A Fight For Love

“Did you just say exquisite? I guess having a British man with us is making us change our language too,” Rochelle said, causing Pete to frown at her patronizing misunderstanding.. Desiree smiled and took another sip just as she heard a knock on the door.

“Don’t worry guys. I’ll get it,” Desiree said as she stood up from the table. She walked to the front door and looked through the peephole. She gasped at what she saw and took a minute to collect herself before she opened the door. Taylor had a bruised cheek and, when she looked at his hands, she noticed that his knuckles were bruised too. “Ericson…what…” she started to say before he hushed her by caressing her cheek with his index finger.

“I’m okay,” he said in a low voice. Desiree looked at him, her heart weighing heavy with worry. “Really, Dee. I’m fine,” he said again.

“What happened? Were you in a fight?” she asked in a whisper.

“No. Well, yes…but I was not in any kind of trouble. I promise you,” he said. She shook her head and shrugged.

“I don’t believe you,” she said.

“Come on babe, we can talk about this later. Right now, I need to go in and give this to the birthday girl. It’s the Manolo Blahnic pumps that you asked me to get. I am sure she will love them,” he said. Desiree raised an eyebrow at his extravagance and shook her head.

“Right now, those shoes are the farthest thing from my mind,” she said.

“We will talk about this later, honey,” he said with a smile. “Just let us go and have dinner and then…” he never got a chance to finish his sentence. She took his hand and pulled him inside the house, right past the kitchen where everyone was.

“Hey Taylor. How are you…” Rochelle said as they walked past the kitchen. “Guess we will just go on without them,” she said when she heard Desiree’s bedroom door slam shut.

“Start talking,” Desiree snapped when they were in the safe confines of her room. Taylor took a long deep breath to prepare himself and shook his head.

“Dee, there is nothing to worry about. I’m here. I’m fine,” he repeated awkwardly. Desiree shook her head.

“What am I supposed to think when you show up with a busted lip and bruises? There is no way I can be fine with the words I’m fine,” she said. “So I need to know what is going on with you,” she said as she looked into his eyes.

“Fine, but you have to promise not to freak out,” Taylor said.

“Why? Is it…” she started saying, before he held her face in his powerful hands.

“Promise me,” he said in a hoarse whisper. Desiree looked at him and nodded.

“Okay I promise,” she whispered back. “Now tell me,” he said.

“I have been looking for a new source of income, and I believe I have found the perfect one,” he started as he smiled. “Cage fighting,” he said smugly as she looked at him in horror.