by Royal Blue
“What?” Chris says.
Joey rolls his blue eyes and turns back to the game. I laugh to myself. Joey and Chris are complete opposites and hilarious to be around.
“What?” Chris repeats. “You bugging? This food is banging. I can’t believe I missed that shoot, though. Damn.”
Joey turns to Chris and rolls his eyes again, holding a napkin up for Chris to wipe his chin. Instead of taking the napkin, Chris pecks Joey on the cheek, getting sauce on his face. I shake my head at them.
“That’s exactly why I haven’t moved a muscle,” Angel says beside me. “I’m not even a big hockey fan, but he’s killing it.”
I smile at Angel. I wasn’t sure he’d be up to this, but he’s been glued to his seat and doing well. He has also grabbed my hand a few times when his anxiety did take over. I think being in the box and the excitement of watching Jordan have anchored him in the moment for the most part.
“Oh, come on,” Kyle shouts as Jordan draws a penalty. “That ref’s been on some bullshit all night.”
I purse my lips and shake my head. After leaning to kiss Angel on the temple, I take this chance to go get something to eat and a fresh beer. Javier follows with a look on his face that I know too well, and I don’t like it. I prepare myself for what’s coming.
He pulls out an envelope and hands it to me. I take it, giving him a questioning brow. He gestures his head for me to just open it.
Blowing out a breath, I tear into it and start to read. My blood begins to boil, and I can only see red. I keep scanning, trying to decipher what I’m looking at. “What the hell is this?”
“Me covering your ass. There was a clause in your old contract. Steve has a right to claim financial interest in your future fights, and he’s trying to exercise that right,” Javier says.
“Are you shitting me?”
“This is very real, my friend, but I’m taking care of it. I just wanted you to be aware,” he says.
I fold the papers back into the envelope and shove them in my back pocket. I want to take a closer look at them later when my head clears. I should’ve known Steve was up to some bullshit the day he showed his face. “Javi, I don’t want you getting involved in my mess.” I sigh.
“What is my motto, hermano?”
“I am my brother’s keeper,” I say. “Yeah, yeah, but—”
“There’s no but. I only brought it to your attention because I didn’t want you blindsided before I got it under control, sí. He is barking up some big trees with big talk. No one likes him,” Javi says with the look of something sour on his tongue.
“Thanks, Javi.”
“De nada,” he says. “I’ll take care of this. How are things coming with the apartment?”
“It’s a lot to take on. The permits are what’s taking too long. The structural changes are extensive and affecting the integrity of the existing structure. We have to reinforce everything to make sure it’s all sound and up to code.”
The designs to make our home both kid and Angel friendly have been a challenge. I needed to strike the perfect balance for them both. I’ve consulted childproofing companies, interior designers, and so many more to make the place perfect for the two most important people in my life.
“Sounds intense.”
“We’ve had three different engineers in on this. It has to be right,” I reply.
“If you need me to make a few calls on those permits or anything else, say the word.”
I’ve been meaning to ask him for a favor. It pops into my head as I look over at Angel. I smile and turn to Javi, feeling the blush in my cheeks. “Actually, there’s something you can help me with. I want to learn to speak more Spanish,” I whisper. “Angel and Billy already do. I want to learn for them.”
“Sí, I can help. Although I will warn you. I don’t always speak the same Spanish they do. I’m Puerto Rican and Cuban. I mix the two different dialects sometimes. I’ll do my best to keep it straight for you, though.”
I give a chuckle. “I wouldn’t know the difference either way. I know the little I’ve learned from being around you. Anything you teach me will be appreciated.”
“I’ve got you, my friend. Pronto hablarás español, mi amigo.”
I pat him on the shoulder and nod. His promise that I’ll be speaking Spanish soon gives me something new to hope for. I understand more than I can articulate in the beautiful language. It comes with being Javi’s friend. He often bounces between the two languages.
