Page 32 of My Fight

“Dude, why the fuck aren’t you at the gym. Where are you? They just announced the nominees for the MMA awards,” Conor shouted through the phone.

“Fuck. I forgot that was today. I-I’m . . . I’m at um, Kenna’s place.” Ryan’s voice shook.

Yep. Leave it to my brother to make Ryan shaky.

“Kenna’s place? Oh, how is she?” he asked.

“How about you ask her yourself, you’re on speaker.”

“Hi, Micky. How are you?” Conor asked.

“Hey, Conor,” I said in response. “I’m good.”

“Actually, this includes you too, Kenna. So, I’m glad you’re on with us,” Conor said.

“Dude, tell me.” Ryan was getting a little impatient.

I give him a look of confusion, trying to understand what the big deal was. I had never really paid attention to any of the fighting stuff. It just never interested me. But I had a feeling that this was a big deal in their world.

“Okay. Okay, so . . . Ry, you were nominated for ‘Knockout of the Year’ for your last fight!” Conor practically yelled in excitement.

“Fuck! Yes! I knew that knockout was fucking awesome,” Ryan yelled back.

“I know. I know. I knew there was no way you wouldn’t be nominated. The way you dropped Romeo was fucking amazing.”

God. If my neighbors can hear any of this, they’re gonna think two people are fighting in here by all the yelling.I exhaled a heavy sigh.Damn. They’re so stupidly-excited.

“That’s not all. Finn and I were both nominated for trainer of the year!”

“Hell, yeah! That’s amazing and so deserved.”

“There’s more and Kenna, this includes you.”

Pointing to myself as he could see me, I said, “Me . . . How? Why?”

“Well, the gym was nominated for best gym, which included you as a third owner. Listen, Mick, the awards are in Orlando. Finn and I really would like it if you attended the ceremony with us this year. You’re a part of this with us. This is for dad,” he said, ending with a low voice.

I looked at Ryan in disbelief. An award ceremony for a gym that I owned a third of but had no involvement in.

This is crazy.

“I don’t know Conor it seems silly for me to go,” I said. “I don’t do anything for the gym.”

“Micky, please,” Conor begged. “Finn and I want you to be there.”

I looked at Ryan and shrugged my shoulders, not sure how to answer.

“She’ll be there,” Ryan replied.

My eyes grew wide in shock that he would answer for me.

“Yes,” Conor shouted with excitement. “Micky, thank you. Friday night, we celebrate. I will call Mike over at Journey’s and get us on the VIP list.” With that last statement, Conor disconnected the line.

“Journey’s?” I asked Ryan.

“It’s a club in downtown Orlando. The owner and bouncers frequently use the gym.” Ryan pulled me up from the sofa. “Fuck. Kenna, I was nominated for fucking knockout of the year.”

He wrapped his arms around me, then lifted me off the ground. With my feet dangling, he swung me around. I couldn’t help but squeeze him back and laugh in light of his complete joy and excitement.

---