Sucker Punch (TKO #4) (9 page)

Chapter 16

Austin

Paige: I miss you.

Those words shine out from my phone for me to read. I smile knowing she’s thinking about me. Ruston and Tamilyn are at her parents’ house for dinner so I’m alone in the apartment. It’s nice to have someone to talk to.

Austin: I miss you too.

Paige: What are you up to?

Austin: Just lying in bed. You?

Paige: Having some margaritas with Nora at my house.

Austin: Well, that sounds fun. Drink one for me.

Paige: I will.

Austin: I’m up for a while if you want to talk later.

She doesn’t text back right away. I set my phone back down and turn on the new TV I got for my room. I found it for a bargain at a local pawn shop up the road. This way I can lie in bed and watch whatever I want and if I fall asleep, it’s no big deal. I don’t have to get up and move anywhere.

My eyes grow heavy and before I finally fall asleep, I remember tomorrow is fight day. Lance and Garrett both are on the docket and I’ll just be there for support. That’s all I can do until Howard really feels I am capable of stepping back inside the ring. I only got to fight once but I miss it a lot. Fighting gave me a peace, a sense of belonging and it was great.

***

As the sun begins to peer through the blinds in my room, my alarm decides to go off. Talk about perfect timing. I had just literally opened my eyes and I was hoping for a little extra sleep but it’s time to get moving. It’s fight day.

My mind races back to my first fight months ago and how excited I was to finally put my training to use. It really pisses me off I can’t think about that day without thinking about the betrayal that came along with it and the accident that took away my right arm. I push all that far back behind me and focus on better things, like getting to cheer on my fellow teammates.

I’m more confident in driving now. It took just a little push and some faith but I have overcome my fear. Paige had a lot to do with this transition also. Having her see me doing well means a lot to me. I change my clothes and slip a pair of flip flops on my feet. I’m not planning on sparring today, I just want to be there. Besides, I’m not sure I can handle another meltdown with my tennis shoes. I’m getting better but it’s still a struggle and it’s not one I care to deal with more than I have to.

I grab an apple off the counter along with my wallet and keys. I’m ready to get going. The adrenaline is pumping through my veins and I’m not even the one fighting tonight.

The drive to Lou’s is smooth. I walk inside the gym and glance at the clock on the wall. I’m a little early but Garrett and Lance are already here. Lance’s singing fills my ears and I turn to face him. “Really man? Already?”

“I’m getting in the zone. Tay’s got my back.” He smirks.

“Hilary knows you’re this weird and she still wants to be around you?” I laugh.

“She sure does. You guys are such party poopers. Garrett won’t even sing with me.” He frowns this time. Oh boy, he’s a trip.

“Damn straight I won’t. I have more important things to do than sing a song with you. Like get mentally prepared for my match this evening.” Garrett walks towards the mat and sits down. He looks at me and notices my flip flops. “Don’t feel like sparring today?”

“I wasn’t planning on it, but if you need a partner, I’m in.”

“Yeah, if you don’t mind. If I have to hear him sing another lyric in that song, I’ll lose my mind.”

I kick my flip flops off and begin sparring with Garrett. When it’s fight time, he takes it seriously. So does Lance. They both joke around but they know when to stop and when it’s time to get to work. Lance even stops his singing and stands on the side of the mat, calling out pointers much like Howard will do this evening. When Garrett pins me to the ground, I tap out and he helps me to my feet. I need a breather. Garrett worked me hard so I suggest the two of them spar.

Lance takes my place and I watch as they go round and round. They’re so serious, but the minute one goes down, they laugh it off and get after it again.

“Hey.” Lance appears suddenly by my side. “Why don’t you see what your nurse friend is doing this evening? Maybe she would want to come with you tonight.”

His offer sounds tempting, but why would she want to go somewhere like the fights with me? It’s bad enough I haven’t been to one since my accident and I’m not sure how anyone will react to seeing me looking different. I already know people can be cruel, I learned that when Paige and I were on our date.

