Chapter 40

AmI finally free of Supreme Underground Fighter? It’s consumed my life—almost ruined my life—for months.

Hours later, we’re finally free to leave the studio.

It’s like a huge weight lifting off my shoulders.

Diane—now sporting blue hair instead of the pink she had when she conned me into this ring of ridiculousness—stands next to our car in the chilly evening air.

She holds out her hands in an appeasement gesture as we approach. “I know things weren’t perfect, but you have to admit I was right.”

I wrap my arm around Molly’s shoulders. “About what? Blowing up my life?”

Diane still seems confused by our lack of enthusiasm. She must have lived too long in her reality TV bubble. Her gaze slides to Molly. “You look like you’re doing okay.”

“Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed having strangers on the Internet call me dumb, slutty, or a combination of the two. It was the highlight of my summer. Then coming here and being physically attacked by an unhinged lunatic was fantastic,” Molly says. “Thanks for making me sign that release form. I really appreciate it,” she adds with generous dose of sarcasm.

Diane’s shoulders slump. Is that a sign she actually feels some remorse? “I didn’t have anything to do with that.” She lifts her gaze and looks me in the eyes. “You know I left shortly after the show started.” She glances toward the door we just came out of. “The ladies and romantic aspect weren’t a part of the show when I asked you to sign on.”

That actually helps me hate her less.

“It really was supposed to be about fighting and training together in a closed environment. All the knockouts, antics, and brawls between the fighters was supposed to be the entertainment, not romance or dating.”

Hating her a bit more now.“You realize paying us a bonus each time we knocked each other unconscious is fucking psychotic, right?”

“Only if we’d told you that ahead of time.” She chuckles. “It’s a show about fighting,” she says as if I’m dense.

Maybe I am. “Fighting in the ring. Not knocking each other out over who stole someone’s French fries.”

“Well, from what I saw, you conducted yourself with integrity throughout the whole season.” She vaguely gestures toward the studio again. “I think that’s why you were the fan favorite, even though Naptime supposedly ‘won.’”

At least she seems bitter about that too. “So you know it was rigged?”

“Rigged isn’t the right word.” She shakes her head. “And based on the audience reaction, you came out on top, no matter what the judges decided.”

When I don’t agree with her assessment, she shrugs. “I’m sorry it wasn’t the experience you expected. But you did end up winning money.” She nods at Molly. “For your future. That’s what you wanted, right?”

“Yes,” I answer but can’t quite bring myself to add a thank you.

“I think you’ll navigate the newfound celebrity well. You’re not going to be out there making an ass out of yourself like so many others I’ve worked with.”

“No, the show already did that for me.”

“And all those misconceptions were clarified today.” She lifts her eyebrows.

Is she trying to say she’s responsible for the truth about Kiki and me coming out?

“The fight with Magic could be huge for you,” she continues. “I hope you’re considering it seriously.”

“I am.”

“He’s a massive douche canoe.” She laughs. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good fighter and has a huge following. But his personality…you’ll hate him.” She waves her hand toward the stage. “He’s like an articulate, better-looking Naptime.”

“Super. Can’t wait.” I flash a fake grin.

“But, now that you’ve recovered, if you resume your training and focus the way you did here, I think you’ll beat him easily. Knock him out in round two at least.”

“You’re not just a reality television fairy,” Molly says. “You’re a fight promoter too?”

I can’t tell if Molly’s serious or subtly mocking Diane.

Diane seems to take the question seriously. “Just a fan of combat sports. Who knows people.”

“Are you saying you’re responsible for the Magic fight?” I ask.

“I didn’t say that.” The corners of her mouth twitch with secret amusement, then her expression turns serious. “I really didn’t know they were gunning to set you up to make it look like you were with Kiki. That’s not the kind of narrative that interests me.” Her gaze shifts between Molly and me. “I actually liked the young love story, thought it would bring a little wholesomeness to what can be a trashy game sometimes. But obviously I was overruled.” She grins and reaches out to tap my arm. “I heard you had Paul practically pissing his pants when you confronted him. Good for you.”

