Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
She was the one who would ultimately decide who we signed on. It was my job to wade through all the duds. Once she invited them, Frankie would train them, and Bones would kick their asses. The ones who made it would be interviewed and offered a lucrative spot at Smiley’s Gym.
If only we knew where the hell we were going from here.
Troy’s offer still lingered like a storm cloud we pretended to ignore. Ari wanted to put out the feelers for possible new fighters before committing to anything concrete. I couldn’t blame her. Though she’d absolutely kicked ass in the ring, she was clear it wasn’t the ultimate place for her. Her place was sitting atop her father’s legacy. Our job was to support her in any way we could.
This included getting rid of eighteen-year-old egotistical, trust fund asshats who thought “I saw you fight at Heathens Hollow and thought you were so cool!” was a reason to give them a callback.
I crumpled that paper in my hand and immediately pitched it in the trash.
I was looking through the next two sheets when a brush of blond hair tickled my neck.
Ari leaned over with a curious smile. “Anyone good?”
“If you’re into thirty-somethings whose experience includes…” I stopped to check the top paper again. “‘Getting my ass kicked by my dad for decades.’”
“Well, did he kick it back?” Ari chortled when I shrugged. “Pass. We have enough family issues with Teo around this place.”
“And my ear is fine, by the way!” Teo yelled from the punching bags. “Thanks for asking!”
“I don’t hear you practicing!” Ari yelled back before shaking her head. She crossed her arms over her chest, the little smiley face logo on her white sports bra popping out—a cute little addition to our gym uniform.
“Leave him to me, Ari,” Bones called back from inside the ring. Only a few days had passed since his fight, but he looked as good as new. Well, except for the fading marks all over his throat and neck. I smirked. I’d have to make more.
“Or me.” Frankie leaned against the ropes and eyed Teo from next to Bones. “’Cause you’re up next, hotshot. Get the fuck in here.”
“I’d rather punch the bags,” Teo said. “Ari, order me around some more so I don’t have to get my ass handed to me again. Plus it’s super fucking—”
“If you finish that sentence, you’ll be seeing stars before you can even step foot in here,” Frankie warned.
I shook my head. How Teo still had two functional legs, I had no clue, but the bastard was resilient at least. Even after he lost at Heathens Hollow, he’d come back in here bright and early on Monday morning, ready to get his clock cleaned one more time.
Teo held up his gloved hands. “Hey man, I’m just saying—”
The bell above the front door cut him off. Probably another straggler looking to disappoint me with their application.
I turned to meet icy blue.
River stood in our lobby, saluting at me with two fingers. He sported a cheeky grin and wore a regular black shirt and basketball shorts. No Perk’s Gym merch to be seen anywhere. I didn’t let that sexy smile affect me.
I tilted my head and crossed my arms over my chest. “We’re busy.”
River looked around to the half-empty gym and hummed. “Looks like it.”
“Are you here to ask for a rematch or something?” Ari moved to my side, matching my pose.
“Do I look like I’m sporting Perk’s gear anymore?”
“You don’t look very injured anymore either,” Bones said. He and Frankie instantly slipped out of the ring to my other side. “Are you here for some more?”
“Tough crowd.” River leaned around Teo and whistled, “Hey buzzcut, are they always this inhospitable?”
“Especially when you lose!” Teo shot back. Frankie turned to glare, and Teo held his hands up. “Mouth shut. Got it.”
River leaned back and flashed the four of us a smile. “I’m here for tryouts.”
“Excuse me?” Ari asked.
“There’s a sign outside.” He pointed behind him. “Got big enough for open tryouts. Congrats. It’s open for everyone, yeah?”
“For everyone not named River,” Frankie spat. “Get out. We don’t need you here.”
“Lucky for me, my name is Beau.” His grin grew even wider. “You think one win puts you on top of the world? Cute.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Bones asked.
“You’re a small fish in a big pond. One big win at Heathens Hollow doesn’t mean anything. Let me guess, Troy offered you something lucrative to keep you coming back?”
River eyed me curiously, but I kept silent. Troy’s games were essentially public knowledge. Anyone could have guessed he would want to keep his meal ticket on the payroll.
“That’s none of your business,” Ari answered with a smile. “We don’t accept fighters signed with other gyms.”
“I’m a free agent now. Looking for a winner.”