Page 39 of 4th Degree

I’m starting to realize money plays a big part in a lot of Skylar’s life decisions. And as much as it makes it easier to understand her and her life, it also just makes me really sad.

I’ve never had that kind of money problem. Sure, there were plenty of times I lived paycheck to paycheck when I was nineteen and living on my own as my fighting career started, but I never reached a point where I had to consider giving up my gym membership.

I don’t even want to think about what else she was thinking about giving up for the sake of whatever money she needed.

I feel the weight of her words, and the emotions that they evoke, so I try to steer us toward a safer topic.

“If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?”

And bingo, my attempt works like a charm. A smile immediately lights up her face.

“Probably somewhere in Colorado.”

“You a snow sport kinda girl?”

She shakes her head. “No, I’ve never tried any of that. I just love the idea of living in a small town in the mountains like you always see in Colorado pictures. Just surrounded by fresh air, gorgeous views, and none of the chaos of a city. Seems like it would be the least stressful place to live.”

The last comment hooks in my brain. Any person would love to live in a place with views they consider gorgeous, but it sounds like she’s focusing more on the stress-free part than anything else.

“Have you ever been out there to visit?” I ask.

“No. I’ve never been anywhere.” The way she says it is so matter of fact, I feel myself frowning.

“Did you get to travel a lot when you were fighting?” she asks.

“Uh…you could say that.”

I see her quizzical look in my peripheral. “How would you say it?”

“I traveled, but it was never to anyplace good.”

She shifts in her seat slightly, turning to look at me. “What do you consider ‘not anyplace good?’”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Back when I was fighting, they weren’t exactly sending us to Madison Square Garden. The most interesting place I ever fought was in the city with the largest teapot in the world.”

Skylar lets out a delighted laugh. “A teapot? Oh my God, where was that?”

I aim a grin at her. “Chester, West Virginia.”

She dissolves into giggles in the passenger seat. “I have so many questions.”

“Alright, but if they’re mocking questions, I’m dropping you off at the prison.”

“Yeah, yeah, okay.” She waves me off. “How big is it? Did you actually see it? Did the MMA organization take you there? Did they tell you that about the city, or did you find out on your own? I would’ve died to be a fly on the wall when you found out that’s the city you’d be fighting in.”

I shoot her a scolding look. “Prison it is.”

She falls back against the window in another fit of laughter.

“So, no cool work trips for you?” she asks with a grin.

“Not when I was fighting, no. Now I get to travel for Tristan’s fights, though, so the MMA employers made up for it.”

She hums thoughtfully. “I know he just fought in Vegas, but where else do you think they’ll send him?”

“Technically, I can’t tell you anything before the contract is signed, but…” I size her up with an exaggerated side glance, already knowing she’s trustworthy enough that I could tell her anything. “We’re trying to sign a fight in London for later this year.”

Skylar immediately straightens in her seat. “London?! That’s so cool! And they pay for everything?”

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