Two months later
“What are you doing, man?” My brother’s concern begs a deeper question than the obvious. I heard the jingle at the front door as he came in, but I haven’t stopped raining punches onto the bag.
“What the hell does it look like I’m doing?” I shout and it’s that slight break in concentration that causes the punch to land funny and swing the bag off to my right. Wrapping my arms around it, I wait for it to steady before going back to work.
My brother’s shadow falls over me as I continue to kick, punch, and throw knees at my imaginary opponent. “Kinda like you’re trying to tear that bag from the wall. But I’m going to go with self-destruction.”
Pummeling the bag with every ounce of energy I have, I try to block out my brother’s nagging. I get it, I do. I’m extra punchy these days, not only with my workouts, but with my words. That’s what happens when you fall in love with a woman who doesn’t love you back.
“Okay, so we’re on to the silent treatment. Trying to sabotage our relationship too?”
That catches my attention and I drop my hands to steady the bag and return Danny’s stare.
Brows raised, his expression is full of the know-it-all kind of shit I can’t stand. But considering he’s the only person I can trust to give it to me straight, I’ll entertain his insight. “What do you mean?”
“You liked her. More than liked her.” We both know the her of whom he’s talking about.
I shrug and turn back to the bag. “Yeah, well, she doesn’t like me back.” Left hook, right hook, knee, knee, knee. I throw one combination before moving on to the next.
“I call bullshit. She was just as gone for you.” My brother won’t give it a rest.
“Maybe, but she’s not anymore.” I pant and continue my workout.
“Fight for her. Get her back,” he says with so much conviction. I wish I had a sliver of that hope but I don’t. For weeks after Mia ended things I tried to call her, text her, reach out, but she wouldn’t accept or respond. Not once. She wasn’t lying when she said she was done.
“She doesn’t want me, Danny. Groveling won’t change that. It’s time to move on.”
“The Matt Haywood I know doesn’t throw in the towel so easily.”
I stop so I can meet him face to face. “Look, Danny. I know you want to help, but this is all on me. I messed up and now she’s moved on. It sucks. It more than sucks. But now I need to do the same.”
“You really did everything you could?”
“I did.” But did I? I didn’t tell her how I felt because I didn’t want her to run. I didn’t tell her I was dirt broke because then she’d realize she was too good for me. I didn’t tell her about my past because that’s my hurt to carry. Really, we were doomed from the start.
“Sorry, brother.” Danny clasps my shoulder.
“Don’t be. I just want to put it all behind me.” The lie tastes bitter on my lips. There’s not a day or night that goes by without me wishing Mia was here in my life. With Xavier’s UFC contract and his first fight coming up in Las Vegas, I’m no longer strapped for cash. My gym’s back on its feet. Memberships are at an all-time high. It’s all I’ve wanted. I only wish she were here to share it with. “You and Nikki still coming this weekend?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. Hey, have you talked to Dad?”
“No.” I shake my head.
“Uncle Jimmy said he’s been watching your boy. Came in to make some hefty bets last week but Jimmy wouldn’t front him.” His eyes widen and he shoves his hands into his back pockets.
I shrug because I really don’t give a damn. “What Pop decides to do with his life is on him. I can’t waste any more of mine bailing him out or worrying what trouble he might get into next.”
He nods, his gaze falling to the ground as he kicks against the flooring. “Matt, back when you lost the title. Did you . . . Did Dad—”
I cut him off. “Doesn’t matter. The past is the past. Leave it there.”
“It’s just that I’ve always wondered . . .” His eyes plead with mine, but memory lane is a path I’m not willing to travel. “Fine. I’ll let it go. I don’t need to know. I have your back either way.”
“I know you do, Danny.” Walking over to the counter, I grab a clean towel to wipe the sweat from my face and arms. “And I really appreciate you letting me stay with you.”
The moment he learned I was bumming at the gym, my brother insisted I move in with him. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. I’m proud of him, too. Nikki was less than thrilled to have me staying on their couch, but my brother let her know it wasn’t up for debate. If she didn’t feel comfortable she could crash with one of her friends until I moved out. That was some argument. I heard every word from my place in the living room, including the makeup sex afterwards. I thought they used the pet name baby a lot before . . . I try not to gag.
“Stay as long as you need.”
“I’m actually going to check out a place in a half an hour. You wanna come with?”
His eyes widen with his smile. “Love to. Nikki and her girls have a spa day so I’m a free man.”
I chuckle because that doesn’t happen often. Those two are practically connected at the hip. “Sweet. Let me grab a shower and lock up.”
I grab my bag from the office and minutes later I’m clean and dressed in a pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt. I pass my reflection in the locker room mirror and stop to examine my face more closely. I run my fingers through the snarls in my hair. I haven’t shaved since the night of the fight, or trimmed my hair since then, either. Mia always joked before, but I’m actually on the edge of appearing homeless. I need a change. A fresh start.
“Hey, Danny!” I shout through the door.
He pokes his head inside. “What’s up?”
“Maybe after we check out the apartment we could stop by a barber?” Trying to untangle one of my long locks only affirms the choice.
Danny’s lips pull up with a smile and he nods his head. I don’t have to explain my reasons. From the look on his face he gets it. “Yeah, man. I think that’s a great idea.”
“Cool.”
“Maybe we can go shopping too? Make it a regular date night?” He holds the door open for me to pass.
“Shut up.” I laugh, a deep genuine guffaw prompted by his suggestion, and drop my bag in the office. When he doesn’t join along, I turn around to find his brow pinched into a frown and realize he wasn’t joking. “I mean . . . I guess . . . We can if that’s what you want?”
He holds my stare a second longer before his lips pull up with his own laughter. “Nah, man! Shit! We’re gonna get wings and cheap beer! Hell, I’d say let’s hit up a tittie bar, but I think Nikki’s got my phone on her GPS tracker.”
“Oh, she does.” I crack a pretend whip, sound effects and all. “That’s not really my thing, but I guess we could leave your phone here.” I shrug because I’m good spending this day however my brother wants as long as it’s legal. He’s been a huge support to me these past months in a way I can never repay.
“Oh, no.” His eyes widen and he shakes his head. “I know for a fact she has yours on her app.” Shit. Really? He glances around nervously. “I’m not even sure we should joke about this out loud. Probably has the gym bugged, too.”
“Come on, Danny.” I laugh and throw my arm around his shoulder. “Let’s get out of here.”