“The thing is, Luke, you won’t get anywhere without us. We’ve taken an interest in you. We’ve backed one of your fights. Everyone in the business will know you’re our fighter, and they won’t go against us. You won’t fight if you don’t fight for us,” Artie adds.
“I’ll take my chances,” I reply. “I’m good, and people know it. There’s only so much you can do to keep me down. I’ll gladly tell everyone with a microphone what you’ve threatened me with here. When the others see that I’m standing up to you, they will too. What exactly do you think I have to lose?”
“We’ll just see about that,” Charlie says as he and Artie leave in a huff.
“You know they’ll try their best,” Joe says, his voice holding a tone of warning.
“Let them try their worst,” I say. “I refuse to be in league with the likes of those two.”
“Even if it means your career never takes off?” Joe asks.
“There are worse things in life,” I reply. I know from experience just how much worse things can be.
Joe nods in understanding. “You can take the day off tomorrow, Luke,” Joe offers.
“I don’t want a day off. I’ll be there tomorrow,” I tell him. I’ve had enough time in my own head, replaying what I’ve lost and what an idiot I’ve been. Training is a welcome distraction.
“Tomorrow at noon, then. Cardio workout only,” Joe agrees. “No sparring for a while.”
“Yes, boss.”
Joe finishes giving his instructions out to the rest of his boxers and dismisses us all for a good night’s sleep. Somehow, I doubt that sleep will come for me tonight. It’ll be a long night of replaying everything Syndi told me, everything that she did to tear Andi and me apart, and how well she succeeded.
Visions of Andi and Travis are now trapped in my head. Feeling completely betrayed and hurt, I retreat to my room and lock myself away for the night. I don’t want any visitors. I don’t want to be bothered with small talk. I don’t want to be disturbed.
A few minutes later, there’s a knock on my door. I figure John’s about to tell me he’s leaving since I turned Artie and Charlie down.
“Come in,” I call.
“Hey, man,” John says from the doorway. “I just wanted to tell you that I’m staying anyway. I’ve never seen anyone stand up to Charlie and Artie the way you did. They haven’t either,” he chuckles. “But I just quit. Told them I’m done with them, and I’ll help promote you because I believe in you.”
“Thanks, John. I appreciate that,” I say. “What’d they have on you anyway?”
“Bills. They paid off everything when I got hurt, so I had to work for them to work it off. I figure I’ve given them enough of my time by now,” he explains.
“Hopefully I’ll have a career left for you to promote,” I say somberly.
“You will. You were right when you told them news will spread and others won’t take their shit. I’ll help with that, too.” He smiles, telling me he’ll enjoy that part of his job.
“Thanks for your confidence in me. It means a lot. Can we talk about your terms tomorrow?” I ask.
“Sure,” he says as he starts to close the door. “Luke? A word of unsolicited advice?”
“Hit me.”
“Give her some time. She’ll come around. She loves you. Anyone can see that.”
“Yeah, well, she’s loving someone else right now. I don’t see us getting back together in this lifetime.”
Throughout the night, I check my phone every hour for a text or a call from Andi. Nothing. No call, no text message, not a word from her regarding my voice mail message.
* * *
ANDI
What normally takesfive hours in a car will end up being about eight hours on a motorcycle because I’m not accustomed to riding. I’m so uncomfortable after about an hour that I have to ask Travis to pull over at a rest area and let me walk around.
Plus the vibrations make me have to pee really badly.