As usual, I know Javi is always there when I need him. All of my friends are. We look out for each other.
We pile our plates and head back to our seats. Jordan is back on the ice by the time I sit down. I place a fresh beer in front of Angel and a plate of food between us to share.
“Thanks,” Angel says.
“No problem,” I say, leaning in to peck him on the lips.
Ray clears his throat and we turn to him. He has an amused look on his face. He looks at Kyle and Andy, then back at myself and Angel. “I have a question for the four of you,” he says.
“Oh boy,” Kyle says and folds his arms over his chest. “Let’s have it. What’s going on in that big-ass head of yours?”
“You two do know that Mason and Billy will be kissing cousins,” he says.
“What?” I drawl.
“Mason has it bad for Billy. It’s only a matter of years before he figures out what those feelings are. Technically they’ll be cousins,” he says.
“Coño, we haven’t even signed the dotted line and you’re bringing up boys.” Angel groans.
“There will be no boys,” I bite out.
Everyone around me starts to snicker. They can laugh. I’m serious.
“You’re right. There will be no boys. There will be just one, Mas,” Daniel says.
“Man, they’re nine. We have plenty of time before we have to worry about that,” Kyle says from his leather lounge seat behind us.
“I don’t know,” Andy chimes in beside Kyle. “I’m kind of with Ray and Daniel. I also don’t think Mason is in it alone. I caught Billy tripping one of the other girls that tried to take up too much of Mas’s attention.”
“Dios,” Angel says beside me. “I like Mason. I can’t pull a shotgun on him to warn him off.”
Laughter fills the box suite. Boys. I’ll have things like that to worry about in the future. Billy is a beautiful little girl. I’m sure Angel and I will have shotguns at the ready with matching T-shirt that say, I have a beautiful daughter, I also have a gun, a shovel, and an alibi.
Yup, I’ll be that father. I don’t even know how to feel about Mason being the boy that rings the bell for our baby’s first date. Our baby. I’m getting anxious for the day I can say those words out loud.
“We’ll just have to make sure they know they’re family,” I grumble.
“I’m with that. Billy scares me. She’ll have my poor boy by the balls.” Kyle laughs.
“Already does,” Andy, Ray, and Daniel say in unison.
“Change the subject,” I mutter.
Suddenly the entire arena falls eerily silent, and the game comes to a screeching halt. My heart jumps in my throat as I watch one of my best friends lying on the ice, rolling in agony. I close my eyes when I take in his oddly twisted leg.
“Ah, fuck,” Daniel breathes.
Being the closest to Jordan, I can feel Daniel’s pain for our brother coming off him. Hockey is Jordan’s life. This is not good at all.
I’m in shock at first. Angel places a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. I appreciate his comfort.
“We need to get down there,” Daniel says.
Nothing else needs to be said. We all head out. Wherever they take Jordan, we’ll be there for support. We’re his family.
Angel
I’m exhausted and so is Beau. I learned tonight just how close Beau and the six of his friends are. At some point during the time we were at the hospital, Darwin appeared, looking disheveled and worried. I’ve come to understand he’s
like the father of the group. I totally get how that works now that I’ve seen them interact with one another.
“Are you all right?” I ask Beau as we stumble sleepily into our place.
We’ve been staying in the apartment over the gym. I manage to sleep in the bed up here and not in the ring downstairs. It’s getting easier to sleep longer through the night with my husband. Hardly ever a full night’s rest, but more hours than I used to get.
“I don’t know. Jordan is… he’ll hide how he feels from everyone. I know this hit him harder than he’s letting on,” he says.
“I can only imagine. He’s a great player. It’s crazy how fast the night took a turn.”
We enter the bedroom area and start to strip. I want to shower, but I don’t know if I can keep my eyes open long enough to get one in at this point. Everyone waited for them to set Jordan’s cast and get him in a room for the night before taking off.
“It’s a bad break. I just hope he can get back out there,” Beau says, running a hand through his hair.
