Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
I nod, still speechless.
“Maybe he thought we’d eventually see each other again and be okay.”
“Maybe.”
“Want to grab a coffee?” she asks, suddenly looking sheepish. “I meant what I said about not having any friends outside of Hayden.”
“I don’t have any friends either,” I say. “I’d love to…”
FORTY-THREE
PRESENT DAY
TRAVIS
Six Nights Before the Rematch
Manhattan, New York
“Answer this damn door.” I rang Tatiana’s doorbell for the umpteenth time. “Answer it right now.”
Even though the lights inside weren’t on, I was convinced she was lying on her living room couch, taking great pleasure in ignoring me while New York’s rain drenched me to the bone.
“I only need two minutes.” I rang it again. “Just give me two minutes.”
The door never swung open.
The lights never came on.
The only thing that changed was the pattern of the rain.
“What the hell are you doing in front of my house, Boy?” Someone with a scratchy voice spoke from behind.
I turned around and saw an older man holding up a cane. He looked seconds away from striking me across the face with it.
“I believe you’re mistaken, sir,” I said. “My wife lives here.”
“No, I live here. And if you don’t leave my property within the next ten seconds, I’ll have to handle you personally.”
He puffed out his chest like he really wanted to fight me.
“Don’t make me start counting, son,” he said. “I’d hate to whip your ass in this weather.”
I would've laughed if my heart wasn’t aching so damn much.
“My apologies, sir,” I said. “If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you been living here?”
“Since last week.” He let down his guard a bit. “A wonderful young lady who once coached my granddaughter is letting me rent it for as long as I want.”
“I see…” Pain assaulted my chest. “Do you have any idea where that woman is living now?”
“Shouldn’t you know that?” He raised his eyebrow. “Didn’t you say she’s your wife?”
“Right.” I left his steps and called Madeline.
“Yes, Mr. Carter?” she answered.
“I’m staying in New York for a few more days until I find Tatiana. Let everyone on my team know.”
“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” Ralph was suddenly on the line.
“Completely.”
“Your fight is in six days.” He hissed. “Six. Fucking. Days.”
“We can always reschedule it, if I haven’t found her before then.”
“You have a highly-publicized, pre-fight ritual that’s due to start tonight.” He acted as if he hadn’t heard my previous words. “You will get your ass back to Vegas by this afternoon, and you will focus on fighting the man who is currently holding a press conference and talking shit about you. You will get focused, and after you win, you can work on fighting for your marriage. Clear?”
I said nothing.
“Are we fucking clear, Travis Dante Carter?”
“We’re clear,” I relented. “I’ll fly back around three.”
“You’ll fly back now.”
From the tone of his voice, I knew better than to risk losing him when I needed him most.
I can’t risk losing Tatiana either, though.
“I just want to check a few more places, Ralph,” I said. “It’ll only take a few hours and I’ll still be back in time.”
“Head to the airport now or I’m quitting.” He hung up before I could say another word.
Fuck.
FORTY-FOUR
PRESENT DAY
TATIANA
5 Nights Before the Rematch
Manhattan, New York
Text from Travis (Don’t Answer):
Tatiana, it’s 4 a.m., but I know you’re awake. Pick up the phone.
Text from Travis (Don’t Answer):
I really need to talk to you. Just hear me out for two minutes.
Text from Travis (Don’t Answer):
Are you still coming to my fight?
Text from Travis (Don’t Answer):
I’m sending a private plane to NYC so you can watch it from the front row like we always discussed.
Tears streamed down my face as I looked over Travis’s morning messages—wondering if his heart was as broken as mine.
As tempted as I was to respond, I could no longer play the part of a masochist.
I deleted his messages and finally did what I should’ve done years ago, what would’ve spared me a love I could never keep and a heartache time could never cure.
I blocked his number.
Permanently.
—
THE SNARKY GLOVE
#1 UFC & MMA GOSSIP SOURCE FOR FANGIRLS
Dearest Fans,
The Punisher’s ritual is officially broken.
Ever since we started this blog and began following Travis Carter’s career, we’ve been obsessed with his legendary pre-fight routine.
As you know, it always begins at The Riviera, where he treats his closest team members and friends to a private and formal brunch.
However, this is no longer the case.
Yesterday, while fans anxiously waited outside in hopes of getting a glimpse of him, the restaurant manager informed us that he never showed.
Hours later, he was spotted across town sitting alone in a coffee shop.
The other night, one of our lovely readers revealed that she saw him aimlessly wandering around a Sailor Moon fandom conference. (We have the pictures to confirm this.)
If you’re betting on him winning this weekend, you may want to reconsider…