Blow (TKO 3)

“They look great,” I tell him, admiring Tamilyn’s work.

“Whitney came and helped me get them straight. I’m sure I could have handled it on my own but she’s got severe OCD kicking in at home and I didn’t want her bitching when she comes here and sees crooked paintings.” He chuckles.

“Smart man.” I point at him. “I hope one day I’ll have the happiness you guys have. When I was younger, I don’t think I ever imagined anything good happening to me. My life was a wreck but I told you all of that when I joined this place. I have purpose now and it’s the best fucking feeling in the world.” I know I can open up to Howard and he won’t judge me. I trust him fully and it’s just nice having someone to talk to.

“You’ll find it. Trust me, I was just like you. I was a badass as a teenager, thought I was invincible. I met a guy one day named Luther Newman, guys called him Lou. He took me in and helped me turn my life around. Like you, I found a purpose in my life and it was fighting. I’ve won more fights than you could imagine in my time, lost a few as well, but it kept me out of trouble. Luther got sick a few years after I joined. He would never tell anyone just how bad he was, but he had developed stage four cancer. He knew he wasn’t going to last long. The doctors only gave him a short amount of time. Lou didn’t want to let this place go to just anyone so I offered to buy it from him. He didn’t want the money, so he just gave it to me.

“We signed everything over and the next day he was found dead in his apartment. He shot himself in the head. He left a note saying how he trusted me to take care of this pla

ce and I vowed I’d never let him down. He was a good friend of mine but most importantly, he was a mentor. I hated he took the easy way out, but he didn’t want to suffer. I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it weren’t for Lou. A year or so later, Lance joined and then Garrett and Whitney came later. When I saw her, I knew she was the one. Trust me, you know when you meet that person. Everything comes full circle. Life suddenly has more meaning than it did before.”

Listening to Howard tell his story, my jaw drops. I never knew any of this. I’ve wondered since the day I first arrived why that old rusty sign stayed up. Now I know, because I know about Lou. “Wow, sounds like Lou was a great guy.”

“He was. I wish each and every one of you in here could have met him.”

Lance pokes his head in the office, breaking up our conversation. “Top of the morning!” he greets cheerfully.

“The leprechaun of Lou’s is here,” Howard announces with a light chuckle.

“Have you seen me lucky charms?” Lance grins as he spots the photos. “Hell yeah! Whitney hung my pictures!”

“I hung them,” Howard deadpans. I stifle back a laugh as the two go back and forth about how Howard couldn’t hang something up if his life depended on it. “Anyway, you two get out there and get to work, I have things to do.”

“Playing on your phone doesn’t count.” Lance grins as he walks out.

I turn and nod at Howard. “Thanks for talking to me.”

“Anytime. I have an open door policy and what’s said in here stays.” He sits in his chair and I walk out to meet Lance.

We’re back to the mat but instead of sitting, I’m standing waiting to see what we’re going to do now. I know we’re supposed to take it easy. “You know what I like to do a few hours before the fights?”

I raise my eyebrow in curiosity. “What’s that?”

“Not a damn thing.”

“Howard was giving me some pointers before you got here.”

“You spar damn good. You’ve got this. Make sure you smile big when your picture gets taken. I know I will be.”

“Dude, you’re fucked in the head.” I laugh.

“But y’all love me,” he points out. I decide to sit on the mat like before and he joins me. We sit there and talk to pass the time. I hate to rush, but I’m ready for tonight.

***

The bright lights, the crowd. It’s insane to see all of this and know I’m going to be a part of it shortly. Blaize has already announced the line-up this evening and I’m on such an adrenaline high that I didn’t even hear the name of my opponent. That’s okay. I’m not here to know his name. I hear my name again but it’s not coming from Blaize. I look around the room and my gaze lands on Tamilyn and Ruston. My eyes light up when I see her. I’m glad she’s here. I jog toward them and pull her in for a hug. She tenses for a moment in front of me but I think nothing of it.

“I’m glad you made it.” I turn to Ruston.

“I told you I’d be here. This looks exciting.”

“My heart is racing. It’s insane.” Howard calls my name, and I wave to them as I am led to a dressing room.

I shut the door behind me and listen as Howard gives Lance and me the same pep talk I heard this morning. Lance’s fight is before mine so he disappears right after while I sit in the room and patiently wait for my turn. My hands are becoming clammy so I go ahead and put my gloves on. Minutes pass and finally someone sticks their head in the door and tells me I’m next. This is it, finally. Blaize announces my name and I exit the room.

The cheers and yells coming from the crowd are deafening, but I love it. I listen as they yell but I’m focused on getting to the ring and taking care of business. As I step into the ring, I see Tamilyn and Ruston standing beside Howard and Lance. As badly as I want to acknowledge them, I know I’m here for business. My game face is on as I eye my opponent. He’s quick, he’s ruthless, but he’s not quick enough. I was worried I would let my guard down, but he’s so cocky he completely underestimates me and after only a few minutes I drag him down to the mat. He fights to get up but my grip on him is tight. He isn’t going to make it up. This fight is over and he knows it. Blaize steps in and lifts my hand in victory. I want to smile but I’m trying to catch my breath. Howard wasn’t kidding when he said this was much more intense than our daily sparring sessions. I’m fucking proud of myself.

I make my way back to the dressing room to change out of these shorts. I can’t wait to find Tamilyn and Ruston. I am curious to know what kind of photos she got. I toss the shorts and my gloves into my duffle bag and step out of the room. People I don’t even know are congratulating me and I smile, thanking each and every one of them. My gaze darts back to where Howard and everyone else stood. I don’t see them. Maybe they stepped outside. I see Lance coming out of the restroom and Hilary is waiting for him.