Page 64 of His Greatest Muse
My chest warms at the mention of her. “She’s here, right? And Easton? What about Grandpa?”
“Your mom and brother are already in their seats. But Gramps couldn’t make it, kiddo. His hands are getting worse.”
“First, I’m not a kid. Second, how is he doing? I should have visited him before I left.”
My grandfather was such a big part of my childhood. Not only is he a total badass ex-boxer like Dad, but he always let me do everything my parents didn’t. A couple of years ago, his finger joints started to swell and hurt so bad he stopped being able to use them to do much of anything. It turns out that the warning they give boxers about the potential of arthritis rings very true. My grandfather’s worsening case of osteoarthritis rings like a warning bell in my mind. It’s not enough to make me give this up, though. That either makes me stupid, reckless, or both.
“I think he’s more pissed off that he can’t be here for you than much else. Don’t beat yourself up about it. He’s just proud you’re here doing what you love,” he reassures me.
I nod, putting on a brave face. This isn’t the time for sadness. I have to focus.
“Be honest with me,” I mutter, shaking my hands out nervously at my sides. “Are there a lot of people out there?”
He sets his hands on his hips and dips his chin. “A shit ton.”
“Great,” I breathe, dropping my head back to stare at the ceiling. “God, I don’t want to get my ass beat on live television.”
Dad belts out a laugh. “My daughter has never gotten her ass beat. She’s not going to start tonight.”
“Have you watched Jules fight? She KO’d her last two opponents!” I exclaim, staring at him in disbelief.
With a shake of his head, he holds me by my shoulders and meets my stare. His features are relaxed, not a single worry there for me to see. Why doesn’t that make me feel any better?
“Her last two opponents were strong but slow. You’ve always been quick on your feet like me. Invite her to dance, and watch how long it takes for her to tire herself out. It’s the oldest trick in the book, but it never fails. You are going to win, my littlest fighter. Don’t doubt yourself.” His voice is so confident, so sure. I force myself to believe his words.
“Tire her out, then aim to kill. Got it.”
“That’s the spirit,” he teases. Smoothing his hands over my biceps in a soothing motion, he smiles softly. “I’m proud of you.”
I tuck those words into my chest for safekeeping. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Now that we’ve taken care of that,” he starts while taking a seat on the long wooden bench splitting the room in two. “Noah’s been taking care of you, right?”
My face flames at the innocent question. If he knew just how good Noah’s been taking care of me, he’d haul me out of here and forbid me to see him ever again.
The past week has been . . . odd. So different from how things used to be. Ever since that night in the old house, Noah hasn’t left me alone for longer than absolutely necessary. I like it. I love being around him and experiencing a new side of our relationship. It’s just that now we’ve crossed over from being just best friends to best friends that kiss—a lot—and I don’t know what that really means for us. There’s still so much we have to talk about and things that we have yet to decide, but I’ve been avoiding all of it.
It’s easier when we can just be Noah and Tinsley, no questions or expectations. Once we start to dig into all the little details, things could get messy. There are questions that I just don’t have the answers to yet. He’s been frustrated with me for being so weird and cagey, but for right now, I just need to focus on this fight. Maybe once it’s over, I’ll be ready to talk about what happens next. I don’t think he’ll give me much more time to hide, anyway.
“Yes. But you already knew that,” I finally say, hoping my father can’t read into the blush on my cheeks.
His eyes have tightened at the corners as he reads me. I hold my breath. “How has it been so far? I can’t imagine you’ve enjoyed sharing a bus with a bunch of messy guys.”
“You say that as if I’m any neater than they are. I’ve only had to pick up a couple pairs of dirty socks off the floor so far. The bus isn’t so much messy as it is cluttered.”
He frowns. “Hunter said he would get you put up in a hotel whenever you wanted. You don’t have to stay in a cluttered bus, Tiny.”
I release a long exhale, letting my shoulders sag with the movement. “What I’m trying to say is that it isn’t so bad. I don’t want a hotel room. As crowded as it may be, I’m actually having fun.”
It’s the truth. Even Dagger has relaxed a bit. Well, that or he’s just begun to ignore we all exist instead of berating us for being in his space. Either way, it’s been nice. I’ve gotten to know Justice and his daughter a little bit more too. We’ve made plans to braid Noah’s hair together the next time Addie can make it to a show and join us. I’ll have to break that news to Noah closer to that day. Possibly a few minutes prior so he doesn’t have a chance to say no.
Finally, Dad nods in reluctant agreement. “I believe you. That’s great, kiddo. We’ve been worrying about you, that’s all.”
“You don’t need to. I’m doing fine. Great, even.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll try to relax.”
I take a seat beside him and lean against his shoulder. “Can I ask you something?”