Read Holding Huck's Heart (Marco's MMA Boys #3) for Free Online Page B

some papers. “So what subjects do you need the most help with? If we can set up a plan, I can categorize them. We can set up a way for you to study and make a schedule.”
    I slide into the empty chair beside her and chuckle. “You’re kinda funny, you know that?”
    “What do you mean?” She fidgets.
    “Well, from the second you looked at me, you seem like you’re about to jump out of your skin,” I say jokingly.
    She takes her glasses off and rubs the sides of her nose where her glasses normally rest. “Look, I have a busy tutoring schedule. We need to get started and if I seem jumpy, maybe it’s because you took my head off as soon as you walked in about your stupid name.” She looks back up at me. “So can we get to work?”
    “Dude, you ready to go or what?” I look up and see Lox standing in the doorway. He had the first fight tonight so he’s been done for a little while.
    “Yeah, I was just thinking.” I take a couple of cleansing breaths. “Let’s do this.”
    I follow him out where I hear my music has already started.
    “And be a simple kind of man.
    Be something you love and understand.
    Baby, be a simple kind of man.
    Oh won't you do this for me son,
    If you can?”
    Marco slaps me on the back as I enter the cage. “Maksim is looking good tonight. Keep on your toes and watch your six. We fight them again in a few weeks at the tournament in Jacksonville. Tonight will be a great study for then.”
    I nod and make my way to the center of the cage. The ref gives us his regular spill, we tap gloves and go to our corners.
    Ding!
    The next forty-five minutes go by in a blur, ending with the ref holding my arm up as the victor. I make my way out of the cage to Marco.
    “Fuck, that was a tough one. I’m going to have to make some changes to my training regimen,” I say as he wipes over the back of my head and hands me a bottle of water. I gulp out of it as quickly as my mouth will allow.
    “All right, son, let’s get you to the locker room and get those cuts looked at.” I nod, glancing over to the section where our seats are and I see her. She’s actually smiling a little.
    Once I’m inside the locker room, Sly follows me in with Krista in one of those reverse backpack looking things on his chest. “Good fight, man. It looked like a tough one.”
    I nod as I start unwrapping my hands. “It was fucking brutal. I’ve already told Marco I’ve got to up my damn training before we meet again in Jacksonville. The dude is like hitting a fucking brick wall.”
    Sly covers Krista’s ears. “Dude, language.”
    I look at him like he’s an idiot. “Really, you expect your child to grow up never hearing someone cuss? You’re in the wrong profession, brother.”
    He shrugs. “Look, I told Kara I would try, okay? This is Princess’s first fight and I’m trying to make it a regular thing, so let’s follow the rules the best we can. Okay?”
    I nod as one of the medics come in with Marco to take a look at my cuts. Sly pats me on the back as Krista lets out a squeal. I lean over and kiss her head. “Night, sweet girl. Thank you for coming to my fight. We’ll play in the morning, I promise.”
    Marco laughs. “That one little girl is turning my group of world class fighters into mush.”
    I laugh. “Maybe not.”
    He sits on the bench beside me as the medic looks me over. “So it seems you and Liz are getting along a lot better. I’m glad. I think of you as my son, Huck. I want all of my kids to get along.”
    “Sorry, I was just-.”
    He stops me. “Looking out for me. I know. Huck, you’re loyal to a fault sometimes.”
    The medic finishes up and tells me everything looks good. Once he’s out of the room, Marco starts again.
    “Huck, I know you’re keeping secrets for her. I know where she works. I’m not happy about it, but I know what kind of an asshole she grew up having to call Dad. I’m not him and as long as she’s not in danger, I’m not telling her she’s wrong.” He