Chapter 32
Asher
The last couple of days flew by in a blur.
Training had taken over my life completely.
Coach kept reminding me that the last days before a fight mattered the most. That was when fighters either sharpened themselves into something lethal or let doubt creep in.
Claire made sure I didn’t forget to eat.
At night, I went over to her cabin after training, and she had something ready for me.
Real food. Not the quick protein meals I survived on during fight prep.
She spent her time after working at the orchard cooking in her cabin kitchen.
Last night, she made me roasted chicken and vegetables with a quinoa salad.
The food was delicious, but what really got to me was how much she cared and the way she went out of her way to show it.
After dinner, I grabbed my things, and met coach at the airport. We flew to Toronto together. He insisted fighters should sleep in the city before a fight to get their bodies adjusted and fully rested.
Claire was driving to Toronto with Soleil, Elise, and Jonah in the morning. They were planning to stay at the same hotel so that we could celebrate after the fight. That is if I won. And I planned to.
I was settled in my hotel room, lying in bed, scrolling on my phone when Claire called.
“Are you settled in?” she asked.
“Yeah, but I miss you,” I said.
“I miss you too. I’ll be happy when we can put the fight behind us,” she said.
“Me too. I’m pretty sure this’ll be my last fight,” I confessed.
“Really?” she asked, surprised.
“Yeah, I don’t have the same passion as I did growing up,” I admitted.
“Is that a good thing before a fight?” she asked skeptically.
“Don’t worry. I’m ready. I’m locked in,” I assured.
Coach looked at me. We were sharing a room. He’d just heard my announcement. I had some explaining to do.
“Okay,” Claire replied.
“Have a good night. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said.
“See you tomorrow.”
We ended the call, and Coach had his right eyebrow arched.
“Explain,” he deadpanned.
“I told you I wasn’t going to make this into a full-time career,” I said.
“That’s a mistake, Asher. This fight is big. If you win it could mean great things for you,” he continued.
“It isn’t the life I want,” I said simply.
“You’re in love,” he said dryly, like those words were sour.
“I’m in love,” I said unable to hide my grin.
Coach laughed.
I laughed, and then we switched to small talk about the fight tomorrow like nothing had changed.