Mila (Heartbreaker #3) by Evan Grace Read Free Book Online

my niece, but many of them are. She just happens to inspire a lot of my creativity lately.
    Nico sends me a text letting me know that he’s on his way to get Nicola. A slight wave of sadness washes through me at the realization that my time is almost up with my little niece.
    Some days I wish things were different for me, but they’re not. I’ll never have the things that I want most in the world. I push those thoughts down because it does me no good to think of such things. I made the decision I had to make and I can’t change it. I just have to learn to deal with my decision the best I can.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
    Brian
     
    My guards is up as I circle my sparring partner, Tim. We’ve been at it for ten minutes back and forth. It’s not unusual for me to leave a sparring match with a bloody nose, split lip, or a black eye. Sparring is a great way for me to maintain my skills and burn stress. Right now I’m using it to burn some nervous energy. Tonight’s my date—okay, well, not a date—with Mila. It sucks when you know that there could be something amazing between you and another person, but they don’t see it.
    After our lunch the other day, thoughts of Mila have plagued my mind so much that I’ve resorted to jerking off multiple times. In my mind’s eye, I’d see the way her olive-colored cheeks would turn the sweetest shade of pink. For someone who exudes so much confidence, she sure seemed shy whenever I showed her attention. I honestly was surprised when she said yes to dinner with me, but I was happy all the same.
    I just have to take my time and hope that maybe she’ll come around and begin to see me as someone more than just a friend.
    A jab to my side pulls me back to my sparring partner. I block his next shot and land a punch to his side and a shot to the side of his head.
    “That’s the way, B. Show him who’s boss,” Javier, my sensei, says.
    Tim has more bulk, but I have the reach and power behind my shots. Javier has always joked that I’m freakishly strong. People always assume that I’m not because I’m skinny, or at least skinnier than the average fighter, but I hit hard.
    By the time we’re done, Tim’s sporting a swollen nose and my lip’s bleeding. Javier helps me take my gloves off, and I grab a bottle of water for Tim and me.
    “Thanks for sparring with me. Sorry about your nose, man. You gave me a run for my money,” I tell him before slugging back half of the water in my bottle.
    “No problem. I’m rusty as fuck, but it was fun. I’ll spar anytime you want.”
    Tim heads out, and I grab my towel off of the bench to wipe the sweat from my face. I make my way to the locker room to shower for my dinner date with Mila. Javier calls out to me, so I turn around.
    “What was that out there? I’ve never seen you lose focus like that before. Are things okay?”
    Javier has become a sort of surrogate uncle. He’s been my sensei since my dad signed me up when I was a kid. He’s been a friend to my parents for as long as he’s taught me martial arts. Javier has been a wonderful mentor to me, especially through failed relationships and when my self-esteem was at its lowest.
    “I have a sort of date tonight and I was just thinking about it.”
    “What do you mean, sort of date?”
    “I’m going out to dinner with a woman tonight, but she’s already pulled the we-can-only-just-be-friends card. I know there’s something there between us. I can feel it, so I just need to get past whatever defenses she has up to get her to see what could be there between us. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I have to at least try.” I take a drink of my water.
    “Well, she’s not very smart if she can’t see what a great guy you are. Go hit the showers. We’ll talk Monday.” He gives me a back slapping hug before shoving me toward the doorway to the locker room.
    After showering and brushing my teeth, I throw on dark blue jeans, a t-shirt, and a white