by Lea Hart
The director of athletic performance had told him they were going to provide best-in-class holistic performance optimization services for the fighters efficiently all under one roof. The science geek in him loved the idea of that. He wanted to try the station upstairs featuring technology that measured variables like power and velocity of strikes. Information like that was invaluable and would help when he was strategizing with Jaime before a fight.
The full-size octagon with high-definition overhead cameras to record workouts and sparring was the other thing he was excited about. To be able to review sessions immediately on full-wall-size screens right across from the cage was going to be crazy. They even had a regulation-size boxing ring next to it, so if Bannon ever got his big-money fight with Mayweather, they may let him use it.
Hearing his name, he turned and saw his new agent, Jeff, walking toward him. Going with Excel was proving to be one of the best decisions he’d ever made. Not only did it put him in Bree’s world, but Jeff was a kick-ass guy. So far, he’d gotten him a commercial with Carl’s Jr. and he was in talks with Monster. Not to mention the whole modeling thing.
Clasping hands, they shook, and Jeff had a big grin on his face. “You look like you have some good news,” Matt commented.
“We’re going to get an offer for a fight. They told me that they want to put you in UFC 213 in July. That would give you enough time to decide on a fight camp and train.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Matt grinned. “I didn’t think they’d give me another shot so soon.”
“The new owners are running a program that tells them what the marketability of any pairing is likely to be. You bring in viewers and help them sell tickets, so they want to take advantage of that while they can. You are also undefeated, which means the stakes get raised every time you’re in the ring.”
“Well, let’s go see what they have to say,” Matt replied.
“The fact that you’re up for an award tomorrow night at the MMA Awards will help as I negotiate the contract. I’m going to be relentless when I tell them what we want for a back room bonus.”
“Not sure how much of a chance I have tomorrow. I’m up for Knockout of the Year and the competition is serious.”
“Those heavy hands of yours are no joke and when you knocked out Heller in your last title defense, he didn’t wake up for a while.”
“That was the plan and I’m glad it worked,” Matt responded as they walked over to the elevators.
“If you just keep doing what you’re doing, then I expect the next six months are going to launch your career into the next level.”
As they stepped on, Matt punched the button for the second floor. “Did Bree tell you what’s going on with Grayson and his new position over at USADA?”
“Yeah, we had a meeting last week and have a strategy. We manage five fighters and we’re not going to be tripped up by that asshole. I expected him to carry a grudge against Bruce and Bryce, but the fact that he’s including you and possibly Tony tells us that he’s lost his mind. I never liked the guy when we were in school and he’s proven that I was right all along about him.”
“I’d love to run into the guy and let him know how I feel.”
Jeff glanced over and raised an eyebrow. “Does this have to do with your career or Bree?”
Crossing his arms, he replied quietly, “I don’t tolerate bullies and that asshole has made Bree upset. Any conversation we have is going to be about him staying as far away from her as he can. Because if he so much as makes her frown, I’m going to let him know why I’m so damn good in the cage.”
“Just try and wait until after your next title defense,” Jeff replied as the elevators doors slid open.
“It’s up to him. He leaves us alone, I leave him alone. Nobody bothers Bree.” As they walked down the hall, he thought about the asshole and hoped like hell he was going to have a shot at him. He didn’t know what it meant to back down, only to step up. That had been true since he was a kid, and if someone challenged him, then they needed to be ready to learn their limits because he had none. And that was doubly true when it came to his woman. It would make him feel better if he could demonstrate what heavy hands felt like for Grayson. God willing, he’d have the chance.
***
Feeling like he could conquer the world, Matt walked into The Venetian hotel and looked around for Bree. He’d texted her when he left the UFC offices and wanted to share his good news as soon as he could. The initial contract offer for his next fight was double what his last one was and that didn’t include the back room bonus. He spotted her sitting next to the fountain and smiled to himself. Even in all the gold opulence of the lobby, she stood out. Surround the girl in luxury and she still was the prettiest thing in the room.
When she looked up and smiled, he knew that his twenty-one-day plan had worked. They were on day twenty-eight and, as far as he could tell, they were bonded and locked together. Not that they were talking about it. He bet if he asked Bree she would say that they were enjoying each other’s company and nothing more. Ask him and he’d say they were vested in one another’s happiness and it was just the beginning. “Hi, honey.” He swept her into his arms, swung her around, and then gave her a kiss. “Had a good meeting today.”
“I got a text from Jeff that said as much, but he didn’t give me any details.”
He set her down and swept her hair off her face. “Best offer I’ve ever had,” he commented. Before he could say more, his phone buzzed at the same time Bree’s did. They looked at each other for a moment and then decided to check them. Pulling his out of his pocket, he read the message that instructed him to meet a doping control manager at a lab on the other side of the city. Anytime, anyplace hadn’t been a joke. News of his upcoming fight must’ve gotten out.
“Son of a bitch,” Bree fumed as she typed something into her phone. “I’m sending a request for a duplicate test to be performed and then couriered to Los Angeles. You, Bruce, and five other fighters are being tested today.”
