Page 30 of Sealed in Ink

“You are normally a robot, though. Let’s be honest.”

With a sigh, I tell Marquis the only true thing I can. “My dad called just before that. He tried to play the wholeI am a changed manthing. He thinks because he’s quit drinking and drugs, we should throw a goddamn parade for him. It’s pathetic.”

“It’s natural he’d want to make amends with his son.”

“You’re on his side?”

“No, Rust, but every father?—”

“If you knew what he’d done to my mother, if you knew the things I’d heard, you wouldn’t be saying this. Some men don’t deserve redemption. The only good thing they could do for the world is jump off a goddamn bridge.”

“More emotion,” Marquis mutters annoyingly.

I know what he’s doing in his typical head coach way. He’s niggling at his fighter’s new weakness, trying to figure out what’s going on exactly, and wondering how he can fix it.

Finally, we approach the gym. A few cars are parked out front: some I recognize, some I don’t. Marquis parks and claps his hands together, looking at me before twirling his mustache theatrically. I think it’s the only reason he has it.

“I’ve asked some strange things of you as a coach,” he says. “The train, the runs, the meditation, but you’ve always given me everything. You’ve always listened. You have no ego. You’re very teachable. You’re gifted, Rust. So please, trust me on this.”

I wonder what it is—sparring while chickens run loose around the gym or dodging paintballs.

We walk into the gym together, and Ihearher before seeing her. She’s waiting in the lobby. I hear a woman humming, and I know it’s Mary. It’s the tone of her voice. It’s the way my heart suddenly starts pounding. It’s the instant urge I feel to rush forward, find, grab, and kiss her.

Only the humming gives me a shot at hiding my reaction. We walk around the corner and find Brad and Mary standing in the lobby. Mary is wearing a hoodie, making her look modest and beautiful. Her hair is tied up, drawing attention to the flush in her cheeks, no makeup hiding her natural beauty.

Brad steps forward, clapping me on the arm with a big grin on his face. “Don’t look too pleased to see us.”

I force a smile as he pulls me into a hug. Mary stands just behind him, glaring at me. I don’t have to wonder if she’s seen the Maddie videos. She looks like she’s ready to scream at me.

“What are you guys doing here?” I say, forced friendliness in my voice.

“They are your people, Rust,” Marquis says. “When you go to them, you are refreshed, but the magic is lacking this time, eh? So I bring them here, and they help you train. How fun, right? Lots of focus?”

I almost groan. This is exactly the opposite of what’s going to help me focus. I meant what I said to Mary. Being in the same room as her makes it difficult even to think or do basic functions. I want to grab her, take her somewhere private, and let her know I willnevercare about anybody else—only her.

“Yeah, Marquis,” I say. “Lots of focus. Want to hold some pads, Brad?”

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

MARY

There’s nothing for me to do except stand on the sidelines and watch them as they go through a workout. Brad is exhausted and soaked in sweat, but he keeps pushing it. Rust doesn’t even look at me. I feel like the dorky kid sister again, waiting on the sidelines, praying for my crush to notice me, to care. The last time Rust tried to train me, we ended it in the steamiest way possible.

“I might run to the store,” I tell Marquis, standing on the edge of the training room with me. “Do you want anything?”

“No, dear. What do you need? We have a vending machine.”

The word“dear”makes me think of Mom. “Uh, I just want to stretch my legs.”

“Okay, yes. Very good. No, thank you.” He doesn’t take his eyes off Rust, watching him as if trying to solve a puzzle. I know the feeling.

As I walk across the street, my heart pounds as if my body has been waiting until I’m free and clear to let me feel the effects of being so close to him. Not just close, but with him covered in sweat, his shirt sticking to his body, outlining his shape.

I grab a sandwich, a soda, and a pregnancy test while in the store. I look out the window as the cashier runs it up. She’s an older lady with old-style glasses with a drooping chain. She frowns as she tells me how much it’ll be. After I tap my card, she says, “I hope you’re okay, darling.”

“I’m fine, thank you,” I say.

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