“Of course, baby.” Max tossed a couple of pieces on a plate and held it out to her. She dropped her bags and took it from him, scooping one piece up to munch on it. She settled next to Max on the bed, laying her head on his shoulder as he ate.
Shortly after the pizza was gone, Quinn shuffled to the bathroom and shut the door. When the shower stream hissed through the wall, Tori pounced on him, her teeth tugging on his lower lip. He rolled her beneath as he pressed his mouth against hers.
“Should I go?” Quinn growled from the doorway of the bathroom.
Max slid away from Tori and glared at him. “Was that the world’s quickest shower?”
“Sorry I didn’t give you enough time for a quickie. You can take me home.”
“Get in bed.”
Quinn trudged across the room and slipped beneath the covers. Max pressed a kiss to Tori’s lips then joined him. They quietly watched TV the rest of the night until they each drifted off to sleep.
The next morning after getting breakfast, Max and Tori dropped Quinn off at his brother’s apartment. At first, the wounded fighter hobbled up the sidewalk without a word. Anger threatened to boil over inside Max. They made the trip to see Quinn’s fight. They nursed him all weekend instead of spending the time alone. This was the thanks they got?
Before Max could open his mouth, Quinn turned slowly and limped back to them. He gave each of them a big hug. The mutter of “thanks” was barely audible but it was there. They stood stone still until he was safely in the apartment. Once he disappeared, Max nudged Tori to the car.
They held hands as they drove along the Mississippi River back to Minneapolis. Once they reached Tori’s car he climbed out of his seat and helped her out. He didn’t miss her pout.
“When will I see you?” she whimpered.
“What time do you need to be home?” Max questioned.
“I work at three tomorrow afternoon.”
A devious grin crossed his lips. “Follow me. We’ll say goodbye over breakfast tomorrow morning.”
Tori squealed and kissed him. He laughed as he got back in his car. Maybe the weekend hadn’t gone their way. But one night with Tori would definitely salvage it. One thing was certain. He couldn’t wait for the break to be over. Quinn needed to be back with the team. And Max needed his girl and his best buddy back with him every day.
»»•««
When the day arrived that Tori and Quinn returned for the fall semester, he took them both out to dinner, holding Tori close as he and Quinn chattered back and forth with each other.
Homework came on quick. With graduation in nine months, Max hit his studies hard. The first Saturday after the term had started, he woke up for an early morning workout. After lunch, he retreated to his dorm room to spend the afternoon studying.
A sudden rap tore Max from his anatomy book. He frowned as he sat back against the pillow. “Come in, Quinn.”
There was another knock. Irritated, Max stood and stormed to the door, ripping it open. I’m so not in the mood for Quinn’s crap right now.
Instead of Quinn, however, a tall, robust man with flaming red hair stood there. “Max Thomas?” he questioned.
“Yes. You are?”
“Dennis Cross. Agent. Do you have a minute to talk?”
Max stared at him for a moment, baffled. He stepped aside to let the stranger in. “You’re the third agent to contact me this week.”
“You’re a hot commodity kid.” Dennis stepped inside the small dorm room. “I can pave your way to the big time. And my rates are reasonable.”
Max leaned against the door frame, not shutting the door. “So could the other two guys. And the two guys the week before that. Their rates are reasonable too. And I’m going to tell you the same thing. I want to finish college before I consider anyone’s offer.”
“Could be too late, kid. You could get injured. Take my deal and make some money.”
“You haven’t given me a deal. Which is all right because I’m not accepting. Try back in about a year.”
Dennis shrugged as he pulled a business card out and handed it to Max. “If you change your mind.”
Max shoved the card in the back pocket of his blue jeans. “Thanks.”
Dennis nodded his farewell before he strode out of the room. Max slammed the door behind him and flipped back on his bed. He needed to talk to someone, and Tori was not the one. She would chatter nonstop about which agent held the best deal and then demand he take it, following up with coos over their marriage plans. Not that they had ever talked about marriage until this point. Where did these wedding plans come from?
