Read Online Holding Huck's Heart (Marco's MMA Boys #3) by S. M. Donaldson - Free Book Online

always doubted his own smartness. “Huck, I always told you that you’re very smart, you just couldn’t learn from those jackass teachers we had.”
    He takes another sip from his beer. “So are you, um… Are you still, um…?”
    I roll my eyes. “Working at the club? Yes.”
    He turns to me, concern on his face. “Why?”
    “Why else would I? I need the money. Mom’s chemo and meds aren’t cheap. Without Dad’s pay, it’s kind of hurt us.” I shrug. “So I’m doing this for a little while. No big deal.”
    He shakes his head and slams the grill lid. “See, but you shouldn’t have to.”
    “Huck, please, let’s not do this, okay? Let’s just have a good time and hang out. Like we used to,” I say casually.
    He gives me that smirk again. “Oh, like we used to?”
    “Just the friends part, smartass.” I pop him on his tight abs.
    “Hit him again, Chelsea, he deserves it,” Sly says, bouncing up beside me. He rests his elbow on my shoulder. “So, my girl says you brought that killer ass dessert over there. That shit is awesome.”
    Huck pops him in the back of the head. “What the fuck, man? You don’t dip into the dessert before the burgers are done.”
    “Yes, Grandma Hucky. I’ll make sure I finish all of my vegetables, too,” Sly says, mimicking a little kid’s voice.
    Huck nods, pointing the grill fork at him. “Fine. I’ll remember this shit when Princess is about Slick’s age. I’ll make sure she eats all the damn dessert she wants before dinner.” Sly flips him off and as he turns around, Huck grunts out, “Asshole.”
    He turns back to me. “So, you brought dessert? What kind?” He winks at me.
    “Death by chocolate,” I say, smiling and remembering his favorite from a long time ago.
    “You would bring it when I’m being super strict about my sugar intake.” He chuckles.
    “Why are you being so strict? You look great,” I say, furrowing my eyebrows.
    “You saw my fight the other night, I was about to get my ass handed to me. I’m being strict until my next fight. The next match up against that guy is kind of a big deal.” He shrugs. “Hey, can I ask you for a favor?”
    I look at him confused. “Yeah, I guess.”
    “Okay, I get why you have the second job. I’m not happy about it.” I’m about to argue and he puts up his hands. “Will you please come by the gym one day and let me teach you some self-defense moves? That way I’ll feel a tiny bit better with you leaving the club.”
    My mind flashes back to the close encounter with Pavel the other night. I know I’d be stupid to fight with him, but I’d like to have the option if I ever had to. I sigh and give him a small nod. “Okay, I’ll come by some time.”
    He pats me on the shoulder. “Thanks. I know you’re Miss Tough Girl, but I just need to know you can fight someone off.”
    “I could get Liz to teach me, you know,” I say, picking at him.
    “Yeah and I could join the circus.” He shoves me playfully. “I’m just kidding. I’m actually going to ask Liz to help me teach some classes soon. She’s good. I just want you to look into it. Okay?”
    I smile. “Sure. I will.”
    “You’re going to ask Liz what now?” Liz says, stepping up.
    “I talked to Marco the other day about us adding some youth MMA classes. I was thinking we could get you certified and you could help with the females in the class.” He shrugs. “If you wanted to, that is.”
    She thinks about it. “Yeah, maybe. As long as we work better together than the first time.”
    I look at them confused. “What are you talking about? This sounds interesting.”
    Liz shakes her head and laughs. “Well, Huck and I didn’t get along very well when we first met. When the guys were getting certified to teach, they brought Sloan, Kara and myself in as test subjects. He was a smart ass to me and didn’t know that I already knew self-defense. I hit him and he cried. Like really cried.” She laughs harder and tries to catch her