He looked at her and then looked into the camera and smiled. I noticed that his teeth were slightly yellowed and crooked. He ran his hand through his hair as he spoke, and the reporter looked as if she were going to faint at the sight of him. What was wrong with her? Did she not notice his teeth?
“I’m not afraid of anyone. And I welcome anyone to join me in the ring. There’s nobody that could stand to beat me. Why be a fighter if you’re scared to fight? That doesn’t make any sense to me at all.”
“So, is it true that you claim to the best fighter in the world?”
“Claim? Oh, I am the best fighter in the world. There is absolutely no doubt about it. And if anyone dares to go against me, I’ll happily prove it to them,” he said smugly. Then he turned to the reporter and flashed her a smile. “It’s important to be confident in everything you do. I believe in myself. I have always believed in myself.”
Her face had gone all pink, and she quickly shuffled through her papers as if flustered by him. “Yes, confidence is important. And you seem to have it in leaps and bounds. It certainly shows through in your fighting.”
“I’m glad you noticed. As I’m sure you saw in the last fight, that guy had absolutely no confidence at all. No wonder I beat him.”
“What about Ryan Maxwell? How do you feel about him?” the reporter asked, and I groaned when I heard my name. I wasn’t surprised, though. I often heard my name being thrown around by the media these days, but the last thing I wanted was to hear Ron talking about me. There was no chance he was going to say anything good.
“Maxwell?” Ron said and pulled a face. “I feel nothing for him. He’s gone through a lucky streak lately, but it’s not going to last. You’ll see.”
“I’m assuming you’re not a fan of his?”
He laughed. “A fan? No, I’m definitely not a fan. Ryan Maxwell is nothing but trash. He’s not a good fighter. He just thinks he is. But it’s okay. Let him have his fun for a while. Sometimes I like it when another fighter seems to think that they’re better than everyone else. Then they come into the ring with me, and I show them what fighting is really all about.”
I switched off the TV before I could hear anything more. I could feel my heart beating fast in my chest. I stood up and paced the room, wishing that I could say something to Ron. I wasn’t surprised to hear him talk that way, but it annoyed me all the same. He had always been a trash talker. He was known for it. It was what the media wanted from him. A lot of the fighters were like this, but when I met them face to face, they were nothing like what they portrayed to the world. But Ron was different. The person he showed to everyone else was the person he was in real life. I couldn’t believe that he had the guts to call me trash. Did he not look in the mirror?
I was just about to turn the TV back on when I realized it was time to leave for dinner. I swore at the blank screen and then walked away. It was probably good that I had something to do because listening to him any longer would not have been good for me.
The moment I arrived, I saw Nick pulling up beside me.
“Ha! Out of all the places to park, you find a spot right next to me!” I said.
“Great minds and good timing,” Nick said and laughed. Then he frowned at me. “Hey, what’s wrong with you? You look angry.”
I sighed. “That’s because I am angry.”
“You saw that interview.”
“Yeah, you too?”
“Yep, I was watching it just before coming here. I actually switched it off before it finished, though. That guy’s an idiot. I couldn’t watch him anymore. I actually didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of watching anymore.”
“I switched it off too. Although if I were standing in front of him, I would’ve punched him in the face. Did he seriously say he’s the best fighter in the world? Man, that guy is so infuriating!”
“Yeah, but you know what he’s like. He’s always been like that. He always has something to say. He loves antagonizing people.”
“Well, it worked. And why did he have to drag my name into it?”
“Ah, seriously, Ryan, I wouldn’t worry. The fact that he said all those things about you means he’s probably scared shitless of you. He’s just trying to rile you up. You’re only working into his plan by getting upset.”
I sighed. “And did you see how that reporter was acting around him? Was it just me or was she flirting with him?”
“It wasn’t just you. I noticed it too. I honestly don’t understand what women see in him,” Nick said.
