Page 42 of Undisputed


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“What about what’s right for you?”

“She’s what’s right for me. Why are you asking?”

“It’s just you’ve never quit anything.”

“I don’t look at it as quitting. I look at it as stepping aside for personal reasons. My head isn’t right. I’ve got other priorities.”

“The Owen Gasnier I knew would’ve found a way. He never backed down from a challenge. The bigger the better and I’ve been following your career since your second ever fight. I guess I’m just...”

“Surprised?”

Fiona raised her head. “Disappointed.”

The word actually stung him as did the severely solemn tone. “I’m sorry to let you down. But I have to do what I feel is right.”

“This isn’t right, Gaz. Somewhere inside, I think you know that. Tegan wouldn’t want you to do this for her.”

Both of them paused their conversation as Tegan stopped by the doorway. “Wouldn’t want you to do what?”

Owen was prepared to tell her the truth right then, but quick as a flash, Fiona cut across him. “Let you stay in his apartment. Until you come back, you’re coming home with me.”

“Fi...”

“Do not forget the eleventh commandment, heathen sow; Thou shall not give shit to Fiona lest the smacketh down ye be layed with.”

“Fi, really, I don’t want to bother—”

“Bitch, my pimp hand is strong. Shut it. Gaz, can you help get her things into my car. Then why don’t you come around for dinner, say six-thirty? Yes? Good plan? Of course it is. I said it. So it is written. So it shall be done.”

Owen moved to collect Tegan’s things, hopeful the gesture would entice Tegan to simply go with it and not argue. But, upon turning, he saw both girls embracing, Fiona stroking Tegan’s hair, calming her. Perhaps they exchanged a look. Maybe words weren’t necessary between them. But Owen got the distinct impression Tegan somehow knew her housing situation wasn’t a secret anymore.

* * *

Tegan sat on the bed of Fiona’s guestroom, needing a minute to rest. Well, OK, more than a minute. Even walking up two flights of stairs had left her tingling and light headed. She could very well keel over and sleep right here; she was that tired. But she was also wired at the appearance of Owen. Her heart had leapt seeing him again. Just for a moment, all the reasons they weren’t together had disappeared. All there was, was joy. And, for that brief moment, she was at peace.

But then, like a rollercoaster descending after reaching its peak, all the reasons came back. Flooding her stomach like a snowstorm. Her situation. Her medical condition. He didn’t live in the country. His fighting. His training. No time together. It would only be a part-time relationship.

And on and on the reasons went. Each one like a blade, making her peace bleed out. She flicked on the TV and channel surfed, trying to find the movies on when a sports broadcast flashed, and she briefly caught Owen’s name on the screen which made her pause. A CNN graphic had come up on the screen. A black and white mock-up of Owen and Diaz facing off and a caption underneath. ‘The match up no one ever thought they would see.’ The fight the world will watch. She froze on the bed. She was looking at a highlight interview with Brent Diaz, recorded only a few hours ago. Seated next to Diaz and opposite the interviewer was a rather sharp dressed, olive-skinned man with a clipped beard and slight paunch.

“So champ, it looks like this mock-up is outdated now. What are your thoughts on your cancelled challenge from Owen Gasnier due to personal reasons?”

“What challenge? A challenge has an actual chance of winning. It was a fight only the media wanted to see. Most fight fans knew it was going to be a joke if we ever got in the ring together. Ask the dozens of women that follow him. They’ll sleep soundly in their cute little Owen, Eat Me panties tonight now that Big Bad Brent won’t wreck that pretty boy face.”

“Easy there, champ...”

“You asked the question. He’s got personal issues, huh? Don’t we all? My mum was buried without me because I was training. We’re athletes. Sacrificing. It’s what we do. I said all along he was the most well-known heavyweight and the least deserving of the attention. People call me every name under the sun. He’s nothing more than a woman basher who pays to have his mistakes, as in kids, killed. The bloke is a freakin’ menace to society. He belongs in prison.”

Tegan unconsciously rubbed her stomach as Diaz spoke, but no tears came. She was too angry for that. This was Owen’s world; the world he had prospered in before she came along. Now, he had a reputation and a smear he didn’t deserve. Even through her exhaustion, if she could have one wish, it would be to help him make it right.

The camera focused on the man beside Diaz, captioned as Khoder El Masri, manager of Brent Diaz.“Many attempts were made to contact Mr Gasnier to straighten any issues out, but as we say in the business, a dog with its tail between its legs doesn’t linger, lest urine stains be seen in its wake.”

“You’re falling just short of calling him a coward?”

“Not just short, I am calling him a coward. How else can you explain his sudden departure? His reluctance to take on a superior athlete? If he’s not afraid, why hide? On offer is the most coveted prize in the business. Which he won the right to challenge for. Yet, after their altercation following the bout, suddenly Gasnier has personal issues and steps away from the match. Where were those personal issues before? Did they just suddenly spring up? Or are there perhaps fresh allegations about to be revealed?”El Masri gave a sinister, feral-like grin.“Pathetic excuse for a number one contender.”

The interviewer countered,“Well, he always has been a polarising figure, keen to run his own race as they say...”

“Yeah, run his own race right out of the sport when he knew exactly what he was up against. One punch, that’s all it took. He knew his legacy was ruined. All he has got to his name is his undefeated streak. Without it, he’s truly nothing. We are the only two undefeated fighters in the division. Even if I lose, at least I’ll be a two-time champion of the world. He’ll be nothing but a few horny mothers’ wet dream.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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