“Are the allegations true?”
“Will you submit to more federation testing?”
The questions are being fired at Shane one after another. Even though I’m looking in the same direction as everyone else, I can’t find Shane. Or Mack. Or Luke. I start pushing and elbowing my way through the crowd to get to the front. Shane is in the ring with all his gear on, still practicing and sparring like no one else is here. Mack is standing to the side of the ring and sees me approach the ring. He’s not happy at all.
Shane finishes his normal workout and exits the ring on the opposite side of the chaos. I turn and start ordering people out of the gym unless they have a paid membership.Will walks up and starts pushing the crowd towards the doors. When I threaten to call the police and have them arrested for trespassing, they begrudgingly leave the building and wait on the outskirts of the parking lot. I make my way in the direction that Shane went to find out what has happened.
Shane is unwrapping his hands when I walk in the room. “Shane – what is going on?”
He doesn’t look up when he answers, “The federation said my last drug test came back positive for illegal steroid use. They’ve blocked me from continuing on my title-fight run until this has been cleared up – one way or another.”
Damn you, Jackson Rhoades.
“Shane, this is my fault. I need to leave – I need to get away from you before Icompletely ruin your career….and Mack’s….,” I don’t even know what else to say.I’m sorry I ruined your chance at a title fightjust doesn’t seem to cover it.
Shane roars as he punches his metal locker with his bare fist. Tearsimmediately spring to my eyes because I’m the reason he’s lost everything he’s worked so hard for. His blood, sweat, tears, pain, and exhaustion – everything is in vain now. All this over trumped up charges that Jackson has waved his magical political wand and conjured up from out of nowhere. The same charges he could make disappear if I cave and do whatever it is he wants.
I quietly leave, not knowing what else to say or do, and give Shane some time and space. It’s too much to bear – watching him lose his dream when I don’t even know whyJackson is doing this – what he wants from me. I’ve made a couple of decisions in the last thirty seconds. One, I’m going on the talk show next week regardless of what ulterior motives they have for me. Two, I’m going to find out what Jackson Rhoades wants from me so I can put a stop to all this.
Luke is in the ring, sparring with his partner and giving it his best, as I slip out the door unseen.I’ve interrupted enough lives lately – I can at least let him finish his workout and not keep him from his dreams while I start planning what to do next. I’m not trying to leave him out, though I have a feeling that’s exactly what he will think when he realizes I’m not at the gym. I just need to get away by myself for a while.
Mygrande caramel macchiato is now in hand and I’m driving back to my house for some peace and quiet to come up with a plan. As soon as I turn on the radio, the local station DJ’s are talking about Shane and his “fall of shame.” They’re going on and on about how he’s such a disgrace for our city. I cringe every time I hear them tear him down and I want to call in to give them a piece of my mind. But I know it’ll only adding fuel to the fire to have a “crazy lady” taking up for him.
After a frantic drive home, during which I’m sure I cussed out some very nice people in my fits of road rage, I storm in my kitchen and slam my purse down on the counter. I lay my head over and moan loudly in frustration.
“Andi, that’s so unladylike of you,” a male voice gently chastises behind me. My back snaps up rod-straight and my head whips around to locate the owner of the offensive voice. The voice I recognize immediately.
“What the hell are you doing in my house, Jackson?” I demand.
“Now, is that any way to speak to your father?” He actually has the nerve to smile at me. A sick, sardonic, evil smile.
“No, it’s not. But then,youare not my father.Youare a trespasser who is now guilty of breaking and entering. Not very good for your political reputation, is it?” I stand my ground, keeping my back straight and shoulders back. I will not allow him the pleasure of thinking I’m uncomfortable for even one second.
“I’m not worried about anyone taking your word over mine, Andi,” he responded slowly, menacing and with that ugly sneer of his. “Or Shane’s word.”
Although I knew he was behind it, hearing him say the words still nearly takes my breath away. I lean forward, narrow my eyes and hiss my response, “What do you want, Jackson?”
“Ah, you always were one to cut right to the chase,” he chided as he puffed out his chest and put on his best stern face. “You shouldn’t have let those pictures of you get out, Andi. They’ve caused too many questions and I can’t have that lingering about when I’ll be making a run for the presidency soon.”
“Ididn’tletthem get out. But if you want to talk about things that never should have happened, we need to back up a lot longer ago than when those pictures were leaked.” I puff out my own chest and meet his glare head on.
“Tsk, tsk. That’s no way to clear up this nasty mix up at the boxing lab. If they don’t discover it soon, Shane’s career may never recover,” Jackson replies nonchalantly, as if he doesn’thave a care in the world.
I know better, though. His bluff doesn’t fool me. Yes, he can hurt Shane, Luke, Sam, Linda – everyone who knows me – butthere’s something he needs from me or his own career will never recover.
“Just spit it out, Jackson. This conversation has already gone on way too long.”
“It’s only a matter of time before the media discovers I was your foster father when you had that terrible nervous breakdown and had to be institutionalized,” he cocks his head to the side and watches for my reaction to his blatant lie about me.
“And?”
“And they will want to know why you so viciously attacked me….without cause or provocation.”
I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves. He’s setting the scene, he’s giving me the story he wants me to feed to the press.
“And why would they think it was without cause or provocation?”
“Because that’s what you need to admit to doing…..as part of your continued rehabilitation, you needto take full responsibility for what happened. You want to show that you’ve learned, grown and changed from the troubled youth you once were.”
