Page 41 of Love Over Easy

“We’re coming too,” Melissa and Suzie say.

“So are we.”

I twist around; I hadn’t even heard David and the Murphys come in.

My heart is so full. “I can’t tell you how much this has meant to me today. Knowing you’ve had my back all day long has been incredibly kind of you. Now it’s time for you to go home. This is my dad and my problem.”

“No.” David steps into my space. From the determined look in his eyes, I know he’s going to be stubborn. My eyes travel over everyone packed into the room and I find the same persistent look from them all.

I know when I’m beat. Which isn’t often. I shrug… and that’s how my entourage ends up walking up the steps of the Faire Island Inn with me. I don’t have to go far. My dad is sitting at one of the tables in the dining area with a cup of coffee and a plate of scones.

My dad is in his fifties, but could easily pass for forty. His dark blonde hair hasn’t even started to gray. He’s tall and keeps his body in shape from the workouts we usually do together. He’s a striking man and I’ve always wondered why he never married again.

He looks up when I walk through the door. His eyes narrow when he sees me and then takes in the mass of people behind me. “Shyanne,” he says and makes no move to stand up or give me a hello kiss on the cheek or hug. We’ve never been that type of family.

“Father,” I say and instinctively tip my chin, ready for battle.

“Who are all those people?” he asks with a glare.

I turn and find them all scowling back. David steps up beside me and takes my hand.

I turn and hope my smile lets him know that I’m okay. “These are my friends.”

“Well, we need to talk. Without your “friends,” he replies with a haughty attitude.

David growls under his breath and I squeeze his hand. “Please,” I say softly. “I need to talk to my father alone.”

Reluctantly they leave, but only go as far as the sitting room. David stays glued to my side. I cup his face. “I’ll be okay.”

He sighs and then gives my father one more meaningful glower before stalking into the next room.

Once we’re alone, my dad doesn’t wait. “Have a seat; we’ve got a lot to talk about. Mainly about how unprofessionally you acted by walking out during contract negotiations with the Garden.”

I pause, letting my temper cool. Going off on my dad never works. “I tried, Dad. I tried for years to get you to hear me. I begged you to let me retire three years ago, but my pleas fell on deaf ears.”

With a flick of his hand, he dismisses my needs as irrelevant. “I’ve heard you, Shyanne, but you’re in the prime of your career. You still have great things to do. Do you know how many fighters dream of the Garden?”

I sit up taller in my seat. Never show fear. I learned that lesson well. “Just not me. I’m happy with the life I’ve made here. I have friends for the first time in my life, and I’ve met someone I care for deeply.”

He crosses his arms and narrows his eyes in disgust. “This is about a man? Shyanne, come on, girl. Wise up. No man is worth throwing away a career like yours. I was able to talk the promoters into pushing back the fight until September. It will be tight, but if we go straight into training, we can do this. I can see you’ve let yourself go. No worries; we can get to work on that as soon as we get back home. Now go pack your things and let’s be on our way.”

I don’t move. “Dad, you didn’t hear me. I’m not going anywhere. This is my home now.”

His lips press together tightly as his eyes bore into mine. Intimidation isn’t going to work this time.

“Shyanne, you are already committed to this match. It would be professional suicide to back out now.” There’s a glint of smug satisfaction behind his gaze and I see red.

“But I haven’t signed the contract.” My heart drops to my stomach from the arrogant look on my father’s face. “Dad…”

“The contracts have been signed,” he snaps. “I have your power of attorney and I signed them on your behalf. It’s all very legal. When you pulled your childish disappearing act, I had no other option. The papers had a deadline. Shyanne, you can’t turn down a multi-million dollar deal. For a woman’s MMA fight, that’s unheard of. Think what this will do for the women’s movement of today.”

If he only believed that. “At least be honest about your motives, Father. The real reason is the cut you’ll get.”

He doesn’t even appear embarrassed about that. “That is part of it. I’ll be able to retire comfortably. You owe this to me, Shyanne. I made you the fighter you are. I’ve given up so much for you. More than a parent should.”

This is the root of all our issues. “Mom. I’m sorry I took her away from you. And you’re right. I owe my fighting career to you, but I don’t owe you my life.”

He strums his fingers on the table, planning his next move. “You do owe me, Shyanne, but I’ll make a deal with you. Do this match, and I’ll agree to your retirement. We’ll even announce it and promote this fight as your last.”

---