“Let’s get some rest. We can go back to check on him in the morning,” I say.
“I can’t. I have to be at the site to sign off on a few things. I’ll be able to go in the afternoon maybe.” He sighs.
“I’ll go. At least one of us can show our face and be there for him,” I offer, climbing into bed.
Beau gets in and pulls me into his arms. He starts to run a hand through my hair, and I can feel myself fading. I yawn.
“Thank you,” Beau says, causing me to lift my lids.
Turning to look up at him, I murmur, “For what?”
He takes my lips, igniting a fire neither one of us has the strength to douse tonight. I give a lazy smile when he breaks the connection. He’s handsome even when he’s exhausted and on the verge of passing out.
“Being you. I needed you more than you know tonight. We’ve all lived some tough lives. When one of us falls, we all feel it. I was grateful to have your strength. I appreciated that more than you know,” he says.
“You don’t ever have to thank me for being there. I see what the guys mean to you. I’ll always be there for them just like I know you would come through for my brother or sister if they ever needed.”
“Sometimes you have to make sure the ones you love know why you love them and how much,” he says, settling his head back on the pillow.
“I love you too.”
His arms tighten around me, and the last thing I remember is the sound of his snores. I smile in my half-asleep state. If I don’t get any sleep tonight, it won’t be because of my head.
Chapter 30
Sacrifice
Beau
“Looking good, Beau,” Billy calls into the ring. I grin but stay focused. She has joined my training team on her days at the gym. Angel gives her a chair to stand on so she can see into the ring and call out her encouragement and tips. I’ve come to look forward to it. She’s learning a lot about the sport. It reminds me of how I learned, and the time I spent with my daddy.
“Switch to southpaw,” Angel calls.
We’ve been going back and forth. Not many are aware that I can fight orthodox and southpaw. We’ve been working both stances to change things up on Gordon.
“I don’t like this timid fighting,” Alejandro calls from the side of the ring, his hands pressed to the canvas. “Take a break.”
I drop my arms and roll my eyes. My father-in-law has been riding me the hardest in these last few sparring sessions. He’s right. I’m not putting any real force behind my punches, and I’ve slowed my pace considerably.
Kyle spits out his mouth guard, while looking at me as if he can see through me. I’m used to that look. I know it well. He’s been my sparring partner for the last three weeks. Angel and I thought it would be good to have a fighter in here with me who knows me well.
“You know he’s right,” Kyle says.
I look away. Kyle knows me too well. Daddy was thrilled to find out Kyle was as good with his hands in a boxing ring as he was with a basketball. We’ve been in the ring together since we were teenagers. He knows I’m holding back.
“We all know he’s right,” Emma calls from her seat in the bleachers.
“So everyone is going to gang up on me,” I grumble.
“The offer still stands,” Darwin calls from the bleachers with a straight face.
I know he’s annoyed with me. Darwin has been trying to get me to talk to Eric. I know that’s why his visits to the gym have become more frequent. Darwin introduced us all to Eric when he first came into our lives. “I don’t need a shrink.”
It’s a lie. If I keep telling myself these lies, I might believe them. I need to put my ass in Eric’s chair immediately, but I panic just thinking about it.
For now, Pandora’s box is sealed. If I open it this close to the fight with Norwack, I don’t know what I’ll get. I know my head is already restraining me, but I’m afraid that this will become all-consuming if I unlock that latch.
Nope, ain’t gonna do it.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Angel says.
I glare at my husband. We’ve had this talk repeatedly, and I’ve told him no each time. Shaking my head at him, I turn to walk and lean on the ropes facing my friends and family that have started to gravitate to the gym these days in support.
Emma, Mama, Darwin, Andy, and Mason have all been sitting to watch me and Kyle spar. I’m grateful for their support, but I’m starting to feel the judgment coming from them. I already know the problem.
“Gordon is going to lead you around the ring fighting like this,” Andres says.
