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He nods with an approving smile. “Barely even settled and already in the gym. I like it.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, well, that’s what I’m here for.”
Max gestures around the gym. “Well, here it is. Your new home, Fairburn MMA.” He pauses for a moment, observing me while I look around the space. “I think you’re going to be a good addition to this team. You have a unique fighting style, just like everyone else here. You’re gritty, but maintain control, especially when the fight is on the ground. You’re calculated, and play the system, always aware of exactly where you stand within every second of every round. And you use the rules of the game to your advantage. I like that.”
I give him a half smile, uncomfortable with the praise. But, appreciative. Especially coming from him.
“But,” he puts his hands in his pockets and smirks at me, “there’s always room for improvement. I want to see you strengthen your striking and footwork. And we’re going to clean up your timing as well.”
I nod eagerly. This is exactly what I want, and exactly what I need. “I agree. I’m here to learn everything you can teach me.”
He smiles. “Excellent. Everyone in this gym is going to learn from each other. We have a well-rounded team coming in, and we all have our strengths. There are some excellent kickboxers and boxers here who you will spar and train with often to work on these skills. One in particular I think you will learn a lot from, and spend quite a bit of time with. And, you’ll do the same with fighters who are looking to work on grappling.”
A smile spreads across my face. “Awesome.”
He tilts his head towards a few guys who are rolling on a mat close by, while others are working the bags and in the weight room. “We have one more guy coming and he should be here any minute now. But come meet the team.”
I start to follow him over to the mat, but hear the door to the gym open and close behind us.
Max looks over his shoulder, then smiles. “Ah, you made it!”
I turn my head to the door, assuming it’s the other guy he’s waiting on.
And I freeze.
Luca Mitchell is standing there, staring back at me.
What. The. Fuck.
FIVE
What. The. Fuck.
I can’t be seeing what I’m seeing right now. Ty Roscoe is not here, in this gym, in St. Louis, with Max Fairburn. In my new gym, with my new coach. No, this isn’t happening.
Max laughs lightly, but I sense his apprehension as Ty and I continue to stare at each other.
“You two already know each other, so no introductions needed,” Max says through a chuckle, and he steps a little closer into the space between us.
I continue to stare back at Ty, while he glares at me. I can’t even form a straight thought in my head right now. This was supposed to be my break. I was supposed to leave him behind. Max chose me. Why the fuck is he here?
“Um…” Max murmurs, as he glances between us. “I knew there was a bit of a rivalry between you two, but I take it it’s not a healthy one like I thought?”
I shift my gaze to Max as he eyes me, and then Ty. Ty is still shooting daggers at me, and I see his chest rise and fall with a deep breath.
I don’t even know what to say. I fucking hate this guy, and there’s nothing healthy about how much I despise him. But I can’t say this in front of Max. He clearly chose us both for his team, and he could easily send one of us away if our hatred for each other is a problem. And Ty did win our fight that Max came to see. So, if one of us had to go…
“Ok,” Max steps closer and puts his hands up between us, “look. I get it, you’ve fought each other a lot. Being from neighboring counties with not a whole lot of competition out there, you’ve developed a… heated feud. I’ve looked at your stats over the years, and you guys are neck and neck. It’s why I brought you both here.”
I look back at Ty and can’t help the sneer I give him.
“Believe it or not,” Max says, “you each have a fighting style that will complement each other in training.”
My head whips to Max. “What?”
Max smirks. “I was just telling Ty that I want him to tighten up his striking, and that I have a striker on this team that will be a big help to him.”
Ty finally pulls his glare off of me and gives Max a surprised look, pointing at me. “Him?”
