“Thank you. I will see you later.”
SHANE WAS PACING BACK and forth. He was minutes away from stepping into the cage and for the first time he suddenly didn’t feel confident about winning. Declan was his focus and he wasn’t there.
“Ready to go out there and make us proud, Shane?”
“Ace, I’ve never felt so off before a fight. Dec, he always to taped my hands and then he would mentally prepare me for my fight. He could make me focus. I could barely make it through the weigh in without him.”
“Look, I’m no Declan but I can help you. I’ve been at every fight. I’ve sparred with you. Where’s the tape?”
Shane walked over and grabbed the gauze cloth and the tape and handed it to Ace. Ace began wrapping Shane’s hands.
“Show time, Shane!”
Shane turned around. Chace was standing there. Shane grabbed his gloves.
“Let’s go.”
Shane walked out with Chace and Ace following him.
Declan sat in his office drinking coffee. He wanted to watch the fight and be able to remember it. He was always there, cage side. Part of him wanted to run downstairs to the Arena and make peace with Shane but he just couldn’t. He turned on the closed circuit monitor and waited for the fight to begin.
He saw Shane approach the cage and then the officials inspected his hands and then Chace helped him get his gloves on. Ace handed him his mouth guard. Declan hoped that Shane remembered his cup. Shane stepped into the cage.
Declan stood up and started pacing, he always worried about Shane getting hurt.
Shane scanned the room, he secretly hoped that Declan would show up, even though he was still angry with him. The referee grabbed both Shane’s hand and Rick Marshall’s, then he backed out of the way so the fight could begin.
The bell rang and Shane struck Rick in the face several times before he took him down and ended up rolling around on the mat. When Round One was over, they separated. Shane found himself looking around for Declan again.
“You doing ok, Shane?”
“I’m good, Buddy.”
His trainer gave him some water and a pat on the ass and Shane headed back for Round Two.
The bell rang and Shane took a skin splitting strike to the side of the head and then a few to his face and ribs. He appeared a bit stunned and had blood dripping down his face; yet he managed to take Rick down and get him in an Arm Bar. Rick had no choice but to Tap Out. Shane sprung up raising his arms in victory.
The crowd started chanting over and over again, “Hartless! Hartless! Hartless!” which is what Shane’s name had become over the past few years in the MMA world because he was undefeated.
Declan was in his office yelling as if Shane could hear him. Kaylee walked by his door and peeked in to make sure he was alright.
“Come in.”
“I was just making sure you were alright.”
“Shane’s fighting.”
“Then why aren’t you downstairs in the Arena?”
“We, uhh…we had a fight.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Declan looked up and saw Shane take a blow to his face.
“Fuck! Shane’s hit.”
Kaylee started watching to see if Shane was alright.
When Declan saw Rick signal a Tap Out, he picked up Kaylee and twirled her around as he yelled, “YESSSSS!!” He slid her body down his but he stopped as her lips aligned with his. He could feel her warm breath and see her cheeks growing pink. He kissed her on the lips, sucking in her bottom lip but then he felt Kaylee stiffen, so he pulled back and gently placed Kaylee down.
“I’m sorry. I got caught up in the excitement. It won’t happen again.”
Kaylee didn’t say a word. She just left.
Shane stepped out of the cage and was greeted by Chace, Ace, the media and a crowd of fans. He looked for Robert but couldn’t seem to find him. Shane spoke to a few reporters before Buddy escorted him to his locker room. Shane wanted to pull on sweats and a t-shirt before he got dragged to the hospital to have his head stitched up.
“Shane, I’m going to check on Rick. I will be right back. Then we need to get that head of yours looked at.”
Shane hugged Buddy. “Thanks. You’re the best, Buddy.”
“You’re a good kid, Shane. Now go get your ass moving. I’ll be back in two minutes.”
Shane barely made it inside before Robert started yelling at him, “I can’t believe you fucked this up for me!”
“What?”
“You fucked everything up, Shane!”
“I, I don’t understand.”
“You always drop your opponent in Round Three, I've gone over all your fights.”
“If you haven’t noticed, I’m bleeding. I had to act fast before they pulled me. What the fuck does it matter? I still won.”
“All you care about is winning. Well your win just cost me fifty thousand dollars.”
Shane grabbed Robert by the throat and pushed him up against the wall.
“You bet on my fight? You’re gambling again?”
Robert managed to swing his arm up and hit Shane in his already swollen bloody eye. Shane released his grip on Robert. Robert shoved Shane, causing him to bang his head on the bench as he fell to the floor. Seeing Shane lying on the floor unconscious and in what was becoming a small pool of blood caused Robert to panic.
“Shane, Shane, oh my God, Shane.”
Buddy walked in, “What the hell is going on in here? I can hear you two…”
Buddy noticed Shane on the floor, he rushed over to his side.
“What happened?”
“He just collapsed.”
“Call an ambulance.”
Chace stayed in the Arena manning the security detail. Ace went upstairs to tell Declan about the fight.
“Shane took Rick out in Round Two.”
“I know, I said I wasn’t going to, but I watched the fight. He did us proud.”
