by Jinx, Hondo
“Hmm. Well, good for him.”
“Yeah, so Lennie started training under him when she was sixteen. Right away, she was his star pupil. She was a prodigy like him, only on the fighting side of things. So I guess they clicked. And she developed a major crush on him.”
“Gross. So he’s not just a bore. He’s a creeper, too?” Johnny shook his head and took her knight with his bishop.
“No. It wasn’t like that at all. I’m sure he loved the attention. Steve has a very high opinion of himself. That’s the main point of his teaching, I think. Just to soak up all that awe he inspires.”
“Steve sounds like a tool.”
“Yeah, he is. But he’s not a creeper. Lennie hid her obsession for a long time. She didn’t make her move until last year when Steve dumped his girlfriend.”
“And what’s all this about him not wanting you to have a boyfriend?”
Freddie rolled her eyes. “He’s living in a fantasyland if he thinks I’d ever go with him. People see twins, and they just assume—but hey, let’s not talk about twinning now, okay?”
Johnny shrugged, wondering what she meant by twinning. “Sure. You gonna move or what?”
She took his bishop with hers. “You’re too aggressive, you know that? Bishops are worth more than knights.”
He shook his head. “You’re too sneaky with your knights.” He brought his other knight out. “I still don’t understand what she sees in him.”
“At first, she was starstruck. He’s the authority, you know? This twenty-one-year-old hotshot who owned his own dojo, not to mention a sweet car. The whole place is full of his kata trophies and clippings about his wins. And everybody, Lennie included, bows to him and calls him Sensei.
“And you gotta remember, this was like three years ago, right when Daddy got hurt. We were all reeling. I wouldn’t even leave the house for a year. I was so afraid something would happen, you know? I worried that if I left, Daddy would have a bad spell and need my help.”
Johnny reached across the table and took her hand. “Ah, Freddie. I’m sorry. That must’ve been rough.”
She nodded, her eyes misty with memory. “I didn’t handle it well. Lennie kept driving her life. Went to school, got together with friends, threw herself into karate. Me, I couldn’t handle it. I was so afraid. I dropped out of school. Quit talking to my friends. I mean, all I did was hang around the house.
“Mom tried to talk sense into me, but I was stubborn, and she was overwhelmed. Mom was so worried she puked like ten times a day. I used to worry she was sick or something. Like really sick? I mean, I had these horrible nightmares that she would die, and…”
Freddie trailed off.
Johnny didn’t say anything. He just gave her hand a squeeze.
“But Mom got better, I started going to the boxing gym, and Lennie fell for Steve. Looking back, I guess Lennie and I had opposite reactions to Daddy’s accident. I dug in. She tried to escape. Now, she’s over him. She doesn’t know it yet, but she is.”
“How do you know that?”
“We’re twins. We know everything about each other. Honestly, I think she was over him the second they started dating. She just didn’t admit it to herself. Lennie acts all crazy, but she’s a very goal-oriented person. Landing Steve was a goal for a couple of years. And it’s not like he’s terrible. I mean, he doesn’t mistreat her or anything. He’s just… Steve. He loves himself so much, there’s no room for anyone else. But I can see she’s over him by the way she treats him.”
“I thought she was just joking around with him.”
“She was. But she’s serious, too. Some part of her mind knows she isn’t meant to be with him, so it makes her fuck with him. And she was legit pissed that he didn’t come over and help us fight those assholes in the bar. Thing is, Steve’s so wrapped up in himself, he doesn’t even care what she says or does. He barely even notices.”
“You talk to her about it?”
“Yeah, some. But not much. I mean, he’s not doing her any harm, or I’d kill him. But my sister’s stubborn. She has to do things her way. If I tell her she’s wasting her time with Steve, she’ll probably double down with the guy.”
“Hmm. Well, I didn’t mean to pry into her business. I just didn’t understand.”
“Welcome to my crazy life.”
“Speaking of which, what are you going to do about Trongo?”
