Page 47 of Fight for Forever
That whole thing has slipped my mind. I’ve been so caught up in my own feelings and my training with Joey that I’ve forgotten this is on the horizon for him. He doesn’t talk about it with me, not once has he mentioned this asshole, even after what I did at the event.
My eyes lift back to the screen. It’s zoomed right up into Marris’ face and he’s glaring into the camera. There doesn’t need to be any sound for me to hear what he is saying. Reading his lips as he lifts a finger and points it straight down the lens. I know exactly who this message is for.
“I will win.”
“Hey.”
My eyes drop from the TV to the bartender, and I get the feeling he’s been trying to get my attention for a while. I apologize and putin our order. He says he will bring it over. The bar has quietened down while I’ve been watching the TV.
I head back to the table and let the girls know we’re getting table service. The conversation has turned from Jenna’s impending move to Elsa, a friend of Jenna’s from LA, who is coming out to visit them while on a job in New York.
We’ve not met, but I’ve been a part of the group chat where she has been involved. She seems fun and I’m excited to meet her. I do my best to appear as though I’m not distracted, but I can’t stop thinking about that asshole Joey is scheduled to fight.
When Jenna excuses herself to the bathroom, Brooke eyeballs me.
“What?”
I’ve not told her anything about what Joey and I did the other day. It’s private. I want to hold on to that a little longer before spilling the beans.
“You came back from the bar looking like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. What happened? Do I need to go kick someone’s ass?”
“No,” I laugh, breaking me out of the tension that gripped my shoulders. Brooke would too. As would Jenna. And Lou. My heart warms at the thought of so many people wanting to protect me now. “I’m just a little worried about Joey.”
“Oh,” she slides closer to me.
“He has a fight coming up. It’s with some asshole he has already fought. He’s mouthing off about beating him this time around.”
“You think he can?”
“Beat Joey? Not a chance.”
“Good, then don’t worry. Joey is a professional fighter, and the current champ, he’s got this.”
“Probably.”
“When is the fight?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t asked.”
Brooke tilts her head. “Do you think you would want to watch it?”
“I’m not sure I could,” I answer. Although I stood at the bar in a trance watching the clip of the fight. Not once did I feel scared or ill. It’s not the same thing as what I went through. Two men in a controlled environment, with people who will stop it if it goes too far, medical professionals.
Watching that in real life? I don’t know…
“Well, if it’s in New York and you want to go, I wouldn’t mind seeing it. I’ll be more than happy to tag along.”
Take me, she means, but Brooke would never come right out and say that. I don’t feel babied by my new friends, I feel supported. Which is why I would hate the thought of ever not having them in life now.
“I’ll find out. And… maybe think about it.”
I’m not sure Joey would want me there. Plus, I kind of riled up his opponent. Would it make it worse ifhesaw me there? I wouldn’t want to make life difficult for Joey.
Jenna comes rushing back to the table, her eyes wide and panicked.
Brooke jumps up and I rise slowly.
“What’s wrong?” Brooke asks.