He couldn’t talk to Quinn, either. Quinn might be his best friend, but he would pout excessively about the attention Max was receiving. Even though he knew his first stop should have been Chuck, he pushed the thought from his mind. There was only one place to go. Max packed up his textbooks and jogged to his Mustang to drive home.
As his tires hit New Ulm, the first stop for Max was his dad’s hardware store. He slipped the car into a parking spot and jogged inside.
He was greeted by his sister’s smiling face. “Hey, brat! What’s up?” Tami teased.
“Where’s Dad?” Max demanded.
“In the back in his office. He’s a little heated. Some guy was in here bugging him about your MMA career. He was pretty relentless.”
“Dennis Cross?”
“That’s him.”
Max sighed and shook his head. “I’ll go talk to him.” He weaved among the shelves until he reached the hall that led to the back office.
Max softly knocked on the door.
“Come in!” his father bellowed.
Max pushed open the door and forced a smile on his face. “Hey, Dad.”
His father didn’t look pleased. “Hey, Max. What brings you home?”
Max slumped into the chair beside his dad’s desk. Other than the desk and chair, there wasn’t room for much else. The window that overlooked the sales floor was the only thing that gave the room the impression of being larger than it was. “You already know. He just visited you.”
His father exhaled heavily. “Max, I agree that you’re something special. I understand why these agents are after you. But to have one come into my place of business and hound me to pressure you into hiring him…that’s unacceptable.”
“I know, Dad. I had no idea he would do that. I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
“What do you want to do?”
Max let go a halfhearted chuckle. “Graduate.”
“Then that’s your plan. Get your degree. Then you can make your decision from there. Talk to Chuck. Maybe he has an idea on how to get these guys to leave you, and us, alone for the time being.”
Max slowly smiled. He’d known his father would give him the perfect advice. “I’ll give Chuck a call on my way to the house.” He stood.
“Do you want me to call Mom and tell her you’re on the way?”
“Nah. I need to make a stop first. See you at home.” Max strode from the office to the front door, stopping only to place a quick kiss on Tami’s cheek. He slipped into the Mustang and drove in the direction of the state park.
Once Max reached the wooden bridge, he slipped his cell from his pocket. He found the fitness center in his contacts and dialed. When a voice popped up on the other line, he asked for Chuck.
“This is Chuck.”
“Hey, Chuck. It’s Max.”
“Hey, Max. Where are you? You weren’t at practice today. I needed to talk to you.”
“I escaped. Another agent stopped by my dorm room then dropped by my dad’s store and harassed him. I wanted to ask your help to get rid of them, at least until I graduate next spring.”
“Absolutely. Bring me their business cards. As your coach, I’ll demand they talk to me only.”
Max breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks. You needed to talk to me?”
“Yep. You have a fight in nine weeks. A pro fight. You’re back in fight camp.”
/> “Awesome! I’m on it.”
“Sounds good. I have your contract. Stop in tomorrow to sign it. And to train.”
“Of course. See you tomorrow.”
Max ended the call and slipped the phone back in his pocket. He leaned against the railing. Another fight. He really couldn’t wait. Despite the stress the agents were putting on him, he loved being in the octagon. Nine weeks would fly by.
Then he sighed. He should call Tori and tell her about his fight, but she had a tendency to blow this kind of news out of proportion. He glanced around at the bridge again. They had talked about getting married. They had already started making plans for their life together.
Yet, deep in his heart, Max wasn’t ready to bring her here. The bridge was his sanctuary away from the chaos. Tori invited chaos, not protected him from it. But he wanted to kiss the woman he truly loved here. And he wanted that woman to be Tori.
Didn’t he?
Max shook his head, confused, and then leaned against the rail again. A few more minutes of peace. Then he would head home.
