Page 67 of The Naughty List
Son of a bitch.
Rock took my fucking phone.
20
HOLLIS
JOY TO THE WORLD
Ihaven’t heard from Jonah in two days.
The fight is tomorrow night.
The downtime has given me a chance to research Malachi Stryker and I don’t like anything I see.
He’s put several opponents in the hospital. He’s merciless and huge and has it out for Jonah with a vengeance.
He’s literally a former UFC champion and after watching his last fight on YouTube, I know I can’t watch him do that to Jonah. He aims for the head and swings like a cornered animal fighting for his life.
“What do you mean you’re not going?” Addi gapes at me from across the table at our favorite coffee shop.
I take a long drink of my caramel frapp. “Exactly what I said. I’m not going. I’m not watching that giant barbarian bash Jonah’s head in. Miss Nancy invited me to a pajama party for the kids to watch the ball drop and that’s how I’m going to spend my New Years.”
Addi rolls her eyes. “Yeah, okay. You’ll go insane wondering if he’s okay,” she says matter-of-factly.
“Miss Nancy bought the fight on pay-per view so I can check in if I want to. But I’m telling you, Addi, he shouldn’t be doing this. Not for all the money in the world. Miss Nancy agrees and she stands to benefit more than anyone else.”
“Regardless, he is. He’s a grown man, Hollis. It’s his decision.”
I nod. “I know. And I’ve made my peace with that. But it’s the wrong decision. Deep down, I think he knows that.”
“Tell me something,” she says before taking a sip of her latte. “Why do you think he said yes? You think it’s really just about the money? Or about the charitable donation?”
I shrug. “I think Jonah carries a lot of guilt around. About his past. About that kid he hurt years ago. I think maybe he feels like he deserves to be punished. If taking a beating benefits those kids, then that suits him fine because in his mind, he deserves it anyway.”
Addi frowns at her cup. “That’s sad as shit. I read the article. It wasn’t all bad. The reporter mentioned that Jonah still pays that guy’s medical bills. And he bought him a house and paid to have it made handicap accessible. What more does he feel he should do?”
“Rescue all the defenseless animals in the world and fix the lives of all the children living in the group home where he grew up.”
Sighing, she levels me with her gaze. “Don’t you two make quite the pair? Saving the world, one good deed at a time.”
“What good deeds have I done?”
She laughs as if I’ve said something amusing. “Oh, I don’t know, Hollis. Just everything anyone has ever asked of you. Taking care of your parents, your grandfather, the bar, your brothers, Jonah, his dogs.” She sets her cup aside. “Have you ever actually said no before?”
“I’m not going to the fight, Addi. It’s a no for me. So yes, I have.”
“My money says you’ll be there, Hollis. You may not be ready to face it, but you’re in love with him. And as someone who’s been there, I can honestly tell you, love has no limits. You may not want to go, but you’ll end up there. One way or another.”
“You’re wrong,” I tell her, because for once, she is. “I couldn’t finish watching the fight online of that guy pummeling a dude I didn’t even know. There’s no way I could watch him do that to Jonah live and in person.”
“Maybe he won’t. Maybe Jonah will straight up kick his ass.”
I scoff at her. “Jonah left on a redeye flight to get a year’s worth of training in one week. How well do you think that’s going to go?”
Her shoulders slump. “It’s a shame they couldn’t have given him more time.”
More time.