Declan walked over to his desk and sat down.
“Dec, look I don’t know exactly what went down between you two but you need to fix it. You’re both miserable. Shane got clocked because he was distracted, I’m sure it was because you weren’t there. He scanned the room every chance he got. I think he was hoping you’d show.”
“He doesn’t need me, he has Robert.”
Ace’s phone started ringing.
“What’s up?”
“Shane collapsed, the ambulance is on its way.”
“Where…where is he?”
“His locker room.”
“I’ll be right down.”
“What’s going on?”
“That was Chace. Shane collapsed, they called an ambulance.”
Ace turned around to leave and realized Declan wasn’t following him.
“Dec, you’re not coming?”
“Keep me posted.”
Ace gave Declan a look of disbelief and then ran to the elevator.
Shane started blinking his eyes. He could feel the cold, wet blood on his face and neck. He couldn’t really see out of his left eye anymore.
“Shane, Shane can you hear me?”
“Chace.”
“You’re going to be ok, Shane.”
“Help me up.”
“Listen to me, you need to lie still. The ambulance just got here and they’re going to take you to the hospital.”
“No, no ambulance. Buddy can bring me.”
“Shane you passed out. Until we find out why, we’re following protocol. Which means you’re going to stay right here until the paramedics move you.”
Shane was becoming more alert. He tried to look around and see if Robert was still there but he didn’t see him. He wondered if Robert snuck out.
Ace came in and got down on the floor with Shane. “You picked a fine place to take a nap.”
“Does Dec know?”
“He does.”
The paramedics came rushing in. Shane tried to sit up.
"I can get up b
y myself."
Ace and Buddy looked at each other, shook their heads and then extended a hand to help Shane up. They knew how stubborn he was. Once Shane was standing up the paramedic helped him to sit up on the gurney. It was then that Shane saw Robert pacing in the corner.
"Chace, get Robert and bring him here."
Chace motioned for Robert to come over by Shane. Robert reluctantly walked over.
One paramedic was bandaging his head and the other was getting him buckled up to go to the hospital.
"Chace, just listen, please. Robert, I want you to go home, pack up and get the fuck out of my house before I get home tonight. Chace will accompany me home and if you are there, I will press charges this time."
Chace looked at Shane, "This time?"
"Baby, you're just confused. We can talk about this later."
"NO! Robert, I am not confused. You punched me and you’re responsible for that pool of blood on the floor. Now go home, pack up and GET THE FUCK OUT!"
Chace looked at Robert. "I think I will give you a Police Escort to Shane's house…NOW."
Robert just stared back at Chace. Then he watched as the paramedics wheeled Shane out with Ace and Buddy following behind him.
Declan sat in his office thinking about Shane. He hated not being there with him at his fight. Now he was sitting there worried sick about him. Finally he decided that while he may hate Robert, he loved Shane and if Shane was dumb enough to love Robert then he needed to just shut up and accept it. Declan got up, grabbed his car keys and walked out the door. He needed to see Shane and apologize.
SHANE WANTED TO BE alone. Once the nurse was finished checking his vitals and asking questions, Shane asked Ace and Buddy to give him some space. They knew how upset he was about Robert, so they consented to leave for a cup of coffee. The nurse walked back in with some painkillers for Shane.
“Here you go. These will make you feel better.”
“I don’t need drugs.”
“Well, I will leave them here for now. I am quite sure that once the doctor begins stitching you up, you WILL need them.”
The nurse walked out. Shane didn’t really care about anything. All he felt was anger and hurt. He wanted to go home, crawl into bed and die. Robert really used him, he probably never really loved him; it was all about the money. Shane never heard the door open, then suddenly he heard someone speaking. The doctor had walked in and was washing his hands and grabbing some gloves as he spoke.
“I’m Dr. Martino, the nurse told me you were in some sort of a fight and she believes you are in need of some stitches.”
“Yes.”
The doctor turned, took one look at Shane and blurted out, “Oh my God, you’re Shane Hart.”
Shane turned his head and looked at the doctor who was smiling from ear to ear.
“I am.”
“You have no idea how much I love you. I mean, you’re my favorite fighter. I’ve seen all of your fights. I was so excited, I finally got tickets to your fight and was supposed to be there tonight. I ended up covering for my buddy because his mom is ill and he needed to fly home.”
“Sorry you missed it.”
“Hell, I didn’t miss it. I took my break and watched it in the lounge.”
“That’s great.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not being very professional, am I? Let’s take a look at you.”
The doctor looked Shane over and then took off his gloves and walked back over and stood at Shane’s side.
“Mr. Hart, I saw your fight and you weren’t hit in the back of your head. What happened?”
Shane didn’t really want to tell the doctor the truth about what happened. So he lied.
“I went to change and I guess I got dizzy and fell down. I hit my head on the bench. My trainer found me.”
“Do you still feel dizzy?”
“No.”
“How long were you out?”
“Not long.”
“I will have the nurse page a plastic surgeon for you. It shouldn’t be too long before he arrives. I’m also ordering a CAT scan.”
“I want to get the fuck out of here. Can’t you just stitch me up, so that I can go home?”