The house was quiet when Max stepped inside. He frowned. The front door was unlocked. They always locked it when they left. He took several hesitant steps as he searched around the darkened living room. A shrill cry nearly tore his heart from his chest.
“Max!” his mom nearly screamed.
“Mom!” he returned, clutching his hand to his chest. “You just scared the crap out of me.”
“I did? You don’t normally waltz into the house on a weekday afternoon. What are you doing here?”
“Another agent. This one stopped by the hardware store and pestered Dad too. What were you doing? And where is everyone else?”
“I’m reading. Jenny just took Tyson to his first swim lesson.”
“Aww. I wish I would have known. I’d go watch.”
“Go next week.”
“I don’t think I can. I’m back in fight camp. It’s my first pro fight.”
His mom let out another ear-piercing squeal as she hugged him tight. He chuckled as he squeezed her back. “That’s so exciting, Max! Does Dad know?”
“Do I know what?” His dad walked through the door, staring at them puzzled.
His mom nudged him as she winked. Max grinned. “I’ve got my first pro fight. I’m back in fight camp.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” His dad pulled him in for a hug. “This is incredible news! We should celebrate.”
“I’ve already started dinner,” Max’s mom chided as she laughed. “I have a lasagna in the oven that will come out about the time the girls and Tyson come home.”
“Then we’ll go out for dessert afterward. Sound good?”
Max laid his hands on each of his parent’s shoulders. “I’ll let you two hash this out. I’m going to go set the table.”
He strode into the kitchen as his parents continued to make plans for the evening. He grinned to himself. Being home was the best place to share news this big. He grabbed a stack of plates from the cupboard. He heard the scuffle of his mother’s feet on the tile.
“What did Quinn and Tori have to say about your news?” she asked. “They must be pretty excited for you.”
He placed one plate at each setting of the dining room table. “I haven’t told them yet.”
“Oh. I would have thought you would tell your closest friends news this big.”
“I will. They just have a tendency to blow this sort of stuff out of proportion. And you guys love and support me. Of course I should tell you first.”
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and then quietly went to the oven to check on the lasagna. Max sighed happily as he set the final plate in its spot.
The front door opened again, this time with a little more ruckus. A tiny voice excitedly gushed. “Papa. I swimmed!”
“That’s wonderful, Tyson,” Max’s dad replied. “Guess who’s in the kitchen with Grandma?”
“I no know.”
“Go check.”
The sound of little feet on the wood floor echoed through the house. Tyson’s eyes grew wide as he toddled around the corner. “Unca Max!”
Max caught the sprinting little boy in his arms. “Hey, buddy. I hear you can swim now.”
“I swimmed!”
“That’s great, buddy.”
Tami leaned against the doorframe to the kitchen. Jenny leaned on her shoulder. “So what brings you home, little brother?”
“I came to talk to Dad. Another agent visited me. Oh, and I have my first pro fight.”
He and Tyson were suddenly swarmed with hugs from his sisters. Jenny rustled his dark hair affectionately. “Look, Tami. Our baby brother is a big shot pro fighter now.”
“Hey, can I get to the octagon first?” Max objected.
“And graduate,” his dad chimed in.
“Okay, kids. Break it up. Dinner is ready,” his mother informed them. The girls giggled as they let him go. Tami scooped Tyson from his arms and settled the little boy in his high chair. Max helped his mother carry food to the table as the others sat down. Once a quick prayer was said they heaped their plates with lasagna, salad, and garlic bread.
Jenny and Max gathered the empty plates after supper while Tami hustled Tyson to the bathroom to clean up. Max filled the sink with hot, soapy water while Jenny grabbed the towel. They laughed as they splashed each other, taking time between having fun to wash a dish or two. Once everyone was finished with their tasks, they piled into the family minivan to go for ice cream.
