Page 26 of Bourbon Truths
“I don’t feel sorry for myself,” I gritted out, my hands clenching at my sides. “I know what I did. I destroyed—”
“Hey, guys.” Goldie bounced down the hall with a huge smile on her face, her hair piled on top of her head and a green sundress gracing her petite body. “Whoa, looks like you two are discussing something serious.” Not getting a clue, she cuddled up next to us and rubbed her hands together. “What are we talking about?”
“We are not talking about anything,” I responded, turning away.
“Jeez, is he having man cramps again? I have some tampons in my purse if you need one,” Goldie said, making Jett snort. “Kace, this is a fantastic day. Can’t you try to be happy?”
“Yeah, whatever,” I said with my hands on my hips.
“That was convincing,” Goldie sarcastically said to Jett. “He won’t be getting a movie deal anytime soon for his acting skills but then again, he does have the body for stardom. Hmm, I mean a few acting lessons could make some improvement, but does he have the dedication to make it work? Is he too committed to making his body perfect? Would he be willing to spend time on his craft? If he took a few classes, I would be willing to represent him. What do you think?” she asked Jett, wrapping an arm around his waist.
“I think you would be a great agent for Kace,” Jett replied, kissing the tip of her nose. Ever since they started dating, Jett supported every little random thought Goldie had.
“Me too,” she squealed. “Then it’s settled, Kace. I am now representing you.”
Rolling my eyes at a classic Goldie ramble of nonsense, I said, “I’ll pass, but thanks for the consideration.”
“You’re passing up a pretty fantastic opportunity. You might want to rethink it.”
“I’m good.”
“Fine, but I was only going to take thirty percent.”
“Nice,” Jett said, smiling down at her. “Look at my little one, being a businesswoman.”
“Thirty percent is outrageous.” I gave in to her stupid way of cheering me up. Fuck, I hated that she had an effect on me.
“I’m worth it.”
I looked her up and down. “Unless you would be delivering me scripts naked, thirty percent isn’t worth it.”
“Watch it,” Jett warned, making me laugh from his jealousies. I had just been in a bad mood. Damn them.
“I can do naked for thirty percent.” Goldie held out her hand to shake on it.
Quickly grabbing her arm and shoving it back down to her side, Jett said, “The fuck you will. I swear I can’t let you out of the house.”
“Is that a threat to tie me up?” Her eyes lit up.
“Don’t tempt me, little one.”
Leaning past Jett so she was looking me in the eyes, she said, “I will do naked for twenty.”
“You’re done,” Jett responded.
With one big swoop, Jett wrapped his arms around Goldie and turned to me. He pointed to the room on the right at the very back. “That is your new sanctuary. Learn to deal with it. You deserve this, and you owe it to yourself to at least give it a shot.”
Jett took a squealing Goldie down the hall and into the other corridor of the community center, leaving me to my thoughts. Sometimes I wanted to punch the cocky motherfucker for his “saving” ways. His attitude to those in need of second chances was commendable, but I didn’t want to be one of the people he saved. I didn’t believe I deserved it.
I turned toward the room in back and observed the black door that had a small window just big enough so someone could peek in to see if the room was occupied. Since the doors were new, there was paper still on the window, covering up my view of the inside.
Next to the room was a plaque that displayed the name of the space. As I drew closer, a knot in my throat started to grow tight from what was written in raised metal. I ran my fingers across the plaque as I read what it said.
“The Haze Room,” I read out loud, lowering my head.
I was instantly pitched back to the day I’d earned the nickname Kace “The Haze” Haywood. It had been my first ever fight. I was still an amateur, but I was someone to be watched on the circuit, someone to look out for. I’d been so fucking young and full of life and goals.
My opponent had been young too, not as well trained or as talented as me, and with one swift punch to the jaw, he was down. Total knockout. That evening, the announcer said I’d cast a haze over the arena, putting out a warning to all future opponents I wasn’t one to be messed with. I was going to take the sport of boxing to a new level.