“Think it’s a publicity thing for the UFC so that people know they’re serious about testing and maintaining a clean sport?”
“They have no say over when and where the tests are administered. USADA runs its programs completely independently of the company. Or so they say.”
He watched her fingers fly over her phone and wondered what she was doing. “Honey, I’m not worried about testing. They can take my blood and make me pee in as many cups as they want. I’m clean.”
“I know that. I’m taking precautions based on the conversations that I’ve had with Grayson. He has it out for my brother and, unfortunately, I think you got added to that group.”
“Bring it on,” he replied. Taking her hand, he led her toward the entrance so they could grab a cab and head over to the lab. “Should I call Jeff to meet us there?”
“Taken care of. I’m going to be there in the capacity of Bruce’s attorney and I can take notes for Nicole should she need them at a later date. This is an opening shot and I’m not taking any chances.”
They stepped into the warm desert air and stood in line for a cab. “Maybe nothing nefarious is going on and this is just part of the standard testing,” he commented as he looped his arm around her shoulder.
“Maybe I’m the Queen of England waiting for someone to bring me a royal trifle.”
He looked down and saw the determined look on her face. This must be her game face. Hell, if he didn’t know her, he might be a little intimidated. The fact that she was five-four and a buck thirty sopping wet didn’t change the fact she would destroy whatever got in her way. He understood that and appreciated that she was on his side. “Like I said, I’m not worried.”
“It’s not the testing that has me concerned. It’s what can happen to those tests and what Grayson may choose to do. He can cause a lot of havoc without negative test results.”
“Let him try,” he replied as they stood at the head of the line.
“You know, I never
heard the whole story about what happened when my brothers confronted Grayson. I’m going to ask them tonight after dinner.”
“Bryce is going to be at dinner tonight?”
“Yes, he got leave, so he’s driving up with a couple of buddies. He’s been downrange for two months and he just got back last week. Mama and Daddy are dying to see his face so it’s going to be a little crazy at dinner tonight. What with catching up with Bryce and giving you the third degree, I don’t expect a moment’s peace until we get back to the room.” Looking up, she shrugged. “Then again, you are not a man who usually gives me a lot of peace when we get behind closed doors.”
Slinging his arm over her shoulder, he grinned. “True. I do give you a lot of screaming orgasms, though.”
Turning around, Bree waved to the people in line. “Well…the folks at the back of the line are happy to know that fact about us.”
He turned and saw several folks giving him the eye. “Didn’t use my inside voice when I said that, did I?”
“Nope, definitely not the inside voice.”
Shrugging, he turned around and opened the door of the waiting cab. He watched Bree slide in and followed her. After Bree had given the cabby the address, he took her hand. “At least if we make the gossip sites, people will know that I’m keeping you satisfied.”
“Which is important,” she replied quietly. “My folks will definitely enjoy knowing too.” Patting his leg, she smiled serenely. “That should be a fun conversation if it comes up tonight.”
“So, how open-minded are your folks?” he asked quietly.
“Guess you’re going to find out.”
When she went back to her phone, he decided to quit asking questions. Some things were better left unanswered. He hadn’t met a girl’s parents since high school and he didn’t know what to expect. What he did know was that he wanted their approval. No way could they move forward if he didn’t get the green light. One way or another, he was going to make sure they liked him and accepted his and Bree’s relationship.
***
Matt sat next to Bree’s mama at dinner and knew where Bree got her sense of humor from. Nancy Andrews was entertaining company. The fact that she gave him a warm hug when they met and told him how happy she was to meet him made him believe that that they might welcome him into the clan when the time came.
Lieutenant Bryce Andrews was a different story, though. The SEAL had given him a firm handshake and had said little. Made sense, considering what happened with Grayson. He respected the guy for protecting his sister and he’d be happy to show him how different he was from that asshole. Bree’s dad, Ned, gave him a smile from across the table, and he hoped like hell that they would get along.
Bree tapped her glass and then lifted it. “I’d like to offer my congratulations to Bruce and Matt on being nominated for awards tomorrow night. You both had a great year and I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
After everyone went through the obligatory clinking, Matt leaned over and kissed Bree’s cheek. “Thanks, honey.”
Mr. Andrews looked around the table and then at his daughter. “Baby girl, I know I’m going to get in all kinds of trouble with your mama for saying this, but I feel like it’s worth it.”
“Ned, what are you up to?” Nancy asked as she leaned forward.
“It needs to be said. Matt, we’re glad to have you joining us for supper, and you’re a hundred times better than that awful snob she almost married.”
The table erupted in laughter and Matt joined them. Looking over at Bryce, he noticed him laughing as well. “Thank you, sir. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Grayson, but I look forward to it. I have a few things that I’d like to share with him.”
Bruce set his drink down and crossed his arms. “It is going to be a rear naked chokehold?”
“Might be,” Matt responded quietly.
“Let’s not talk about him,” Bree said. “We’re having a great time and I don’t want to lose my appetite.”
Nancy patted her daughter’s hand. “I agree, sweetie.”