»»•««
Max groaned as he collapsed on the couch. The ice cream had been wonderful. His mom’s dinner had been amazing, too. He couldn’t eat another bite. A great last meal before weeks of salad and chicken breasts. Tyson crawled on the couch and curled up against him. Max held him close as they watched a movie. Glancing around, he sighed heavily.
“What’s up, kiddo?” his dad asked from his recliner.
“I want this someday,” Max murmured.
“This old house. Well, I can talk to your mom.”
“Not the house. This. Family. Splash fights while washing dishes. Snuggling on the couch. Impromptu trips to get ice cream. Everyone thinks I want the fame that comes with being an MMA fighter. I want this.”
“This didn’t come overnight. Mom and I worked hard to raise you three to be good, loving people. It takes time, Max. But you’ll get it.”
Max chuckled in disbelief. “I doubt it.”
Dad shook his head. “Max, I know you won’t like this. What if Tori isn’t ‘the one’? What if the perfect girl is still out there waiting for you?”
“I love Tori.”
“I know you do. But do you see yourself growing old with her?”
Max paused. Then he sighed as he gazed at the little boy tucked up against him sound asleep. “I don’t know.”
“Think about it, son. Think long and hard. Forever is a really long time to be with someone.”
“I know, Dad. Thanks.”
“Happy to help. It’s getting late. You should be getting on the road.”
“Do you mind if I stay here? I’m not ready to head back. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.”
“This is your home. You don’t have to get my permission to sleep in your own bed.”
“Thanks again, Dad.” Max stood and scooped Tyson into his arms. The boy snored softly at the interruption. “Good night.”
“Good night, boys.”
Max pressed a kiss to his mom’s cheek before shuffling down the hall to put his nephew to bed.
He was up at sunrise to drive back to school, greeted by a plate of eggs and bacon prepared by his sleepy mother. Kissing the members of his family goodbye, he sped back to Mankato. He bypassed his dorm and headed to the fitness center to find Chuck. All he wanted to do was sign the contract. Then he would tell Tori and Quinn.
Chuck didn’t say a word when Max appeared in his office. He just handed him the paper on his desk and a pen. Once Max scribbled his sign
ature, Chuck cocked a smile at him. “Got those business cards?”
“In my wallet,” Max answered.
“Give them to me, and I’ll get those agents off your back. Do you know where Quinn is?”
“No. Why?”
“He’s on the card too.”
Max fought back a cringe as he remembered the aftermath of Quinn’s last fight. He shrugged instead. “If I see him I’ll send him your way.”
“Thanks. Don’t forget those business cards.”
Max slipped his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans and tugged the cards free. He handed them to Chuck with a grin. Then, with a wave, Max strode from the office and out of the fitness center. It was time to find Quinn and go tell Tori the news.
Yet, something deep inside him dreaded doing it.
»»•««
Max ran along the back country road, the thumping rhythm of Eminem in his earbuds keeping time to the pace of his stride. He hated running, but he had to cut weight and keep his endurance at its peak. And being out here in the-middle-of-nowhere Minnesota gave him time to think.
He turned at the edge of the lake and journeyed down the asphalt highway past the old farmhouse where the MMA team used to have bonfires when he’d started. The grass was growing tall around the weathered structure. The lake lent the perfect background to the scene. Someday, he would live somewhere like this with his wife and children, when he was done with his MMA career.
Max sighed. His career. He’d already had three agents call, wanting to represent him, after his first fight. They’d made him offers that blew his mind. They’d also brought nothing but confusion. Was he ready for the big time? He’d only had three fights. And not one of them was pro. That one was coming in a few weeks.
He had plans for his future, plans that included owning his own gym and helping people get healthier. Was he ready to give all that up to be a fighter full-time?
Tori was no help. All she talked about was which offer he should take. When he asked her to change the topic to something else, she continued like she’d never heard him. He loved her, and he believed she only wanted the best for him. But sometimes he just needed a break to let his mind rest. And he needed her in his arms without the constant chatter about his future in MMA.
Hard Drive Boxed Set Page 4