Page 204 of Repairing the Wreckage

“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.

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