“You’re not going to be happy with my decision. Neither is Marvella. Or Lennie. I think I’m going to sign with him.”
Johnny sipped his coffee. “Not to tell you your business, Freddie, but maybe you should think about it some more.”
“That’s all I’ve been doing all night. I didn’t sleep a wink. I just lay there thinking about that bling.”
“Forget the bling for a minute. Think about the big picture. Think about how much you can sign for after you win the city championship this December.”
Freddie dropped her eyes. “Honestly, I don’t want to sign on with Trongo. Yet, I mean. I don’t have anything against the guy. But I’d like to hold out for a better deal, you know?”
“Why don’t you, then?”
“You know why. Look, Johnny, I’d love to believe in myself the way you do.”
“Not just me. Marvella believes in you, too.”
“I know. Lennie does, too. A lot of people do. But I just can’t take the risk. If I hold out and lose, no thousand bucks, no bling, no future.”
“Well, before you make your final decision, I have something for you that might help you set your fears aside and figure out what you really want.”
She cocked her head, grinning. “You’re not going to whip out your pocket innuendo, are you?”
Johnny pulled the gift from his pocket and held it out to her. “I probably should’ve wrapped it or something.”
Freddie’s jaw dropped open. She stared, wide-eyed.
Chapter 46
Johnny laughed. “Go ahead, Freddie. It’s yours.”
Freddie looked from his hand to his face. “Is this a joke?”
“Nope. It’s real. And like I said, it’s yours. Take it.”
“But how…?”
He pushed his hand farther forward.
Freddie still didn’t take it. “Where did you get the money?”
Johnny loved her, so he wouldn’t lie. But as tempted as he was to tell her the truth, he knew that wasn’t possible. “Don’t worry about it.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Are you a gangster?”
Johnny laughed so hard he drew stares from across the crowded café. “No, I’m not a gangster. Before you ask, I’m not a bank robber, either, and I didn’t steal this. Okay? I paid for it myself—and it’s all paid for. I didn’t go into debt.”
“But these cost so much money. How did you?”
“I’m not telling you anymore. I promise I got it honestly. You just have to trust me.”
“I do trust you, Johnny.”
“Good. Now take the thing.”
“I can’t.”
“You have to, Freddie. I would look weird wearing it. Besides, I don’t even have my ears pierced.”
Freddie laughed. “It’s too much.”
“No, it’s not. I love you.”
She smiled. “I love you, too. But it’s still too much.”
“You’re a pain in the ass, you know that? Look, when you love somebody, nothing is too much. Besides, even if I didn’t love you, I’d owe you.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“I know—because we love each other. But if we didn’t, I would. You welcomed me to Fight Town, got me started, pushed me. Shit, you taught me how to jab, Freddie.”
“Big deal.”
“It is a big deal. To me. But look. I’m not giving this to you as a payback. We’re partners, right?”
“Right.”
“We’re going to be the best… together.”
She nodded. “All the way to the top.”
“Well, I just happen
to have this juice bling. Who am I going to give it to? My partner, the woman I love, that’s who.”
Freddie bit her lower lip, glanced at the ring, and looked into Johnny’s eyes. “You’re so sweet, Johnny. But this is crazy. You’d have to save every penny you made for a whole year or two to pay for bling like this.”
“You’re really aggravating. What are we doing here? You want me to give it to your sister instead?”
“You’d better not!”
Freddie put her hand on his, sandwiching the ring between their palms.
He laid his other hand atop hers. “I love you, Freddie. Take the ring.”
Finally, she took the ring. For several seconds, she turned it in her hands, staring down with awe. When she looked up, she was leaking tears despite the huge smile on her face. “Thanks, Johnny. I mean, I always dreamed of having one of these, but I never thought—”
She popped from her seat and went to him, wrapping him in a fierce hug before he could even get to his feet.
He pulled her into his lap, and they kissed, Freddie muttering her thanks whenever they paused to catch their breath.
“Put it in for me?” she asked.
