Page 2 of Champion

My phone buzzes with a text message, and I know what I’m going to see when I pick it up.

Sorry, I can't make it tonight. Beth writes.My stomach hasn't been feeling great, so I'm going to have a quiet night in. I hope Rebecca wins the chili cook-off!

That's a bummer. I hope you feel better soon! I text back.

I put my phone face down on my desk, and butterflies fill my stomach when I see Champ watching me from across the gym.Every time I convince myself I need to ignore how I feel around Champ, it all goes out the window when he looks at me.

Calm down, Opal. I tell myself.

I return my focus to the pile of invoices next to me and make sure they’re taken care of before my shift ends. Champ always says I can head out when I’m finished instead of sitting around when there’s nothing to do. If nothing else, tonight is Friday, and I’d rather go and hang out with Rebecca than stay here at the gym.

“Hey, Opal. You doing okay in here? You've been quiet.” I startle as Champ fills the doorway.

“Oh, I'm okay. Beth was supposed to go with me to the chili cook-off tonight. You know, the one to benefit Warrior Cares? She said she wasn't feeling well.”

“Is she okay?” he asks, concern filling his face.

“Oh, um, lady stuff.”I glance away, suddenly awkward. I don’t like lying and hadn’t considered that I would be the one sharing Beth’s white lie.

Champ nods but doesn’t leave the office. “Look. I’m sorry I was short with you the other day. I didn’t mean to be rude about the cash withdrawals. Can you just put it under something personal?”

“Like personal expenses? I still need receipts.”

Champ frowns. “I’ll see what I can do.”

I look at him for a long moment, a surge of bravery filling me. “Hey. You don’t have to say yes, but with Beth staying home tonight, I now have an extra ticket for the chili cook-off. Would you like to join me?”

Champ blinks and looks at me in surprise. “Opal, that’s a kind offer, but I think I’ll pass.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, pressing on. “My friend, Rebecca, is competing with her grandfather’s secret recipe. It’s delicious.” I smile, hoping Champ will change his mind.

He gives me a long look, but his face doesn’t reveal his thoughts.”I may consider it,” he finally says.

His expression softens as he looks at me, but I don’t know if it’s my kindness in offering him a ticket or if he’s letting his guard down and maybe I have a chance with him.

“Okay, well, I'm going to leave the ticket here on the desk, so if you change your mind, come and find me.”

Champ nods and watches me prop the ticket against the base of the new computer monitor before returning to the gym floor.

It always seems like I watch him walk away from me.

I chide myself for being dramatic, but I can’t help how I react to Champ. While it’s great to be close to him when I’m filling in for Shelly, it’s also torture when he has such high walls around him. At first, I thought working in the Jefferson gym when it opens would be worse, but now I think it’ll be a blessing. Who wants to be around someone who resists them?

Get it together, Opal.

My brother would kill me if he knew how I felt about Champ, but it’s none of his business. Champ would have kittens if he knew who my brother was. It’s something I plan on keeping secret for as long as possible.

CHAPTER 2

Don’t do this to me!” I warn my truck as I pull up to a stoplight.

The truck is shuddering again.I've been meaning to take it to the shop, but running between the gym and the new place in Jefferson has kept me busy. I hope it doesn't break down on me. Fortunately, I get home without incident and unload all the supplies I bought for Harley into my garage.

After I close up the garage, I call Harley on the phone as I walk back into my house. “Hey, Harley, I'm all stocked up. Let me know when you arrive at the mountain, and I'll head up so I can deliver all these things to you.”

“Sounds good, man. I appreciate it. I hope to see you. I may have to head out as soon as I drop the women off, so I’m not sure if our paths will cross.” Harley sounds relieved.

“Well, I hope it works out we see each other,” I say. “It’s been too long since we talked. Though I can't talk long now. I've got to get back to the gym. I’m having an issue with a boxer and need to see where we’re at with him.”

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