Tyson watched from the kitchen, where he drank a protein shake, feeling an odd mixture of hope and hopelessness as his brother made it through this tough time. He’d kept his word for the past week. He hadn’t left the apartment, all of his paraphernalia he’d been using to prepare and inject his heroin were gone . . . Now, they just had to ride out the storm.

He shook his head. No. Connor had to ride out the storm.

So far, his brother had been doing this on his own. True to his word, Tyson wasn’t getting involved. Other than paying down his brother’s debt to keep the wolves at bay for another few weeks, this was all on Connor.

He had to focus on training. Too much of that week had been wasted on things that didn’t concern him. First his brother’s issues . . . and then Parker.

His thoughts went to the blonde, whose audition was scheduled for that day.

He had to admit, she’d surprised him with her dedication to the grueling workouts Dane had put her through. He was reluctantly impressed, which didn’t happen often.

He wondered if she’d get the part. And whether or not he’d see her back in his gym . . .

He hoped not. She was proving even more distracting than he’d thought she’d be. Even when she wasn’t there, she was on his mind and that needed to stop. Fast.

Connor coughed and his eyes opened. He offered a weak smile as their eyes met. “How’s the training going?” he asked, his voice rough.

“It’s fine.” It would be better if he could push all of this to the back of his mind and actually start giving it 100 percent again. He grabbed his gear and headed toward the door then stopped. “If you want to go lay on my bed . . .”

His brother shook his head. “Nah, the couch is fine. Thanks, man.”

Tyson simply nodded as he left the apartment.

*   *   *

Boarding the plane back to Vegas the next morning, Parker wasn’t sure how to feel. She’d thought the audition had gone well, but the director had given her little to go on. Both men had been polite. They’d watched her scene with interest and let her stop on her own, instead of cutting her short, but who knew what they were thinking? She sighed as she readjusted her overnight carry-on bag on her shoulder, clutching her cell phone in her hand as she walked the ramp toward the plane. Kilroy Clarke had said they would have a decision that day, and she’d never been so nervous waiting for a call from Ian.

In five minutes, she’d have to turn off the phone while in flight and it would be the longest hour and a half of her life. Cell phone signals really didn’t interfere with flight instrumentation, did they? She took her window seat in first class and tucked her bag under the seat in front of her. Sitting on the edge of the chair, she stared out the window, replaying the audition in her mind.

She’d done well. She’d delivered her lines with ease and she’d felt a connection to the character. Nerves may have gotten to her a little, but it was just because she wanted this part. Though Ian hadn’t been kidding when he’d said the film was low-budget. Kilroy had told her they were hoping to come in under five hundred thousand, which normally wouldn’t even cover her salary. He said once filming started, they were hoping to shoot the whole thing in five weeks and to keep the set locations to a minimum. There wasn’t money allocated in the budget to pay for her accommodations and transportation back to LA, should she get the part. She would be out of pocket for all of that. And the salary they were offering the actors was . . . not what she was used to. But none of it mattered.

She knew in her gut this film was going to be great.

The sound of a cell ringing made her heart race, but a quick glance revealed it wasn’t hers. The ringing came from economy seating, just behind the first-class curtain divider.

“Hello?” a woman’s voice answered immediately after the first ring. “I’m boarding the flight now . . . yeah . . . okay . . .” Her tone went from excitement to disappointed so quickly, Parker couldn’t resist turning and leaning slightly to see the woman. The fighter from Cage Masters who’d been auditioning that day as well.

The look on her face said it all. She hadn’t gotten the part. Despite the fact this girl was her competition, Parker felt bad for her. She’d been in her shoes more than once. It sucked.

Though it did mean the directors were calling agents now . . .

Her knees bounced in the space between the seats as she willed her own phone to ring. Come on. The last of the passengers had boarded and the crew was walking the aisles, closing the overhead bins.

Behind her, she heard the girl say, “I’m not surprised they gave the part to her . . .”

Who? Who had they given the part to? She resisted the urge to turn around and ask her. Barely.

“Well if they think they can get more funding that way, of course they would cast her. She’s a recognizable name, even if she is totally wrong for the part.”

Her mouth went dry. As far as she could tell, she’d been the only recognizable name at the audition, and the one most would assume was wrong for the part. Her stomach turned as her phone vibrated in her hand first before Ian’s familiar ring tone started. All of a sudden, she wasn’t sure she wanted to answer. She was fairly certain it was good news, but was it? Not if she’d been given the part in the hope of attracting more funding.

“You’ll have to turn that off now, miss,” one of the flight attendants told her, passing her seat.

“Okay, just one second.” Answering the call, she said, “Hi. I’m on the plane, so I only have half a second.”

“You got the part!” Ian said enthusiastically.

She wished he’d called before she’d heard the other conversation. Now self-doubt destroyed the excitement she should be feeling. Once again, she couldn’t be sure she’d gotten a role based on her acting abilities and not some other reason. “That’s great.”

“Parker, do not tell me you’re reconsidering this,” he said.

“I’m not.”

“Then what’s wrong? I thought you’d be more excited.”

“I am . . . I . . . uh . . . I am,” she said forcing fake excitement into her voice.

“Great. Filming starts in seven weeks, so work your ass off at that gym . . .”

She nodded as the flight attendant signaled for her to hang up. “I will. I have to go, talk soon. Thanks, Ian.” Turning off the phone, she slid it into her carry-on and sat back in the seat as the plane started to taxi down the runway. She’d worked hard for this part. She deserved it, she told herself, but a nagging voice wouldn’t allow her to enjoy the moment.

Once again, she couldn’t be sure she’d gotten a role based on her acting abilities.

*   *   *

“You’re back,” Tyson said as Parker walked into the gym the next day.

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” She hated that his tone revealed nothing.

His mouth twisted slightly, but it wasn’t the full smile she’d seen the week before, a smile that had given her a glimpse into a completely different man. One she wanted to see more often. “Dane took his group for a run. He should be back soon. You can start warming up . . . or try to catch up with them.” He turned to walk away, but Parker reached out her hand to stop him.

His gaze flew to the point of contact and so did hers. For an instant, she couldn’t remember why she’d stopped him. “Um . . . I . . . thank you.” She let go of his arm. “For letting me train here.” She still wasn’t completely sure why he’d had the change of heart, other than the money was appealing, but she wasn’t about to ask questions. Now, more than ever, she needed the help.

He nodded before walking away.

She sighed. What a guarded, self-controlled man. He was, admittedly, one of the few men she’d ever met who hadn’t repeatedly hit on her. Sure, he’d made the comment about her being a distraction and a cock-tease the day they’d met, but obviously he hadn’t meant his dick. He seemed to go out of his way to avoid her.