18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
LUKE
“What did you just say?” I glare menacingly at Syndi.
“Luke, you have to go. You’re one of the main fighters in the lineup. You’re not the main attraction, but you’re close to it. People want to see you, and all the promotions we’ve been doing have really built this up. You can’t back out now,” she pushes.
Scraping my hand down my face, I pace back and forth in the suite. This must be some kind of sick joke. There’s no way this is a coincidence. Someone is getting a big fucking kick out of this whole disaster, but at this point, I’m not sure who to trust.
Charlie and Artie have done some super shady stuff lately, like going behind Joe’s back and arranging this fight for me instead of the exhibition bout Joe originally set up. They’re not my managers, I’m not their fighter, but they elbowed their way into the mix and complicated everything.
Now, Joe and I can’t back out now without looking like a couple of loser punks, so he’s been training me harder than ever. Adhering to John’s advice, my sparring partners have all talked shit about Andi until I’ve become outwardly numb to her name. Inwardly, I’m saving every insult, every innuendo, and every comment about her for the guy I’m going up against.
I’d feel sorry for him if I didn’t want to crush his skull with my bare hands. I’ve projected his face onto every sparring partner’s face, so I see and hear him making all these comments about Andi. He’s the one who keeps bringing her name up, reminding me of her betrayal, and telling me how she thinks Travis is more of a man than I am.
Yeah, I’m ready to fight and win. My hand will be the one lifted in victory. My arm will be stretched high to the heavens. I’ll be the one in the middle of the ring, the winner’s circle, when it’s all said and done. My opponent will still be facedown on the mat after the count of ten.
Syndi has persistently chased after me even though John turns her away every chance he gets. She knows I’m not interested in her. I’ve made it abundantly clear, but she has some delusion that we’ll live happily ever after once this match is over. The day I caught her alone in my hotel room was the day I told her to get out of my life and stay out. Thankfully, John showed up soon after that, and he’s kept her out of our suite ever since.
I finally agreed to have a weekly meeting with her to discuss anything PR related, but only while John is here. Since I’m not doing interviews or photo shoots while I’m training so hard, the meetings haven’t lasted long. Until today. Right now, I’m so far beyond mad that I can’t see straight.
“What the fuck does that have to do with attending a special concert with Andi and Travis?” I growl at her through gritted teeth.
“All the boxers will be there, Luke. It’s a high-profile event that a corporate sponsor requested. The CEO of Heavy Handed Boxing Gear,Steven Garrett, is the nephew of the record label’s president. Steven called his uncle, Tom Carter, and asked for Sound Bar to perform. They’ll be in this area, so Tom agreed to add an extra date to their tour for them to play. You have to go,” she stresses. “I’ll be there with you.”
“You do need to be there, Luke,” John chimes in. “If a sponsor is organizing it and he has these kinds of connections, you’d be a fool to miss it over a girl.”
Being in Vegas has taught me a few things. I can now keep a poker face when I need to, I now see that everyone is trying to fuck me in one way or another, and most people are not what they really seem to be. Take John for example. I thought he was a great guy when he first arrived, although I was confused as to why I needed an assistant all of a sudden. The fact that he works for Charlie and Artie should’ve been a major red flag from the get-go, but I soon learned where his allegiance lies.
If he’s urging me to go to this concert, there’s most likely something in it for those two dickheads. I have no idea what they have on him, or why he is so loyal to them, but I’m not getting mixed up in their schemes. I’m doing this one fight with them, and then I’m getting the hell away from them for good.
“Yeah, thanks, John. I’ll consider it,” I reply, not giving away my true thoughts.
Turning to Syndi, I finish with her. “You’re not going anywhere with me. I’ve told you in every way possible that there is nous. There’s no happily ever after ending. There’s no relationship whatsoever. In fact, I’m still completely in love with Andi, and I can’t even imagine my life with anyone else. Ever.
“I didn’t hire a PR person, and I don’t even want one. But since I have one, you’ll stick to doing your job. Are we clear?”
She hastily wipes away a tear and nods. “I know, Luke. You’ve been very up-front with me from the beginning. I’d hoped it was the stress of training and the breakup with Andi that made you say those things. I understand that it wasn’t. We’re strictly work colleagues now. I’m sorry for crossing the line with you, and I’m sorry for pursuing you like I have.”
Now I feel like such a dick. I am such a dick. “The truth is, this whole thing with Andi has really gotten to me. I’m sorry I’ve been so harsh, Syndi. You’re doing your job, and you’ve been nice to me. You’ve been a friend to me when I didn’t have one here. I’m sorry for being a shitty friend in return. I’m sorry for basically using you to help me try to forget Andi. And I’m sorry for being so mean to you when you obviously cared for me. It’s no wonder she left me, huh?”
Syndi looks down at her lap for an uncomfortable amount of time. “You don’t have to apologize to me, Luke. I knew that you weren’t over her from the beginning. You love her. Your love for her is real.”
“I’d really like for you to accept my apology. I’ve been unnecessarily unkind to you. I’m really sorry for that. Can we be friends again?” I ask her.
“I’d like that.” She gives me a small, sad smile.
“Are you okay with being just friends? I know I’m not ready for anything else, Syndi. Even if I didn’t have restrictions on my dating life, I wouldn’t be ready for anything yet. This has completely gutted me, and I’ve handled every aspect of it very poorly.”
My eyes implore her to say that she’ll be just my friend. I could really use someone else here I can trust. Brandon’s patience is wearing thin with me. Mack and Joe have been working nonstop with the other fighters who also have matches the night of the title fight. There’s no one else I can talk to since I can’t call my best friend anymore.
She already has a new man.
Syndi nods solemnly. “Apology accepted. And yes, I can be just your friend. I’d rather be your friend than nothing at all.”
Smiling broadly, I can’t contain my happiness over her answer. “I’m so glad, Syndi. Honestly, I am.”
