“And? What’d you think?” I ask her.
“That. Was. Amazing! I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on that this whole time. Is everyone as good as you are?” she asks.
“I certainly hope not.” I smile. “That’d make it much harder for me to win the fight.”
“Is there any way I can start coming to watch you fight? Maybe bring a photographer with me? We won’t get in the way, I swear. I’m just amazed, and I can’t wait to share this with your adoring public.” I can see the wheels turning in her mind as she plans the future of my publicity.
“I’ll talk to Joe. Maybe he’ll go for once a week, but I wouldn’t count on being here every time I’m in the ring.”
“You’re in the ring more than once a week?” she asks incredulously.
“Well, yeah, sparring. Not in a full-on fight, though.”
“I am truly amazed at what I just witnessed, Luke. Honestly. I usually abhor violence of any kind, but what I just watched was different. That was like watching a symphony in motion. Your movements were so fluid, so refined. It’s like your body is a finely crafted instrument and you effortlessly hit every note with perfect pitch and tone.”
“I’ve never heard boxing described with that analogy before,” I say, running my hand through my sweat-soaked hair. “I’m going to take it as a compliment. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell me if it’s not.”
“It is definitely a compliment, Luke,” she says emphatically. “In fact, I can’t wait to see more of your fights. This is so exciting! Maybe I’ll bring my own camera, too.”
It’s odd that Syndi is just now developing a personality that’s slightly better than a wet paper bag. At least she’s getting into the very thing that she’s being paid to promote me for, though. If I get into a good exhibition fight, her backing can really help get the fans on my side before I even step foot into the ring.
The more the fans talk about me, the more everyone else in boxing will pay attention to my skills. It’s not always about who you know. Sometimes it’s about who knows you. When the paying crowd knows a fighter, they are very vocal about wanting to see that fighter in action. This conversation has just revved my engines up even more.
Joe, Mack, Charlie, and Artie all reemerge from Joe’s office with smiles. Charlie and Artie stop to shake my hand again on their way out. As Joe and Mack stop beside me, I turn to them and raise my brows in question.
“Well? What’s the verdict?” I ask.
“We’re going to check out the competition and get a formal contract so they don’t switch fighters at the last minute. It’s an exhibition fight, so it won’t go for or against your stats. But, it’s a great opportunity to get in front of a large crowd and overcome a case of the nerves,” Joe says, his New Jersey accent making itself known. He’s been in Vegas more years than not, but he reverts to his old accent when he gets excited.
If Joe’s excited, then I’m excited.
“Go on to your room and eat a good meal, kid,” he says with a smile. “You’ve had enough for today. Come back ready to hit it hard tomorrow morning.”
“Will do,” I quickly agree. I’m hungry and I’m ready for a shower. “Oh, my PR representative asked if she and a photographer could come in once a week to watch me spar, snap some photos. What do you say?”
“Sure, sounds like a great idea,” Joe says with a huge smile before he walks off with Mack.
Who is this man and what has he done with Joe Malloy?
“Take advantage of it before he changes his mind,” I chuckle. “I’m headed back to my room to shower and eat. I’ll catch you later.”
“Would you like to have dinner with me tonight? We should discuss the plans for the photo shoot next week withThe Top Contendermagazine,” she offers.
I think about it for a second and realize I’ve had dinner alone every night since I arrived here. It’d be nice to have someone to talk to for a change. “Sure. Let me get cleaned up, and I’ll meet you in the restaurant in my hotel lobby. Sound good?”
“That’s perfect. I have a few things to take care of first. So I’ll meet you in, say—” she looks at her watch “—two hours?”
“Good for me,” I reply, thinking that’ll also give me time to call Andi and tell her everything that’s happened today.
Things are falling into place and happening fast.
