Simple Lies

by Amanda Bennett

“Yes Tommy, we are. I need sleep.”

  “Ah hell, boy, you can sleep when you die. Sleep is for pussies. Winning title matches is for winners. Which do you wanna be?”

  “Right now, I guess I want to be a pussy.” I laughed as I walked towards the locker room. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Tommy.” I waved as I disappeared behind the locker room door.

  As much as I wanted to win this title match, I just wanted to be the best fighter I could be. I wanted to give a performance that was worthy of my fans, and now that I actually had a ton of them, it was even more important than ever. The past couple of weeks have been torture, but I knew it would all be worth it when I walked away with that belt. I needed that belt to prove to myself that what I was doing with my life was actually paying off.

  I thought about taking a shower before I left, but changed my mind as my eyes began to get extremely heavy. I packed up my gear and headed out to the parking lot to leave, but when I got out to my car Braxton was there, leaning against the driver side door.

  “Hey man, what are you doing here?”

  “I need to talk to you, Dec.” I knew his tone of voice instantly. Braxton was in trouble…again.

  “What is it now, Brax?” I rolled my eyes in irritation as I threw my bag in the back seat of my car.

  “I need you to take that fight, Dec. You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t serious.”

  “Braxton, it’s always serious with you. I can’t keep bailing you out. Eventually you’re gonna have to learn how to take responsibility for your own shit, and stop asking all of your friends to bail you out. I’m sorry, man.”

  I waved Braxton away from my door so I could get into my car, but he didn’t budge. “Easy for you to say as you’re sitting at the top with all your money, and cars, and bikes. It’s not always easy for us small folk.” Oh hell no, he wasn’t playing that card. I walked right up to his six foot frame, looking down on him. “You think this all came easy to me, Brax?”

  “I’m not saying that. Look, all I’m saying is, I’m not like you. I didn’t come from a loving home. I wasn’t given the same luxuries as you.”

  “Braxton, don’t give me that shit. You act like you grew up in the ghetto. Brax, you grew up in the same place I did. Just because you didn’t live in one of the big houses doesn’t mean you weren’t given the same love from your parents as I got from mine, and you could’ve been whatever you wanted to be.”

  “Yeah, but not like you. My mom couldn’t afford to send me to training camps and shit like that. I’m just saying…”

  “You’re just saying what, Brax?” Now I was really starting to get pissed off. He was making it seem like because I was white I somehow had it easier, and Braxton was never one to play the race card…ever. That’s how I knew what he was going through was serious. “Brax, what’s really going on?”

  Braxton shuffled his feet as he paced back and forth in front of me, debating whether or not he really wanted to tell me the truth. “Look, this Jack guy means business. He doesn’t just forgive someone’s debt. If he doesn’t get what he is owed, he will take it.”

  I pushed my hands back through my hair in aggravation, “How much do you owe him, Braxton?”

  “I just…I…look.”

  “How much, Brax?” He muttered a number under his breath, but I couldn’t hear him. “How much?”

  “Ten grand.”

  I fell back in shock. “How the hell do you end up owing a guy like him, ten grand? That’s a lot of fucking money, man.”

  “I know, I know it is. At first I was doing good, Dec. I put a small bet on a couple of games, and I actually made some decent money in the beginning.”

  “In the beginning? How long has this been going on, Braxton? You’re always on the road with me. For fuck’s sake, you’re crashing on my god damn couch, so it couldn’t have been going on for that long.”

  “About a year.” He hung his head in shame, and I blew up in anger.

  I clutched my head, feeling as though it was about to explode with all the newfound knowledge I was accruing. “Braxton, I don’t have ten grand to give you.”

  “Bullshit, Declan. I know you have more than that.” He growled.

  I ran up to him with my fist raised, pissed that he would even try to question my finances. “You need to move, now.” I spat out through gritted teeth, and without another word, he did.

