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“I’m getting in the zone. Tay’s got my back.” He smirks.
“Hilary knows you’re this weird and she still wants to be around you?” I laugh.
“She sure does. You guys are such party poopers. Garrett won’t even sing with me.” He frowns this time. Oh boy, he’s a trip.
“Damn straight I won’t. I have more important things to do than sing a song with you. Like get mentally prepared for my match this evening.” Garrett walks towards the mat and sits down. He looks at me and notices my flip flops. “Don’t feel like sparring today?”
“I wasn’t planning on it, but if you need a partner, I’m in.”
“Yeah, if you don’t mind. If I have to hear him sing another lyric in that song, I’ll lose my mind.”
I kick my flip flops off and begin sparring with Garrett. When it’s fight time, he takes it seriously. So does Lance. They both joke around but they know when to stop and when it’s time to get to work. Lance even stops his singing and stands on the side of the mat, calling out pointers much like Howard will do this evening. When Garrett pins me to the ground, I tap out and he helps me to my feet. I need a breather. Garrett worked me hard so I suggest the two of them spar.
Lance takes my place and I watch as they go round and round. They’re so serious, but the minute one goes down, they laugh it off and get after it again.
“Hey.” Lance appears suddenly by my side. “Why don’t you see what your nurse friend is doing this evening? Maybe she would want to come with you tonight.”
His offer sounds tempting, but why would she want to go somewhere like the fights with me? It’s bad enough I haven’t been to one since my accident and I’m not sure how anyone will react to seeing me looking different. I already know people can be cruel, I learned that when Paige and I were on our date.
“I don’t know. Maybe next time.”
“You’re a wuss.” He laughs.
“Leave him alone, Lance. He’ll bring her when he’s ready.”
“Thank you, Garrett.” I nod. I’m grateful he’s the voice of reason most of the time.
“Okay, I’ll drop it. I just thought maybe you’d like to show her what you do,” he admits. I at least admire his honesty. One day I’ll show her, just not today.
Howard comes walking in late and we stop and wait for him to speak. He greets us cheerfully and goes to set his keys and some papers down in his office. When he walks out, he begins the speech he gives the morning of every fight.
I listen as though I’m stepping into the ring tonight. One day soon is all I can tell myself. I can’t wait until that day comes.
Chapter 17
Paige
I wake up to find Nora making coffee in the kitchen. I grin sleepily at her, thankful I didn’t have to make it this morning.
“How are you feeling?” she asks.
“I’m good, just tired. You?”
“I’m great. I was just asking about you because all you talked about after margarita number four was Austin and how cute you think he is.” She grins.
“Oh gosh.” I slap my palm against my forehead. “Is Darla awake already?”
“Yeah, she’s in the living room watching cartoons. I’m a good nanny.”
“Thank you.”
“You deserve to sleep in. You were nice enough to let me stay here so I helped take care of her for you. What are y’all’s plans today?”
“I need to figure out this thing Brendan wants to do. I need to do some research and that’s probably all I’ll do today.”
“If you need help, you let me know.” She pours herself a cup of coffee and gets an extra one out for me.
“Thanks,” I tell her as I grab the cup and begin fixing myself one.
