Page 35 of Split Decision

"Damn, Andi. That's cold to just cut him off like that," Mike accuses me.

"We FaceTime. We're both visual creatures. We have to see it," I retort with a straight face.

Mike's face turns bright red, and he struggles for a comeback. I’m unable to hold my laughter back any longer, and I have tears running down my cheeks within seconds.

As I look around, still highly amused at getting the best of Mike, I notice Travis's demeanor. He's leaned back in his chair, slightly slumped and obviously comfortable. His hazel eyes have darkened to green and are narrowed at me, but they're dancing with blatant humor. One hand rests at his cheek, his fingers casually propping his head up. His lips slowly curl into a smile.

The tour has officially started. We're finally on the road.

This is happening.

CHAPTER TEN

LUKE

During dinner, Syndi and I have a chance to get to know each other a little better. Up to this point, she's been a pain in my ass with all the photo shoots, interviews, and being the epitome of Miss Proper Etiquette. She's still too prim and proper, but she's finally allowing me to see a little more of her other side.

"I know I keep saying it, but I'm just completely shocked and in awe of you," she gushes for the third time.

"It's just what I do, and I'm not even in the same league as most of these guys. Seriously, I appreciate it, but until I can say I've won the championship belt, I'll never think I'm as good as I can be," I explain to her.

"Well, I'll certainly do my part to help you get there. If that means more pictures, interviews, and magazine articles, then that's what I'll do," she says with determination. "Speaking of, your photo shoot with the magazine next week will be great. I've seen the set they're using, and it'll be perfect."

I grunt in disapproval, and she levels me with her business look. One eyebrow slowly quirks up, as if she's daring me to challenge her expertise.

"Look, I appreciate everything you do. I don't mean to sound unappreciative," I start.

"But..." she says, waiting for me to finish.

"But it's just a lot to take in. I'm not into interviews and pictures of me everywhere. I came here to learn from the best, so I can make a career of this. It was naïve of me not to think about the PR part of the business, but I guess I just assumed someone else would take care of all that."

"When you get to a certain point, that'll be easier to manage. You have to give up your time and privacy to get to a point in your career where time and privacy are yours again." She shrugs. "Until then, the adoring fans need to know everything there is to know about you."

"Everything there is to know about me, huh?"

"Yes, and each demographic will want to know different things about you. The guys will want your fight record, your workout routine, and your chest and arm measurements. The women will want to know everything about your personal life—who you're dating, what she does, if it's a serious relationship, and if you're getting married."

The waitress shows up at that moment and takes our dinner order. While Syndi orders, I think about what she said. My personal life is about to become public record that will be dissected, poked around in, and put back together in whatever story sells best for the day. That’s in addition to the commission review and how that has impacted my personal life, not to mention my professional boxing aspirations.

"You know my relationship status," I say nonchalantly. "You can field those questions."

"Are you planning to marry Andi?" Syndi asks.

"Yes, we're engaged," I say, leaning back against my chair.

"Your female fans will be disappointed. Even the illusion of being available can draw more fans for some men."

"I don't need to disillusion my fans, Syndi."

"Okay, just a suggestion," she replies, unfazed.

The predictable Syndi is emerging again. Just when I think she's redeemable, she reverts to the shady spin doctor,looking for a way to sensationalize the story and make it more interesting than it really is.

"Don't think that Travis's camp isn't doing the same thing, Luke. Even though Andi isn't the main act, tying her to Travis can increase the hype and increase album and ticket sales. The label is all about making their money back on their artists, and the boxing commission is no different. The more demand they create for you and Shane, the more they can drive ticket sales through the roof," she says.

It makes sense, but I'll admit I don't love thinking about the way the publicity machine works around Andi. It's the same machine that's been used against her. As if on cue, the image changes on the TV over the bar, and I'm staring at Andi and Travis with their arms around each other's waists. The picture is from their last performance together—staged, promotional, exactly what Syndi just described. I know that.

I still have to breathe through it.