“I won’t be fighting like this. Kyle isn’t Gordon. I’m not going to go full steam on him,” I say.
“Not going to or won’t?” Kyle says, coming to stand beside me.
I ignore him. It took a lot for me to allow him in this ring with me. Even knowing it was a good idea to have him as my sparring partner. Angel had made the suggestion about a month or two ago after Kyle had offered.
“My worry is that you’ll fight like this with Gordon in the ring,” Angel says.
“Maybe not,” Mama chimes in. “He looked like the Beau James I know when those cameras were here last week.”
“This is true,” Andy says.
“Yeah, I did notice that,” Emma says.
“There were reasons for that,” Angel says with a knowing smile.
I return the smile as I remember last week. Yeah, I was on a high. I’d been totally focused too as the cameras were here to get footage for the commercials and special that will air before the fight.
“Oh, come on, there are little people here,” Emma says, palming her forehead.
“That’s not what we mean,” Angel says, shaking his head at my sister.
As always Javi came through. He pulled a few strings with a high-profile member of Club Refuge. Once the apartment is finished next week, we’ll be bringing Billy home. Javi’s connection happens to be a judge. He agreed to finalize the adoption in two months, instead of us having to wait the three months plus time for the courts to get us on docket and give us a date.
We’ll be skipping right over all of that to make things official just in time for Billy’s birthday. We spent last week in awe before we started to panic about all the things we still needed to do. We weren’t expecting to skip over so much so soon.
Emma’s face softens as she catches on. Mama’s cheeks turn red; she’s just been bursting at the seams to call Billy her granddaughter for the first time. Soon, everyone around me except for Billy has a grin on their face as we think of the secret we’re keeping.
“Well, how do we get you to keep that same energy, short of the little miracle?” Andres speaks up. “If you’re in your head, that’s a problem.”
My smile slips and I start to work my jaw. I can’t keep fighting my team when they’re right. Yet I’m stubborn to a fault.
“Why not talk to this Eric dude?” Billy says, as she comes to stand at my si
de.
I look down at her as she asks the question as if it has a simple answer. I tug my gloves off in frustration, not knowing how to tell a child that I’m plain scared shitless of my own shadow when it comes to being in the ring.
I want this fight more than anything. I’ve been telling myself it will be different on fight night. I’ll be present. I’ll be ready. Yet I don’t know if that will be the truth. I’m falling deep into this rabbit hole, and I have an audience watching it happen.
“It’s not that simple,” I say to Billy.
“Why not? Make it that simple. You want to win. Shouldn’t you do what it takes?” she replies.
“Shouldn’t you be doing your homework?”
She levels me with a look, placing her hands on her hips. I swear she must think she’s my mama. Nine going on thirty-five, she is.
“First of all, I did my homework. For the week, mind you. Second, I’m just trying to help. Don’t get stink with me, you big grump. Don’t you tell us to listen to our trainers? You should listen to yours. But hey, it’s not my butt that’s gonna get kicked,” she says.
Snickers and stifled laughs ring out around us. Worst part is, she’s damn right. I go to tell her so, but she rolls her little eyes and storms off out of the ring.
“Did a nine-year-old just hand me my ass in this ring?” I say, watching her storm away.
“Yes, she did,” my mama snickers.
“If you don’t get your head right, she won’t be the only one handing you your ass,” Alejandro says.
I look at my father-in-law and sigh. This fight is two and a half months away. I started out strong. It’s the only reason Angel was okay with me signing on for this fight. I just need to get back to where my head was after stepping in the ring for the first time again.
Yeah, that’s all I need.
Angel
“Anybody seen Billy?” I call out in concern.
I haven’t seen her since she told Beau off and stormed away. We’ve all been so focused on Beau in the ring, I don’t know if anyone has checked on her. I hadn’t noticed until Emma said she was heading out. Billy came down with her today to help Beau. It’s not one of the usual days for the Savanna’s House kids to be here.