Page 73 of Hard Corps (Selected Sinners MC 7)

“You alright?” I asked the other fighter.

Incapable of responding legibly with a mouthpiece in his mouth, he blinked his eyes and nodded his head.

“Alright, hit the showers,” I said as I tossed my head toward the locker room.

Kelsey began to walk out of the locker room, noticed Austin walking in that direction, and quickly turned toward the door. As I watched him hustle back into the locker room, I laughed to myself.

Going to give him some pointers, Old Man?

Shane had earned almost 50 million dollars for winning the fight, and Kelsey made enough to make his life slightly easier to live than it had been in the past. The money, however, would never change either of the men regarding the sport itself, they enjoyed it far too much.

I walked toward the locker room and stood beside the door waiting on Austin to come out. Kelsey’s unmistakable voice echoed from the concrete room.

“Keep that chin tucked, Kid. You’re going to lose it if you’re not careful. And turn that skinny little body of yours when you’re on your heels, it’s a smaller target,” he growled.

Sounds familiar.

“You got it, Boss,” I heard Austin say.

“Now listen to me,” Kelsey said. “Whatever that Marine tells you, you listen to him. He’s a good man, and he’ll lead you to a championship if you let him.”

Filled with a newfound pride and a slightly inflated state of being, I walked toward the ring, proud that Kelsey felt my abilities were sufficient. I realized I was good at almost everything I devoted time to, but I rarely received recognition from anyone for anything I had ever done. As I gathered up the wet towels from around the ring, I swelled with pride.

I turned toward the dirty rag bin and tossed the towels inside. As I glanced up Kelsey walked by, flipping me the bird as he passed.

I didn’t say a word, at least not out loud.

Thank you, Old Man.

I won’t let you down.