“Was that an innuendo? Because I haven’t finished my coffee yet.”
She thumped her fist down playfully on his chest and tilted her furry ear down to him.
He opened the hoop, slid it into place, and closed the clasp, then leaned forward to kiss her forehead. “It looks great, Freddie.”
She beamed and blushed and threw herself into his arms again, kissing him again and again, much to the amusement, Johnny noticed once they had broken apart and gone back to their individual seats again, of several customers around the café.
“Well, this is awkward,” Freddie said, lifting up the box covered in funny papers. “I feel stupid even giving you this now. It’s so small compared to what you’ve done.”
“Are you kidding? Come on. Give up the goods, Lopez.”
She held it out to him over their unfinished game.
He took it, ripped away the paper, and lifted the lid. At first, he wasn’t sure what it was. Then he touched the soft, black satin and lifted it from the box.
“Wow, Freddie! Thanks so much. That had to be expensive!”
She shrugged. “Not as expensive as juice bling. It’s a robe. For fighting, I mean.”
“I know what it is,” he laughed. “This is awesome. Thanks, Freddie!”
She twiddled her finger. “Turn it around and look. I had them put your ring name on the back.”
“My ring name? I didn’t realize I had one.”
“It was kind of a joke because I’ve made you wait so long. But I actually like it as a ring name for you.”
Johnny’s laughter cut her off.
The back of his robe read ROCK HARD.
“We can change it if you want,” Freddie said quickly. “Do you have another ring name in mind?”
“No, this is awesome. Johnny ‘Rock Hard’ Rockledge it is. Thanks!”
“Excuse me,” a deep voice said. It was Jenna’s hulking father, the owner of Coffee & Chess. “I hate to interrupt, but I wanted to congratulate you, Miss Lopez on your victory last night.”
“Thanks,” Freddie said. “And thanks for the coffee.”
“Jenna tells me you are here every morning, bright and early.”
“We are,” Johnny said.
“We love it here,” Freddie added.
The man smiled. “That makes me happy. My name is Boris.”
They all shook and made their introductions.
“What I’m wondering, Miss Lopez,” Boris said.
“Freddie, please.”
Boris gave a dip of his head. Where another man might have widow’s peaks, he had the stubs of sawed-down horns. “Freddie, then. What I am wondering is if we might strike a deal.”
Freddie raised one brow. “What kind of deal?
Boris held out a black-and-white patch as big around as the mouth of a large coffee. It read Coffee & Chess and depicted a rook-shaped cup with steam lines coming out of the top.
“If you would agree to wear this patch on your robe, I will give you free coffee every morning.”
Freddie took the patch and eyed it for a second. “Large coffee?”
Boris nodded, looking hopeful.
“Cult coffee?” she clarified.
“Of course. We want you to win!”
“You have a deal—on one condition.”
“What is that?”
“You offer the same deal to Johnny.”
Boris looked at Johnny. “You’re a fighter, too?”
Johnny nodded. “Just getting started.”
“He’s too humble,” Freddie said. “Mark my words. He’s going to be the professional light-heavyweight champion of the world someday.”
Boris grinned. “Okay. Patches and coffee for you both.”
After Boris left, Freddie said, “Wow, look at you. Sponsored before your first novice bout.”
“Yeah, thanks. You should be a manager.”
Freddie fingered the bling ring for a second, smiling at him. “I’m going to do it, Johnny. I’m going to decline Trongo’s offer.”
He smiled. “I’m glad, Freddie. Hold out for more. I believe in you.”
“I know you do. And thanks again, Johnny. I wanted to hold out, but—”
He cut her off with a kiss.
They finished their coffee and their game, a draw, both of them happily distracted, and left, waving goodbye to Jenna and Boris before going back out onto the street.
“What are you doing today?” he asked.
“Hanging out with you?”
“Cool. I don’t have to work until two. Want to come over and finally see my place?”
Freddie shook her head. “I don’t trust myself to be alone with you in your room.”