  I climbed into my car and flew out of that parking lot as fast as my car would allow. As much as I wanted to help my best friend, if I kept bailing him out, when was he ever going to learn? I started punching my steering wheel in frustration as I was stopped at a light, but quickly stopped my tirade when the person behind me started honking. I quickly slammed on the gas, and made my way home, feeling like the worst friend ever. Needless to say, I didn’t sleep a wink that night like I should have, and when I woke up the next morning, I felt like shit…in more ways than one. And I was pretty sure that it wasn’t going away anytime soon.

  ~~~~

  As I made my way to the arena where the fights were being held later that night, I couldn’t help but wonder if Braxton was going to show up. He hadn’t missed a single fight since I started fighting, and I was hoping that he wouldn’t miss this one either. My friends were like my family, they always have been, and if I lost Braxton over some stupid bullshit like this, I would never forgive myself. I got off on the next exit before heading to the arena. There was something I had to do before I could fight tonight, because if I didn’t, I was gonna get my ass spanked, and not in the way I wanted.

  I felt someone tap my shoulder as I warmed up with my headphones on. I turned around expecting Tommy to be standing there, but it was Braxton. If I wasn’t in the zone, I would’ve hugged that son of a bitch. I flung off my headphones, and stepped towards him to talk, but he beat me to it.

  “Look, I know it was wrong of me to ask you for what I was asking. It’s not fair to expect you or ask you to bail me out all the time. I just wish I knew what I wanted to do with my life, Dec. Since we were kids, you always knew you wanted to be a fighter, the other guys knew exactly what they wanted, but me…I still haven’t figured it out.”

  “Brax, you don’t have to have it all figured out right now. You’re only twenty-four, you’ve got plenty of time to figure it out. I just wish you wouldn’t have gotten involved with a bookie, man. I mean, that’s the worst kind of trouble to be in.”

  “I know, Declan, but I don’t want you to worry about it. I’m gonna find a way to get Jack his money…on my own.”

  I reached into my gym bag and pulled out an manila envelope. “It’s not the full ten grand, but I’m hoping it’ll be enough to get him off of your back, but Brax, you’ve gotta figure some things out.”

  “I will, Dec. I promise.” Braxton wrapped his arms tightly around me, “Thank you so much, Declan. I swear I’m gonna pay you back, every last penny.”

  “I know you will.” I playfully pushed Braxton off of me, “Now get out of here so I can get ready. Title, baby!”

  “Hell yeah! I’ll be right there with you.”

  And he was, throughout the entire five rounds, Braxton was in my corner, cheering me on. If cheering would’ve been enough to win me that fight, I would’ve won ten times over, but unfortunately the fight was coming down to decision, and everybody knows, in this sport…you never let it go to decision. I stood there with baited breath as the announcer took his time declaring the winner, and when he said my name…my entire world stopped. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I turned towards my opponent, and gave him a handshake as the ref wrapped the belt around my waist.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you your new light heavyweight champion…DECLAN…HEAVY HANDS…HUNTER.” The ref held my hand up, and I stood there in awe of what was happening. And even though my whole world was exactly how I wanted it, I still couldn’t get over the fact that I was alone, and that hit me harder than anything else.

  THIRTEEN

  Hadley

  Razor set dow
n our shots and drinks, and turned to leave. “Thanks, Razor!” We both shouted in unison. He put his hand up to say thank you, and then we proceeded to drink our dinner. Of course the plan was to get dinner first, and Riley’s served food, but after the first two shots, we decided to forgo food. Obviously I would regret this decision later. There was an overwhelming amount of people at Riley’s tonight, and I was confused as to why. I mean, I knew Saturdays were pretty busy, but this was beyond what I had seen here before. When Razor came back with a menu, I laughed, but then remembered to ask him.

  “Hey Razor, why are there so many people in here tonight?” My words were starting to slur, and that’s when I knew I definitely needed some food ASAP.

  “It’s fight night, ladies. My buddy is in the title fight.” He smiled and turned, but it suddenly hit me that he knew Declan.

  “What’s your buddy’s name?”

  “Declan Hunter. You remember the guy you met here a while back? That was him.”

