Page 96 of Clinch'd

With a shrug, she stares me down until I sigh and say, “She was working for the mafia—“

“Not possible,” she interjects, and I grit my teeth.

“Itispossible. It fucking happened.”

I mean, come on, don’t try to lie right out of the gate.

Her brows drop and she looks away. After a moment she seems to regroup but I have a sneaking suspicion she’s nottalking to me when she says, “Why? Did you ask why? That makes no sense.”

Before I can respond though, she swings toward me and says, “The thing is, Minnie’s spent the last few years working. She doesn’t go out. She doesn’t date.”

She nibbles her lip and I lean forward, holding my breath which fizzles out when she eyes me and says, “She’s a sad fucking sack. Hell, if it weren’t for…”

“For what?” I ask, pushing away visions of Minnie’s tired features the day I confronted her in that diner. I know what it’s like to work your ass off just to pay the bills. My mom did it for years after Dad died.

Shit. Now I’m avoiding her gaze when she says, “Nothing. Look, Minnie isn’t a bad person. Yes, I said some really mean things, but she’s only ever been the one to help me. She’s, I don’t know, like a lion.”

When I stare at her blankly, she sighs. “Think about it. Minnie protects with all she has, so why would she fuck withyou?”

Chapter 36

Minnie

From my window I can see the skyline of New York City, although the only building I recognize is the Empire State Building. Still, it's beautiful and I smile.

The last week has been quiet. Beast was gone leaving me nothing to do but think and now that I’m on the other side of it I’m not too happy with my actions.

I’ve been drowning my woes the way my father once did and acting like a petulant child. I’m not sure what to do about Lorri and although I’m sorry for Cooper’s double loss and it explains his attitude about life in general, I can’t worry about him.

That’s Lorri’s job. Although I am super curious how Beast had a hand in this because I assume it’s related to Cooper’s quest to drive him nuts.

It’s a fucked-up mess but it’s not my mess and over those few days, I decided I didn’t want to be me anymore. So, I spoke to a guidance counselor and got on the list to enroll in nursing school. If I’m accepted, I’ll start in the spring, which means I’ll have to work evenings and weekends, but it will be worth it.

I also transformed myself because I just didn’t want to see the same person looking back at me. My hair is now highlighted with auburn hues, and I traded out Lorri’s slinky dresses for a few cute outfits that are the new me.

Tonight, I’m meeting Beast at the arena. He has a fight both tonight and tomorrow, my birthday although I haven’t mentioned it.

I straightened my hair, and donned one of my new dresses, a sharp black number that accentuates my curves, hints at my cleavage, and ends at my knees.

With a pair of cute heels, I smile at my reflection, done up in soft neutrals before exiting my room. I feel freer than I have in a long time, and tonight I want to enjoy the fight without the baggage I’ve been carrying around.

The venue is packed when I arrive, but I find my seat in a posh box overlooking the crowd and decline a drink in favor of water before sitting down in my seat.

The first fighters enter the cage and I watch mesmerized as they dance around each other before going at it. Fascinated, I study their moves while they pummel each other, holding my breath when one goes down.

It’s both brutal and beautiful to watch. Something I never thought I would be interested in.

I’m so engrossed, I don’t notice that someone is standing above me until Cooper says, “Minnie.”

Shit. So much for enjoying myself.

Of course, my stomach clenches painfully because no matter how hard I try to convince myself he doesn’t matter, my body knows the truth.

After sucking in a painful breath, I say without bothering to look up, “Cooper.”

He sits down next to me when there are ten other fucking seats, but I refuse to play his game and ignore him. Why is he here? Didn’t he retire?

“You want a drink?” he asks when the server looms over us.

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