Now it’s hers.
Turning to Travis, I find his eyes glued to me again. He knows something is off, but he has no idea what. I can’t stop the tears that have formed in my eyes.
“What is it, Andi?” he asks above the roar of the crowd as he leans over to my ear.
“Acceptance that it’s really over, I guess,” I reply.
He pulls me into his arms and strokes my hair. It feels so good to be comforted in his embrace. We stay this way through another match and separate when I hear Shane’s name being announced. No matter how much I’m hurt over Luke, I have to suck it up and show my support for Shane.
Shane steps into the ring like a true champion. No huge fanfare, but with confidence and assurance that he’s ready. He’s confident without being overly cocky. He’s sure of himself without being conceited. The determination that’s in his eyes is fierce, and I can’t wait to see this match. Shane is fighting someone who is much better known than he is. A win could really catapult Shane into the big leagues even more than he is now.
The bell sounds, and they come out ready to fight. Shane’s opponent is all over the ring, dancing, weaving, and showing off for the fans. They’re eating it up and cheering him on. Shane takes his time, doesn’t get rushed, and doesn’t use all of his energy before it’s time. When the other guy becomes a little too sure of his abilities and underestimates Shane a little too much, he lets his guard down.
As soon as he does, Shane throws his power punch, a right hook to the jaw. The other guy’s head swings around violently, and he instantly drops to the mat. He doesn’t move, except to breathe, and the referee counts to ten. His team rushes to his side with smelling salts to rouse him from his knockout. Seventeen seconds into the fight, Shane has won by a KO.
A gasp reverberates through the crowd, followed by an eerie silence for a couple of seconds, before screams and cheers for Shane ring out. The crowd is going wild and chanting his name. He’s still wearing his serious face when he allows the referee to lift his arm in victory. As Mack approaches him in the ring, I see a small lift of one side of his mouth, and that’s the only sign of a smile he gives.
I’m on my feet, cheering like a crazed fan, when Shane’s eyes find me. He must have singled out my voice in this sea of people who are screaming his name. He motions for me to come to him, and I readily comply. My brother has just become a huge name in boxing, and rightfully so. I can’t wait to see what his career holds for him now.
Climbing in the ropes, I rush to him and he lifts me in a huge bear hug. As I squeeze him tightly, my smile beams and makes my face hurt from overuse. I can’t stop smiling because he has worked so hard and so long to earn this chance.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Andi,” he says into my hair.
“I wouldn’t miss your fight for the world, Shane. You’re my brother and I love you. Congratulations! I’m so proud of you.”
“I love you, too. Thank you,” he says, still hugging me.
I think the emotions are flowing through him much more than his stoic appearance would have others believe. He’s hiding them behind me, but I’m fine with him using me as a barrier. He’s protected me enough, and I’ll gladly be his shield now.
“I wasn’t sure you’d be here after everything that’s happened,” he says.
“No one will ever keep me from being here for you when you need me, Shane. You should know that.”
“I do. Without a doubt, I know.”
Mack finally makes Shane release me, and I step back to snap a picture of him with my phone. When I do, I see Luke watching me from ringside. Averting my eyes from him and Syndi, I snap a few more pictures of Shane and Mack before going back to my seat with Travis.
We stay to watch the main event, which is lackluster compared to the other fights. Once it’s over, Travis and I head back to the hotel and hit the casino for a little fun before returning to our room. In the elevator, Travis seems quieter than usual despite my attempts to get him to talk. Once we enter our suite, I decide to push for an explanation.
“What’s wrong, Travis?”
“Andi, there’s something I need to tell you. It’s about Luke. I just found out, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to say it,” he blurts out.
“Just tell me,” I reply.
He runs his hand through his hair. Hesitation and frustration are evident in his jerky movements. “Katelyn and Syndi originally planned to make you jealous so you’d leave the tour and run to Luke. Syndi ended up falling for him and pushing you to me instead of to Luke. Katelyn told me last night that—” His voice trails off.
“That what? Don’t leave me hanging there,” I urge.
“She said that Syndi is late. She may be pregnant.”
That is not at all what I expected to hear, and it hits me like a ton of bricks. Is this just further proof that we were never meant to be? Shaking my head, I walk to the window and stare at nothing.
There’s no way that Luke and I aren’t supposed to end up together.
If we weren’t meant to be, if I’d really accepted that we were through, would it still hurt this much? If there were nothing left to fight for, would we both still try to reach the other—even if it’s only in subtle ways?
“My ring?” I ask, only trusting myself to voice those two little words.
