mention, I have an early morning tomorrow. After this I’m going to head out…” Gina tried to look disappointed that she had to bail on their date. Maybe I should take some acting classes if these dates don’t improve soon.

  “Well, that’s not how this works.” Benny gave her a hard stare.

  “I’m sorry, not how what works? We went out for dinner, we had dessert, I’d say the date is done.” Gina felt her hackles raise at Benny’s remarks.

  “I don’t feel appreciated. You haven’t thanked me or you know…”

  “What? Do you even know what I do for a living? Have you asked a single question about me? I ate a salad and lemon meringue pie. I’ve had to listen to you go on about your trust fund and how you contribute absolutely nothing to society, and you think I need to thank you? In what world do you think this date was actually enjoyable for me?” Gina was on a roll. Apparently, she wasn’t going to leave him wanting more, but she might make him hobble home.

  “But I paid for your meal…! I expect reciprocation.”

  “Can you even spell that? No, I’ll pay for my meal, and you can reciprocate yourself. You should be ashamed of yourself. And no, even if you paid for my meal, it’s not like you actually earned that money. Give me a break, and swipe left on me next time.” She picked up her jacket and flagged the server down. “I’ll pay for my meal please.”

  “What a bitch.”

  Gina leaned forward to look him straight in the eye. “No Benny, I’m ju
st better than you on any day. I know what I’m worth. Better luck next time.”

  She left the restaurant. She would never be a shrinking violet, she’d grown up with father’s temper, and had even gotten the nickname Mean-a Gina when she got angry on the playground.

  Gina sent a quick text to the group text:

  Date was a dud. He thought he should be thanked because he was going to pay for my salad and pie.

  Andrea: Aw, that’s too bad babe. Maybe the next one will be a winner… I think there’s a single dad at Charlie’s daycare?

  Stella: Maybe you should wait for love to come more naturally?

  Chloe: What about girls? Have you ever thought about girls?

  Issy: Do you want to come over here? Dean and I are just watching a movie.

  Leah: Sorry Hun.

  Gina: Headed home now. I’ll say pass on the single dad, no to girls (that was one time in college) and yeah, I don’t want to be a third wheel, but thanks guys! I’ll talk to you later!

  Chapter 2

  “Again, Matt, you need to strike with the force coming from your core. If you are just pushing from the elbow the power you need won’t be there, and you aren’t strengthening the actual muscles that need the work.” Darren moved around the fighter, inspecting his stance.

  “God, Darren, it’s been a week since I got the AOK to fight from the doctor. When do I get to spar with a human?” Matt whined. Darren had seen fighters go back into the cage before their muscles were properly re-habilitated, and he had no intention of letting Matt be one of them.

  “The doctor said that the muscle had healed, but he didn’t say your strength was back, if I put you in the ring with say… Rocko right now, you would re-injure that shoulder in one round and be worse off than before you hurt it the first time. Trust me.” He clapped his hand on Matt’s good shoulder. “I’m just looking out for you, buddy. If you want, I need help with my ladies’ self-defence class. Would that make it better?”

  “Ladies? Are you saying I fight like a girl?” Matt demanded.

  “Matt, I’m saying I need you to help me teach the girls. And never assume that a girl can’t fight. They can be just as strong if not stronger than us, they just have different moves. Go cool down, my next appointment is here.” Darren sent Matt on his way, wiped down the punching bag, and headed to the front of the gym to meet with his next fighter.

  On any day, Darren trained four to six fighters and had at least one class of fighters. The rest of the time was spent doing all the administrative tasks associated with running a gym. There was a big fight coming up in about two months, and he had called one of the local PR and marketing firms to offer some marketing help. If his fighters did well at the fight, it would bring positive recognition to the gym, but it was also raising money for Depression and Anxiety Awareness, a focus near to Darren’s heart.

  Joey was his next appointment and also his cousin. He was an experienced MMA fighter and boxer who had trained with Darren and Jack, Darren’s brother, back in the very beginning. Joey didn’t have any injuries, he just came here to train and spar. That was the thing about Darren’s gym. It wasn’t just a training facility, it was also a physiotherapy clinic for fighters. Darren had watched firsthand as his friends got injured during fights and then had the wrong rehabilitation. Their physio didn’t take into consideration the abuse these fighters would put their bodies through and didn’t prepare the muscles to accommodate it. Darren was both a fighter and a physiotherapist, making him aptly suited to help his fellow fighters get back in the ring and stay in the ring.

  “Too slow.” Joey gloated when his glove glanced off Darren’s shoulder.

  “Maybe, but I’ve been sparring all day, while you’re still fresh as a daisy.”

  “I’m no daisy! Just for that, take this…. And that…”

  Darren laughed, dodging and blocking the blows Joey rained down on him. “Ok, ok, how about we work on your kicks?”

  Darren got one of the blocking cushions. “Are you ready for the fight?”

  “Dude, it’s still like two months away… I’m not even thinking about it yet. Why are you?”

  “Cause it’s a big deal. I want awareness raised for how depression can hurt. Besides, it’ll really help the club.”

