Thirty-Two
MIA
“I’m actually so pissed that Oliver got to be the first one to punch Adam.” That is all my best friend has to say about everything I’m catching her up on from the gala. I made her go on a taco date with me the minute she was back in town.
“It was a beautiful sight seeing him on his knees and bleeding.” I grin over at her.
I filled her in on everything that happened.
Including who my parents are and why I had so many connections to call for the sponsorship dinner.
She didn’t bat an eye. She is too caught up in the drama between Oliver and Adam.
“You don’t seem upset over me lying to you.
” I can’t help but point it out. I overthink everything as it is, but for her to not even acknowledge it is causing the tacos to turn sour in the pit of my stomach.
“Did you lie to me?” She asks as she takes a bite of her taco. I feel like she is playing with me.
“I didn’t tell you who my parents were or that I have enough money in my bank account right now to buy out this restaurant and not bat an eye.” I say cautiously.
I watch her finish chewing and her face twists in disgust. “Honestly, from what you told me, I don’t give a fuck who your parents are.
They don’t deserve you. And if you buy this place, you have to keep all our favorite workers.
They spoil us and I’m a brat.” The laugh that leaves my body shakes the table.
I watch her lean closer to the table and set her gray eyes on my face.
“You’re not defined by what you come from.
” There’s a solemness to her words that makes a cold chill run over my skin.
“If I needed to know, you would have told me. I know that.” Her lips tilt in a kind smile.
“You radiate warmth in every room you walk in. I genuinely believe Chloe sent me you. And that’s enough for me.
” Every time she brings up her old foster sister I get emotional.
It used to feel like a weight when she would compare our likeness.
Now it feels like an honor. We wouldn’t have AJ today without Chloe.
And if she did somehow make the universe send me to AJ then I feel like she also sent AJ to me.
There’s a solidarity in sitting with someone whose soul screams the same fighting need to break a mold. And I’ve always felt that with AJ.
She doesn’t need me to be more than exactly what I am in the moment. No matter what that is. Because some days I’m chaotic and ready to take on the world. Some days I am overwhelmed and ready to give up. Every day, she pushes me and every day she is who I need her to be.
I feel a rogue tear fall over my bottom lashes and I don’t even try to stop it. Acceptance is a double edged sword when you’re not accustomed to it. And to have someone like her see me for who I am at my core, and that be all that is important, is a profusely hard concept to accept.
“I have more to tell you.” I take a deep breath as I get ready to dive into the next part that I need to tell her.
“There’s my favorite girls.” Rory’s voice interrupts the moment before I can continue.
And he’s not alone. Standing next to him is a guy with dark hair, wearing a pretty smile and perfect teeth.
I have definitely seen him somewhere before.
Rory wraps his arm around AJ’s shoulders and kisses her temple.
“Hey, Jude.” The softest smile lights up her face as he pulls out the chair next to her to sit.
“Who’s your friend?” I ask him as I’m looking at the other guy who is now sitting across from me.
“Scott Hawyard.” He holds his hand out to me and I know exactly why he looks familiar now.
“Your mom is Sheila.” I know I surprise him because his head tilts and he holds on to my hand longer than necessary.
“She is.” He releases my hand and leans back in the chair. His suspicion is clear to see but I don’t let it deter me.
“She’s incredible.” I express with admiration.
His mother has paved the way for underprivileged athletes to have the same scholarship opportunities as private school athletes.
Two years ago she put together a team to host a skillset showcase.
Every athlete was randomly placed on teams to run drills and scrimmages in every sport.
It’s an excruciatingly long and intensive summer program.
But it brings fairness to the sports world for young athletes.
There’s a lot of discourse about it because one of the biggest benefits of private schools are the opportunities that they provide.
Shelia Hayward has been on countless podcasts and interviews and each time she basically tells anyone that is complaining about that benefit being diminished to get choked on a silver spoon.
And what helps her out the most is her son that fights professionally.
That’s why his face is familiar. She shamelessly uses his face to push her own agenda. She’s a total badass.
“Scott was at the training conference this past week.” AJ fills in the unsaid question for why he is here with Rory.