“I don’t know. Maybe next time.”

“You’re a wuss.” He laughs.

“Leave him alone, Lance. He’ll bring her when he’s ready.”

“Thank you, Garrett.” I nod. I’m grateful he’s the voice of reason most of the time.

“Okay, I’ll drop it. I just thought maybe you’d like to show her what you do,” he admits. I at least admire his honesty. One day I’ll show her, just not today.

Howard comes walking in late and we stop and wait for him to speak. He greets us cheerfully and goes to set his keys and some papers down in his office. When he walks out, he begins the speech he gives the morning of every fight.

I listen as though I’m stepping into the ring tonight. One day soon is all I can tell myself. I can’t wait until that day comes.

Chapter 17

Paige

I wake up to find Nora making coffee in the kitchen. I grin sleepily at her, thankful I didn’t have to make it this morning.

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

“I’m good, just tired. You?”

“I’m great. I was just asking about you because all you talked about after margarita number four was Austin and how cute you think he is.” She grins.

“Oh gosh.” I slap my palm against my forehead. “Is Darla awake already?”

“Yeah, she’s in the living room watching cartoons. I’m a good nanny.”

“Thank you.”

“You deserve to sleep in. You were nice enough to let me stay here so I helped take care of her for you. What are y’all’s plans today?”

“I need to figure out this thing Brendan wants to do. I need to do some research and that’s probably all I’ll do today.”

“If you need help, you let me know.” She pours herself a cup of coffee and gets an extra one out for me.

“Thanks,” I tell her as I grab the cup and begin fixing myself one.

We sit and talk for a bit over our coffee like a bunch of old ladies, then she looks at the time. “I better get going. Last night was fun. I told my sister I’d go over and help her paint.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye, Darla, be good for your mommy today,” Nora calls into the living room.

Darla comes running into the kitchen and grins at Nora. “Bye, Nowa.”

“You are the cutest kid ever. Bye guys.” She rinses out her coffee cup and sets it in the drain board. We wave to her as she walks out of the door.

“So Darla, what do you want to do today?” I ask as I pick her up and give her a big kiss. I’m used to being the one waking up with her and I missed that this morning.

“Go to the pawk!” She claps her hands. I can’t say no to her cute little smile. I tell her we’ll get dressed and go while it’s still a little cool out this morning.

Within a few minutes we’re dressed and ready to go. I buckle her into her carseat and fight off a tear. How in the world can Brendan say he wants no rights to her? She’s the neatest four year old I’ve ever met. She’s my entire world.

We drive to a little park up the road. I look in my mirror to see her eyes light up. We both get out of the car and she runs to the slides first. She yells for me to watch her as she climbs up and slides fearlessly down. I clap and cheer her on. When she asks me to slide with her, I climb up and join her. I laugh as we slide down together. I’m blessed to have her even if he wants nothing to do with her.

A few other families show up at the park and Darla makes friends. I see a few families playing together. Moms and dads along with their kids. It makes me smile. One day I can give Darla that family she deserves. We play for a little over an hour and a half and I realize it’s almost lunch time. We get back into the car and head home to eat something. I figure Darla will be ecstatic to eat some chicken nuggets and I’d be happy with just a sandwich.

We walk into the house and I get the oven preheating. I arrange a few nuggets and fries on a pan and wait for the right temperature to be obtained. Darla disappears to her room for a few minutes and as I grab the pan to place in the oven she comes running into the kitchen.

“Mommy?” she asks softly.

“Yeah, baby?” I pull the oven door open.

“Do I have a daddy?”

The pan slips from my hands and hits the floor. Chicken nuggets and fries scatter across the kitchen and tears well in my eyes. I knew this conversation would happen sooner or later, but why now? I fight the tears back and count to ten. I need to regain my composure to face her and answer this question.

I kneel down to her and pull one of her hands into mine. “You do have a daddy.”

