“There’s a tournament in eight weeks.”
Gage stayed quiet.
“It’s an elimination tourney. Prize is half a million bucks…”
He still didn’t answer.
“I want to sponsor you.”
His silence continued.
“Nicky over at Sal’s gym is willing to train you. I’ll put up the entry fee, and if you win or place, we split the cash fifty-fifty. Whadda you say?”
Gage looked Mitch in the eye and said, “No.”
The other man swore in annoyance. “Fine, I’m willing to go sixty-forty, but that’s it.”
“I don’t care about the cash. I’m not entering.” He flopped down on the bench again and planted both hands on his thighs, the look on his face brooking no argument.
“Come on, man, just think about it. It’ll only cost you two days of your time, and if you win you’ll earn a cool two hundred and fifty G’s. If you place you’ll get a hundred. Easy money, brother.”
“I already have a day job,” Gage said curtly. “I’m part owner of a very successful club. That’s where I want to be.”
“I’m sure your partners will give you time off if you—”
“You’re not hearing me. I want to be there. I have no interest in fighting anymore, which is what I told you three months ago. I only agreed to these matches because you backed me into a corner, but we’re square now.” Gage shot the other man a dark look. “You’re a man of your word, or at least that’s what you like to tell everyone. Isn’t that right?”
Mitch’s jaw tensed. “My word is gold, Gage.”
“Then prove it. I’ve carried out my end of the deal, now it’s your turn. After tonight, you leave me and Denny alone.”
A long silence fell over them. Anger, frustration, and resentment twisted O’Donnell’s face into an expression so volatile Gage almost expected to have to fight the guy. But after several more seconds ticked by, the other man backed off. “Fine. Your loss. If you want to throw away this opportunity, then go for it. But FYI—it makes you a fucking idiot.”
“Then I’m a fucking idiot.” Gage flashed a humorless smile. “Will you tell LeSean to grab me when it’s time for my match?”
Mitch scowled. Nodded. Then stalked out of the room.
In a flash, a colossal weight was lifted off Gage’s chest.
When LeSean came to get him thirty minutes later, Gage walked out of the locker room with an actual spring in his step. Genuinely looking forward to climbing in the cage tonight, knowing it was the last time he’d ever have to do it. And once that final bell rang, he’d get the hell outta there and head to Skyler’s house, where he’d spend the whole night in her arms.
Life was finally looking up again.
Chapter Eleven
“Remind me to get you in a good mood more often.” Skyler gasped as Gage rolled off her and collapsed on his back.
“Baby, I’m always in a good mood when I’m with you.”
The smile he flashed made her heart pound. He’d been doing that a lot this week. Smiling. Laughing. Saying the sweetest darn things. He was a gazillion times more relaxed since his last fight, and she was reaping the rewards of it.
“Do you want to watch a movie or something?” She shifted onto her side and propped up on one elbow. “Oooh, or maybe we can go downstairs, and you can show me how to prepare that yummy stir-fry you made the other night—” Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. “Hold that thought.” She leaned over to check the screen, frowned, then kept talking. “Anyway, should we—”
“Don’t anyway me,” he chided. “Who just texted?”
A sigh lodged in her throat. “My stepfather.”
“What did he want?”
“Nothing, really. He calls or texts every few weeks to say hi. Asks if I want to have lunch or dinner or whatever.”
Gage studied her face, his dark brows drawn together. “Why do you look so upset, then? You don’t like him?”
“No, it’s not that…” Hesitation tightened her chest. “It’s just…no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop viewing him as the man who broke up my parents’ marriage. And yeah, I know it takes two to cheat. It wasn’t entirely Clay’s fault—Mom was at fault, too. But every time I see him, I think of my dad, and how brokenhearted he was when Mom left, and…” Her throat closed up. “I know I’m not being fair to Clay, but I can’t help the way I feel.”
“Did he ever remarry?”
“No. And he doesn’t have any other kids.” She bit the inside of her cheek. “Do you think I’m awful for ignoring him?”
“Not at all. I think you’ve gotta do what’s right for you.”
She fell quiet for a moment, resting her head against his chest and listening to the steady beating of his heart. “What about your parents? What are they like?”
“Oh, it’s the usual sob story.” He spoke in a monotone voice. “My dad was a deadbeat. Raging alcoholic, petty criminal. He got arrested for armed robbery about ten years ago. Still in prison as far as I know.”