Page 112 of Hits Different

“Did they say why?”

“I think we both know why”. Simon says, with a disappointed sigh. “The real question is, what we are going to do about it?”

For the first time in my life, I have no answer. No joke. No deflection. Nothing.

Chapter 43

Remember Me

Parker

I grit my teeth as Zara’s roundhouse kick slams me into the unforgiving steel of the cage wall. Her heel clips my shoulder. I shrug it off like it’s nothing.

This must be how my dad felt.

Zara follows up with a series of relentless blows designed to make me cover up. I throw a couple of low kicks, forcing her to keep her distance, as I duck out of reach and circle into the centre where we can trade punches.

“Good!” Zara yells, “Work to your strengths. Don’t get taken into the corners. Make him play your game. Matty, take over”.

Matt replaces Zara and I quickly level him with a short one-two punch. “Like that?” I hold out my hand and haul him to his feet.

“Just like that”. She smacks me on the back, which is Zara-speak for ‘good job’. “Call a time-out, Jeff, for God’s sakes. While I can still have some fighters left”. The timekeeper ironically blows his whistle, and I bounce off the balls of my feet.

“One day to go”, Zara spits out her mouthguard. “You good?”

“Are you asking me or telling me?”

“It’s the best I’ve seen you”. A ridiculous flush of pride hits me.See Dad?“You were ice cold at the weigh ins. It’s okay to look like you’re enjoying it”.

“I am”. I’m literally getting everything I ever wanted. That takes some getting used to. “I just want to win”.

Tank is no pushover, but beating him is the first step in making a name for myself. “About tomorrow”, Zara squats down. “I make it a point to never get involved in the personal lives of my fighters. But your friend can’t come”.

It takes a split second to realise who she means. “Brandon?”

“Don’t give me that look. I don’t care what he is to you. Rumours follow him around like fleas on a mongrel. We don’t need those eyes on you. Not so early in your career”.

I can’t speak. “Only two things count in this world, Parker. Your reputation, and your win record. Right now, you don’t have either”. Raised voices filter through the gym from outside in the street. “Damn. Jack, again”.

“I’ll go”. I disappear, grateful for an escape route.

* * * *

I pull on a shirt and head outside, almost getting knocked down by a furious-looking Jack as he storms by. He shrugs me off and stomps inside, slamming the door behind him.

A stressed-out, middle-aged woman calls after him. “This isn’t negotiable, Jack! One hour maximum, then homework. Your finals aren’t going to barely pass themselves”.

She turns to me. “Do you think he absorbed any of that?”

“Absolutely”, I grin, “Every word. Everything okay?”

“If you count talking a seventeen year old into seeing basic common sense okay, then yes, everything’s great”. She wipes her hands on her jacket. “I’m Genevieve. You must be Parker. Jack—when he actually speaks—only talks about you, and this place”.

“Jack talks about me?” My gaze lands on the now-slammed door. “All lies, I promise”.

“If you managed a conversation, I’d say he likes you better than most”. She hesitates. “Zara told me that you’d contributed to Jack’s fees. I can’t tell you how grateful I am”.

“You didn’t tell him, I hope?” She shakes her head. “Don’t. The gym is a great place to blow off steam”.

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