Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 118459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 474(@250wpm)___ 395(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 474(@250wpm)___ 395(@300wpm)
In his old age, he’s still in shape. He wears tracksuits around the gym during the day, training some of the best fighters from around the country. I’ve considered so many times how my life would’ve ended up differently had he not seen me fight behind that supermarket. And how it would have been different if he hadn’t taken me on as a charity case, maybe even as a foster kid in some ways.
“Well, you’re not in as bad shape as I thought,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest. “But still, for the time we have to work with, we have our work cut out for us.”
I bow my head and stand, rolling my shoulder. “I’ll do whatever I have to do.”
“Are you sure you want to do this, Crew? I’ve seen Davidson fight. He’s—”
“I’m sure,” I say. The decision’s been made. Now the work must be done.
“What are you gonna tell me about that injury?”
I shrug. “Nothin’ to tell.”
“You think I’m some kinda fuckin’ idiot?” he asks. “I’ve been around this shit longer than you’ve been alive, Gentry. Not to mention that I can read you like a fuckin’ book. Don’t lie to me.”
My gaze turns icy. I owe my life in some ways to Sal D’Amato, but I’m not going to sacrifice someone else’s to save my own.
“What do you know about this?” he asks, turning to Will. “How bad is it?”
“Hey,” Will says, putting both hands in front of him. “I don’t know jack shit.”
Sal laughs loudly. “Ain’t that the truth.”
Will feigns shock, his mouth dropping open. “I’m offended.”
“Good.” Sal laughs, turning his sights back to me. “I get why you want to do this, Gentry. But have you thought it through? I mean, really thought it through and what it might mean for you? I was there when you were carried off that fuckin’ mat, boy. I don’t want to see that again.”
“You won’t.”
“You sure about that? I need to be absolutely certain that you’ve thought this through in an unemotional way. That you’ve made a clear choice.”
I laugh angrily. “I don’t have a fucking choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
“Not in the real world. Out there,” I say, motioning through the doors behind me, “there aren’t choices, Sal. There are things to be done and this is one of them.”
He throws his head back and sighs. After a few seconds, he stands straight again. His shoulders are square, his eyes steel. “All right then. Be here every night at six sharp. I mean sharp, Gentry.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You still remember how to use that degree, right?” he asks, referring to my degree in Nutritional Science that I’ve never used. “I want you eating clean. Lots of protein. Keep yourself hydrated. No cigarettes. No drugs. No beer.”
“Woah! Wait up,” Will says, getting to his feet. “No beer?”
“Shut up, Will,” Sal says. “And your job is to babysit this guy and make sure he does what I just said.”
“Yes, sir,” Will says meekly.
I start to laugh, but the seriousness in Sal’s tone stops me.
“We gotta cram a year’s worth of work into a couple of months. If I think you aren’t 100% in, I’m out. Got me?”
“Yes, sir,” I reply.
“All right. Get outta here. Get some sleep and be back in here tomorrow.”
I shake his hand, grab my bag by the front door, and head out. Will grasps my shoulder once we’re in the dimly lit parking lot.
“You look good, man,” he says.
My entire body aches already. I know it’s only a taste of what’s to come and it’s gonna hurt like a motherfucker. But I like it. I like the pain. I like the punishment. I like knowing with every blast of discomfort that comes from my muscles, I’m one step closer to Everleigh getting the medicine she needs. Because as much as I look forward to decimating Davidson, I could’ve lived my life without seeing him again. But I can’t live my life without Everleigh.
“So, I was gonna ask you if you want to go to Shenanigan’s, but I’m guessing that’s a no.” He laughs.
“Yeah. Not happening for a while.” I open the door to my truck and toss my bag inside.
“Guess I’ll have to go find Macie.” He grins and wiggles his eyebrows.
“Macie?”
“Fuck me, Crew. This one”—he blows out a whistle—“this one is different than every woman I’ve ever fucking met.”
“She’s nice?” I ask, climbing in the cab.
“I’m not fucking her personality, man. What the fuck?”
He seems offended I even asked. I laugh and start the engine. “How’d my girls seem today?” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret it.
“Your girls?” he taunts.
“Not what I meant.”
“That’s totally what you meant. And we’ve already been over how they were today. Ever liked the girly shit you sent. Jules almost cried when I gave her the envelope.” He shrugs. “I don’t know what else you want me to say. That Jules smelled like flowers?”