"Good afternoon, dear listeners." The host looks at them but speaks into the microphone in front of her. "You’re tuned in to Studio Two at Brantley Today. You might know that at the end of the month, there’s an exciting boxing match coming up between the young hopeful Rory Flint and someone most of us know, a seasoned boxer, Eddie Walsh. Eddie’s my guest today, along with his manager and a friend of the station—Rex Hardy." She’s not done yet. "As you may know, you can now watch us online too. Times are changing, and so are we. We’re streaming live on our page, where you can see the studio along with our voices. And we’ve got two very pleasant gentlemen here."

  The host is about forty, with curly hair, and her name’s Susan. Eddie’s never seen her, though he might’ve heard her on the radio. He just never paid attention.

  "How you guys doing?" She starts off friendly.

  They both answer almost at the same time, and the same way. The ice is broken. Eddie’s not nervous about the interview. He’s more worried about when Maisie will hear it.

  He left her at home with the kid, wondering the whole drive over how to tell her he signed and has a radio interview. He didn’t get around to it. He couldn’t find the courage.

  "In the sports world, you’ve been the hottest topic this past week." Susan looks mostly at Eddie. "A match against the local favorite, Rory Flint. How’s that sound?"

  "I thought Eddie was the local favorite." Rex jumps in with a joke.

  "He is, but we’re making way for the young ones." Susan smiles, trying to play along.

  "That’s right." Rex speaks for him. Eddie doesn’t mind. "Rory’s a great kid. The future of the sport, not just in Brantley, but I’d say the world. But we’ve got Eddie—" Rex points at him. "Eddie Walsh. And anyone who’s underestimated Eddie Walsh hasn’t come out well."

  "And yet, Eddie’s stats aren’t exactly stellar." Susan says it gently.

  "Then no one’s underestimated me." Eddie chimes in, making her laugh.

  "Great." She wraps that up and moves to the next question. "How’d it all come together? How’d you end up with a fight against Rory? Sorry, I’m not the biggest sports expert, but on one hand, we’ve got a rising kid with no losses, and on the other… Sorry, Eddie. People love you, but you’re not the best opponent for him."

  "No problem." Eddie raises a hand, feeling awkward. His bad record’s never bothered him or given him a complex. But he wants Susan to feel okay asking about it. "I’ve never done poorly in any of my fights."

  "That’s true." Rex backs him up. "I’ve known Eddie for over ten years. People say numbers don’t lie, and I agree. But in this case, I might argue. Eddie’s always performed well in his matches. He just falls a little short."

  "And still." The host insists on an answer. "How’d you connect with Rory Flint? Or rather, his people? Did they invite you? Did they reach out, or did you push for this fight?"

  Rex doesn’t look too sure how to answer—or if he should—but he starts somewhere:

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  "Rory Flint’s people contacted me and told me to pick the best."

  "And you picked Eddie Walsh."

  "Do you have a better opponent?"

  The woman doesn’t reply. It’s not her job, and she probably doesn’t know boxing. But Eddie sees the skepticism in her eyes when she looks at him, and he likes it. His whole career, people have looked at him that way. It’s nothing new.

  "Why do you fight, Eddie?" She asks him. "Love for the sport, or…? Because for success, it might be late. I know boxers don’t make much. The lucky ones stick around past forty."

  "But most go pro at thirty." Eddie adds. "I started around Rory Flint’s age now. And there’s plenty of time till forty."

  "So you’ve got the drive and hunger for success?"

  "I’ve got the drive and hunger to fight." Eddie’s starting to get annoyed with the repetitive, almost identical questions. But he glances at Rex a few times, and Rex winks at him. That calms him down. "That’s enough. And I’ve seen plenty of kids like Rory Flint." He decides to bite back. He’s got nothing to lose. "Cocky, full of themselves, then flat on their backs, staring in disbelief."

  "Actually, that hasn’t happened much for you. Given your fights, you’ve hardly seen anyone at your feet."

  "Susan." Rex jumps in by name. Eddie knows Rex and what’s coming, so he stays out of it. "That’s your name, right? How many of Eddie Walsh’s fights have you watched?"

  "Well, actually… I don’t need to have watched them. Numbers don’t lie. You said it yourself, Rex."

  "There’s not a fight where Eddie hasn’t sent his opponent to the canvas."

  "But he hasn’t finished them. That means—"

  "That means Eddie’s not as bad as you’re trying to make him sound. And he’s looking forward to Rory Flint. Though the kid hasn’t said anything, people like you are hyping him up extra and making it hostile."

  "Mr. Hardy—" She switches between his name and surname. "Please, let’s lower the tone. We’re not here to argue. I want to show Eddie in his best light."

  Rex points at Eddie without a word, signaling her to go on.

  "Things got a little heated in the studio, and I apologize to our listeners for that." She says into the mic with a slight smile. "Eddie?" She looks at him again. "Are you a family man?"

  "I’ve got a wife and a two-year-old."

  "How do they feel about this… challenge of yours? They might be used to it, but still…"

  Eddie knew this question would come eventually and prepared for it. Though whatever he says, Maisie won’t agree.

  "My wife’s not too happy about it, but she’ll definitely watch me." Eddie really hopes she will. "And the little one…" Eddie smiles. "He probably won’t remember, but I want him to grow up and see his dad went up against some of the best in town. No matter the outcome."

  "That’s beautiful. See, we can have a normal conversation." Susan, the host, relaxes. "But I get your wife, Eddie. I can’t imagine my husband bloodied up either."

  "Do you have a husband, Susan?" Rex pounces, like it’s aimed at him.

  "Sorry, but how’s that—"

  "If you don’t, you don’t need to say it."

  Susan stacks her hands, smiles at Rex, and for a few seconds, there’s silence. She raises a hand, places it on the mic, and whispers softly but clearly enough:

  "Dear listeners, let’s thank our guests today. I hope you enjoyed the interview. And don’t forget to grab your tickets. Brantley’s boxing gala is just six days away, and the main event promises to be… memorable."

  She says that last bit with a smile directed at both of them. But there’s nothing genuine in it.