Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 118459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 474(@250wpm)___ 395(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 474(@250wpm)___ 395(@300wpm)
I love it. I love hearing this. It feeds that place inside me that needs fuel, that needs built up. The key to fighting is confidence. It’s going into that ring and knowing you’ll be the victor. This helps.
“Vegas odds only have him winning by a slight margin right now,” he says. “Dude, you haven’t fought in years. This is pretty crazy. They’re dubbing it ‘The California Kid vs The Comeback Kid.’”
I shut the door behind me and lean against the cab. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.”
“Let’s hope they’re right.”
“I’m heading over for a beer. Don’t forget tabs are due today. Did you pay yours?”
“I haven’t paid it in a few weeks and I’ve been ignoring Jordyn’s calls. I better swing by there and pay mine, too. I’d just send it with you but I have no idea how much it is.”
“See ya there.”
CREW
I haven’t been to Shenanigan’s in a few weeks but it still feels like home. Everything’s the same: same drooping green lights behind the bar, same people sitting on the same stools, the same salty smell.
Jordyn is working, talking up a couple of college-aged kids that come in every now and then. They’re wearing Tap Out shirts, so they’re not fighters. The only guys that wear those shirts are either endorsed or incompetent. By the look of the spare tire wrapping around their waists, it’s the latter.
Will got here before me and is already sitting in the corner, sipping on his beer. I lean against the end of the bar and watch Jordyn purposefully ignore me.
“I just need my tab, J,” I say. She pours a shot for an old guy that practically lives at the other end of the bar and then goes to the register. She sorts through the sheets and pulls one out. She brings it to me. “Forget how to smile? Or do you need my cock out for that?”
“Fuck you,” she says.
I laugh and whip out enough money to cover the tab. “Keep the rest,” I say, knocking my knuckle against the top.
I make my way through the building, stopping to chat briefly with a couple of regulars before getting to the back corner table. Will’s watching the television.
“Hey,” I say, pulling out my chair and sitting down.
“Hey. How’d it go with Jordyn?”
“Great. She’s a little pissy, but nothing she won’t get over.”
“What is it with women and their pissy-ness?”
“What are ya talking about?”
“Macie,” he says, almost in disgust. “I think I hate her.”
I laugh. “If you think you hate her, you don’t.”
“How’s that? I think I hate her. No, I hate her.”
“No, you’re pissed at her for not playing the game you play.” I laugh. “Let me guess . . . she doesn’t like being fucked and chucked and then called to fuck again later when you’re bored?”
“Exactly,” he says, slamming his bottle on the table. “What’s wrong with her?”
“Sounds like she’s got class, which means it’ll never work between you two. Move along, man.”
He tips his beer back and finishes it. “Yeah. Fuck her. Who needs a chick with perfect tits, the best ass I’ve ever seen outta clothes, and a pussy that grips my dick like a vise? Not me. Not. Fucking. Me.”
I laugh, grabbing a toothpick out of my pocket and sticking it in my mouth. I want a beer pretty fucking bad and I gotta keep my mouth distracted.
A group of three girls appears at the mouth of the hallway leading to the bathrooms. They’re obviously well on their way to being soused, giggling and trying to balance on their heels. They spot us sitting in the corner and head our way.
“Remember, you’re with Jules now. You really need to do the right thing here,” Will says, his eyes lighting up at the opportunity that seems to be presenting itself.
I watch them walk our way. Their perfume gets to our table way before they do.
“Hey, boys,” the tallest blonde says. Her red lipstick is the color of cherries. “You guys need some company tonight?”
“He doesn’t,” Will says, nodding at me. “But I am kinda lonely.”
The shorter blonde bends down, her tits in his face. “Ah, we can fix that, baby.” She sits on his lap, wrapping her arm around his neck.
Will looks at me incredulously, but he’s not about to argue it. The taller blonde sits in a chair on the other side of him. The brunette looks at me.
“You need some company, sexy?” she asks me.
“Nah, I’m good.”
“Okay.” She walks behind Will and massages his shoulders.
He looks at me like he’s hit the jackpot and, for him, maybe he has. Maybe not.
But then his eyes go wide and he fidgets in his seat. His face pales, looking like he’s seen a ghost.
I follow his line of sight to the front door. Two girls walk in and one is looking directly at Will. She stops mid-step and glares his way.