Chapter 8 #2
His phone rings. “Can you give me just a minute, tesoro? I need to take this.”
I nod.
Four days since the fight, and the phone hadn’t stopped.
Seven calls before breakfast. Papers from Bob spread across the dining table.
Max moving between rooms with his phone pressed to his ear, nodding, saying yes, absolutely, I can make that work.
I watched him from the doorway with my coffee.
He didn’t see me standing there. He was somewhere else.
Somewhere good by the grin on his face. I didn’t interrupt.
Four days ago, in the ring, he’d already said yes to Isaac Barreca.
Now the world was catching up. I’d watched the fight recording twice.
The second time I watched Patrick fall, I had to remind myself to breathe. The way Max fights…is…amazing.
“Yeah, sure, I can head down there…thank you, I appreciate it,” Max says into the phone.
“It’s always been a dream of mine.” His voice has that professional quality I’m still learning to recognize.
“I wouldn’t let anything get in my way. I’ve worked hard for this,” Max tells him. “See you in a bit.”
Max hangs up the line. He turns on his heels to face me.
I’m still on the bed. “That was Bob. Barreca’s promoter agreed to terms this morning.
ESPN is locked in.” Max shoves his hands in his pockets, that dimple appears.
“Eight months, tesoro. Vegas. Main event. The commission paperwork is next, but it’s happening. It’s really happening.”
Eight months.
Like it’s nothing.
He said it so easily, like he had forgotten to mention it.
I hop off the bed and run into his arms anyway. “Congratulations. I’m so proud of you. You’re going to win this one, too. I know it.” I give him a wink. A low chuckle escapes him, sending that familiar shiver racing down my back. He kisses me like he has nowhere to be, even though he does.
“Thank you, baby. I’m going to head out to Bob’s office.
I need to oversee some paperwork he has for me to sign.
Then, I need to schedule an interview with ESPN.
” My oversized shirt slides off my shoulder.
Max drops a kiss on my bare skin and then pulls it up.
“I need to go, amor. I have a full day today. I’ll be home late. Don’t wait up for me.”
“Oh, okay.”
I’ll wait up. I always do. He knows it.
“Will you be okay, Rain?”
I nod and muster a smile. A sudden noose ties around my neck. I don’t know what it is, but I feel sick to my stomach. Like something bad is going to happen. Is it paranoia or superstition? “I’ll be fine.”
“If you need me, give me a call or come by the office.”
“Don’t worry about me. I love you.” I’m not sure why, but the words come out almost in a whisper.
Max’s sharp hearing picks up on anything. “I love you too. What was it you were going to tell me?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. Have a great day.”
Our lips mingle in the sweetest, most amazing kiss that leaves my body tingling. “See you later.”
And he’s gone.
I peel off my sweater, the static crackling through my hair, and kick off my shorts.
The bathroom tiles send a chill up through my bare feet as I twist the shower knob.
Steam rises, fogging the mirror, and I test the water with my fingertips before stepping into the shower.
We usually go for a run together, or we spar, but today I slept in, and he didn’t wake me.
An unknown caller flashes on my cellphone. I rush to tug my jeans on. “Hello,” I answer, reaching for my shirt and then slipping it on.
“Ney?”
What the fuck?
“Andrew.”
“Yes, it’s me, Ney. So, I wanted to ask you for a favor.”
“I need to go.”
“Wait.” Andrew breathes deeply on the phone.
“What do you want?”
“Look, your dad promised me I would be part owner with him and Justin. The problem is we never had the chance to get the paperwork together. Justin fired me. Do you think you can talk to him, sweetheart?”
The sound of his voice makes me want to gag. “Fuck off.” I hang up. He has some nerve calling, and I’m so glad my dad, or is it Rowan? Hell, I don’t even know what to call him.
Ten minutes later, my phone rings again. I don’t check who’s calling because, of course, it’s Andrew again. “What the fuck do you want?” I press the key fob to start my car. I wanted to drive my Mustang, but it’s getting some repairs done. I accidentally hit a pole. Small dent but noticeable.
“Rainey, it’s Carlos.”
Fuck. “Oh, sorry, I thought it was someone else.” I clear my throat. “What can I help you with?” I know what he’s going to say.
“Did Max tell you about the approval for the fight in eight months?”
Eight months.
“Yes. He did.” I know about the fight, but not that it is in eight months. He didn’t tell me.
His voice rises. “It’s going to be big. The main event. Max is already getting plenty of attention as a boxer. Just imagine when it hits the press.” He pauses, his enthusiasm faltering for a moment. “You do want to see him shine, don’t you? Or would you rather he stay safe in obscurity?”
“Yes,” I say, then quickly add, “Of course I want him to shine.”
“There will be plenty of eyes on him.” His fingers drum on his desk, I assume. “This is all happening too fast. Opportunities like this don’t come around twice.”
I know all this. I would never hold him back. I’m happy for him. I shove my drink into the holder angrily. “Carlos, with all due respect, I know more than anyone that Max deserves this. He’s worked hard, fought in the Underground for a hell of a long time to support himself.”
“Then you know what you need to do. Any type of distraction you give him will cause him to lose it all. I won’t stand here and watch it happen.”
Drake’s voice surfaces in my head from the other night. “You’re living your dream.”
Unfortunately, Carlos is right. I have so much baggage, especially now that I have to pick up the letter from the attorney’s office.
My memory is still returning in pieces. Max will be training hard for the next eight months.
I need to get myself in order. Not drag him into my mess while he’s trying to become something.
“I do know, Carlos. I’ll do what’s best for him, like you said the other day. After all, I’m his trigger.”
He laughs. “I didn’t say it exactly like that, but you are a trigger. He deserves a life where he can forget the past, not look at it every day.”
That’s a slap in the face, but it’s true.
“I see. As I said, I’ll do what’s best for him.” I hit the end-call button, and a single tear rolls down my cheek. Then I take a deep breath, wipe my tears away, and drive to work.