Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
We’re starting to get worried…
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The Snarky Glove
ONE
PRESENT DAY
TRAVIS
Dr. Devil’s Private Practice: A Gentlemen’s Club
Las Vegas, Nevada
Did I really ‘lose’ that fight? Or am I living in a never-ending nightmare?
I knew the answer to those questions, and I could still taste blood on my lips when I hit the mat in defeat, but I was still steeped in denial.
My walkout was perfect.
The pre-match workouts were intense as always.
My opponent? Not even half as good as I was.
When the bright lights shone on me, I didn’t wither at all. I was ready to hold my belt high at 28-0, but for some odd reason, I woke up in a hospital bed at 27-1.
Well, supposedly.
Over the past several months, I’d camped alone in the mountains of Tennessee, sulked on the sandy white beaches of Florida, and silently sailed the coastal waters near Seattle.
And yet, I never managed to stay away from home for too long; this city of sinners always lured me to return.
Shaking my head, I nursed my bourbon and wondered what the hell the stripper in front of me was doing.
Fully clothed and with the rhythm of a broken robot, she danced to the Hokey Pokey. Again.
I’ve truly lost in life if this is the best entertainment I can get.
Just months ago, I was hailed as The Undisputed King of Las Vegas, Mister Pay-Per-View, and ‘the man who owned Sin City.’
No, literally.
A group of super-fans painted “The Home of Travis Carter” onto the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, and the city voted to keep it.
I was on top of the world, flying high as hell, convinced that my reign of success would never end.
Until it did…
The last time I felt this broken and confused was when a certain someone—who I refused to name—obliterated my heart to pieces. When she left me for no good reason.
Then again, that was far worse than this.
“Um, Mr. Carter?” The stripper cleared her throat, interrupting my thoughts. “Mr. Carter?”
“Yes?”
“It’s rude to have your cell phone in a private room.” She pointed to it. “You need to turn that off while I perform.”
“I don’t think you know what the word ‘perform’ means.”
“You requested the shy librarian experience, right?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I would never ask for that.”
“Well, do you honestly expect me to take my clothes off?”
“In a strip club? Of course not…”
“I thought you were different from the other guys.”
“You’re right.” I nodded. “I came here, paid the thousand-dollar privacy fee, all because I was hoping to have a deep conversation wit an undercover psychologist.”
“Really?” She smiled. “I am totally open to that. What’s bothering you lately?”
I didn’t answer her. Instead, I picked up my cell phone, noticing new text messages from my sister.
Crown
Hey. I’m sure you’re probably hiding out in some new city again, so I’m reminding you about my grand opening today in Manhattan since I pushed up the date.
If you can’t come, please don’t send me your usual ‘Sorry I couldn’t make it’ flowers. Make it up to me in person later. :-)
“Mr. Carter?” The librarian snapped her fingers. “I’m ready to dive into your feelings whenever you are. Are you still upset about losing that big fight to Juarez? I bet that really hurt, huh?”
“This has to be a nightmare.”
“Let’s compromise.” She unfastened the top button of her sweater. “I’ll unbutton a few more and let you see half a breast as long as you keep talking.”
“I’ve seen enough,” I said. “You don’t need to take any of your clothes off. I shouldn’t be here anyway.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Never coming back.” I pulled a wad of hundreds from my pocket and placed them in her tip jar. “Thank you for making me see things clearly.”
I pushed the door open and left the room.
With any luck, I could make it to Manhattan by the afternoon and disappear into another city by nightfall.
Slipping into the back alley, I signaled for the valet to bring my car.
“I didn’t lose him, sir.” Shy Librarian followed me, now sporting a ‘The Punisher: Forever Undefeated’ t-shirt and shorts.
She stepped in front of me with a phone up to her ear.
“We’re at the back of the club,” she said. “Yes, I’ll make sure he doesn’t drive away. Even if I have to knock him out.”
I didn’t want to ask what she was doing, so I called Hayden.
“Yeah?” he answered on the first ring.
“What were you telling me about that emergency meeting earlier?” I said, using our secret code for ‘Start talking about something random so I can leave an awkward date or situation.’
“I’m in love with your sister.”
“Please don’t remind me.”
He laughed. “I was watching the celebrity news this morning and there was a story about you slapping one of your fans in a bar bathroom. Is that true?”
“He slapped me first.”
“I doubt he hurt you.” He sighed. “You’re the professional fighter. Is he filing charges?”