“You’re the best fucking fighter in the ETC!” a middle aged fan with a bald head said.
“Thank you,” I replied, then handed him back his napkin that he wanted me to sign. “Listen, I’m heading out to eat, gotta keep this body healthy and well-fueled.”
“Oh yeah, shit… sorry to hold you up, man. Yeah, go eat. Can’t wait to see you in the ring at the next championship bout,” another man said. He’d already gotten his autograph.
I smiled and nodded, then walked away after saying my friendly goodbye. Rupert was sitting at a table eating an English muffin and I joined him just as the waiter stepped up ready to take our orders. I just ordered the same shit I had with room service, which I told them to just leave in my room. Rupert ordered his typical breakfast of eggs, bacon, and pancakes with a side of fruit.
“Very good, Sirs, I’ll be back with your orders soon,” the waiter said, then walked away.
I saw a big glass of OJ and knew it was for me, since it was on my side of the table. Another liberty Rupert took today. I took a few swallows and set it down. “So, how’s the deal coming along with Michaelson’s Sports?” I asked.
“Well, I have the meeting today to go over the final details. Once we work it all out, I’ll be contacting you to give your seal of approval. If you like the deal, we go with it. If not… well… there is the chance that we could lose the deal. I don’t want to scare you with that information, but I do need for you to know that is a possibility,” he said.
“Well, you know what I can work with, what I like. I have faith that you will get me a great deal,” I said. Business wasn’t my strong suit. I didn’t trust easily, but I trusted Rupert.
He nodded. “You know I will, kid.” He took a sip of his coffee, then cleared his throat. “I, umm, ran into that reporter, Aiden James, in the lobby. Is there anything you want to tell me?”
Oh shit, I was hoping the two didn’t run into each other, just to avoid this conversation. But I guess it couldn’t be avoided, especially after the Ringside article comes out. I wondered if Rupert was pissed that I didn’t tell him I was going to do the interview. I just didn’t want him tagging along, like he would have done, and ruin my night like he’d ruined my morning.
“Yeah, I had, ah, contacted him. I thought about what you said and felt that giving Ringside that interview was a move in the right direction. So since I was out here visiting my brother, I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone,” I said, telling him eighty percent of the truth.
“Well, that’s what I’m here for, kid. To handle those kinds of things for you,” he said, and he was also giving me a look like he didn’t fully believe me.
“I know. I just thought I’d handle this on my own.”
“Must have been a long interview to go overnight,” he commented.
Shit, he knew. “So?”
“‘So?’” He leaned in close so he could whisper, “Fucking escorts trained in the art of secrecy is one thing. Fucking a reporter working forthemost read magazine in the world of sports is another. Have you lost your mind?”
I leaned over closer to him. “No, I haven’t. Besides, I trust Aiden. He won’t say anything.”
Rupert sat back with a frown on his face. “Let’s hope you’re right.”
I knew I was right. That level of betrayal just wasn’t in Aiden. I felt it with all of my heart. At least Rupert dropped it for now and began telling me about two more interviews he had set up for me that I needed to attend. I went along with his plan and ate my hearty breakfast of steak-rare, eggs with cheese, and grits, along with a bowl of fruit. When we finished, he went to his meeting and I signed out of the hotel.
My brother was very excited to see me and so were his wife and children. Especially my niece and nephew who thought that Uncle Macio was the coolest person in the world because he could beat up anyone. I hugged everyone, flashed muscles for the kiddies, and even lifted them both on each arm as they cackled and kicked their little feet in joy and amazement. After all of that initial excitement, I put my belongings away and caught up with my brother by the pool as he was grilling steaks.
I reached into the cooler, grabbing a beer, and popped the cap before bringing it to my lips for a nice chug. “So, how’s life treating you?” I asked Rico.
He grinned. “Not nearly as good as it’s treating you. I heard about the endorsement deal you’ve got going on.”
I frowned. “How in the fuck do you even know about that? I haven’t gone public with that deal yet.”
“Shit gets leaked, you know how it is. Someone who probably works for Michaelson’s Sports gave a few tidbits of info for some cold hard cash. That’s how rumors get started,” Rico said, then he flipped the steaks over.
Rumors indeed. Although the deal that was in question wasn’t a rumor, but that was what I hated about the business of being famous. Everyone wanted a piece of you. I confirmed what I knew with my brother and he whistled.
“Holy shit, that’s bank right there if all goes well. I wish you the best, little bro,” he said, patting me on my back “Damn, it’s like hitting solid steel.”
I flexed my muscles and smiled. “Hard work to get these bad boys,” I said, pumping my biceps. My brother wasn’t the fitness freak I was, but he wasn’t slacking, either. His body was more of someone who was naturally athletic. He loved playing baseball and soccer, hated the gym. So that was where his muscles came from.
We killed time talking about the past and all of the silly shit we did as kids. When his children came out to join us, we had to clean up our language, especially with the warning glare his wife gave us. Finally, the food was done, and we all sat down to eat and talk some more. I really enjoyed myself. I spend so much time training, little moments like these were a welcome reprieve. I was going to enjoy the next three days, that was for sure.
“You’re late, you know I don’t like that,” Barry snapped as soon as I stepped into the gym.
“I know,” was my response. “I’m sorry.”
