"Call me when you’re free."

  The message on his phone is from Rex and comes at the perfect moment. Eddie’s visiting Maisie’s parents, wondering which corner to stand in and which topic to join—something that’s neither rudely disinterested nor too involved. It’s not that he doesn’t love them—Maisie’s mom and dad are always great to him. He just feels guilty about the fight. And he doesn’t know what she’s told them. So far, no one’s brought it up. Not them, not Maisie.

  Maisie comes from a good family, one that made sure she never wanted for anything as a kid. Her parents live in a big house on the outskirts of town. It’s the same size as Rex’s, just older. Still, it’s where they raised Maisie. Her dad’s a retired teacher who, despite being past fifty, doesn’t show his age and still has a youthful spark. Her mom’s a spitting image of Maisie, just twenty years older. Eddie doesn’t mind if Maisie ends up looking like her—she’s kept her good looks, even with the wrinkles starting to take over her face.

  When Eddie gets Rex’s message, he excuses himself and steps away. They’re busy playing with Theo and barely notice, which he counts as luck and good timing. He heads out to the yard, where Maisie’s parents’ two little dogs immediately swarm him. He’s not in the mood for them. Instead, he taps Rex’s name on his phone screen.

  "Eddie? You nearby?" Rex jumps right in.

  "Not at home, if that’s what you’re asking. What’s up?"

  "Brantley Today wants to talk to you."

  "The radio?"

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "Yeah, man. But don’t think it’s a big deal. Ten, twenty-minute interview they’ll run after their sports news."

  "That’s big enough for me." Eddie replies after a short pause.

  Rex laughs.

  "I’ll be with you. They want me too."

  "What’s it about?"

  "The fight." Rex says, but Eddie wants more detail. Rex keeps going anyway. "The fight, Rory. They want to introduce you to the audience. Though…" He pauses, then starts again. "Most people know you already, right?"

  Eddie doesn’t like bragging and is far from having sky-high confidence, but Rex is kind of right. He’s recognizable in Brantley and has a lot of friends. Well, "friends" might be a strong word—acquaintances, mostly. Mainly from boxing. And mainly from that streak of nineteen losses. When he beat Roy Harper, everything changed. The next day, he was the talk of the town; the day after that, no one cared. It’s not unusual. You’re likable with zero wins, a loser with your first.

  "Aren’t you training today?"

  "The first one’s done. Not sure about the second. Stanley and Edgar can’t make it, and if I go, it’ll be late tonight. Ballard’s there anyway."

  "Yeah, the old man sleeps at the gym. Doesn’t matter that I rented him a big apartment in a nice spot. But whatever. I’ll meet you at five in front of the radio station."

  "Can I say no?"

  "Quit messing around, Eddie. It’s just an interview—what’s wrong with you? See you later."

  Eddie hangs up and turns back toward the house. So Maisie would find out from the radio that he’d agreed, not from him. He doesn’t like that much.

  Though she probably already suspects.