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He nods as we walk through the gym toward my office at the back. “I was a middleweight, but I’ve slimmed down some since then.”
“Did you compete?”
“Yeah, quite a bit, actually. I was on my way to…,” he shrugs. “But it doesn’t matter. Don’t look back. That’s what I say. What the hell can I do? Can’t turn back time.”
“That’s a good attitude,” I tell him as we walk up the stairs together. “What about coaching? Back when you were fighting, did you ever help with the youth classes, anything like that?”
“Yes, sir,” Hudson says, with an unmistakable note of pride in his voice. “I used to have keys to the gym. My old trainer wanted to hire me, but he just didn’t have the money to pay me enough to be able to support Della and me. This was before she got her dishwashing job.”
I don’t like thinking about my woman wasting her talents at a job like that. There’s nothing wrong with that sort of employment – a job’s a job – but when I’ve claimed her, fully claimed her, she’ll never have to work a day in her life unless she wants to.
I’ll provide for her, always, and support whichever career path she chooses.
Even if she choosesnotto work, I’m good with it.
“That’s useful,” I say, gesturing for him to walk into my office.
He walks around, looking at my mounted belts. “Are these yours?”
“I had a short amateur career,” I tell him. “When I was in my early twenties. But then I started to play the stock market and….”
He turns, that grin fixed on his face. “The rest is history?”
Again, I mutter a silent thanks that Della has a big brother like this. And my chest cramps as I think about his features twisting, his eyes narrowing as he realizes the claim I’ve made on her.
As he realizes he hates me.
But would he hate me if he knew I wanted the best for her, just like him?
I’d have to tellherthat first.
“Pretty much,” I say, as we sit on either side of the desk.
“I guess I don’t have to guess what weight class you were?” Hudson says.
I laugh. “Go on. If you get it wrong, no job. That’s one of my hard rules.”
He chuckles at the banter. “Heavyweight?”
“Bingo.” Reaching into my desk drawer, I take out a sheet of paper. “I’ve consulted with a management company, and they’ve given me some questions to ask. Sound good?”
Hudson sits up straighter. “I sort of wish I had a tie to adjust.”
I look over his rain-spattered gym gear. “You made the right choice. We need warriors, not businessmen.”
His jaw hardens, and I see it in him, the willingness to fight, the urge to win. “Then let’s do it.”
“Okay. I’m going to read out a statement one of the kids might say to you. You respond exactly how you would. Don’t think of it as trying to impress me or get a job. Just say exactly what you would in that situation.”
“I got it.”
Reading from the worksheet, I say, “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this. It’s too difficult.”
Hudson leans forward. “Tell me which part specifically.”
Thinking quickly, I say, “I keep missing with my jab. It’s like I can’t aim it properly.”
“Where are you aiming right now?”
