I found it hard to say goodbye to her, especially with Zak hovering and watching us from the doorway, but knowing I’d see her later helped. There were no more endings for us, only a see you later, and I liked that. I’d never had it, I’d always wanted it, and now… I’d got it. My own happiness.
When we arrived at the factory an hour later, I headed straight to where Brandon was camped out in the boxing area, setting up his hay bales that he still insisted on using. In typical Brandon style, he had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth as he lugged a bale across the room.
“I thought you quit?” I knew he’d cut them out ever since Harper fell pregnant and I was surprised to see him back to his old ways.
“I did, but it’s been a tense few days and I needed one. I’ll quit again once I get back home,” he said with the cigarette still hanging out of his mouth.
“Is Harper okay?”
He stopped what he was doing, dropped the bale to the floor and sat on it, then he took a long drag on his ciggie before blowing out the smoke.
"She’s uncomfortable and I’m worried sick... about both of you.” He flicked his cigarette to the floor and stared back up at me. “I spoke to Harper last night about the fight. We both agreed that I can’t back out. But let’s be honest here, was that ever gonna happen? I’m not a quitter. If I said I’ll fight, I’ll fucking fight. I wouldn’t let people down like that. If they’re paying money to see me, I’ll give them what they want. Harper agrees. She doesn’t like it, but she trusts me.” He stood up and started moving bales again as he spoke. “I’ve always said the bout only stops when someone drops, but it won’t be me. I’m still fit and Joe Hazel is a lazy boxer. He’ll go down, I’ll save face, and you get whatever it is you need from me doing this.”
I was stunned.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll tell me what this is all about when it’s all over. I fucking hate being left in the dark.” He turned to glare at me and I was so fucking thankful to him for what he was doing. I could never find the words to let him know how truly grateful I was.
“I will. I promise,” I said, feeling the words stick in my throat.
I grabbed a bale and helped him to stack them up. It was the least I could do. I had plans for artwork, but that could wait. I felt like I needed to do something to show him I wasn’t totally blocking him out. Not on purpose, anyway.
“Don’t look so worried,” Brandon said, looking calmer now as he interrupted my racing stressed-out thoughts. “It’ll be fine.” He smiled. “We’ve got you. Did I mention we want you to be godfather when the babies come?”
“No. Mate, that’d be awesome. Thanks so much for choosing me.” I went over and gave him a manly hug, patting him on the back. Thinking about those babies helped to get some perspective in all of this. I couldn’t wait to meet them.
“Harper wanted to ask you when we were together, and she’ll probably give me grief for telling you now, but you looked like you needed a boost today.” Brandon nudged me as he spoke, making the clouds that were darkening my mood clear slightly.
“That’s quite a boost too.” I grinned and pulled my phone out to text Effy and tell her.
“Focus on that. That and Effy. It’s what I do when shit gets too much. We’re fighters, you and me.” He punched my shoulder for effect and I smiled and tripped back a little as he did. “Onl
y, I fight in the ring. You’ve been fighting every day of your life.”
I stopped texting and looked up at him, my expression turning serious.
“Don’t think we don’t all see how hard you fight, Finn. We do and we’re all here for you. Hell, if you asked Ryan or Zak to fight in the ring for you, they would. The girls too probably. I’m respecting your wishes that you don’t want to share this, whatever this is. But I need you to know, whatever happens this weekend, we are all beside you.”
“I know and I appreciate it. I really do.”
I might’ve been dealt a shit hand in the family stakes, but when it came to my friends, I’d hit the jackpot. I just hoped that wouldn’t all come crashing down when the weekend finally came.
It was the day of the party, and I couldn’t stop my mind from serving up a whole host of dreadful, awful scenarios of what might happen. I knew the soldiers would be there. It was a party in their manor. They wouldn’t be able to stay away, but I didn’t trust them not to say anything or cause trouble. I had to be on high alert tonight, and that included keeping Effy close to me at all times. I usually rocked up to these things on my own, but for this one, I wanted to go with her. I didn’t want to spend it alone, lost in my art. I wanted to share it with Effy.
There was still a few hours to go until kick off, but I couldn’t stop myself from pacing the room and climbing the walls. I had to do something to take my mind off the main event, I was slowly going insane. I decided to go to Effy’s and pick her up earlier than we’d agreed. I made sure I texted her first though, so she had enough time to get ready. I wasn’t that clueless about women, despite what it looked like.
As usual, she looked stunning in a little black dress, but when I said I wanted to stop off at the park before sunset, she frowned, looking down at her outfit and said, “I’m not dressed for the park. I’ll look silly going there like this.”
I shook my head and then looked her up and down, letting her know that I fully approved of what she’d got on. She was as sexy as hell and I didn’t care where we were. I wanted to show her off.
“Are you really bothered about what other people think?”
“No, but I don’t want people looking at me.”
Usually, I loved that she was as shy and reserved as I was, but not in this case. I didn’t want her to ever doubt how gorgeous she was.
“Let them look.” I smirked, pulling her into my arms. “You’re beautiful. Own it.” She smiled back, and lucky for me, she didn’t argue.