  “Man, I’m sorry. I know how important this is. Is the club hurting financially? Do you need money?”

  “Naw, the club is fine. Registration is great, and the ladies’ self-defence class has been a substantial addition. If you wanted to help with that from time to time, that would be cool. I think Rocko makes them nervous.”

  “I think Rocko makes everyone nervous. But the ladies’ self-defence? I can be there for that. Are there any rules for fraternizing with the clients?”

  “No…. but don’t make me regret that…” Darren grinned as Joey flashed him gleeful look.

  They continued sparring and practicing different sequences of punches and kicks for the rest of the hour. Nearing the end, both Joey and Darren were dripping in sweat. They never held back with each other.

  Joey called a time-out, reaching out of the cage to grab his water bottle. “So, how many years has it been since Jack…”

  “Three. I always expect him to come running through the door, crowing about whatever girl he met on the corner, and who his next big fight would be against.”

  “I miss him, too. I think this event that you’ve created has really helped raise awareness and been a wonderful tribute to him. He would’ve been proud of you.” Joey put his bottle back outside the ring and came back to the centre, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Ok, are you ready for round two?”

  “The real question is, are you?” Swinging an uppercut at Joey, they continued to spar. No more conversation, just grunts and the smack when one glove made contact with the other fighter.

  “Ahem!”

  Thwack! Joey landed a solid hook when Darren looked to where the interruption had come from. “Ow! Geez, man, that was solid. “

  “You should’ve been looking at me, not her!”

  “Whatever! Hi miss! What can I do for you?” Darren rubbed his face where Joey’s glove had smoked him. He leaned against the chain link. “Can I help you?” She was a curvy brunette, dressed in office clothes, so definitely not here to work out…

  “I’m here to speak to the manager?” she replied in a slightly condescending tone.

  “What’s this about?”

  “Just tell him that Gina Valentino is here to see him, from Raz-Ma-Taz Marketing.”

  “Oh, I thought um… they would’ve sent um… someone…”

  “You thought they’d send a man, didn’t you? Where’s the manager?”

  “Yeah, let me come out!” Darren came through the cage door, wiping his face and hands on a towel and gulping some water quickly. Didn’t he just put his foot in it?

  “I’m the manager, Darren Alexander. Sorry for the confusion before, I was just expecting…”

  “A man. I know!”

  “I could’ve sworn the email said I was going to be meeting with Gino.”

  “Well, I’m Gina—with an A, and you’re looking at your specialist for this event.” Darren could tell that the woman was getting more annoyed by the second. He was trying to shake off the last hit from Joey and lift his jaw off the floor—she was a stunner.

  “Yes, right… can I get you a water or anything?” Turning to lead her towards the back office, Darren could hear Joey snickering behind him. When he was sure Gina-with-an-A couldn’t see, he flipped Joey the bird and closed the door to his office.

  Chapter 3

  Of course, the hot, sweaty fighter had to be the person she had to deal with. Her heart had skipped a beat when she saw him sparring in the cage with the other guy. His dark skin glistened as he bobbed and weaved around the cage. With tribal tattoos covering one shoulder and close-cropped hair,
he wasn’t her usual type, but she could make an exception. After watching him for a moment, she finally coughed to get their attention, unintentionally distracting him.

  “Well, I’m sorry for the confusion, but how about we move past that? I am still fully qualified to do the marketing for your event, even if I’m the wrong sex.”

  “Oh, you definitely aren’t the wrong sex…” Did Gina detect a faint blush across the man’s cheeks? Probably just exertion. When he smiled at her, she felt herself swooning.

  “Right…” She looked anywhere in the room but at him. This was going to be awkward. The mere mention of sex had Gina thinking all the wrong things to be thinking about with a client. “How about you tell me about your event. What are you hoping to get out of it? The basics of how it started. My boss left me with a list, but I like to hear it from the client’s mouth. It helps me get a feel for what needs to be done.”

  Gina pulled out her pad of paper and looked up expectantly, hoping he wouldn’t catch the flush rising up her cheeks at mentioning his mouth.

  “Uh… sure. The club has been open for about ten years. We will celebrate the anniversary at the same time as the event. Three years ago, my brother succumbed to his battle with depression and committed suicide. To process and cope, I started a fundraising campaign to help raise awareness for help with depression and suicide awareness.”

  “Oh! I’m so sorry! There was no mention of that in my list. Is it ok to talk about?” Gina was inwardly fuming at her boss. Did he think that not mentioning the suicide or the backstory of this event wasn’t necessary? She’s lucky Darren didn’t kick her out of his office for lack of sensitivity!

  “Yeah, I’ve come to terms with it. I’ll always miss him, but after he passed, I took over the club and changed some of the ways they set it up. But that’s not what you’re here for, is it?” She watched as a shadow passed over the man’s face. All her instincts were to hold him and do her best to absorb his pain, no matter how impossible that was.

  “How about you tell me whatever you think is important, and I’ll go from there. And if I ever step over a line, please just tell me.”