As she speaks, I remember something Addison said about Romilly winning pageants in the past. And right now, I can totally see why. She’s so convincing and diplomatic.
And then our gazes connect, a silent communication passes between us.
She wants me to play along.
Turning to my parents, I sigh. “I am. I’m thankful you care so much about me. That you want to look out for me. But I’ve been training so hard, and I have enough skill to avoid getting my face punched in to the lengths you’re imagining, Mother.”
She deflates a little. “Honey, you have no idea what you’ve put us through the past four months. Please just give it up.”
“I can’t.” I move toward her. “And I’m sorry.”
Tears glisten in my mother’s eyes. Dad squeezes her shoulders.
“I suppose I understand why you want to stay so badly.” She glances at Romilly with an amused twinkle in her eye.
I nod. “Can you please respect that?”
She exhales loudly. Dramatically. “We’ll talk about this more. I have a feeling making you see reason is going to take longer than I have time for right now. ButIngrid,on the other hand, needs to come home.”
“I’ll have a word with her,” I say, a wry grin on my lips. “Now, get out of here before you’re late for the gala.”
Mum crosses her arms. “While we’re here, do you need any money?”
“No, thank you. I don’t need it.”Or want it,I almost add, but think better of it.
Mum pulls me into a hug, and then Dad takes his turn right after. “We’ll be in touch soon,” he says.
They hug Romilly next. It’s unusual to see because they don’t typically hug strangers. “The four of us need to get lunch this week and catch up,” says Mum. “I insist.”
Romilly nods. “I’d love to.”
We finish saying our goodbyes, and then my parents are out the door.
Romilly turns to face me. “I can’t believe you turned down their money. You wouldn’t have needed any sponsors. I feel sobad about that, by the way. Not being able to sponsor you, since Agatha hasn’t come back yet.”
“Hey, don’t worry.” I tip her chin up with my hand. “I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain, either. I didn’t help your rating at all. But you did get that interview all on your own.”
She shrugs. “Paige did it, not me. And don’t change the subject. Their money would have helped you a lot. You could have saved it to move out. Or gotten your car fixed.”
“It’s still kicking for now. What’s a few more weeks? And I will save up to move out. I’ve already been saving and applying for apartments. Being your bather pays pretty well, so who knows? Maybe I’ll stick around a little longer, if you’ll let me.”
She searches my face like she’s seeing me for the first time. With new eyes and possibly a new sense of respect. “Just so you know, you’re a much harder worker than I give you credit for.”
Her approval means more to me than she knows. But somewhere deep down, I’m still worried everyone else is right about me.
My parents always wanted me to be someone else. Their obedient, well-groomed, polite son. I've never been allowed to try to make something of my MMA passion.
But with Romilly, I'm allowed. I have room to stretch my legs for once, to see how long they actually are. For the first time, I can see myself, and I like what I see. The alarming part is that I didn't expect to find so much of myself when I'm with her.
But still, I might not be good enough. If I don’t get sponsors and make it big fighting, I’ll be nothing. I can’t work at her shop forever, and I won’t be able to afford my own place so I can stay here with her like I promised.
But there’s still a chance. I can still win, God willing.
I may not be the man she deserves yet, but if I must, I’ll die in that ring trying to become him.
Chapter Twenty-Four
ROMILLY
