Page 75 of Undefeated

“How so?” I asked.

“We just shook on it,” he said.

And the way Shane’s mind works…

We just became one.

SHANE. “You think he’s ready, Mike?” Kelsey asked.

“I’m ready,” I said as I set my water down on the table.

Kelsey turned his head to face me and scowled, “I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking to Mike.”

“Mean face,” Kace laughed.

Kelsey looked at Kace and scowled as Ripp put his beer on the table and inhaled deeply.

“Well, I ain’t saying this because he’s sitting here, you know me better than that. I can say I’ve watched all the tapes. I’ve studied this guy, and if he does what we’ve been practicing,” Ripp nodded his head my direction.

“That guy ain’t got a fucking chance. Dekk will slaughter him,” Ripp finished.

“Well, we can’t go into this thinking we got it in the bag. It damned sure isn’t gonna be easy. It’s gonna be a bitch, you hear me?” Kelsey said as he turned to face me.

“A bitch boss,” I said.

“God damn it, I ain’t fucking kidding. You two arrogant assholes,” Kelsey said as he pressed his hands against the table and flexed his forearms.

“Flexin’ on me boss?” I chuckled.

“Get the ticket, I’m buying,” Kelsey said as he let go of the table.

“Kace ain’t done eating yet,” Ripp said as he pointed to Kace, who was just starting to eat her salad.

“Don’t mean I can’t pay. Now you’re gonna be there, right? I need you to be there,” Kelsey said toward Kace.

“I’m his cheerleader,” Kace responded in between bites.

“And you’ll be there?” Kelsey said as he nodded his head toward Kace again.

“Damn, Kelsey,” I complained.

“I need her to say it,” he said.

“Yes sir. I will be there,” Kace responded as she made a fist with her hand.

She held her fist over the table toward Kelsey. Kelsey turned and looked toward Ripp and then directly at me.

“Don’t look at me,” I said.

“I got this,” Kace laughed, shaking her fist over the center of the table.

“Do it,” Ripp said toward Kelsey.

Kelsey made a fist and reached out toward Kace’s fist. As Kace smacked her fist sharply against his she shook her head, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

“It’s settled,” she said, “We shook on it.”

“What do you think about that title fight, boss?” I asked.