Chapter 43
FORTY-THREE
“Nikko!” My dad’s yell makes me grunt and wipe my face on my arm. I duck the punch without looking. “Come here.”
“I’m out.” I nod at my sparring partner and take off my gloves, happy for the break. I’ve been training nonstop recently. I know it’s important to prepare for the title, but I’m exhausted. Every muscle in my body aches, but I do feel stronger, so I can’t really complain much.
Besides, my father is a champion. He knows what it takes, so I trust him.
Ducking under the ropes, I swipe my water bottle and gulp some down as I walk to his office door.
I have the urge to check my phone for the hundredth time this hour before I remember Charlie confiscated it so I would concentrate.
I’ve gotten used to Zia being at my side at all times, and I hate the space between us, but I know he’s busy just like me.
“Nice ink,” Tyler teases.
“Thanks, man.” I grin as he laughs and step into my father’s office. I sit in the chair opposite his desk, uncaring about the sweat that will drip onto it.
He looks uncharacteristically serious for once, and I instantly sit up. “What is it? Is Zia okay?”
“He’s fine.” My dad sighs. “I know we planned for you to challenge the second—”
“Reg, yes.” It’s important we do that, skipping a few challenges and then going for the title. I need to make up time if I want to win. “Did he decline?”
“No. Before we could even issue the challenge, we had one come through.” My dad hesitates.
“Oh, well, that’s good.” I shrug, but he’s staring at me again. “Isn’t it?”
“Nikko, it wasn’t Reg. It was Lucas, the champion. He challenged you.” The words fall into the air as I stare. Lucas Wainwright, the reigning champion, not only knows who I am but challenged me? I just gape in shock.
“He doesn’t want to lose his title. He’s challenging you now in hopes of defeating you while you are still healing. Beat the underdog down, have the crowd on his side. There would be no time to prepare. I want to decline, but it’s your choice,” my father offers.
“No, we won’t decline.” Sitting up, I nod. “We’ll accept.”
“Nikko—”
“I’m ready,” I promise. “You made sure of that. I’ve been training for this fight my entire life. I won’t back down. That belt will be mine, for you and everyone else who got me here. Accept the challenge. We are just skipping a few steps. That’s all.”
“And with less time to heal and practice,” my dad cautions.
“Dad, do you think I can do this?” I ask nervously.
“You know I do. You were born to be a boxer,” he grumbles.
“Then let’s do this. Trust me, I can do this.
I wouldn’t agree if my body wasn’t ready, and there will still be some time.
Accept the invitation.” For all my bravado, I’m filled with nerves.
I knew this day would come, but knowing it and accepting it are different.
If I lose, I’ll lose my chance. I can always try again, but everyone will forget about me and all that I’ve worked for will be for nothing.
I’ll let everyone who has helped me train, including my dad, down.
No, I can’t lose, which means I need to win.
“Alright, I’ll accept. I’ll let you know the date, but until then, we are doubling your schedule.
Sorry, Nikko, but we are going to fast-track it.
Move back here until then so you’re closer.
” I wince, and my dad sighs. “Bring Zia with you. I’m sure he won’t mind.
If you want to be a champion, then you need to train like one. ”
“Yes, sir.” I stand. “I better get back to it.”
With renewed determination, I head back to the ring.
I haven’t had a moment to look at my phone, so when I collapse into my bed upstairs, I check my texts to see Zia replied.
I don’t tell him about the challenge. I want to do it in person.
I’m hoping my dad is right and Zia will move here for a while.
I don’t think I can sleep without him anymore, but I need to be here for now.
Zia: I’ll be back really late tonight. Don’t wait for me.
I hit call, and he answers. There’s the sound of an engine in the background and mumbling, but then it goes quiet. “Hey, baby,” I greet.
“Tired?” he asks with a laugh.
“A little. Dad has me working overtime. I’ll tell you later. Where are you?” I whine.
“Something came up for work,” he replies, but there’s something in his voice that catches my attention, and I sit up. “Why don’t you stay at your place tonight, and when I’m done, I’ll come there?”
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, everything is fine.” He covers the phone as I hear a voice, and I swear it sounds like Mr. Landry’s. “Sorry, Nikko, I have to go.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later?” I hate the question at the end of my sentence.
“Of course. Bye, baby.” He hangs up, and as I stare at my phone, I have a horrible feeling.
I open my social media, ignoring all the tags of Zia and me.
I’ve already reposted and saved them. Instead, I navigate to his.
It’s his personal one that he keeps private, not his business one, and on his first post is a picture of him and Faiz.
They are leaning into each other with a club name behind them.
I’m on my feet before I realize it, staring at the photo as I try to figure out what is happening. He wouldn’t cheat on me, and especially not with Faiz. There’s an explanation, but none seem to fit, and my worry only grows.
I should go to bed, wait for him to come back and explain, but this irrational jealousy and worry won’t go away, so I grab my bike keys and jacket then head out.
I refuse to sit idly by. He’s mine.
Whatever is happening, it’s my business too.