“I thought the same thing. He’s just a big oaf. You sure I can’t fight him sometime soon? I don’t need to wait a few months to do it. Come on, wouldn’t you like to see me beat him? That would be sweet justice.”
“Trust me, Ryan. I’d like nothing more than to see that. But you need to give your body a break. The last thing you want to do is go out there guns blazing and then lose. Don’t be that guy. Be smart about this. Remember, the key to the MMA game is patience.”
“Patience is a load of bullshit,” I said.
Nick laughed. “I know. Come on, let’s go eat. You need a beer.”
A beer sounded great. We went inside and found a table.
“So, how does it feel to be here?” Nick asked me.
I glanced around and smiled. When I first started in the MMA world, I used to fight in local venues in order to work my way up. It wasn’t easy. There were a lot of guys doing the same thing, and we were all desperate to get better.
“It’s strange,” I said. “I feel so nostalgic. Although back in my day they didn’t have a restaurant attached to the venue. It’s all about making money now. Have you noticed that the people here are not the same people that used to come to our fights? I mean, most of these guys are just here for the food. I guess it was a smart business move.”
Nick laughed. “Yeah, I didn’t even think of that. Well, I’m not complaining. I’m starving.”
“So am I, actually. Food and fighting go hand in hand for me.”
The waiter came by with our menus, and we both ordered a beer. “Did you know that this was where I did my very first fight?” I said when the waiter left.
He smiled. “Yeah, mine too. I think a lot of guys started off here. And now look where you are. I bet you never even dared to imagine that you would be in the position you are in now.”
“I wanted it so badly, but I didn’t ever want to admit it to anyone in case I failed. But trust me, I imagined it in my head all the time.”
“Well, here you are. You didn’t fail.”
“I didn’t. Mostly I just wanted to beat you,” I said and laughed. “I can’t believe it was only a few years ago. It feels like forever ago, don’t you think? I feel like a very different person from the guy that first started.”
“Yeah, I mean we knew nothing about the business back then. Do you think you would’ve still gone into it if you knew what you knew today? It’s not an easy career path to take. Someone asked me that question the other day.”
I nodded. “Not easy at all. But I have no doubt in my mind that I would’ve still gone for it. How about you? What was your answer?”
“Exactly the same as yours. I definitely would’ve still gone for it. Even though I busted my eye up and lost my vision. Even though I can’t compete anymore. I would’ve still done it. And I feel like most people don’t really understand that.”
“I understand it. I feel like it’s who I am. I didn’t realize how much I liked pushing myself until now. I didn’t know that I had it in me, to be honest.”
“I did. You’re one crazy guy. If anyone could do it, it would be you.”
“Ah, you’re so nice to me when we’re not in the ring. But in the ring, you’re a maniac,” I said.
“Hey, someone has to push you.”
We laughed and continued to think back to all the old fights we used to have when we were first starting out. There had been incredibly low moments and some beautifully high moments. And we’d been together for mo
st of them. We were half way through a conversation about some fight we’d both had with one of our enemies when I saw a familiar figure walking into the room.
There were two women, but the one had long brown hair and a big happy smile. She immediately made me feel good, and the feeling reminded me of something that I couldn’t place. She was with another woman, short with blonde hair. They were across the room so I couldn’t make out their faces too clearly.
“What’s up?” Nick said and looked in the direction I was staring at.
I snapped out of my reverie and shook my head. “Sorry, that woman just looks so familiar. The one with the dark hair.”
“Where? Oh, that one? Oh, she’s very pretty,” Nick said.
“Yeah, she is. She’s gorgeous. Where on earth do I know her from?” I asked. “Do you know her?”
He shook his head. “I wish I did. But she doesn’t look at all familiar to me. Do you think she’s someone you knew long ago?”
I shook my head. It felt recent. As she got closer it hit me. “Oh, that’s the girl I was telling you about. Oh wow, that’s a small world.”
“Wait? Which girl?”
“The one from Wyoming. I told you about her the other day.”
