Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 164459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 822(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 822(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
“Hey, man, I was looking for you in your hotel room but you weren’t there… but there was some chick in your bed.”
I roll my eyes. “Who let you in?”
“Rex. He didn’t know you left I guess.”
Otto sighs, and drops down in the seat beside me. I can feel him looking at me, but I avoid his gaze.
“So, tell me why the hell Jenny fucking Roscoe is laying in your bed, man? I gotta tell you, I’m surprised you meant her when you said someone was waiting.”
My eyes move over to him and he has the biggest fucking smile plastered on his face. He’s so fucking weird. “It was none of your business.”
“None of my business—holy shit.” He busts out laughing. “Hold on. Now I get it. You got all crazy after the fight because of her. You saw her, didn’t you?”
I groan and Preach comes our way. “Do I need to drag his ass upstairs?” Preach asks, a grin sweeping across his mouth.
“Please do.” I spin my glass around on the coaster, focusing on the dark gold liquid.
Otto laughs and when Preach takes the seat to my right, Otto leans in closer. “So… did you bone her again after all these years?”
“No, I didn’t bone her, dipshit. I let her sleep.”
“How fucking lame.” Otto waves for the bartender, ordering a beer. “I would have drilled her to the fucking bed.”
I try not to laugh. Honestly, it’s fucking useless. I think he’s the only person that can make me laugh even when I don’t want to.
“Anyway, have you seen my dick of a brother? I’ve been calling that prick all night.”
“He was at some bar with Kylie earlier but I haven’t seen him since.”
“Figures.” His brown eyes flicker up to the TV screen. “I don’t understand one thing. How are Jenny and Kylie here at the same time? Did Jenny agree to come too?”
I sigh. “I didn’t even know she was here until the fight.”
He still seems perplexed.
“From what Oscar told me, Jenny had already planned to come with some guy she was talking to and Kylie agreed to tag along, but was even more willing when she learned Oscar would be here.”
“So, Jenny didn’t know you would be here?”
“Apparently not. I’m sure if she had, she wouldn’t have come at all.”
“Then what the hell was she doing at the fight? And why is she with you now?”
“I don’t know why she decided to show up at the fight.” Otto looks at me with a frown. “I was surprised to see her there too. I convinced her to stay the night with me to talk.”
“Damn.” Otto chugs down most of his beer. “So… with Jenny. You’re gonna try and make it work again?”
I shrug. “She’s changed. A lot.” I huff a dry laugh. “She’s not the same Jenny we knew from high school.”
He tugs at his earlobe. “What do you mean?”
“She’s more reserved. Angrier. She drinks too much, and if she isn’t drinking, she’s talking about needing a drink. She’s just…different.”
“Damn, man.”
I press my lips, looking up at the TV screen. Talking about it pisses me off.
“You think it’s because of how you left?” Otto asks in a small voice, almost like he’s afraid to.
I focus on the bottles of liquor behind the bar, leaning back in my chair. “I hope not.”
He exhales. “Well, I know my advice to you isn’t worth shit, but I say make that shit work. Make her happy while you’ve got her. She’s obviously missing something if she depends on alcohol to be happy. Maybe that something is you, man.”
“I don’t know,” I mutter. My face pops up on the TV screen, a video of me going crazy after the fight, and I look away. It’s a clear reminder of how foolish I can get.
I know I can do dumb shit. I’ve hurt Jenny in the past—twice in a row. I didn’t show up when I said I would, and I know that’s left a crack on her heart. For years she’s been wondering why I didn’t, and I owe her more than an explanation.
I tug my cap down until it’s low on my forehead. “Maybe I am what she needs. Maybe I’m not.”
* * *
I stay down at the bar until it’s time for my interview. I have Preach go check on Jenny before I leave for the MGM and when he comes back he tells me she is still sleeping.
Good.
I want her to get all the rest she can because when I get back, we have a lot to talk about.
The interview is just like last night’s. They’re all asking the same damn questions.
Why did you get so wild after taking down The Slayer?
Will you fight him again?
Do you think you’re the better fighter?
How have you celebrated the win?
I’m not sure what the hell they really want me to say. I’m honestly tired of repeating myself, but this is my job, and Leo always hounds me about being “kind” in public.