Page 52 of Fight from the Heart

Mandi has access to Jacob’s credit cards.

Jacob’s pummeling increases.

“Sex with another man again?”

Mandi cheated on Jacob.

I gasp, and Jacob turns in my direction, startled by my nearness to the ring.

“Who’s this pretty?” the Irish trainer flirts, lowering his mitts while Jacob stands still, minus his heaving chest. He spits out his mouth guard and introduces me.

“This is Pam. She works for me.” It’s said as if I’m underneath him when just a day ago he made me feel indispensable to his process. He praised my support and suggestions to his agent, and she complimented me in her own way.

“Isn’t she a lovely?” the other man continues with a devious smile in his voice.

“Don’t,” Jacob growls.

“Got your knickers twisted over this one, eh? Or is it your balls are blue?” Without another word, Jacob punches the man outside of the mitts.

“Illegal!” the Irish man hollers with a chuckle, after taking the blow. He spits to the side of the ring. Gross. Ignoring Jacob’s hunched stance, poised like a prized fighter, the man speaks to me again.

“As he’s a wanker, want to give it a go with me, lovely? I promise to be gentle.”

“I’m warning you.” Jacob lunges again, but the other man catches him, successfully blocking his punch with the large mitt and laughing even louder at Jacob’s reaction.

The Irish man pushes Jacob off him. “In your corner, or I’ll pull you from tomorrow’s fight.”

“What?” The word doesn’t have a chance of being contained.

“The professor here has a turn in the ring tomorrow.” The trainer pulls his face guard off, revealing rusty hair and a smarmy smile. Bright but dark green eyes stare at me, knowing he’s just told me something I didn’t know.

“You look like you could use a go at him?” Irish man tilts his head, nodding to Jacob. If Jacob wants to fight someone, he can fight me. “Come on up here, lovely.”

“She doesn’t want to get in here,” Jacob barks.

“Don’t speak for me,” I warn him and climb up into the ring. I’m pissed that Jacob has let himself be abused by Mandi all this time while I’ve been right here willing to love him. I’m angry he’s using this ring to release his aggression instead of talking about things, and I’m upset he hasn’t told me he fights, like fight-fights.

The trainer holds out a hand to me once I’ve entered. “I’m Paddy McGregor.”

“Pam Carter,” I state, although Jacob’s already said my name. Paddy leans in for a kiss to my cheek, still holding my hand with his. “Give him one good punch. You’ll feel better.”

Lifting his head to nod, I follow his gaze to find Jacob with his back in the corner, holding the ropes. He’s a bull ready to charge with flaring nostrils and a heaving chest. He’s worked up, but so am I.

“What’s your deal?” I snap.

“Give it to him,” Paddy encourages.

“She’s not interested,” Jacob growls. There’s an entendre in his response, and this fuels my ire. Snarky word games will not work today. I stalk to Jacob’s corner, getting right up close to his sweat-laden body.

“Don’t pretend to know anything about me, Professor.”

“You’d be surprised how much I know about you, angel. And don’t call me that,” he snaps, anger vibrating around him.

“And what should I call you?” I can think of a few choice words. “Why would you say I’m not interested in you? I’m standing here, aren’t I? I’ve been by your side for years.” I emphasize by stomping my foot like a petulant child.

“Or am I your rebound girl now? Am I a filler until you get back together with her? Was I just some pity fuck?” I don’t even know where the questions come from, but I’m suddenly out of control, my concerns escaping me.

“Don’t you dare go there,” he growls.