“Thanks. I’ll be fine because you’re here.”
We move ahead of a crowd of people waiting to enter the building and walk through to where Howard is waiting for me. Garrett and Raegan are already here, and the two women begin talking, leaving us to get our minds focused on why we’re here.
Howard and Garrett both look like they’ve seen a ghost, and I’m not sure which one of them is capable of talking right now. Something isn’t right, and I want to know what is going on. Howard can barely make eye contact with me, and Garrett just frowns.
“Lance, I need to talk to you.” Howard nods to a corner where no one is standing. I glance over to Garrett, but he turns away from me.
Howard crosses his arms over his chest as I stand in front of him. “Well, what is it? You’re worrying the hell out of me.”
“I had no bearing on this. I had no clue this was going to happen and—”
“And what? Just spit it out. I’m sure I can handle whatever you’re about to tell me.”
“I almost wanted to ask you to forfeit tonight.”
“I don’t forfeit.” He’s fucking playing around, and I’m beginning to get agitated.
“I’m just going to come out and say this. You’re fighting Travis tonight.”
The only thing I can think about is Hilary. What is seeing him going to do to her? “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“No, Lance, I’m not fucking kidding you. I’m as serious as a heart attack. My question to you is this, will you be able to handle yourself in the ring? Can you deliver a clean fight and not lose your head? If you can’t, then I will make you forfeit.”
Fuck. Can I let go of everything for just a few minutes and come out on the other end okay? When I think about everything that he did to her and put her through, I really just want to beat the living shit out of him. I almost lost everything I love in fighting because of him. I have no respect for him, and I have to get in the ring with that coward and pretend none of it ever happened. I can’t lose my cool, though. Not with Hilary here. I told her I was a new man, and the new Lance doesn’t need to give a shit about Travis.
“I have to let her know he’s here. I can and I will make this work,” I say firmly. “But I’m telling you, if he takes a cheap shot at me, I may not be able to hold myself back.”
He nods in understanding. “If he takes a cheap shot, that’s his ass, not yours.”
“Thanks for telling me this. At least I won’t be surprised.”
“I figured this was one surprise you wouldn’t want.” He claps his hand on my shoulder before walking away. I turn to see Hilary and Raegan laughing and talking. I hate to be the one to ruin her night, but I don’t want her to hear it from anyone else.
“Hey, Hil, can I talk to you for a minute?”
Raegan perks up, and I now have her attention as well. “What is it, Lance?” Hilary asks.
“I’m fighting Travis tonight.” Her eyes widen and begin to fill with tears. “I just found out less than a minute ago, and I wanted you to hear it from me.”
“What if he tries to talk to me? Oh God, I don’t think I can do this.” The tears spill down her face, and I pull her close.
“If he tries to talk to you, I’ll punch him square in his fucking mouth.”
Raegan growls. God, her hormones must be flaring up. Garrett will have to worry about keeping her in check because I have no doubt she would go after Travis if he attempted to start anything.
I glare at her, my eyes pleading her not to say another word. She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest, but never says another word. I pull Hilary’s hand into mine.
“It’s going to be okay. I want you to stay by Raegan and Garrett. Howard will be there too, while I’m fighting, and they won’t let him anywhere near you. As soon as I’m done, we are leaving, okay?”
She whimpers and nods. This is absolute torture for her, and I wish I had known this before. I would have never asked her to come along. I would have driven this solo with no problem at all, and now guilt consumes me. I feel responsible for bringing her here, knowing there is always the possibility he will be here. Maybe I thought I could protect her no matter what. I know I can, but now I’m concerned I might be endangering her.
I give her a soft kiss on her forehead. It’s time for me to get ready. The number of people in the room has doubled, and Raegan is on alert for trouble. I know if something happens and I can’t get to Hilary fast enough, Raegan will get her out of here.
Inside the dressing room, I’m alone with my thoughts. My mind is overwhelmed with wondering, and I hate it. I need to be concentrating. For once, I don’t give a shit about whether or not I am going to win. All I care about is her safety. I worry about him lurking around, preying on her.
I sit in the metal chair in the corner of the room and place my head in my hands. I can’t do this. I know I told Howard I can go out there and keep my head straight, but the truth is, I don’t think I can. I want to, but it just doesn’t seem possible. The tension between Travis and I is personal, and I don’t think I can leave that baggage inside this dressing room.
The door opens. I expect to see Howard, but it’s Garrett. “Hey, man, are you okay? I knew, but Howard wanted to be the one to tell you.”