AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stand from the bench I’ve been waiting on, right outside of the restaurant where I’m meeting Cliff.
“Nox,” she greets me casually and motions back toward the bench. “Can we sit?”
“I’d rather stand.” Her tone pisses me off. There is nothing simple about us or this fucked-up situation she’s put us in.
“Really, Lennox, you said you were willing to give me fifteen minutes of your time today. Can’t you just lose the fucking attitude and give me a chance to explain?”
“First off, don’t call me that, and second…explain what?” I growl, moving into her personal space as she backs herself into the wall behind her. “Explain how you told me you loved me and couldn’t ever imagine living without me less than twenty-four hours prior to leaving me with no real explanation?”
I slap my hands beside her head, effectively caging her in. “Or the lousy excuse of a goodbye letter you tucked into my window like a coward?” Running my fingertips through her purple hair, down the side of her face, I wrap my hand around her neck. Her pupils dilate, but my next statement throws ice on whatever fire is trying to ignite from the feeling of my skin touching hers. “But what I really want to hear you explain is why the fuck you showed back up here on my fight night when you could have come back any other day over the last two years to explain yourself.” I move closer to whisper in her ear, my lips hovering a breath away. “Sounds like a fucking asshole move, if you ask me. I guess that is your MO, though.”
“It was the only way I could afford to get here,” she whispers. Pulling away slightly, I squint my eyes, examining her, trying to decipher whether what she says is true. So many questions flit through my mind, but I don’t want to fucking care. Ican’tcare.
“Is that why you weren’t at that piece of shit foster brother of yours funeral a couple of months ago?”
It takes her a second, but this statement makes her come back to life and she finally moves to push me away.
“And I’m the dumbass who went just to see if I could catch a glimpse of you.”
I’m unsure why I share that truth. When I heard Tommy had died from a heroin overdose, my first thought was Emerson. She always hated him, but when Lucian mentioned going to show his respects to the parents, I thought maybe Emerson would feel the same.
Emerson snaps her head back to mine, probably surprised by my halfway decent comment, after all the hell I’ve been giving her.
She watches me for a moment before responding, “No, I had absolutely no desire to show up and pretend to care about him, but I did hear the news… and, actually, Nox.” She pauses, her slender throat bobbing as she nervously swallows. “That’s part of the reason I’m back.”
“Well, how perfect is this! Emily, I just called your coach to see if you could meet with me today before you head back to New Orleans.” Cliff’s boisterous voice filters through the hotel lobby, interrupting our intense conversation and adding to my already reeling thoughts.
New Orleans? So that’s where she’s been all this time.
* * *
A few minutes later,we’re seated at a table by the window, looking out onto the streets of downtown Charlotte. Cliff already has his signature Bloody Mary sitting in front of him, and Emerson looks about as comfortable as a person assigned the middle seat between two strangers on a plane.
She tried to decline his offer politely and reschedule something for later today, but he was persistent, so she stepped away to make a phone call before agreeing. I couldn’t help but wonder who she was calling. Was it someone back home in New Orleans? Was it that prick coach of hers? I shouldn’t give a shit, but I hated the smile I saw on her face right before she hung up her phone. When she rejoined us, she told Cliff she didn’t have time to eat, but she could stay for a little while.
“So, I’m not sure if you could tell since you were busy winning, but besides Nox, you were a crowd favorite last night, Emily.” Her eyes flit to mine when he calls her that. “I’m always looking for new talent to sponsor, and I was told by your coach that you may be moving back to North Carolina.” Now my eyes bore into her as my stomach flips…What the fuck are you up to, Emerson?
Cliff continues. “I didn’t even realize you were a Carolina girl until he mentioned that.”
Emerson finally speaks up, looking hesitant. “To be honest, everything is still in the works as far as the move goes. And also…please call me Emerson.”
“No problem. Well, maybe this would be some incentive to come back. Eventually, I would like to manage you as one of my fighters, just as I’ve done with Nox.” He nods toward me, but I’m not sure how I feel about any of this. “I would potentially help arrange your fights and make sure you are getting paid properly.”And also make sure he’s getting paid properlyis what I want to say but, I can’t complain. The guy has made me more money than I ever thought I could in such a short time.
“All this would go through the coach and gym of your choosing. You can still use your own coaches and trainers, unless you want me to set you up with someone if they don’t plan to move to North Carolina as well.” Does he know something I don’t… Why the fuck would her coach move all the way here?
“Will you be able to guarantee me a certain number of fights if you offer me an actual contract?” Emerson asks.
“Not to sound crass, but people will want you fighting in their arenas. Your looks and nickname alone will have everyone curious. I can at least guarantee that.”
“She’s also fucking good at fighting, Cliff,” I sneer, not liking the fact he is trying to sexualize her looks.
“Of course she is,” he responds, eyeing me suspiciously before turning his attention back to Emerson. “Just like Nox… His fighting skills are top-notch. Undefeated. But he is gaining a huge following and, let's be honest, a lot of that has to do with his looks. It's just the world we live in.” Emerson’s eyes flit to mine, and the flutter in my chest at the thought of what she thinks of me now hits me without warning.
“But I wouldn’t be considering signing you if I didn’t think you were a talented fighter. My goal would be to get you an official contract with the UFC. Your debut last night was a great way to start, and there has already been some buzz surrounding you. But first, I would like to discuss a plan with your coach about getting you into more fights to build your portfolio. And to use as practice.”
Emerson nods, biting the inside of her lip, taking it all in. As she looks at me, she studies my face like she is trying to read my thoughts.
“Can I have the week to let you know what area I will be fighting out of? I should know by then what my plan is.”
