Page 3 of Dylan
I’m one of his best fighters and trainers at the gym. I also keep Ciarán out of his hair. Theo has little patience for raising a kid.
“Do whatever ya feel ya need to do, Sean. This was the final straw. I’m tired of ya and yer family.
“I want to see how ye all do without me. I’m done with this shit. I’m done with yer family. Stay the fuck away from me,” I seethe.
“You’re going to regret this,” he bellows after me as I turn and walk away.
I fight back tears because I know this isn’t how my life was before my mother’s death. I can’t remember anything from before that day, but I know this wasn’t my life. I feel it in my bones.
***
“Just the personI wanted to see,” Theo croons, causing me to nearly jump out of my skin.
I clench my towel and toiletries to my chest. I decided to shower before packing and waking Ciarán. I’m not waiting. We’re leaving here tonight.
My plan is to get as far away from here as possible. If I never see Seattle again, I’m cool with that. My head hurts as images of a brightly lit city keep flashing in my head.
Vegas comes to mind. There will be plenty of fighting opportunities there. I begin planning to head there, but I quickly change my mind. This nagging feeling tells me that’s not the bright city I need to head to. I shake my head as Theo’s voice pulls me from my musing.
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
“I want you to come down to the gym with me in the morning. I have a new fighter I want you to spar with. You know those underground tournaments are coming.”
“I told you I don’t want to enter any more illegal fights. I think I have a shot at the real championship.
“I’m the best on the team and you know it. Why should I keep risking it with those underground fights? Those rings stink of desperation. Fighters only participate in those because they have no other choice.”
“We can make a killing.”
“We could make even more through sponsorships and the grand prize from the legit tournament, and I won’t put my career and eligibility at risk.”
He sighs and tightens his grip on the beer in his hand. I already know what’s coming next. It’s the reason I won’t bother to feel bad once I’m gone.
“Listen, kid. I know how much you want to do the tournament with the team. You see how it is down at the gym. Things are tight.
“The finals are in New York. If we make it that far, I don’t think I’ll have the cash for all five of us to go. I can’t leave Ciarán behind; I have no one to watch him.
“We need the underground fights to pay for the official shit, or else none of it matters. I’m going broke raising the four of you as a single dad. I’m not in my prime anymore.
“I’m begging you to do this for me. Just a couple of fights. That’s it. I promise.”
First of all, those two need to get a fucking job. They do nothing but spend his money. They’re not kids anymore, far from it. Why should I jeopardize everything for them—for anyone in this family?
“No, get someone else to do it. I’m the only one on the team who you ask to do this. I’m the only one with everything to lose.”
“What about what I have lost? I’ve burned through every fucking thing. There’s nothing left …” He pauses and takes a calming breath.
“Listen, Cee-Cee. I’m sorry. I’ve been under a lot of pressure. I didn’t mean to say that. You go on and head to bed. We can talk more in the morning.”
I nod my head in agreement because I don’t plan to be here in the morning. I’m over it all. He pulls me into a hug and kisses my forehead.
His breath reeks of alcohol. Nothing new there. I’m used to the Jekyll and Hyde routine with him. He’ll be passed out in less than an hour.
“See you in the morning,” I murmur.
We part ways and I rush into my room. I waste no time tossing things into my duffel bag. As I gather my essentials, my mind goes to where to go.
The finals will be in New York that’s the ultimate goal. If I’m already there, I won’t have to find my way there. I’ll just need a team to join that’s already heading to the tournament finals.
