Andy shouts through my door, “Let’s do this!”

We’re on our way to Playtime, a club. The newest on the scene. It’s supposed to be the hottest thing around, or so he told me. I’m out of the loop but I don’t give a shit what it’s like.

The only reason I agreed to go is I can’t tolerate another minute in that fucking hotel room.

Hannah touched every inch of that space, usually with me inside her.

She’s haunted my mind for three nights now and I know it’s only the beginning of an abyss I’ll have to claw my way out of. I’ll never be with her again. Knowing that is fucking torture.

I’ve been holed up like a hermit, licking my wounds and watching every B movie they offered up. I’m not eating. Today I had eggs and bacon delivered because I forced myself to dial the phone.

When I heard her speech to the Press, and how she’d found out about Carla, I nearly lost my shit.

I’m stuck between truth and lies with only hard choices between them. Have no clue what to do. If I followed my instincts, things could get worse for me, if that’s even possible.

What does it matter?

She’s left. Back to Atlanta with her father.

Doesn’t want to talk to me.

Not after what they fucking told her.

And what do I have to give, anyway?

Even if I could convince her, tell her my side of the fucked up story, what do I have to offer Hannah? More of what she’s always had, and what she hates? Her face in the gossip columns?

I can’t do that to her, no matter how much I want to defend myself against those leeches.

I got the raw end of the deal.

It’s what fate wants.

I just gotta weather the blows…and get fuckin’ drunk with my new manager.

“Need to start training again,” I mutter as we walk. “Clear my head.”

“This is probably a sore spot but Vance is acting like he wants to fight you again. Says you cheated.”

My temples flex. “Cheated huh? What a piece of shit. He used that word to get me going. Fine. I’m in. Set it up.”

“For real?”

“Name the date. I’ll fuckin’ kill him.”

Andy nods before hitting the elevator button. I remember the last time I pushed it. It was to get her a dress so we could spend the day together.

“Ironic,” he mutters, tapping his boot.

“What?”

“All of it.”

An old couple in bright summer clothes steps aside to make room for our massive forms. I tip my head at them and they smile. Probably don’t know who I am. Thankful for that, I promise you.

Andy continues, “I didn’t tell you, but me and Sofia…”

I glance to him as he trails off, and from his look I can tell why he didn’t finish his sentence. He’s saying they slept together. I haven’t seen him since they took off in a separate taxi, and I never gave it another thought what happened after. Sofia kept changing her mind, flirting with him one minute, shutting him down the next.

So I ask him, “How’d that go?”

“Predictable.”

On a low snort I say, “In other words it was incredible.”

Muttering to himself, he rocks on his heels, “You have no idea,”

“Fuck if I don’t.” I look back at the old couple. “Excuse my cussing.”

They avert their eyes to the glowing numbers.

The doors grant us freedom, and Andy and I stroll out of there, both of us knotted up with tension. He’s taking this thing that happened to me and Hannah pretty hard, proving that he just might walk the talk. He said I could trust him. Maybe I can. A friend feels your pain with you.

Warm night air hits us, air conditioning left behind. He motions to the valet for a cab to be hailed. As the guy does his thing, Andy eyeballs me. “Tobias.”

“Don’t say it.”

“What?”

“You know what, Andy.”

“You have to talk to Carla.”

Staring off I grate, “I said don’t fuckin’ say it.”

He pulls out his phone to check for nothing. It’s a nervous habit we all have. Shoving the thing in his pocket he asks, “You want to get drunk?”

“That’s the plan.”

A taxi pulls up with a faceless driver waiting for us to get in. He doesn’t care about us.

No one cares about anybody.

It’s all shit.

Nothing matters.

At the club we greet the bouncer, Leroy, an old friend. With expressionless faces we bump fists before he raises the rope ahead of a long line of watchful, jealous faces, people who’ve been waiting to get in. When a woman shouts, “Cheater,” at my back Leroy points her to the street. “You! Get the hell out of here.”