  I dropped my head and sighed as my worst fear was confirmed. “Great.” I said sarcastically. “I foresee much more alcohol in my future.” I growled.

  “Oh my gosh, that’s him!” PJ shouted as she pointed behind me.

  I literally thought she meant that he was in the bar, and turned so fast on my barstool, that I almost threw up the alcohol sloshing around in my belly. Thankfully, she was pointing at the TV. As my eyes slowly made their way up to the screen, they cut to a close up of Declan getting checked by the official, and getting slathered with Vaseline. Holy shit he looked good. I wasn’t sure if it was the TV that enhanced his muscles and his breathtaking tattoos, but he was looking far more ripped than I remembered. I literally couldn’t take my eyes off of the TV as they followed him into the ring as he started running around inside to warm up.

  Even after watching him for less than five minutes on TV, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to not think about him, and even if I could, my vagina was making it very clear that it wouldn’t be anytime soon. The ache that had started between my legs was now spreading throughout my body with every movement of his perfectly sculpted body. It was like watching a bad car accident. As much as you knew you should look away, but you just couldn’t. Watching him fight was mesmerizing and fascinating. As much I tried to keep him out of my mind, somehow or another, he always found a way back in.

  “Drool much?” PJ teased as she bumped into my arm that was holding my chin up off of the floor.

  “Shhh.” I laughed.

  “Did you seriously just shh me?” She laughed back. “Are we just going to watch this dang fight all night long?”

  “No, after he’s done we can go back to drinking ourselves to death.” I smiled, but didn’t look back so she could see it. The ring girl started walking around with a large poster with the number five on it, and I found myself being jealous not of her, but more the fact that she got to be around Declan, and I didn’t. The bell rang, and him and his opponent came back out to the middle of the ring, pounding their gloves against the other.

  I found myself on the edge of my seat, cheering right along with everyone else in the bar. Apparently Declan was well known around these parts, because every person in the bar was booing the other guy and chanting Declan’s name. It was fascinating to watch all these people, strangers to one another, coming together to cheer for a common interest. It was amazing just how big his fan base was. Both times I had seen him fight now, I couldn’t help but noticed how skilled he was at what he did. He was so precise and strong, and him fighting, was turning me on in ways I never thought possible.

  I was waiting for Declan to knock the other guy out, but unfortunately it went to decision. PJ had watched plenty of UFC over the last couple of years to know the rules and how things worked, and she informed me that as a fighter, you never want it to go to a decision. I was practically biting the nails right off my fingers as we all waited with baited breath for the ruling. I could tell by the look on Declan’s face, he was almost positive he lost. When the ref called his name, and lifted his arm, Declan’s face lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning. I stood and clapped, cheering louder than any other patron in the bar. I could hear PJ laughing behind me, but I paid her no mind as I continued to stay glued to the TV while Declan gave his interview.

  When he was finally off camera, my heart sank. Getting that small glimpse of him was enough to make me yearn for more, but then I was suddenly reminded that I had Ryan. I turned back around to face PJ, and she had the weirdest look on her face. I was just about to ask her what her deal was, but then I saw my engagement ring being held up by her long dainty fingers.

  “What on earth is this bullshit?” She asked.

  “Let me explain.” I pleaded. “It’s not what you think.”

  “So you and Ryan aren’t engaged, you just carry around a fat ass rock in your purse for no reason?”

  “No, I don’t just carry around random rings. He asked me, I never answered, but he took that as a yes, and gave me that.” I pointed at the ring that she was now trying on her own finger. “I swear I didn’t say yes, PJ.” I slammed back the rest of my drink as she sat there staring me down, debating whether or not to believe me.

  “Okay,” was all she said before placing the ring back in my purse.

  “That’s it? No lecture on how I shouldn’t marry him?”

  “Oh I have a lecture in me, I just don’t want to ruin your night.”

  “PJ?” I reached across the table for her hand.

  “Yeah?”

  “Why do you hate Ryan so much?”

