Chapter 7 #2
Joey was Rocco’s son, and he’d trained several professional fighters over the years, as well as being the heavyweight champion forty-some years ago himself.
He’d retired a few years ago from training fighters but was coming out to officially train me for this fight.
He was family, and I was lucky to have his experience on my team.
He and I had spent the last two hours working on a plan for how I’d train.
He was old-school, gritty, and he’d get me in the best shape of my life, no doubt.
Joey had trained me for the fight against Gunner when I’d earned professional status.
I knew he was exactly what I needed. He was scribbling in a notebook and organizing things by the week.
My phone vibrated, and I glanced down to see the group chat still going off.
Kingston
I’m glad he agreed to train you. The dude is going to torture you, though.
That’s what I need.
Kingston
Think of the ladies that we’re going to pull with our boy being all over the media.
Hayes
Don’t be a dick. He’s training for the fight of his life. This is not about how it benefits us.
Kingston
Obviously, we’re there for Romeo. But if we happen to get laid a lot in the process, I’m happy to take one for the team, yeah?
Happy to help you out, old-timers.
Nash
Isn’t there some rule about no sex while you’re training?
Kingston
Mick said that women make the legs weak.
River
Are we talking about Mick, the fictional character who trained Rocky in the movies?
Hayes
For fuck’s sake.
Kingston
Do not hate on Mick. He’s the best trainer to ever live.
Hayes
That’s offensive to trainers that have actually trained fighters in real life.
Kingston
I said what I said.
I’m fairly certain the no-sex thing is a myth.
River
I heard you shouldn’t have sex for six weeks before a fight. Ask Joey what he thinks.
“Hey, the guys and I have a question for you,” I said, and he kept writing, but he nodded for me to go ahead.
“Let’s hear it.”
“Is sex bad for training? Isn’t that something someone just made up?”
He set the pen down and looked up at me. Joey was in his mid-sixties. He was a big dude, bald, and covered in tats. No one messed with him.
“I went home with the championship belt after having sex with Myrna the night before, though I don’t know that I’d recommend doing that.
It was a risky move, but you know I can’t keep my hands off my woman.
” He reached for his water and took a sip.
“I think the rule is that you shouldn’t be out chasing women and boozing it up when you’re training.
You need to follow a strict diet and start eating right as of today.
No booze. No partying. No fast food. You’ve got three months to show the world who you are, Romeo.
The man I know you are. The man your father, God rest his soul, knows you are. It’s game time, son.”
I knew diet was going to be important in my training, and I thought of Demi and her offer about health drinks. I figured it would be easier to drink some of my nutrients each day because I wasn’t much of a cook.
“Got it. Thanks, Joey.”
“I’ll meet you here after your morning run tomorrow. Six miles. I don’t care if it’s snowing. None of this high-class treadmill shit either. You get outside in the cold and the wind, and you run hard. Don’t stop until you’re puking.” He clapped me on the shoulder and left the gym.
I picked my phone back up.
Joey said sex is fine. No more drinking for me for a couple of months.
Kingston
Thank Christ. I couldn’t go three months without sex.
Hayes
You’re so fucking soft sometimes, King.
Kingston
Nothing soft about me. Ask the ladies.
River
Well, you may not be soft, because we share the same genes, so I’m guessing you’re right. But you’re definitely too fucking full of yourself. I’d like to see you get into the ring and go a few rounds with Romeo.
Kingston
I’m a lover, not a fighter.
Anyone want to run six miles in the morning with me?
River
Fuck no.
Kingston
It’s Saturday. I plan on sleeping in, Golden Boy. You’re on your own for the running side of things. But I’ll come by the gym after I wake up and cheer you on.
Nash
Interesting, because we have a job this weekend, and we’re meeting at the Wallen Ranch at 7 a.m. tomorrow, asshole. You aren’t sleeping in. River, you’re still good to hang with Cutler for a few hours tomorrow?
River
Yep. I’ll take him to breakfast, and we’ll go check on Uncle Ro at the gym afterward.
Nash
Romeo, did you hear anything about a broken window last night? Someone shattered the front door at Magnolia Beans. We had to do a rush order and get someone out there to repair the glass for her this morning.
I’ve never lied to these guys, and I wouldn’t start now. But I also wouldn’t offer more than I had to in a text.
Yeah. I’ll fill you in when I see you tomorrow. But I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.
Kingston
Such a shady answer, Golden Boy. There’s a story there, isn’t there?
River
I’ll see you tomorrow, and you can fill me in.
He wouldn’t drop it. None of them would. But I’d just helped out a girl who was in a bad situation.
They’d do the same thing.
It didn’t mean anything.
When I left the gym and locked up, I noticed the glass on her coffee shop’s front door had been replaced. I paused for a minute and thought about checking on her, but instead, I turned down the alley and made my way home.
I had no business getting involved with Demi Crawford.