Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Jeb’s eyes widen and he turns around. “What—”
“You asked about my girlfriend. That was dumb, Jeb.” I explain slowly enough for his little brain to process it. “My whole crew’s here watching, including her brother. Don’t worry. I’m sure he just wants to have a word with you, Jeb.”
Laughter ripples through the room.
“We just want to talk, Jeb!” one of the guys screams from the back of the room. “Don’t be scared!”
More laughter.
Two of the hotel security guys jump off the stage and storm through the aisles.
“All right. I think that wraps things up,” the moderator says. “Thank you both.”
I slam the mic on the table and push my chair out. Underhill follows me off the stage.
“Fuck this shit. I’m not doing this again,” I say to him in a harsh whisper. “It’s fucking pointless. I’d be better off spending the extra time in the gym.”
“I know.” He rests his hand on my shoulder. “Relax. You handled it fine. Kept it about the fight. Talked some shit but didn’t cross any lines.”
“No, he did by bringing up my girlfriend. Again. You don’t see me talking trash about his wife’s Only Fans account.” I almost considered saying it, but it seemed like such a cheap shot. Poor woman’s life is probably hard enough being married to such an asshole.
“That shit’s beneath you, Griff,” he says calmly. “That’s why people like you.” He shrugs. “It’s also why some people will hate you.”
Obviously.
“Look. You’re done for the day. Take that ice bath. Rest. Meditate—”
“I told you, I can’t.”
He sighs. “You’re making it more complicated than it needs to be. Just try.”
I nod quickly.
“Good. I’ll see you in the morning.”
When he turns away, the last person I expect to see is standing in front of us.
“Diane!” Underhill smiles wide and sweeps the much smaller woman into an embrace.
“How’s my favorite fighter doing?” she asks him.
“I’m standing right here,” I say.
She chuckles but then looks to Underhill for an answer.
“Good. He’s having a hard time with the slowdown in training this week.”
I open my mouth to protest, then shut it.
“The rest and recovery time is important,” Diane scolds, in the same tone you’d ask a kid to eat his veggies.
Underhill pats her arm and jogs up the aisle toward the exit. “Let’s do dinner later,” he calls over his shoulder.
She nods quickly, then moves in closer to me. “I warned you Magic was an asshole.”
“You did.” I shove my hands in my pockets and look her straight in the eye. “Why’s he suddenly acting like he has no idea who I am?”
“Mind games. He’s trying to make you feel like you don’t belong here.” She gestures toward the stage where Magic’s still standing, surrounded by a bunch of reporters. “Trust me. He knows who you are. He’s watched every piece of footage he could find on you. How else do you think he knew to poke you about Molly?”
I glare at her.
She points a finger at my face. “You did a better job concealing how much that bugs you up on stage.”
“It wasn’t easy.”
“I know.” She grins. “Calling on your homies to ‘talk’ to the reporter was brilliant. There will be dozens of that clip all over the place by the end of the night.” She squeezes her fists together like she’s trying to contain her excitement. “Damn, that was clever. I knew you were a natural.”
“A natural at what? I have no fucking idea what I’m doing in all these interviews. I keep making an ass out of myself.”
“No you don’t.” She frowns as if she’s surprised that’s how I see things. “You’re well spoken. Polite but not afraid to trade a few barbs. Your dry sense of humor’s very endearing. I haven’t seen a bad video yet, kid.”
I blow out a breath, annoyed her opinion actually matters to me. “Thanks.”
I shift my gaze to the exit. I’m so tired of playing mind games with people. I just want to see Molly and relax tonight.
As if he read my mind, Eraser marches down the aisle to my rescue.
“Ready to go?” he asks without acknowledging Diane.
She shifts toward him. “You’re not the brother, are you?”
“No.” He drills her with a murderous stare. “But if you’re who I think you are, I’m not a fan of what you did to Molly, either.”
The corners of Diane’s mouth turn down. “But I spoke to Molly at the reunion. I thought we were good.”
“Molly forgives. I don’t,” Eraser says without so much as a twitch of his lips to indicate he’s kidding. He’s not.
I bite the inside of my cheek to hold in my laughter.
“Well.” Diane squeezes my arm briefly. “You’re doing good. And I have no doubt that you’re going to win Saturday.”
“Will you be there?” I ask.
“I’ll be around all week.”
Great.
Eraser’s eyes narrow to slits as he watches her hurry away from us. “What’s she doing here?”