“The movie star?” he asked.
“Yeah. She said she was into fighting. I wonder if that’s why she’s here.”
“Maybe she’s here because she thought she’d see you,” he teased.
“Nah, my name is not on the list. Hey, do you mind if I go and say hi real quick?”
“Did you ever call her back, by the way? You said you got her number.”
I shook my head. “Uh, no. I didn’t. But she didn’t call me, either, so it’s not like I need to feel guilty. Besides, I didn’t say exactly when I was going to call her.”
Nick laughed. “Good luck with that one. And yeah man, go and talk to her before I do. And see if her friend is available?”
I laughed. “I’ll be right back.
Chapter Six
Blaire
“Oh hey, Blaire. What’s up? I was just about to leave to get you.”
“You sure you don’t want to go to the fight? It will be fun. I think you might like it more than you think you will.”
Katie laughed. “You don’t give up, do you? Nah, it’s honestly not my thing. Maybe if it was a food fight. Oh no, actually then I’d be more depressed about the fact that they were wasting food. So, basically, no fighting for me, thanks.”
“Well, it was worth a try. But what about Chris? He might want to go.”
“Chris? Chris hates fighting. Now, if it was a day of golf, then he’d be interested.”
I chuckled. “Well, this is certainly not golf. Okay, no problem.”
“Blaire, is it because you don’t want to go alone? Because now I feel bad.”
“No, not at all. You’re there for the dinner. That’s the main thing. I don’t mind watching the fight alone. Anyway, I figured you would say no. What I was really calling for was to say we should just meet there. Doesn’t make sense to go together if you’re not staying for the fight.”
“Oh yeah, that’s true. I didn’t even think of that. Okay, I’ll see you there. I’m leaving now.”
“Perfect, I’ll leave now too,” I said.
I put the phone down and chuckled. I figured she was going to say no, but it was a pity. I would’ve preferred watching the fight with someone rather than being alone, even if I told her otherwise. It was always nice to have someone there. But it would probably be worse to have someone that really didn’t want to be there, so maybe this was better, anyway. I grabbed my bags and headed out.
“You look beautiful,” I said to Katie as I met her in the parking lot. She was wearing a dark green dress that flowed around her slim body. “Planning on making a baby after this or something?”
She laughed. “Just a food baby.”
“Ah, I’ve had plenty of those.”
“You look gorgeous too.”
I was wearing tight black jeans and a black tank, with black boots. I had a green bag swung over my back for a bit of color. The green sort of went against the look I was initially going for, but I liked it.
“I’m dressed to fight!” I said and kicked out. At that very moment, a kid walked past and quickly ran back to his parents in fright. “Oops.”
I looked at Katie. “I’m clearly not ready to have kids.”
We made our way inside and found a table. I explained to Katie how the restaurant section was new.
“This is where so many great fighters started. But back then, it was just the fighting arena. It didn’t have this restaurant attached to it. So back there, right now, the fighters are probably getting ready. I think it was clever to build the restaurant. I bet you now that a lot of people here are only here because their partner wanted to watch the fight. They just came because they were promised food.”
Katie laughed. “You know, you almost convinced me to stay.”
“Yeah, but I shouldn’t have done that. I know fighting is not your thing. Anyway, how’s it going? Are you and Chris still keeping a level head or is the whole baby thing freaking you out?”
“Surprisingly, we’re handling it pretty well. We’ve both decided not to get too excited about it, and we’re not telling anyone until it happens. Also, no baby clothes buying and all that. I’m sure everything will be fine, but you just never know. So, we’re just going to take it as it comes and go with the flow.”
I sighed. “You’re so mature. I’d be running around like a headless chicken if I were in your position.”
“No, you wouldn’t. You’re more mature than you think. Anyway, it’s only because you haven’t found the right guy yet. When you do, all that will change. I promise you.”
“Ha, that’s if I ever do meet the right guy.”
“You will.”
