Page 17 of Sunflower Persona
His credentials are legit. When I was younger, I looked at him with stars in my eyes, but after nearly two decades of knowing someone, the novelty wears off.
“His résumé is why I started, but that’s not why I stuck around. He was a beast back in the day, but he’s also one of the best people I know. Wouldn’t want to train under anyone else.”
And I doubt I’d still be alive if it weren’t for him.
When I was in the depths of my despair after my injury, he was there, and he never gave up on me. He didn’t let me quit—on MMA or on life. Once I was cleared to resume physical activity, he dragged my sorry ass back into the gym and told me I was in charge of the kids. He gave me something to live for, and I’ll never be able to repay him for that.
Of course, I’m not telling her all that.
“Do you think I’d like it here?” she asks. “Sports have never been my thing. I’m more of a video game girl, if I’m being honest.”
“It’s hard to say. I think you’ll like the people and the culture, but neither of us will know if you’ll like the sport until you try it.”
“We’ll see on Tuesday, I guess.”
Chapter 7
Gage
Across the crowded bar, the door swings open. As if captured by a magnet, my head snaps in its direction. Again. The customers in front of me are drunk enough they don’t notice my momentary distraction, but their orders fall on deaf ears as I search for any glimpse of yellow among the sea of neutral tones and Georgia red.
My hopes turn to stone and plummet to the depths of my gut when there’s no sign of Kori. Not that there would be. She hasn’t come by Cutter’s in weeks. Not since that night she ran out when I tried to apologize. That hasn’t stopped me from checking every time that goddamn door opens. After our conversation at Double Teep the other day, I thought—fuck, I don’t know what I thought.
I shouldn’t be thinking about her at all.
With a deeper scowl than usual, I grab a mix of light beers and hard seltzers and dump them in front of the kids I ignored. One girl raises an eyebrow and opens her mouth—no doubt to let me have it about their order being fucked up—but the words die on her lips as her friend elbows her in the side while franticallyshaking her head. The brave one looks between me and the drinks for several seconds, contemplating. Whatever she sees on my face is enough for her to make the right decision and grab the cans before scurrying off.
Smart girl.
“Who pissed in your Cheerios?” Nathan asks as he takes her vacated space.
I don’t give him the satisfaction of an answer as I grab a can of his favorite beer and set it on the counter. He grabs it and takes a swig before focusing back on me with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Fuck me.His antics are the last thing I want to deal with right now.
“What? No ‘Hi, how’s it going’ for your best friend?” he asks.
“Karis is my best friend,” I deadpan.
“Ouch, man. That hurts. But the point still stands.”
“What point?” Karis asks, sliding up beside him like some sort of dark fey creature summoned by its name.
“That Gage added extra asshole to his coffee this morning and will barely talk to me.”
Here we go.
“How is that any different from normal?”
“Just look at him, Kare Bear. The crossed arms. The scowl. The ‘look at me too long and I’ll end you’ glare. It’s like he’s trying to drive the customers away.”
“Well, looking at your ugly mug would put me in a sour mood too,” she quips.
“Jeez. What is this? Gang up on Nathan day?”
“I haven’t said shit.”
“Sure, but your attitude says enough.”
