“Which is why I didn’t defend my actions. If it hadn’t been over that, it would’ve been over something else, Mike. We both know that. Something needed to happen to knock me back on track.”
Eyes narrowed, Mike rubbed the top of his bald head. “Mac told me you’ve been training with him. He also mentioned you might be interested in returning to the cage.”
“Interested? Definitely. Is it a possibility? That depends on you and Ethan.”
Mike sucked on his teeth while he studied him. “I know I have a rep for being hot-headed and just reacting. I did it to Dante, and I did it to you.” He pointed his finger at Tommy. “But in my defense, you both had been screwing up and my patience was gone. Before I even think about venturing down this road with you again, I need to know you are one hundred percent committed to your career. No more of the crap you pulled.”
A flare of hope sparked in Tommy’s chest. “Mike, there is no one more painfully aware of their part in fucking up their career. Trust me, it’s not happening again.”
“That’s good to know. So you want to come back?”
“Of course I do, but you remember I’m barred from the cage, right? You have a training facility full of high-caliber fighters who are all slotted for matches. The chances of my getting back in are almost nil.”
“I won’t lie. It won’t be easy. We all know why you punched Ethan’s son, but your reputation was in the shitter even before that. You’re going to have to prove yourself. Show everyone this is what you want. It’s as simple as that.”
“Do you think Ethan can overlook that last fight?”
“One thing I know about that man.” Mike lowered his voice and took a step closer. “Money talks. And you had a lot of fans. Even before you won the championship, you sold out arenas. Ethan isn’t going to forget that. He banned you in the heat of the moment. If we can show him you’ve changed, I think you have a pretty good chance of getting back in.” Mike clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ve always known you had the potential to be one of the greats in MMA, Tommy. One of the guys who still has loyal fans even after retirement. You screwed up, but I think you’ve learned your lesson. So what do you say we start kicking your ass again on Monday?”
Tommy smiled. “Sounds fucking fantastic.”
“Glad to have you back, man.”
Hell, yeah. A huge weight lifted from his shoulders. His career was back on track.
Now to get things on the right track with Julie.
…
Julie smiled up at Brody, who’d pulled her to a quiet alcove away from the group surrounding Dante and Cait to watch the bride and groom cut the cake. The reception was winding down. After tossing the garter and bouquet, the happy couple would leave to catch a late flight to Aruba, which Dante joked Caitlyn would not see hide nor hair of once they landed. Cait blushed, but Julie noticed she didn’t contradict her new husband’s prediction.
Another wave of envy hit Julie right where it hurt. The entire night had been a roller coaster of emotions, starting with her encounter with Tommy at the house. That had pushed her to devote all her attention to Brody, which hadn’t been difficult, since he hadn’t left her side, not even to hang with the many other fighters in the building, who were grouped together talking shop as usual.
Unfortunately, the more time she spent with him, dancing and touching, the more she realized they would never be more than friends. No matter how much she wanted to feel a spark with the man, she didn’t. And she needed to let him know right away, before she ended up hurting him. She’d never forgive herself if she did that, especially since she was allowing Tommy to believe there was more between her and Brody than there really was. Which meant she was using Brody, and honestly, that made her feel sick.
“Cait’s about to throw the bouquet,” Brody said, nudging her forward. “Go out there and show those women how it’s done.”
As she watched the single ladies gather on the dance floor, she bit her bottom lip. Should she? She’d never participated in the tradition at other weddings. But just a little while ago, hadn’t she made a determined vow to herself that she would marry and have a family? What better way to start looking toward that future than by catching the symbol that said she’d be the next to do just that?
So she took her place beside a giggling woman who had to be in her very early twenties and most definitely did not need to marry.
She caught Cait’s gaze, and Cait smiled and pointed at her before she turned around.
“One. Two. Three,” Cait counted excitedly.
The bouquet arched up. The young woman launched into the air, aiming for it like a heat-seeking missile. Just as her hands closed around the handle of the daisy-laden bouquet, Julie nudged her with her hip so she lost her grip. When the flowers tumbled from her fingertips, Julie grabbed a fistful of petals and yanked them to her chest, holding them close as she bent over to protect them from the giggling horde who tried to wrestle them away. Hands tugged at the bouquet, but Julie held on until everyone had given up.