Page 24 of Rematch
“No,” I replied. “How much do you need?”
“I’m not a charity. I’m not taking your money without working for it.”
“Oh, you will.”
His brows stitched together. “Huh?”
“Give me your phone.”
“What? Why?”
I held out my hand and gave him a stern look. I didn’t have time to keep chit-chatting. Tysir and Wesley were going to be taking up the money soon.
Sighing, he dug his phone out of his pocket and handed it over.
I typed my phone number in and saved it. Then, I opened the notes app. “This is the address of the MMA gym where I work. You come by any day of the week before eight, and I’m usually there.”
“I don’t understand,” he said.
“Some trainers invest in their prodigies while they’re young. Pay for lessons and workshops and tournaments and shit. Only difference is my money will be going straight to you.”
“But, I’m not-“
“You said you wanted to work for the money, right?”
He nodded.
“Then you’ll do it in the ring I see fit.” I gave him his phone back. “When you have time, stop by so we can figure out a schedule. Until then…” I reached in my pocket and pulled out my wallet. I usually didn’t carry around much cash, but I did have more than I needed on me. It wasn’t as much as he’d be earning if he’d fought, but it was enough to let him know I was serious.
He stared at the wad of cash in my hands with a creased brow. “I still don’t understand.” He raised his eyes to meet mine. “Why are you helping me?”
“Because we’re family,” I told him. “Whether we like it or not.”
His lips flipped up the slightest bit. “Thank you,” he whispered as he accepted the cash.
“You’re welcome. Now, beat it before I change my mind and whip your ass for not listening the first time.”
Taking a few steps back, he held up his hands in surrender. He turned on his heel and jogged off towards the impromptu parking lot, past all the cars and into the darkness of the night.
For the rest of the night, I shoved away the fuzzy feeling trying to bloom in my chest. It felt nice - doing the right thing for once.
I couldn’t wait to tell Audrey about it. I’d have to spill the beans about everything else that’s been going on, but she deserved to know. I just hoped she wouldn’t look at me differently afterwards.
By the time the matches were done, the money was distributed, and the warehouse was all cleared out, it was damn near three o’ clock in the morning. There was no way in hell she was still awake, but I held on to the hope that she might be.
I raced against every red light on my way to her house and sprinted to the backyard.
Her window blended into the night. Not even a hint of purple light shone through the curtains.
I still climbed up the ladder and peeked in through the windows to make sure. Through the darkness, I could make out the silhouette of her body, curled up in her bed.
I wedged my fingers against the windowsill and pushed it upwards. To my surprise, the window didn’t budge. I tugged up a little harder, thinking it might’ve been jammed or stuck on something. But, it still didn’t move.
My chest stung as the realization punched me in the face.
Audrey locked me out.
Chapter 11
