“Let’s get you back to rest.”
Nodding, I wave at the cameras and fans as we walk to the locker rooms.
I take a quick shower and dress in my clothes. Unlike most gyms where fights are held, this has a shared locker room, so when I make my way past the changing area, I startle to a stop. Usolf, unsurprisingly, has a woman on her knees in front of him, her mouth wrapped around his cock.
Most fighters use sex to relieve tension after bouts, or so I have been told, especially since most of them are advised during training to stay away from sex and focus on workouts. It seems Usolf is mourning his loss and kicking that bucket.
“Good fight today,” I call casually.
His eyes open, and he seems surprised I’m speaking to him. Shit, did I do something wrong? Should I have just left?
“Thank you. Don’t you have someone to celebrate your victory with?” he asks, placing his hand in the girl’s hair to urge her on as she bobs on his dick.
“No, enjoy yourself for me,” I reply as I slam the locker and grab my bag.
Scoffing, I leave him to his consolation prize.
My apartment is dark as I reach the front door, but there is a black-and-gold gift bag on my doorstep. Frowning, I glance around before picking it up and heading inside. Kicking the door shut behind me, I put it on the counter and turn on the lights.
I place my bag and phone next to it, then I stare at the bag in confusion. I won the fight tonight, so something like this isn’t unheard of, but I’m not that close to many people, especially anyone who would leave gifts for me. Maybe one day I will be someone who has friends, but for now, it’s just me. I don’t know if that’s myown fault, but it’s something I’ve noticed a lot over the last few months.
My phone rings, and I answer. “Hey, Charlie,” I mutter, knowing who it is without looking. He’s always on my ass ever since he joined us, ensuring I stick to schedules and press appointments. My dad brought him in to renew our gym. It’s working well, and we have tripled our income, but it’s been a lot of work. “Thanks for the present.”
“What present?” he asks. “I was just making sure you got back okay. You got a gift?”
“Never mind.” I eye the bag, even more curious now.
“Goddamn it, Nikko, are you listening to me?” he cuts in.
“Yeah, yeah,” I answer. “I’m tired. I’m hanging up.”
“Fine, get some rest. Just remember we have an investment meeting tomorrow. Don’t be late, and dress nicely.” He hangs up first, so I flip my phone shut and carefully open the bag.
When I pull out a bottle, a note falls out.
The thick cream card with gilded edges holds looping handwriting. I don’t recognize it, but after scanning the message, my heart starts to pound.
To replace the one we drank. Congratulations on your victory. I told you I would be watching.
Your one-night stranger
Grinning, I reread the note before looking at the expensive bottle. He even remembered what I like to drink. I consider cracking it open, but instead I carefully put it away, saving it for something special.
I guess that answers the question that has plagued me ever since that night. Zia is okay and thinking of me. I think of him from time to time. We only spent one night together, but he changed me dramatically.
Walking to the window, I stare out of the glass, wondering where he is now and if he stayed with his boyfriend or moved on.
I wonder about him a lot.
I even tried to find him once, but there were so many dead ends. It was like no one wanted me to find him or he was heavily protected. I don’t know why, but I guess it was for the best. I glance at the bag and smile again.
Regardless, he still thinks of me, and something about that settles my heart.
He watched my fight—a secret hope I told no one.
It motivates me to keep doing better and prove to him and everyone else what I am capable of.
SEVEN
