“Well, technically, yes, but it’s a competition, not a street fight.”
“Where is this happening?”
She named an inner-city high school I’d never been within five miles of, but then there was a pause and I could practically hear the moment she realized what she’d just done.
“It’s almost over,” she said quickly. “Do not come here.”
I cut her off before her protests could gain momentum. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Alex—”
Without letting her finish the thought, I said goodbye and hung up, and less than half an hour later, I was standing in the doorway of a public high school gymnasium, a first for mein more ways than one. Inhaling the unfamiliar scent of sweat, popcorn, and industrial-strength chemicals masquerading as cleaner, I looked out at the meet.
The bleachers were packed with families, banners hanging crooked from the rafters, the atmosphere loud, alive, and chaotic in a way I wasn’t used to. Finally, however, as I searched the stands, I saw my wife.
Jane sat halfway up with her elbows on her knees, leaning forward with an expression of intent focus on her face. She was in jeans with a soft sweater, her hair pulled back in a no-nonsense tie that exposed the elegant line of her neck. As far as I could tell, she wasn’t wearing any makeup and she was damn beautiful.
It looked like she was comfortable here, just being herself, supporting her brother. I forgot how to breathe for a second as I watched her, not looking like a CEO, or a takeover weapon, or even my wife right now.
She just looked like someone who belonged exactly where she was, shouting encouragement at a teenage boy currently trying to throw another teenage boy onto a mat. These kids were not messing around. Hell, if he could find some popcorn and a beer, it wouldn’t be a bad way to spend an evening.
The company wouldn’t be so terrible either. It was illuminating, really, seeing her like this, and for a few long seconds, all I could do was stare, awed by this side of her. I finally managed to shake myself out of it and climbed the bleachers toward her.
I was two steps away when she finally noticed me. Annoyance rippled across her features as she gave me a glare sharp enough to draw blood. “I told you not to come.”
“And I chose not to listen,” I said, taking the empty spot beside her. “How’s he doing?”
She ignored the question and leaned back, crossing her arms but still keeping a careful eye on the boys on the mat. “You didn’t have to come.”
“I wanted to.”
“Okay, but for the record, me answering a question about where I was does not equal an invitation.” She sighed, but after another beat, she nodded at the boy on the left. “That’s Wyatt.”
I followed her gaze to a tall, broad-shouldered kid, all muscle and nerves. He glanced up at the stands and frowned when his eyes landed on me. Realizing he had no clue who I was, I lifted my chin in a nod. His confusion deepened, but it didn’t last long before his attention was back on his opponent.
The kid had the eye of the tiger. Or was that just for boxing? Whatever the case, the kid looked like he could suplex a minivan, and I didn’t envy his opponent.
The energy of place was infectious, and now that I had someone to root for, I leaned forward and clapped my hands together. “Come on, Wyatt!”
Jane shot me a mildly confused, mildly unimpressed look. “Donotdistract him.”
“Hush, I’m cheering for my brother-in-law.”
She frowned at that, and I chuckled quietly, hidden in the noise of the crowd. I kept watching the boys, a veteran at cheering on younger siblings, and actually found myself getting immersed in his match. Wyatt and the other kid grappled and broke apart, neither one able to find an advantage, but when the kid came at him again, Wyatt grunted, shifted his weight, and executed a clean takedown, pinning him.
The gym erupted and I was on my feet before I even realized I was about to move, clapping and cheering with everyone else. “Yes! Go, Wyatt!”
Jane laughed as she stared up at me. “You don’t even know the rules.”
I shrugged. “No steel chairs. That’s one rule.”
She shook her head. “You’re thinking of the other wrestling.”
“So steel chairs are allowed here?” I grinned at her and she scowled in response.
Soon after, Wyatt ended up on the podium, flushed and grinning as he waved at the crowd. His eyes found us again, and this time, he smiled and waved directly at me too.
On instinct, I raised a fist to his victory and waved back. Jane must’ve noticed the quick exchange because she was looking at me in a way that was a lot less guarded when we sat back down.