Scott shakes his head, which causes his hair to fall forward in his face. “Avery fucking killed us all.” He exhales a hard breath. Rory has the biggest and proudest smile on his face while AJ just looks like she wants to finish her taco in peace.
“Are you here for long?” I ask Scott. I can sense both Rory and AJ looking at me but I have a brilliant idea and need to act on it now.
“A few days. Rory wanted me to train at West Haven and meet the triplets. And get some private work in with AJ and Eddie.” Scott looks up at me.
“Do you have lunch plans for tomorrow?” I can definitely feel my friends looking at me now, but I know an opportunity when I see one and I won’t let it go by.
“If you’re the one asking, the answer is no.” He says confidently, clearly underestimating my intentions.
“Perfect.” I smile at him as Rory squints his eyes at me. Observant as always. I know he will be asking me questions later and that’s okay. I’m ready to let everyone know exactly who I am.
I’m getting ready to get in the shower when my phone rings. The name that appears on the screen has me answering immediately because he has never called me before.
“Eli?” My heart is beating fast at the thought that something is wrong.
“We need you at The Poolhouse.” He’s quick to get to his point and I can hear the crowd in the background.
“He’s fighting again.” I guess and when he doesn’t respond to me I continue talking, “Can’t you stop him? He’s not even healed from the last one.” I’m pretty sure he has cracked ribs and those take forever to heal on someone who isn’t putting themselves in a situation to get hit repeatedly.
“We’ve tried.” Eli sighs and I just imagine him in the corner of the room with his glasses scrunched up on his nose from where he is frustrated.
“I can be there in fifteen minutes.” I can hear his relief on the other end of the phone.
I’m sure Oliver has no idea that his brother called me.
But a thought occurs to me. Oliver hasn’t been asking me to come to his fights because he’s in his head about something that he also doesn’t want to talk to me about.
There’s one person that I know without a doubt will be able to pull him out of whatever spiral he is in. “And I’m bringing reinforcement.”
AJ, Rory, and myself are making our way through the crowd less than thirty minutes later.
I know Oliver is going to be pissed that I called her, but I also know that Eli and Maxwell would keep standing by his side until he got actually hurt.
That triplet bond between them runs deeper than anything I’ve ever seen.
Sometimes we get careless with our decisions though and we need people to help pull us out of holes we put ourselves in.
AJ pushes her way through the crowd until we meet the door where Rob is standing.
He looks at her in surprise and then rolls his eyes at Rory.
It’s comical to see how this big burly man is always so over the male fighters.
Rory just grins at him anyway. Rob takes note of AJ’s outfit and I watch his thick eyebrows raise high.
“Are you fighting tonight?” AJ smiles excitedly at him.
There is a new type of energy that I’ve never seen surrounding her.
She’s practically vibrating. When I showed up on her doorstep and told her that Oliver is fighting and has been fighting more than she knows, she didn’t hesitate.
She asked for five minutes to change. She met me back at my car in a matching black sports bra and shorts with her hair pulled up high.
She pulled a leather jack over her shoulders and we made our way here.
I didn’t know Rory was coming until he met us at the front door.
“I’m making an exception.” She corrects him as he opens the door for her.
We end up in a different room than we’re normally in for her to get ready.
Rory wraps her hands and AJ gets fully locked in.
I’ve never seen her fight, not really. I’ve watched her spar plenty of times.
I’ve trained with her. But I’ve never seen her fight on this level.
I’m excited. Rory doesn’t have mitts to help her warm up.
So he just lets her hit his open palm. Watching them is always a treat because they move seamlessly with each other.
Like they know exactly the way the other will move their body.
Rob lets us know that they have the pool ready for her.
When she walks back out of the door, I have to cover my ears.
I’ve been to The Poolhouse many times now.
The crowd is always rowdy and full of blood lust. But I have never seen them elated like they are right now.
Rory has to cover AJ with his whole body just to make room for her to get through the crowd without suffocating.
The guys told me that she was the favorite when she used to fight here before but I think they underestimated the meaning of favorite. She’s basically a celebrity.