Page 98 of Rematch
We let the radio take over for the rest of the car ride to the stadium.
Jayden stuck close by my side as we weaved through the crowds in the parking lot and headed inside. His brow noticeably rose when we stopped at the box office and the clerk handed us our VIP badges and tickets. “You really weren’t kidding, huh?” He asked as he put the lanyard over his head.
I smirked. “Did you forget I do this shit for a living?”
“No. But, you’re my big brother - you’re not supposed to be cool.”
I shoved him, and he laughed.
We made a stop at the concession stand before heading down to our seats. Jayden’s eyes curiously darted around the abundance of lights, teeming crowds in the stands, and the large octagon a few rows in front of us.
A few of my professional acquaintances, also clad with VIP badges, who were walking by to get to their own seats stopped to chat with me. The smile on Jayden’s face grew larger and larger with every manager, agent, and fellow contenders who spoke to us. He beamed with every introduction, happy to beacknowledged and bragged about. He probably thought I was bullshitting when I told people he had the potential to be one of the next contenders on the rise, but I meant it. If we kept training the way we were, he might have a shot at making it in the MMA world. If that’s what he wanted after he finished trade school.
I wanted him to have as many options for his future as possible. It was too bright for him not to.
During the matches, I noticed Jayden wasn’t just watching the matches for entertainment - he was studying them. His eyes attentively tracked every strike, hold, and submission. Occasionally, he’d lean over to ask me questions about a move a contender pulled or a strategy to counter a hold. Hearing the language I’ve been trying to teach him sparked pride in my chest. Made me think that maybe he has been listening to me after all.
Once the event was over, I asked Jayden if he wanted to go backstage and meet some of the contenders, but he declined. “I don’t want to leave my mom too long by herself,” he explained. “Especially at night.”
I nodded, understanding where he was coming from. The new apartment was still foreign to him. I remember being on watch too when my mom and I moved to our house. It’s a weird feeling - being somewhere that’s supposed to be home, but doesn’t feel like it. Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to deal with it for much longer.
Adrian and I already brainstormed a few ideas of how to squash Elias like the bug he was. We just wanted to wait until his convention was over to bring them into fruition. I already knew my dad wasn’t going to like us bypassing him, but at this point I didn’t really care. It’s not like he was going to be of any help anyway.
There was a long line of cars following after us as we exited the stadium, but I noticed a few continuing our exact route a few feet behind us. In the darkness, I couldn’t make much of the make and model, but from the size of the lights I could tell they were either SUVs or trucks.
“What’s wrong?” Jayden asked as I made a random turn.
“Nothing,” I replied, keeping my eyes on the road. I didn’t want to worry him unless I had to.
As expected, the cars turned down the same road, still maintaining their distance.
Clenching my jaw, I held in the curse threatening to slip out, and continued down the quiet road. “I need you to listen to me,” I told Jayden. “Okay?”
His brows pinched together. “Okay…”
“Put your seat all the way back and lean down as low as you can.”
“What? Why?”
“Just do it,” I snapped. “Now.”
He knew from my tone now was not the time for disobedience or smart remarks. He adjusted his seat and lay back.
As he got settled, I reached into the hidden compartment in the center dash and pulled out my gun. “Now, pull your hood over your head and put your arms over your face.”
“But, Max-“
I glanced over at him. “And don’t put your head up. No matter what.”
The opening at the end of the street led to a larger road. I made a left turn onto it, and sped down the new lane.
The cars behind us accelerated, matching my speed. One engine roared louder than the rest as a black SUV peeled into the next lane shot forward, then cut in front of me, trying to trap me between them.
I swerved left, but every time I moved, so did they.
Shit was starting to piss me off. I wished they’d just make their move already, so we could get this over with.
Another set of headlights flashed in my sideview mirror. Glancing at it, I noticed yet another SUV zooming up beside us.
