The meeting’s at noon, and Eddie’s at work a few hours later. He and Maisie haven’t talked about the contract since last night. When he wakes up in the morning, she makes sure he’s up and leaves Theo with him. She’s at work until noon, when she comes back and he gets ready for his shift. Except now, he’s not getting ready to go to Cork’s. He’s about to sign what’s probably his last boxing contract.

  He’s taken a few aspirins for the leg pain. Ballard pushed him to the limit, even though all he did was run a few laps. But for someone who’s forgotten how to train, even that’s a lot.

  When Maisie gets home at noon, he’s put on jeans and a T-shirt and just tells her he’s heading out. He’d already stashed a shirt and pants in the car beforehand. He doesn’t want to change upstairs in front of her. Maisie’s not stupid—she’s definitely figured it out—but Eddie hopes it won’t lead to a conversation. Not that she won’t find out sooner or later. And not that she doesn’t already know what’s going on. He just hopes she’ll forget or soften to the idea.

  And maybe he’s made up his mind.

  In his rush to leave and avoid talking to her, he gets there early. The meeting’s not at the gym—it’s at Rex’s house. He parks out front and doesn’t know what to do. It’d be rude to go in this early, but standing outside in this fancy neighborhood might look suspicious.

  Suddenly, the heavy iron gate in front of him swings open slowly. A man Eddie’s never seen before steps out from the side, as if from the bushes. He waves and signals him to come in. Eddie leans out the car window.

  "Come on in. You’re Eddie Walsh, right? Rex said to let you in." The guy shouts. He doesn’t look like someone who’d live in a house like this. More like he works here.

  Eddie starts the car and drives through the gate slowly. He parks between two of Rex’s cars. When he gets out, he glances back. Yeah, his car looks ridiculous in a place like this.

  "Rex is inside. He’s waiting for you."

  "Just him?"

  "Yeah. The promoters aren’t here yet. Neither are your opponent’s people."

  "They’ll be here too?"

  "Well, you’re not fighting alone, are you?" The man talks like he knows boxing himself. Working for someone like Rex probably gives him confidence. "Rex knows you’re here. You can go in. And hey, I’m rooting for you."

  Eddie smiles at him. It’s nice to hear that from someone, at least. He won’t be hearing it from Maisie. Not for this fight.

  He pushes the big front door and steps inside. No one greets him, which makes him feel awkward. But he hears Rex’s voice:

  "EDDIE! Come in." He can’t tell where it’s coming from. "Come in and make yourself at home. I’ll be right there."

  Eddie enters the large living room they were in last time and sits in the same chair. The table’s empty, but Rex shows up soon enough. He’s wearing a blazer, shirt, and pants. The shirt’s slightly unbuttoned, casually, and he smells good from a distance. His broad shoulders make the suit look perfect on him. He’s genuinely handsome. That sweet scent seems to follow him, quickly filling the room.

  "You nervous?"

  "Should I be?" Honestly, Eddie’s more nervous about Maisie than the people he’s about to meet.

  "No. Just asking. I’ve got everything sorted for you. All you need is one or two signatures."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  "Anything new? Or something I don’t know?"

  "Nope. I heard Rory’s been bragging left and right that he’ll finish you quick, but we’re hoping that’s not the case. I’ve worked it out with the promoters and his people that you’ll last at least two rounds."

  "Doesn’t that depend on him too?" Eddie’s a bit confused. "If Rory knows I’m supposed to last two rounds, why’s he planning to end it fast?"

  "You know how kids are." Rex is at the drink counter, pouring himself something that definitely has alcohol in it. "And we can’t rig anything like that. We’re not in the business of fixed fights. It is what it is. The important thing is you get the money, right?"

  Eddie doesn’t answer, but he agrees. He wonders if he’ll see Rory soon.

  "Sir, they’re here." The man who greeted Eddie earlier appears at the door.

  "I didn’t pour you one because I know you’ve got work later. And you’re in training mode anyway." Rex is still talking to Eddie and just nods to the gatekeeper.

  "I was with Ballard yesterday, but we only ran." Eddie feels like he needs to explain.

  "I don’t care. Ballard knows his stuff. He’s the best I’ve got, and even if I found someone better, I couldn’t afford them. Listen to the old man—he’s not just anybody."

  The front door opens, and Rex heads that way. Eddie stands up.

  A moment later, he sees them. The organizer’s represented by a bespectacled man with thick hair and a suit, taller than even Rex. If Eddie didn’t know better, he’d never guess this guy had anything to do with sports. Behind him comes another man—black, bald, and much bulkier than the guy with glasses.

  "Meet each other." Rex introduces them. "This is Clark White—lawyer, right?" Rex glances at the bespectacled man, who nods back. "Lawyer and representing the organizers. And this is…"

  "Sonny." Eddie cuts in. "Sonny Flint."

  The black man grins wide and steps toward Eddie, pulling him into a hug.

  "Looks like you know each other."

  "Sonny worked at Cork’s until…"

  "Until Rory took off. Couldn’t leave my boy to fend for himself in this… boxing web." He laughs at his own metaphor. "I knew you’d been a boxer, but God help me, I never pictured you up against my son."

  "Well, you never know what fate’s got in store." Eddie doesn’t know what else to say.

  "I think you gentlemen can chat elsewhere," Rex interrupts, pointing them to the table. "Please, take a seat."

  Eddie sits back in the same spot, with Sonny next to him. Across from them sit the lawyer and Rex.

  "Want anything to drink?"

  Rex is as hyper as ever. Sonny asks for water, while the lawyer’s spot at the table stays empty. Once everything’s set and Rex is seated, they move on.

  Eddie realizes who the lawyer reminds him of—Clark Kent. Even the first name’s the same. But he doesn’t expect a Superman suit under that shirt.

  Clark White hands each of them a stack of papers and, once he’s sure they’ve all looked through them, asks:

  "Do you agree with what’s written?"

  Eddie glances at Rex, seeking his approval. If he’s honest, he doesn’t even get why he’s here. Rex represents him, and Sonny represents his son. He just wants the money. And he knows he’ll get it when Rex gives him a thumbs-up that everything’s fine.

  "Now for the boring part." Clark White hands each of them a pen. "Each of you sign your contract and pass it to the next person."

  Eddie takes the pen in hand.

  Maybe this is the moment that could change his life. Are fifteen thousand dollars really life-changing? Probably not. But beyond the money, he’s doing it for himself. He loves fighting. Always has. He doesn’t even know where that feeling went this past year. If Maisie and Theo weren’t in his life, he’d probably take the fight for free. But he’s doing it for them. Too bad she doesn’t get that.

  Whether Maisie really wants to leave him, he doesn’t know. He’ll find out, probably. But he doubts it. She loves him. He loves her too. And fifteen thousand dollars can patch up any cracks in a relationship. Doesn’t money fix everything?

  The signing takes no more than five minutes.

  And now comes the hard part.