I wasn’t so sure. Lately, I was starting to feel as if it was never going to happen. And it wasn’t exactly something I could just force. I’d just never looked at someone the way that Katie looked at Chris. And nobody had ever looked at me the way Chris looked at Katie. I pushed the thoughts away and picked up the menu.
I was trying to decide what to eat when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and jumped up in surprise when I saw who it was.
“Ryan?”
“Hey, Blaire. Small world.”
I grinned. I couldn’t believe it. When Ryan hadn’t called me, I figured I would never see him again. Yet here he was, smiling down at me and even more gorgeous than I remembered him to be.
“Small world indeed. Oh, Ryan, this is my best friend, Katie. Katie, this is Ryan. He’s an MMA fighter.”
“Oh,” Katie said. “Are you fighting tonight?”
“No, sadly not. I’m in recovery from my last fight. So now I just have to sit and watch everyone else. Which is never easy.”
“I’m sure,” I said. Katie just nodded, but I could tell she didn’t understand why.
“Look, I’ve been hoping to see you again. Would you both like to join my friend and I? He’s over there,” he said and pointed at a man sitting alone at a table.
“Uh,” I looked at Katie, but her face gave nothing away, so I nodded. “That would be great. I’ll be right there. I just want to let the waiter know.”
When he was gone, I turned to Katie. “Are you sure that’s okay?”
“Of course. Hey, he’s gorgeous. How do you know this guy?”
“That’s the guy that I met in Wyoming. The one I was telling you about.”
“The one that didn’t call you back?”
I chuckled. “Yeah, that one. Idiot.”
“You don’t seem to care.”
“I don’t, really.”
“Well, he seems nice. Oh, there’s the waiter,” Katie said and beckoned him over. He was carrying our wine glasses so we took them and brought them over to Ryan’s table.
Ryan introduced us to his friend Nick, and explained that he was also a fighter.
“Blind as a bat in one eye, sadly. No more competing for me.”
“But he still trains with me,” Ryan said. “And trust me, the lack of vision has done nothing to slow him down.”
I could see that the two of them were good friends and it was nice to see him stand up for Nick.
“So, you definitely won’t fight again?” I asked Nick.
He shook his head. “No. I’d love to. But I’m not going to risk losing both eyes. Anyway, my new job is to kick Ryan’s ass in training and get him ready for the competitions.”
I grinned at Ryan. “Good friend! And you’re doing so well. You keep winning! Oh, did you see that interview with that Prowl guy? I was watching it before coming over.”
“Sadly, I saw it. So did Nick. The guy is an idiot.”
“Yeah, he seems like one. And was it just me, or was that news reporter all over him? She was practically drooling. Personally, all I could see were his crooked teeth.”
Ryan burst out laughing. “Same here. He’s not a nice guy. But it’s okay; time will come for him. When I heard that interview, I wanted to challenge him to a fight immediately, but Nick here convinced me not to.”
“It’s all about the timing,” Nick said. “He needs to recover. And once he’s ready, I’ll set him out to get that guy.”
“Good thinking. Listen to your friend,” I said to Ryan. Then I turned to Katie. “I’m sorry. So much fight talk. Katie isn’t really into fighting. But she’s into food, so I convinced her to come to the restaurant.”
Nick grinned. “I love a girl that’s into food.” He started talking to her and seemed to be flirting with her until she mentioned Chris and his smile faltered.
We ordered food and tried to keep the topic away from fighting as much as we could for Katie’s sake. But she was being a good sport about it and even asked a few questions here and there to seem interested. I was sure that she would much rather talk about the fact that she was going to have a baby. I would have to go out with her sometime soon to make up for the night. Nick and Ryan were very nice though and kept asking Katie about herself or asking me about my acting. And we talked a lot about the movie that I had been doing in Wyoming. He was just as easy to talk to as I had remembered him to be.
Dirty Daddy (A Single Dad Romance) (The Maxwell Family) Page 72
