Clearly, they’re assholes. But I need to be there for Em.
Her voice echoes in my head.They have my baby sister to take care of. She’s five. Third attempt to get one of us right, I guess. My brother bolted before I hit middle school.
The tournament allows kids in the audience, so it was a flimsy excuse, but I knew what she was trying to say. The middle child sandwiched between others.
She wants to get out of her situation, and I want to help her. She may not have the financial resources, but at least now she has me, and the right people can get you far.
“Her parents aren’t coming. She needs someone there for her.”
“I am flying back home that weekend. I will be there, and you say Sadie shows much promise for doing well too.”
While Coach has been gone this week, he left me and the assistant manager in charge of the youth program. Most of the ten kids are hopeless, which is probably why he tapped me to train Em. She never would’ve improved if she’d stayed with the rest of them.
“Yes, but I want to be there. Besides, she only listens to me.”
In the past week, I haven’t seen any signs of her stealing, so maybe I’m getting through to her.
“And what do you think I have been doing for three months while you sail around on fancy boat, huh? Reading her bedtime stories likebabushka?”
“You know what I mean. You’re too old-school. She won’t get you.”
“Listen here,” he says, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Your reputation dangles like thread in wind. You cannot go.”
My breath shudders.
“But Coach, it’s her first competition.” We’ve only had eight training sessions, but sparring together brings people close, fast. She’s counting on me. I don’t want to let her down.
“Ah, Dante.” He clicks his tongue. “I knew this girl would mend something broken in you.”
“Must you always be right?”
“Is like I tell you, you have soft heart for this one. Took her under your wing, exactly as I predicted.”
“I’ll work something out. The rules say I can’t beata competition; they don’t say anything about beingneara competition.”
I walk past my bedroom, and my eyes catch on the dagger resting on my dresser, untouched since I bought it weeks ago.
I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to give it to Reese. Maybe onceRobyn Hoodhits number one at the box office. A blade for a true fighter.
“Whatever scheme is brewing in that thick skull of yours,organizuyetsya po fekhtovaniyualready breathing fire down my neck. Next season you must return to competition, or even my influence runs dry. Especially with media circus.”
“I was saving her from a black eye. They’re calling me a knight in shining armor.” I rake my fingers through my hair, frustration mounting. “That’s hardly something the committee will frown upon.”
“Press always hungry for scandal like starving bear, Dante.” My groan echoes against the windows. “Did you forget you have anotherzolototo win?”
I flinch. Of course I have another gold in me.
“I’ve dedicated the past decade to my career. I wouldn’t put it in jeopardy if I thought Reese could make me look bad. She’s America’s sweetheart, for fuck’s sake.” I settle on the end of my bed. “I know what I’m doing. If the committee is actually reading up on celebrity gossip, then they’re going to see me as someone other than the guy who punched Quentin.”
“I don’t like this one bit.”
“Trust me, every committee member will be begging forRobyn Hoodpremiere tickets in a month. They’ll meet Reese and me, I’ll sign some headshots, work my magic. Problem solved,” I say, my chest constricting as I casually leverage Reese’s fame without her permission.
“Life is not like Hollywood fairy tale, where everything bends to pretty smile and charm.”
“And why the hell not?”
“Stay out of trouble,pozhaluysta.”
