Page 31 of Regards, Mia

Two hours later, I’m sitting in the emergency room waiting to hear the results. But I already know. Manny’s hand is broken.

Fight Night is in jeopardy.

My first call is to Cassandra.

“We’ve got a problem,” I say as soon as she picks up her phone.

“Hello Jay, always good to hear from you.”

“I’m at the hospital.”

“Shit.” The teasing tone in her voice vanishes. “Are you okay?”

“It’s not me.”

“You almost gave me a heart attack. Don’t scare me like that.”

I pace back and forth in the waiting room, wearing a path out on the linoleum tile. “It’s Manny. His hand is broken.”

She releases a long sigh. “That’s not the end of the world. Is it?”

I shove a hand through my hair. “It could be the end of the event. That fight is the main draw.”

“Do me a favor, will you?”

I pace to the end of the room and peer into the hallway, hoping to catch a glimpse of a nurse who can keep me informed. “What?”

“Take a breath and chill out. Everything is gonna be just fine.”

Her smooth voice has no effect on me. Not when the kid’sprogram I’ve fought for can’t make it without a serious influx of cash. I was counting on Fight Night to save the program. Now everything is unraveling. Guilt and regret are like a double-edged sword in my gut.

“Breathe, Jay.”

“I’m breathing.” I suck in a breath so she can hear it.

“I wish I was there to make you feel better.” Cassandra’s voice is soothing in my ear, but there’s only one woman I want to make me feel better. And she made me promise to forget about her.

“What should we do?”

“Don’t worry. I can spin this. You just need to find another fighter and convince Malone to accept the change.”

“I don’t have another fighter.”Except maybe Thatcher.

“You have an entire gym full of fighters. You can find someone.”

“None of them are ready, and the fight is in two weeks.”

“What about you?”

My stomach clenches. I haven’t fought in years. “I’m retired.”

“You can come out of retirement. You’re in shape, aren’t you?”

“That’s not the point. I don’t fight anymore.”

“Why not?”

A rumble of anger and frustration threatens to break free from my chest, but I choke it down. The waiting room is filled with people. I can’t lose it in front of an audience.

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