  “I don’t think he deserves someone like you. You deserve better, way better. I just hate to see you settle for someone who doesn’t treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Hads, you’re an amazing person. I knew it the day we met that you were going to do great things with your life, and when I met Ryan after the two of you started dating, I just knew he would never build you up and support you. He makes you question your self worth, and that isn’t okay.”

  I could see just how serious she was about this whole thing, and as much as I agreed with her, Ryan was here, wanting me, not leaving me. If anything, I wasn’t good enough for someone like Declan, so someone like Ryan was who I knew I could get and hold onto. “I appreciate it, PJ. I do, but he loves me and I love him too. I know we’ve had our issues, but who doesn’t?”

  “Most people don’t have that many issues before they get married. For crying out loud, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was forced to pick a wife at this point. You know just as well as I do how his parents are.”

  “PJ that’s bullshit and you know it. Whatever, I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I haven’t made up my mind yet, so let’s just talk about something else. Okay?” I looked at PJ with pleading eyes, and saw that even though she had plenty more to say, she was going to leave it alone…for now.

  “Let’s get some food, yeah?”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  A couple hours later, PJ was dropping me off at my dorm, and I was dragging my ass up the steps to get to my bed. Tonight had turned into one that I would rather just forget almost entirely. Unfortunately, karma wasn’t ready to let it go just yet. When I reached my door, I saw a very irritated Ryan sitting in front of it.

  “Ryan, what are you doing here?” I unlocked the door as I bent over him, but he didn’t make a move to get up. “Are you coming in?”

  “Is your roommate home?”

  “My roommate actually dropped out last week. I have the room to myself until her replacement shows up after Thanksgiving break.” He pushed himself up off of the ground and made his way into my room, taking a seat on the edge of my bed.

  “Why aren’t you wearing your ring?” He sounded mad, and as much as I didn’t want to piss him off any further, I had to tell him the truth.

  “Look, Ryan, you didn’t even give me a chance to answer you earlier. You somehow managed to make our engagement all about you. I feel like you didn’t even care what my answer was. I me
an for Christ’s sake Ryan, you didn’t even look at me after you opened the box. You didn’t seem to care what my answer would be, because you were too damn worried about calling your mom. Now, can you understand why I’m not wearing the ring.”

  “Do you even like it?”

  I wanted to lie. I wanted to say I loved it, and that he knew me so well, but it was all lies. Honestly, I don’t even know if he even really knew me at all. “It’s…nice.”

  “Nice? Do you even realize how much that ring cost me?”

  “No, and honestly, I don’t care. You should know that I’m not materialistic like that. I wouldn’t care if you got my ring out of a Cracker Jacks box, as long as it came attached with your love.” I kneeled down in front of him, taking his hands into mine. “Ryan, I can’t just marry you because you think it’s the right thing to do. I need to know that you want to marry me because you truly want to spend the rest of your life with me.”

  This only seemed to agitate him further, “You know I do. I love you more than anyone I’ve ever been with. You mean the world to me, Hads. I want to make you mine…forever.” He stood from the bed, taking me with him as he pulled me into a deep hug. When he pulled back, he kept his arms securely around my waist as he looked deeply into my eyes. “Hadley, will you please make me the happiest guy on earth, and be my wife?”

  Without a second thought, I answered, “Yes.” A wide smile spread across his face just as he pulled my face to his, sealing his lips over mine. When he eventually pulled back for air, I reached for my purse and slid the ring onto my finger. We both stood there admiring the ginormous ring on my hand, and all I could do was hope that it would grow on me.

  FOURTEEN

  Declan

  My phone began blaring at an ungodly hour, and I couldn’t bring myself to answer it. I rolled over, pulling my pillow tightly over my face. After my victory last night, we all had a victory party, and man do I mean party. I had literally just crawled into bed about two hours ago, and I was doing absolutely nothing today but sleeping. When the ringing ceased, I instantly fell back into my amazing dream about a mysterious blonde that showed up at my doorstep after my win. Of course it wasn’t what had really happened, but it was a welcome dream all the same.