Page 17 of Chasing Shadows
He scoffs. “That sloppy shit out there today doesn’t have me convinced.”
I grit my teeth. “It was a one off.”
He laces his hands together, resting them behind his head as he looks over me. “Why do you want to fight?”
“What?”
“What’s your motivation?”
I consider his question. Fighting hadn’t even been on my radar until Tom brought me to the gym. But all the training has given me something to focus on other than my fucked-up family and losing Ellie. “It’s my escape,” I finally concede, dropping my eyes to the floor. “It’s giving me somewhere to channel my anger.”
Steve sighs. “Look, you’re still green, kid. Let’s just give it another month. Work hard. Prove yourself. Rushing is only going to end up getting you hurt.”
“But–”
He holds his hand up to stop me. “Go finish your training, Harley. When you’re ready, I’ll put you on the roster–not a moment sooner. You gotta pay your dues, kid.”
My shoulders slump as I let myself out of his office and head over to the treadmills. I go through the motions, but my head isn’t in it. I might have only agreed to the fight for the money, but if I’m honest with myself, I was looking forward to it–looking forward to proving all this hard workwas worth it. Now I just feel like I’m back to square one.
Zeke finds me in the changerooms after I shower. “I just spoke to the boss. Don’t sweat it, man. Let’s amp up the training and prove him wrong. I’m free Tuesday and Thursday nights if you want to up the intensity a bit?”
I grimace. “I can’t afford it.”
He waves me off. “It’s when I do my own personal training anyway. Think about it as a training partner, rather than a coach.”
“You serious?”
“Yeah. You’ve got me excited. If I’m gonna put my money on you, I need to make sure you’re ready.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s illegal for you to bet on your own guys.”
He just laughs and claps me on the back. “You’ve got a lot to learn, Surfer Boy.”
EIGHT
LILY
July.
THE ATMOSPHERE IS electric. I tug my leather jacket closer to my body and follow the crowd up the metal staircase. I had no idea how I was going to find him when I arrived in Blue Haven yesterday, and I couldn’t believe my luck when I overheard two guys talking about a new fighter they were looking forward to seeing at Knockout Fitness. Harley Breed. While I’m not one hundred percent sure if it’s the same Harley from that night, it’s not a common name. Either way, my adrenaline is pumping at the thought of possibly seeing Harley again.
I’m jostled from behind, bumping the railing on the stairwell, and I wince at the pain from the bruises covering my body. The swelling around the bridge of my nose and my eyes has gone down enough to be able to cover most of the evidence on my face with heavily layered make up and a baseball cap pulled low, but the pain and fear stilllingers.
When I ran, with nothing but the clothes on my back and the small amount of cash I was able to get my hands on, I had no idea where I was going. I just knew I was going to die if I didn’t get away. When the bus drove through the small beach town on its way north, it reminded me of that night four months ago when I was almost run down on the streets of Kings Cross. Before I could think twice, I got off the bus.
I don’t know what I’m expecting. He has a girlfriend. I’m sure she’s not going to be too happy about some stranger rocking up in town looking for her boyfriend, but I’m not here to cause trouble in their relationship. I’m just looking for a place to hide. There was something in his eyes after he saved my life, something that drew me to him. The people I’m running from have connections in all the major cities of Australia. This small town is my only hope for freedom.
I pay the entry fee and follow the crowd into the top level of Knockout Fitness. The music is deafening withNo Sunshineby DMX playing through the sound system. The octagon is lit up in the middle of the room, with bleachers set up around the outside. I manage to find a seat near where the fighters enter, and I let my gaze wander around the room, wondering if one of the women in the room is Harley’s girlfriend.
The seating fills up quickly–it looks like it’s a packed house. I have no idea when Harley’s fight is–these events don’t exactly come with a schedule–but given he’s apparently a new fighter, he’ll be one of the earlier fights. My legs bounce impatiently as my eyes continue to dart around.
This is nothing like the underground fights I frequented with my cousin and her boyfriend back in Sydney–those were rife with illegal betting and organised crime. The Knockout Gym seems more legit and aboveboard. Besides, my ex, Declan, is more into business acquisition and expensive cars than fighting, but you can never be too careful. I slouch into my seat and pull my cap lower over my face.
The lights in the room flash once, twice, before the room goes completely black. My breath hitches and my heart races.You’re fine. You’re not there. You’re safe.
Strobe lights cut across the cage asIf You Could See Me Nowby The Script plays. Cheers go up and a spotlight lands on a ripped guy with short cropped hair as he makes his way through the crowd to the entrance of the octagon. He’s followed by two men–I assume they’re his trainers, as they follow him into the cage. He bounces around on his toes, throwing a couple of practice jabs, exciting the crowd.
The music cuts out before a remixed version ofBetter Daysby Dermot Kennedy starts up. I lift my eyes, and my heart stutters as they fall onhim. Harley Breed. The guy who saved my life. Itishim. I wipe my sweaty hands along my black jeans. A whooshing noise starts in my ears. I can’t tear my eyes from him. Harley is even more muscular than I remember. He rolls his shoulders, moving his neck from side to side before he lets out a deep breath and walks toward the cage.