Page 24 of Off Balance

“How can I sleep when I can’t close my eyes without thinking about the?—“

“—the hot boxer Daddy. I know, I know.” He perks up, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. “I just had the best idea, but I need to do recon. I’ll text you tomorrow.”

Antoni air kisses the screen and then hangs up. I sigh at my blank screen.

It was nice talking to someone about this, even if he was absolutely no help at all.

CHAPTER 6

DOM

“Please tell me you’re joking.”

Dwayne shakes his head and gestures to Cameron. “Wasn’t my idea.”

“Is this a punishment for something?”

“Oh, come on. You’re seriously not excited about this?Sports Unleashedwants to do a story about you. That’s huge.”

“But I have to do a photo shoot.Naked.”

“There will be a modesty cover or something. I don’t know how it works. But it’s a huge deal. The artist they hired to do the portraits is a friend of my cousin’s and they’re super famous or something. It’s a great opportunity. I think you should do it.”

“But why naked?”

“His whole series is about body positivity and highlighting the wonder of the human body. Athletes accomplishing the impossible because they push themselves beyond normal limitations.”

“If that’s the case, you should get your portrait done.”

Cameron blushes but shakes his head. “I’m not a famous athlete.”

“Yet.”

“You’re deflecting. Please consider doing this. If not for you, then for me, because my cousin is pushy and won’t let it go. If you don’t agree to it, he’ll just show up and bully you into it.”

“He’s not exaggerating,” Dwayne says with an amused expression.

“Fine,” I groan. And if agreeing to this isn’t a sign that I’m in over my head, then I don’t know what is. Because the one and only reason I’m even considering it is because Cameron wants me to. “How long do I have to find a way out of it?”

“A few weeks,” Cameron says, beaming. “But good luck with that.”

There's more hype for this "small exhibition match" than Dwayne let on. The venue is already at capacity when we arrive. I eye Dwayne, clenching my jaw at the line of people hoping to get in.

"Don't worry, we'll go in through the back," Dwayne assures me, but once we drive around, there are fans and cameras waiting for our arrival. "Fucking Bruce," Dwayne mutters under his breath as he comes to a stop as close to the door as he can get without hitting anyone.

Thankfully, there are some ropes set up to provide a walkway, but I'll have to sign autographs and smile for pictures if I don'twant to look like a total asshole. Most fighters could get away with the tough guy act and just bulldoze through the crowd, and I could do that too, but I'm not that kind of guy. Considering the shit that's being spread about me, I'd rather keep my reputation of being not an asshole outside of the ring if only to avoid further drama.

It takes over twenty minutes to get through the small crowd, and by the time the doors shut behind us, the owner of the club is there to welcome us with a wide smile. He throws his arms around my brother, patting his shoulders enthusiastically.

"You said you'd keep this low-key, Bruce," my brother admonishes.

"And I did!" The older man says, laughing. "Believe me, if I could have upgraded this fight to the arena, I would have. Even letting a hint slip sold out tickets overnight, and people are clamoring to get inside. And don't even get me started on the betting?—"

"Nope. Don't want to hear about it," my brother says, cutting Bruce off. "Anyway, Oscar Bruce, meet my brother Domenick Connor. Dom, Bruce is the owner of the Capital-A Boxing Club. Despite his enthusiasm, he actually runs a great establishment. Used to be a boxer himself."

"Once a fighter, always a fighter, amirite, Mr. Connor?" He takes my hand and shakes it eagerly. He can't disguise the dollar signs in his eyes any more than a personal injury lawyer watching a multi-car pileup."The gentle giant himself. I'm a big, big fan."

"Thanks. Would you mind if we had a few minutes to warm up and center before the fight?" I'm ready to get this show on the road.

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