Ned took up the conversation and moved it on to more neutral subjects. He discussed plans for the family fish camp up in Creola and attempted to get his kids to commit to visiting. Looking at Matt, he pointed his finger. “Matt, you’re welcome to join us. If you like fishing, then you’re going to really enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you, sir. I would love to come. Maybe we can come up after my title fight in July.” When Bree took his hand and squeezed, he figured she liked the idea. A girl didn’t take you home unless she meant to keep you, and it seemed he was going to be taken home.
The food was delivered and the conversation turned to Bryce and his teammates. He’d successfully made it through his first rotation with his platoon and he was letting the family know what it was like to be on the Teams.
Bryce wiped his mouth and sat back. “I count myself lucky that I get to go to work with the best men on the planet. We’ve got the coolest toys and the best people to play with. It’s exactly what I’d hoped it would be.”
Matt knew it took a unique person to become the most lethal warrior on the planet and he looked forward to getting to know Bryce. Honor and respect to the guy for protecting the country. “Thank you for your service,” Matt said.
“We are very proud of our baby,” Nancy said as she took her son’s hand and squeezed.
“Mama, I’m not a baby. You gotta quit saying that,” Bryce groaned.
“You will always be my baby. Doesn’t matter how big you get. I went through thirty-nine hours of labor with you and I can call you whatever I want.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Lifting his fork, Bryce went back to eating.
Bruce must’ve felt for his brother because he launched into a story about some new fighters who had just joined his gym. While Bruce was talking, Matt noticed that Bree was poking her brother’s side. Seemed she was trying to get him to smile. After several attempts, it worked, because the two started laughing. Seeing the siblings take care of one another made him wish he and his brothers were less competitive.
Bree leaned over and spoke quietly. “How are you doing?”
“Great. What time do we have to leave for the press conference?”
Checking her watch, she made a face. “You should start walking over in twenty minutes.”
“Honey, you’re coming with me.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Jeff is going to be there to make the announcement for your fight.”
Sitting back, he crossed his arms. “I want you to be there with me.”
“Everyone is going to ask why I’m there and they’ll assume there’s a legal issue.”
“I’m happy to let everyone know exactly who you are. In fact, I’m looking forward to it.” He saw her twist her fingers together and knew she was nervous, but he wasn’t going to let her out of it. This was a perfect opportunity for them to make their relationship public.
“Fine,” she said quietly.
He took her hand and felt a crazy smile start to form. His girl had finally given in and accepted that he was her boyfriend. Goddamn, it was a good day.
Bree’s mama smiled and lifted her shoulders. “What are you two talking about?”
“Nothing, Mama,” Bree replied quickly.
Matt leaned forward and grinned. “Bree is going to come to the press conference announcing my next fight and she was worried about the questions regarding our relationship.”
“You’ve got to go, honey, and support your man. It’s times like these when it’s important to show a united front.”
“Mama, why are you calling him ‘my man’?”
Nancy ran her hand over her daughter’s face and smiled. “Sweet girl, you have never looked at anyone the way you look at him. You are lit up from the inside out with happiness.”
Matt heard Bree swallow loudly as she stared at her mama. He was going to send Nancy the biggest box of chocolates he could find. The woman had sealed his place in Bree�
��s life with two sentences. Leaning down, he spoke quietly in Bree’s ear. “Breathe, honey. It’s going to be okay.”
He sat back and decided not to say anything more. It was going to take time for Bree to accept their relationship and his talking wasn’t going to help that process.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Saturday, March 4th
Bree sat in bed with her laptop and used some of the creative curse words her brother had taught her. The email she read indicated that the initial results from the drug tests for Matt and her brother were deemed inconclusive. Which was doublespeak for, “We’re going to start a witch hunt.”
She’d seen it in other sports when a team owner wanted to get the upper hand in negotiations. The inconclusive label allowed them to call into question the athlete who was tested. Often, results were mysteriously leaked, which caused a media relations nightmare. What was difficult to understand was why USADA would put themselves in a position like this. The relationship with the UFC was only around nine months old, so perhaps there were still some kinks in the system.
She forwarded the results to Jeff and Nicole. Jeff would need to make a statement as Matt’s agent and she would need to make one for Bruce. Nicole could get started on the appeal and she would make sure the secondary test results were sent to her as well. Paranoia ended up paying off when she’d had the men take the second test. The courier for the WADA lab had picked the samples up yesterday and she expected to have results by Monday afternoon at the latest.
She wrote a quick email to the UFC operations manager and requested a meeting. These things took time to unravel and she planned on beginning the process as soon as she could. If she was lucky, she could get him and the vice president from UFC in a room before the end of the weekend.
Her instincts were telling her that Grayson had something to do with this. Proving it was going to be another thing. Sending a request to the company that handled their investigations, she decided to ask for a workup on one Grayson Porter. Her brothers had never given her the full story and she knew it was past time she did her own homework. Best to have all the information when the shit hit the fan. And, yes, she fully expected this to get ugly before all was said and done.