“It’s protocol to call in a plastic surgeon when the stitches are on the face or hands.”
“Please. I just want to go home.”
“You may want to go home but I recommend you stay the night.”
“NO!”
“Mr. Hart, you took some serious blows to the head. I’m quite sure that you have a concussion and I want a CAT scan to make sure nothing else is going on in that head of yours.”
“Alright, you stitch me up, I will consent to a CAT scan BUT, I am not staying the night.”
The doctor walked over to the door and called the nurse to come in. She came in carrying a tray with four syringes on it. The doctor picked up one of the syringes and headed back over to Shane.
"This is just to get you a bit numb to lessen the pain while I'm stitching you up."
Shane didn't say anything he just laid there, he felt so broken.
"Hartless, how you doing?"
Shane couldn’t turn to look but he half smiled.
"I'm ok, Buddy."
The nurse’s eyes almost fell out of her head. She had heard of the famous fighter, Shane 'Hartless' Hart but she had never set her eyes on him. He was hot. She couldn't wait to go tell the other nurses that she got to touch him.
"How is my boy doing, Doctor?"
"He has a thick head. He refused to take painkillers. Your boy has quite a few stitches in his head from that nasty fall he took after his fight. I'm sending him for a CAT scan."
"Shane, you did well out there in the cage. I didn't get to tell you before but I'm so proud of you, Kid."
"Thanks, Buddy."
"It will all work out, Kid."
"I'm fine, Buddy."
Buddy knew Shane was suffering but Shane never let anyone see it. He always suffered in silence.
Declan arrived at the hospital. He spotted Ace flirting with a nurse.
"How's Shane?"
"Suddenly you care?"
"Don't be a dick, you know how I feel about Shane."
"Yeah, well you have a funny way of showing it, Dec. I know you had an argument but he needed you and you didn't say a word. You…"
"I'm here now."
"Last I heard, they sent him for a CAT scan."
"Someone from the Club is calling, I better take it."
Declan answered the phone. Ace continued to flirt with the nurse.
Chace walked Robert into Shane's house and followed him around while he collected his belongings. When Robert had finished packing the last of his things he turned to Chace and said, "You know I never loved Shane, I was just using him. If he wasn't so pathetic he would have figured that out long ago."
Chace was infuriated now. He was ready to pummel Robert.
"Robert, you're lucky I haven't beaten or arrested you by now. You had better get the hell out of my sight. Don't push me."
"Or what, is the big, bad cop boy going to hurt me?"
"This is your last chance to leave on your own."
Robert picked up his bags and began to walk out. Chace grabbed his arm.
"Stay the fuck away from Shane or I promise you…"
Robert dropped his bags and punched Chace in the face. Chace twisted Robert's arm behind his back and pushed him up against the wall.
"I warned you."
Chace reached for his handcuffs and cuffed Robert and then he pushed him down on the couch.
"You can't do this."
Chace ignored Robert. He dialed his phone.
"Lou, its Chace. Can you send a car over to 1415 Mountain Road; I was just assaulted."
Chace smiled over at Robert while he finished his conversation.
Shane was impatiently waiting for the doctor to come back and release him from the hospital. Word must have gotten around the hospital that he was there because his room had been overrun
with hospital staff passing through. Shane heard the door and looked up. Declan was standing there.
"Shane…"
"Dec, I don't want to hear it, ok."
"I'm…"
"Mr. Hart, it looks as if…oh I'm sorry I didn't realize you had a visitor."
"Declan was just leaving."
Declan nodded at the doctor and then walked out.
Shane pulled the sheet back and dropped to the floor onto his bare feet.
"I can leave now, right?"
"Your tests results are back. Everything looks alright but you do have a concussion. I really wish you would stay the night."
"Deal was, I have a CAT scan and I get to leave."
"Fine but let me give you my cell number. You can call me if your condition deteriorates. Would you like me to send in a nurse to help you dress?"
"I'm dressed."
"You can't leave like that. There's press everywhere not to mention its pretty cold out there. Wait here, I'll be right back."
Shane groaned and sat back down. All he wanted to do was go home.
"Kid, the doc said you can go home."
"Yeah, he said he'd be right back, Buddy."
"Ok, I've got the car coming around back for us. There's a media circus out there."
"Thanks, Ace."
Dr. Martino came back in carrying a pair of sweats, a t-shirt, boxers, socks and running shoes. He placed them down on the bed.
"I always have a spare set of clothes in my locker."
Shane looked up at the doctor. He felt bad now that he had been a prick when the doctor had only been looking out for his best interest. Shane smiled.
"Hey, thank you. I will have them washed and returned to you in the morning."
"I'm not worried about it, Mr. Hart."
Shane extended his hand and shook the doctors.
"Call me Shane. Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome."
"Buddy, can you make sure that Dr. Martino gets two front row seats to my next fight and dinner and drinks on the house."
"Done."
"Oh, that's not necessary."
"You took good care of me and giving me your clothes isn't part of the job description. Thank you, doctor."
Ace of Spades (Underground Affair Series Book 1) Page 6
