Fighting For a Second Chance (Fighting 1)

I turn to walk out the door and he calls my name. For a second, I hope he’ll apologize, tell me to come back in, and want to make this right, but I know deep down that’s not his style.

He lifts his chin and says, “Don’t bother coming back when you destroy your entire career over a piece of trashy pussy. You’re a disgrace to this gym and to the UFC. Close the door on your way out.”

I don’t even bother to respond. Instead, I simply shake my head and walk out. He’ll never change, and I’m done living my life like this. If his advice is to stay away from Liz, maybe I should do the opposite because I’ll do anything to not end up like him.

I head to the locker room to gather my shit. Once I have it all and am about to leave, Bentley and Kaden come walking in. Seeing all my stuff in my hands, they look from me, to my now open, empty, locker, and back to me again.

“Are you seriously leaving? Where are you going to go?” Kaden asks. I know he’s concerned because he’s under contract with this gym. He can’t train me if I’m not training here.

“I have no idea. I just found out my dad sent Liz away when she came here yesterday to tell me that… get this shit, I have a daughter.”

“Oh, shit.”

“What the fuck.”

“Yeah, I ran into Liz and Bella—that’s her name—at the grocery store. She looks just like me. It’s crazy. Apparently, she was scared to tell me because I pushed her away by telling her I didn’t want a wife or kids the other night. She got the guts to come here to tell me anyway, feeling I should know about my daughter, but my dad decided to be my personal secretary and tell her I didn’t want to see her. He actually sent her away. I went to his office to confront him and not only did he admit to it, but he defended his actions. I told him I’m done here. I just can’t do this shit with him anymore.”

Both of them are looking at me with sympathy in their eyes. They’ve seen the shit I’ve gone through with my parents for the last several years.

“So, what are you going to do?” Bentley finally asks.

“I don’t know. I just need some time to think. I’m going to head home and take a few days to figure this all out. Liz told me I’m either all in or all out as far as our daughter goes, and I don’t blame her. Bella deserves to have stability in her life. I need to think about all this. You guys should have seen her. She’s so adorable and so freaking smart, and she has my attitude.”

The guys laugh at that.

I take a deep breath, then release it and continue. “I just don’t know if I can be the dad she deserves. Look at the example I had growing up. A dad barely home, who put his career above his family, then when his wife cheats on him, he lashes out and destroys her entire world, turning her into a drunk. And where does that leave Liz and me? She’s been doing this on her own for four damn years because I walked away without giving her my number. She doesn’t need this shit in her life. She had this image in her head of what it would be like when I found out and I fucked it all up before she could even tell me. I just need to wrap my head around all of this. I don’t want to make their life worse.”

Kaden and Bentley both nod in understanding. I’m sure they want to say something, but they can sense I just can’t deal with it right now.

“I’m gonna head home. I’ll let you guys know what I decide.”

“Bro, you know I got your back. If you’re sure about leaving this gym, I am too.”

I nod and give Bentley a small smile to thank him.

Kaden adds, “You know I can’t leave here, but whatever you need from me, I got you. We’ll figure this out.”

I pat him on this shoulder and thank him, then I walk out of the locker room and out of the gym for what I believe will be the last time.

Sixteen

Cooper

It’s been five days since I walked out of the gym. I haven’t spoken to anybody during that time. I’ve started going for a run in the morning and in the evening down by the lake in my neighborhood. Years of training for hours a day keeps me from being able to just sit at home and do nothing. I’ve had some time to think about what I want to do now that I’m away from my dad and the gym. I’m thinking about joining another training center to get me through this title fight and then taking some time off.