Page 34 of Savage Salvation

“It doesn’t matter.” I drink down a gulp of water, walk over, and sit on the nearest weight bench. “None of it fuckin’ matters.”

Memphis takes a seat across from me. “Then why does it hurt so bad?”

I wonder if he’s asking me or himself. Either way, we both know we won’t figure out the answer.

The two of us sit there, the gym silent, until the quiet is broken by a loud knock. Ryan walks across the room and looks between us. “I’ve been calling you, dude. I heard about your dad.”

“Okay.” I’m sure almost everyone in this town has heard by now. And I’d bet money that each and every one of them was happy or at least a little relieved by the news.

“So, um. Y’all doing some training? Pete really wants a rematch if you’re up for it.”

“No.”

“Come on, Gage. Are you ever gonna fight again? Or you too worried about capturing that dry pussycat?”

A rigid impulse runs throughout every inch of muscle in my frame as I stand and come nose to nose with Ryan, who takes a step back. “I’ll fight but find me someone who is actually a fuckin’ challenge because Pete isn’t.” None of those victories have ever been out of my reach. Not like she is. None have put up half the contest she does with that smart-mouthed opposition—she challenges me at every turn in unexpected ways.

Yet I captured what Ryan considers the prize but lost the rest of her. Why does it feel that way? That even after she surrendered her body to me, she pulled further away. Fuck, she’s making me insane.

This stupid motherfucker rambles off a few names of prospects for fights until he pauses to ask, “So, how is it going with the dried-up cunt? Any progress? I noticed my ride parked out front. Figured you were getting it shined up and ready. Not much time left to seal the deal.” He lets out a jittery laugh.

It ends as I walk pass him, make my way to the foyer, and snatch the key fob from the table and toss it to Ryan who clumsily catches it, his wide eyes alternating between me and the trophy in his hand. “There’re still a few days left.”

“Won’t matter. I’ll never win.” And I won’t. I’ll never capture the prize I was after because Memphis was right. It’s her.

“Gage,” Memphis says my name, stepping forward. I pin him with a look, daring him to say another fucking word. He understands the message and that right now is not the time to question me because his mouth claps shut.

I look to the piece of shit solely focused on the key fob in his hand. “Get the fuck out of here.”

He doesn’t hesitate and immediately walks toward the door. “I’ll come by and grab my Jeep later.”

I don’t care what he does. As long as he stays away from me because he’s just another reminder of her.

Memphis remains in place, a watchful eye on me like I’m about to morph into some monster or something.

“You too. Get out.” I turn and begin to walk away.

“No.” His determined, blunt response causes me to quickly turn and find the same focus covering his face.

“Get out of my house.”

“I will. When you tell me why the hell you just handed him his fuckin’ wet dream when I know damn well you won that bet already.”

“I never said I won. You assumed, so shut your mouth before you get the same fate as her BFF.”

“What did you do, Gage?”

“Nothing that he didn’t ask for.” And he did ask for it. Showing up at my house, getting in my face, lecturing me about what I did to her when she’d just sent me away like a fucking piece of discarded trash. But that’s not what made me swing. It was the stake he thinks he has on her. I know he has a thing for her, but he’s not going to get the notion that he knows what’s better for her than I do.

“Fine, don’t tell me but none of this shit is helping your case, man.”

“No shit.” I really need to start shutting my damn gate and stop letting all these annoying fuckers in. But I couldn’t close the entrance. Just in case she shows up. Even after she smashed the shit out of my truck, I left it open in case she wants to return. What a foolish sap she’s turned me into.

“You didn’t lose. You don’t know how to lose because you never do.”

“There’s a first time for everything.”

“Gage, you don’t have to admit it to me. I know it happened. But what I’d really like to know is why you forfeited to that asshat of all people and let him walk away believing he got something over on you … and her.”