He gives me a somber look that it sucks what I’m going through. No words needed.

Andy leads the way in, rubbing his stubble. “This gets ugly, we take off.”

“I don’t care. Let them try to take me down,” I mutter.

“But you gotta talk to Carla.”

“Just fuckin’ drop it, if you know what’s good for you.”

He throws up his hands and heads for the bar, jerking his chin for me to follow.

Ally is tending, so of course that means we’re about to be hooked up, everything on the house. Her hair is huge as usual, makeup overdone on too pretty a face to need it. She and I had a thing about ten years ago. Didn’t last long. But she’s Greek, like me. It never gelled with Ally and I, but I love her like a sister.

“Tobias,” she smiles with a knowing gleam. “Aren’t you in a pile of shit, huh? Anyone on the street throwing tomatoes at you yet?”

“How you doin’ Ally? Lookin’ good.”

With my elbow on the bar I survey the club. She’s not really asking, just letting me know she’s on my side.

Fucking with me is how we do it.

“Hey Andy.”

“Hey,” he nods once as she goes to pour what she knows we drink.

Normal Florida beach scene. Multicolored lights streaking across jam-packed bodies, with a DJ who knows the game. Looks like an orgy with clothes getting in the way.

A leggy brunette saunters straight at me like she knows who I am.

She looks familiar, so I keep staring at her.

Where do I recognize her from?

“You acted like I was a whore,” she calls out.

“Excuse me?”

Andy straightens up, ready to get in between us.

“I can handle this,” I mutter, pushing him back. “I don’t even know you, lady.”

“When I came onto you in the hotel dress shop.”

My eyebrows twitch as I recognize her. She’s out of her work clothes, now in skintight leather pants and a halter that’s barely holding on for dear life. “I never acted like you were a fuckin’ whore.”

“Yeah you did. When I suggested I could join you and Hannah Cocker. And now look at you, a cheater! Who’s the whore now, huh?” She spits in my face and saunters off as her middle finger flies up over her shoulder.

I shake my head and take the towel Ally offers to wipe my face of that skanky chick’s saliva.

“It’s a clean towel, Tobias.”

“Thanks.”

Andy mutters, “Bitch.” Then he locks eyes with me.

“Don’t say it again. I swear to fuckin’ God, Andy. Don’t mention her name.”

“You’re a glutton for punishment.” But he follows me through the dance floor anyway. We stride right down the center to make it clear that I’m here and I ain’t hiding.

Anyone has somethin’ to say, say it now.

My hometown is by Boca.

I spent my teens in this city.

In my twenties when I went pro, this was always home base. Even when I traveled the states for fights, I came back here.

If they want to throw stones I’ll throw ‘em back.

Where’s the loyalty?

Carla doesn’t deserve it.

I do.

Heads turn to follow me and you know what I do? I lock eyes with all of them in a challenge. I can see the judgment in the women’s eyes. The men’s faces are confused, they want the girls they’re dancing with to think they hate me, when they don’t. They still see me as an athlete, a fighter, and they’re not going to mess with me, plus they don’t care about the drama. It’s got nothing to do with them, that’s how guys look at it.

On the other side of the dance floor is a staircase to the V.I.P. lounge, a sign barring anyone not invited. Andy and I head to it, but a bouncer I barely know holds up his hand. “Tobias, sorry man, no.”

Andy puffs up for me. “Let us up.”

“No, man, you don’t get it. Hannah Cocker is up there.”

My mouth dries up.

She’s here?

I thought she was in Georgia.

I swallow hard.

My fists tighten as my head cranes up to see if I can get a glimpse from where I’m standing.

Andy eyes me. “Thought she went back home.”

The bouncer hesitates and explains, his voice somber. “She’s up there with her hot cousins, but Tobias, man, I think you should stay down here.”

“Why?”

“Oh fuck, I don’t know how to say this. They’re not alone. Three guys are with them, man, I’m sorry.”