“Whewe is he?” she asks.

“He, uh, he had to go away.” I’m terrible at answering her questions. I should have put more thought into this.

“Why? I want a daddy like ewewbody.” She begins to cry and my heart breaks. I want to hold back my tears but I’m losing this battle.

“You will have a daddy one day, baby girl. I promise. How about we do something else fun? Mommy needs to potty but I can turn on cartoons for you or we can play in your room if you want.”

She nods her head and walks to her room. I grab my phone and walk straight to the bathroom and lock the door behind me. I don’t have to use the toilet but I turn the water on slightly to drown out any noise. I call the one person I know can help me through this.

“Hey Paige, I was just about to call you.”

“Mom.” I begin to sob.

“Honey, what’s wrong? Is everything all right?” Panic fills her voice. I can’t blame her. The last time I called her crying was to tell her Brendan wanted nothing to do with me or Darla.

“No, it’s not.” I sniffle. “Darla asked if she has a daddy and I didn’t know what to say. Brendan wants to sign his rights over and I just, I don’t know how to handle all of this.”

“Shit,” Mom whispers. Mom never cusses. “What did you tell her?”

“I told her he had to go away. I wasn’t sure what to say. Then she told me she wants a daddy like everybody else. What do I do, Mom?”

“You need a break, baby girl. I know we keep her a lot for you, but you need a breather. Bring her by and give yourself time to think about all of this. Have you looked at a family attorney yet?”

“Not yet. It’s all just come up in the last day or so.” I wipe my tears and take a deep breath.

“Let us keep her overnight. You just make some phone calls and see what you can do, and your dad and I can help you if you need.”

“Okay, Mom. Thank you. It just all happened so fast. I was getting ready to fix her lunch and I dropped it all over the floor.”

“Everything will be all right, Paige. It’s just going to take time. Keep your head up. We’ll see you when you get here.”

I hang up the phone and stick it in my back pocket. I splash a little cold water on my face and flush the toilet as if I were using it. When step out of the bathroom, Darla is playing with her dolls. I walk into her room and sit beside her.

“Hey, Mommy,” she says as she hands me a baby doll.

“Hey, sweetie. What do you say we go to McDonalds and get some of their chicken nuggets then you go have a sleepover with Grammy and Papa?”

Her eyes light up and she jumps up to hug me tightly. I grab her overnight bag and begin packing a set of jammies and some clothes for tomorrow. She grabs a few toys and throws them inside and begins ushering me out of her room.

When I drop her off, my parents and I talk about everything I need to do to take care of this. I’m guessing Brendan doesn’t realize we’ll be going to court, but then he probably doesn’t care. I visit for a little, then kiss Darla bye. I hug my parents and thank them for everything. As I drive off, the tears cascade down my cheeks. I guess we’re about to find out just how strong I am.

I pull back up at the apartment and see Raegan getting Lucas out of the car. She sees me and grins. “Hey, Paige. Where’s Darla?”

“Hey. I just brought her to my parents for the afternoon and evening.”

“Yeah, Lucas is going to my dad’s a little later. Garrett has a fight this evening and I haven’t seen him fight since I was pregnant. What are you doing this evening?”

I almost blurt out I need to find a family lawyer, but I stop before revealing all my issues. “Nothing at all. I’ll probably just relax at home.”

“Nonsense. Why don’t you come to the fights with me? They’re fun to watch. Hilary will be there too, so us girls can stick together while the guys do their thing.”

“I, uh, I guess so. I’ve never been to anything like that.” It also could help me get my mind off of everything that’s just so fucked up right now.

“Really? Oh, awesome! We’ll probably head out about five-ish if you want to ride with us. I can knock on your door.”

“Yeah, that sounds good. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome!” She smiles. “Let me get him inside and fed. I’ll see you after a bit!”

“Okay,” I tell her as I walk towards my apartment. Maybe going with her is what I need for the night. I can deal with this Brendan shit tomorrow.