He bumped into her. “Aw, come on. What’s the worse that could happen?”
“You know what could happen, Rock Hard. Let’s go to my place instead. We can go up on the roof and meditate, then watch some tapes.”
“Sounds good.”
“Besides, I can’t wait to show Lennie the ring. She’s gonna shit!”
They headed for her house, but a crowd of people clogged Holyfield, talking excitedly about the Exhibitionist.
When they finally worked their way to the center of the commotion, they saw a group of little kids posing for a photograph in front of a life-sized statue of cobbled-together rubbish, a fighter who appeared to be dipping a punch and coming forward, his face hidden behind boxing gloves, save for a determined snarl.
The realism shocked Johnny. How could the Exhibitionist make such incredible artwork out of recycled trash?
And why in the world didn’t he come forth and take credit for his work? He would make millions.
“Ah, there you are,” a familiar voice said, and Johnny snapped out of his wonder to see Phyllis Fischer, the reporter from the Fight Town Tribune coming toward him. “Sorry about the goofy picture last time. It went to press without my approval. What do you say? Have time for a quick interview?”
“Why don’t you just make up what you want me to say and save us both the time?”
The reporter shrugged and smiled. “All right. Thanks. That’ll be great.” Then, seeing Freddie, Phyllis said, “Hey, I know you. You’re that up-and-coming girl, the fighter. Lopez, right? I heard you won again last night. Nice going. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. It was a tough fight. We were both 4-0, fighting our final novice matches.” Freddie held out her hand. “I’m ‘Fearless’ Freddie Lopez. Nice to meet you.”
“Phyllis Fischer, Fight Town Tribune. The pleasure’s all mine. Great name, by the way. It has real star quality. Nice bling ring you got there.”
Freddie smiled and touched the ring. “Thanks.”
“Did you get that for signing with a manager?”
“Maybe,” Freddie said with a sly grin. “I’m not allowed to say yet.”
/> Johnny managed to stifle his laughter. He could see Freddie had hooked Phyllis Fischer’s interest.
And not just the reporter’s interest. People in the crowd elbowed each other and whispered, eyeing Freddie, who stood there looking beautiful and confident.
“Look, Freddie, can I do a quick interview with you?” Phyllis said. “Tell me about the fight, your upcoming plans? I might be able to squeeze it into tomorrow’s paper.”
“Sure. Sounds good.”
“Great. Thanks.” Phyllis raised her voice. “Hey, Tammy, get over here. I want you to take a few shots of ‘Fearless’ Freddie Lopez, the hot new prospect fighting out of the Ward.”
“Wait,” Freddie said, and patted her hair. “Photographs? Now? I just got out of bed. My face is all bruised up.”
“And you’re still gorgeous,” Phyllis said.
For once, Johnny had to agree with the reporter.
“Look,” Phyllis said, “I’ll even point it out, tell readers you just rolled out of bed and still look like a million bucks. It’ll have them looking in the papers to see you again.”
Freddie shrugged. “What the hell? Let’s do it.”
While Freddie dealt with the newspaper people, Johnny studied the junk masterpiece. It was incredible—so incredible, in fact, that it jarred him, reminding him that he was living in a Vicarus scenario.
Most of the time, he forgot all about Vicarus and just lived his life.
But this experience—the unbelievable realism of a bunch of slapped together trash, paired with the unaccountable coincidence of his randomly stumbling across another Exhibitionist masterpiece—reminded him he was part of a life-replacement system and made him wonder.
Was this just a coincidence? Or was it part of the Vicarus script, drawing the threads of his life here together? Who was the Exhibitionist? What did it all mean? Was this just a bit of world-building color, or did these events have some significance?
After the interview, the reporter gave Freddie her card. “Let me know when you have news to share, Fearless. I like you, kid.”
“Thanks,” Freddie said, and she and Johnny started down the block again.
“We’ll see what she prints,” Johnny said. “I don’t trust her.”