So Paul must be the one who changed the direction of the show. What an asshole. I should’ve punched that potato-looking motherfucker when I had the chance. “I don’t know about that.”

“It’s all behind you now. If we get renewed for another season,” her voice rises in pitch, like I’m a kid she’s teaching to use the potty for the first time, “we might ask if you want to come back as a coach or mentor.”

Molly lets out a snort-laugh that sounds a lot like “hell no” and I couldn’t agree more.

“I wish you two luck,” Diane says. “The balance of your money should be deposited in a day or two, Griff. And Molly, you should’ve gotten a check for your fee before you left?”

Molly pats her purse. “I did.”

“Good.” She tilts her head, looking at someone behind me. “I need to have a minute with Woolly. Congratulations, Griff.”

“Thanks.” This time I say it with more sincerity.

Molly just nods at her. Once Diane’s distracted with Woolly, Molly shrugs my arm off her shoulders and sends me an icy side-eye.

I need to get her alone so we can talk about the fight before she starts thinking I’m planning to abandon her again and have a repeat of last summer.

“You ready to head home?” I ask.

“Yup.”

I hit the unlock button. She jerks the door open, not waiting for me to open it for her.

“You okay?” I grab the door, pulling it wider.

She slides in without looking at me. “Yup.”

“Molly—”

She turns her head and stares at me with glossy blue eyes. “Can we please go?”

“I’m on it.” I make sure she’s tucked in her seat and shut the door.

She’s quiet while I navigate out of the parking lot and onto the road that will take us to the Thruway. The last thing I want to do after the day we’ve had is get lost somewhere on Long Island.

“You okay?” Why am I asking when I know the answer.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’re going to Vegas? For a big fight?”

No time to have an argument like when we have a three-hour drive ahead of us. “It’s just been talk so far. Nothing was confirmed until today.”

From the corner of my eye, I catch Molly’s bottom lip wobble. All I want to do is pull over, drag her into my lap and kiss her concerns away. The reunion show was stressful enough, without this extra bullshit.

I better start with what I’m sure is her biggest concern. “I won’t be leaving again. You heard Underhill, he’ll work with me so I can train at home.” Shit, that’s not entirely true. “Well, I have to go to fight camp three or four weeks before the event—but it won’t be like the show. We’ll be able to talk whenever we want. It’s probably gonna be when you’re in the middle of finals, anyway.”

“For something that isn’t confirmed, you sure have a lot of details,” she says, staring straight ahead.

“I’m trying to be smarter this time, Molly. Learn as much as I can before I commit,” I explain. “Once you’re done with finals, I want you to fly out to meet me for fight week.”

She blinks rapidly. “Wait, you want me there? I can come to the fight? To Las Vegas? To be with you?”

“Of course I want you there.” I can’t stand not having my arms around her another second. I spot a small gas station ahead and pull into the parking lot.

“What are you doing?” she asks.

I stop in a space on the side of the building, out of view from most of the parking lot and turn toward her. “I need you there.” I reach over and take her hand. “I won’t have a lot of free time during fight week. There’s going to be press conferences and stuff. Probably boring as hell. And I’ll still be training. But I’d really like you there. After the fight, we can stay for a few days and explore Vegas if you want. Hell, if I win, we can go anywhere you want.”

“I don’t care about seeing Vegas or anything else.” She turns my hand over and traces a soft, ticklish line from my middle finger to the inside of my wrist. “I want to be there to cheer for you.”

“Thank you. I want you there, believe me.” I raise her hand and brush my lips against her knuckles. “While I’m training at home, I might not be able to drive out and visit you as often as I have been lately.”

Her brow furrows. “Griff, I understand how serious training for something like this is. If you’re doing it, then you need to do it a hundred percent.”

“I can’t do this…I won’t, unless you’re really okay with it.”

One corner of her mouth slides up. “Well, from what Diane said, it sounds like this guy is in desperate need of a Stonewall Slap.”

That’s not the answer I expected, but it’s definitely the one I needed.

If I didn’t know how much Molly wants a small, rose garden wedding one day, I think I’d ask her to marry me while we’re in Vegas.