Page 137 of Finding Hope

I sit up so fast, I almost lose teeth on the bar above me. “Get the fuck outta here!”

Chuckling, he brushes a hand across his shoulder. “True story. You ain't broke anymore, kid.”

“Does Bobby know my sister is selling herself? He won’t like that.”

“I think she’s found her calling.”

“Sports manager?”

“Not just anyone’s manager.Yours. Jesus, she’s a machine in those meetings. They’re too scared to fuck with her.”

I can’t say that surprises me.

She landed the majority of my sponsorship deals years ago, then she was the first to tell me this year that I stink and that everyone was dropping me. She plays the game with no mercy. I’m just glad she’s on my side – most of the time.

Lifting my hand for a fist bump, I lie down and prepare for my next set. “Thanks, Aido.”

“You’re welcome, kid. You deserve it.”

Tinny music plays through the headphones still resting against my chest. Grunting, I lift the bar and bring it toward my chest.

Aiden comes around the bench to spot me. “How’s your arm?”

“Good.” It hurts deep in my muscle by the end of a hard day, but for the most part, it’s fine.

Lowering the bar, I count out the slow rep in my head and study my brother standing over me. Anything to distract me from the fire in my muscles.

It’s a good hurt.

“How’s your chest?”

“Good.”

“Breathing?”

“Good.”

“Are you ready for next month?”

I set the bar back in the rack and glare at my brother. “Are you done talking? You’re fucking up my count.”

“Liar. You’re pissed because you were daydreamin’ about your Bambie and I interrupted you.”

“That’s also true, so if you don’t mind…”

“I should leave you here alone,” he grumbles. “Maybe you’ll crush yourself on this bench.”

“Maybe. Then I won’t have to listen to you anymore. So get.”

3 Weeks Until Fight Night.

I look up at the knock on the front door, and when Britt walks into Kit and Bobby’s living room, I smile like my whole year just got better.

It did.

Sitting forward on the couch with my elbows on my knees, I’m resting. I had intended to go to bed and pass out, but the couch is as far as I got, since I was running hill sprints today and feel like my legs might actually fall off.

Bobby was in full G.I. Joe mode today, and though I know I’m ready, and he knows I’m ready, he’s pushing hard.

---