Sucker Punch (TKO 4)

Even in my exhaustion, I’m managing to focus on what I need to be doing. With the fight coming up, I can’t afford not to be focused. Lance and I begin sparring. He swings and I slide out of his way. He’s quick but surprisingly, so am I. I think I hear Garrett’s voice in the background but I don’t let him distract me. I throw a hit and knock Lance backwards. He stumbles, nearly losing his balance, but he keeps it steady. We continue round and round until Howard calls us over.

I grab the bottle of water out of my locker and take a sip before walking towards his office. I’m thinking he has something important to tell us, but instead he just wants to talk about what’s going on in all of our lives right now. Garrett and Lance all talk about their new families and how things are going well with all of them. Howard talks about Wendy’s new pregnancy and he still swears the hormones are insane. They all turn to me and I simply smile and tell them I’m in love. I’m prepared for them to laugh at me. I mean, what grown man will openly admit to his guy friends he’s in love? They don’t laugh, though. They tell me how happy they are to see me moving on with my life and being happy.

I think about Paige and hope she’s having a good day. I know she’s tired and her job is a lot more important than mine. People’s lives are actually in her hands. I can’t wait to talk to her again later, I miss her.

We all talk a little longer before Howard tells us to get back to work. This time, Lance decides to go lift weights and Garrett follows him. That leaves me and Howard to practice. We spar for a while and my exhaustion is finally starting to kick in. When I glance at the clock, it’s a little after lunch time. Howard orders some burgers from a place up the road for everyone and goes to pick them up. We all eat and bullshit a little more before we decide to work again. I can’t lie, I go and sit on the mat and I could literally just pass out. I don’t care how much sweat falls onto here daily. Howard and I spar some more. I manage to sweep his feet from under him twice and I’m damn proud of myself. He’s proud too. His eyes light up each time he hits the mat.

“Let’s go ahead and call it a day,” he tells me. “We’ll pick back up tomorrow. You’re doing great. I can’t wait to see you in your match.”

“I’m ready, man. It’s going to be great.” I walk towards my locker and see a text from Paige. I open it up smiling; what a fucking dork I’ve become. But my smiles quickly fades.

Paige: Brendan is dead.

Austin: What are you talking about? Are you okay?

Paige: He had heart surgery today. He didn’t make it. That’s why he started coming around. He knew he was in trouble. What am I supposed to tell Darla?

Austin: Oh fuck. I’m so sorry. I don’t know. Do you want me to be with you?

Paige: I think I need to do this on my own first. I love you.

Austin: I love you too.

Fuck. I toss my phone back inside and slam the door to my locker. For a moment, I forgot where I was. I turn and all eyes are on me.

“What’s wrong?” Garrett asks cautiously.

“Paige just texted me. Her daughter’s dad died during heart surgery today. She has no clue how she’s supposed to tell her.”

“Oh fuck,” he whispers. Before I know it, all of them are hugging me. I feel so helpless knowing there’s nothing I can do for Paige or Darla right now.

“He just started coming around after four years and the little girl practically worshiped him,” I tell them.

“I hate to hear that,” Howard tells me.

“She told me she wants to tell her daughter alone. I completely understand. I’m just going to go home and I’ll check on her later.”

“If you need someone to talk to, give one of us a call,” Garrett tells me.

I nod as I open the locker back up and grab my things. I can’t even wrap my head around what is happening right now. No child that young should lose a parent, not one they just met. I’m just at a complete loss and so I drive home. I’m hoping Ruston isn’t there because all I want to do is lock myself inside my room and wait to hear from Paige. I’m relieved when he’s not home and I do just what I said I’d do. I lock the door. I sit. And I wait.

Chapter 35

Paige

I sit in my car and stare at my phone. I hate to call my mom and tell her what I have to, but I need her to know before I pop up and break the news to Darla.

As she answers the phone, I take in a deep breath. “Mom?”

“Is everything okay, Paige?” Her intuition is kicking in. She senses something is wrong before I can even tell her.

“N-no,” I whisper. I take in another deep breath. “Mom, Brendan died in the hospital today. H-he had to have heart surgery and he didn’t m-make it.”

“Oh no, I’m so sorry. What do you need me to do?” she immediately asks.

I’m trying hard not to keep crying. My head is already pounding from the tears that have fallen.

“I have no clue, but I know I’m going to need you, Mom. I don’t understand this and I need to be able to lean on you when I talk to her. This isn’t how this was supposed to be. She just met him and now he’s gone.” My lip quivers as I fight back the tears.