Page 19 of Takedown Artist
“Oh, I know. It was the same for me. I was young and my parents had kicked me out. He made me feel as if I was worth it, for a while anyway.”
“Well, I knew it was coming. I was in foster care, so I’m no stranger to people getting physical. I could see the signs. That shit always leaves a mark, in one way or another.”
We sit quietly for a bit. Arlo is still deep in thought while I play with my pen. I can see he needs a minute, but the color is coming back to his face.
“I figured it was something like that about your childhood. Broken recognizes broken, I guess,” he says after a minute.
And then, because I’m me, I laugh.
“Yeah, it does.” I give him a grin and he gives it right back because fuck the past. We’ve given it enough of our time.
“I’m gonna tell you something,” Arlo says, grinning.
“I’m not gonna like it. Am I?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. But you’re gonna hear it anyway. Since we’re friends.”
“Alright, I guess I can handle it from a friend.”
“You have to decide if you’re going to take the risk. I had to take a chance on Tier, and look how that turned out. I can’t guarantee that it’ll be the same with Diesel, but based on how that man’s been looking at you for the last three months, I’d be willing to bet on it.”
“Wait what? How does he look at me?”
“Honestly, Micah, I think you’re the only one who hasn’t noticed.”
“Everyone knows about my sex life? Fantastic.”
“Relax. No one but me knows about your sex life, but pretty much everyone knows that he’s had a crush on you since you walked in here.”
That can’t be right. How did I miss that?
Chapter 9
Diesel
Ryan:Got the green light from Front Range Combat. They want you on next month’s card. Talked to Tiernan. He’s on board. This is the real deal, you ready? I’m talking to Brawlers Bar and Grill about a sponsorship. They’re definitely interested. Just need your sign-off.
My agent sent this text yesterday. I still haven’t replied, and I need to do it soon. This deal is not going to last forever. So why aren’t I jumping on this opportunity? This is everything I’ve been working toward.
I’ve been up since four. Drinking far too much coffee and contemplating my life choices. Micah’s still asleep, and knowing him, he’ll stay that way for at least a few hours. He’s definitely not a morning person. I’m not either, except for today, apparently.
I have no idea what’s holding me back, but I get this way every time. This isn’t the first offer I’ve had, but I always waituntil the last minute to respond, and by then the opportunity has moved on to another fighter. Like Anvil. I told myself that Anvil needed that spot more than I did. But did he? And he didn’t look back. Took the spot and ran with it. Never said a word to me, never asked for permission. Just took what he wanted without a backward glance. As if that’s allowed.
I wish I could do that. Be that selfish. I wish I could be selfish about Micah. I want everything with him. All of it. But the friends-with-benefits thing we have going is the best I can hope for at this point. I’m not the kind of guy you stick with long-term.
I get up, dumping my cold coffee down the drain, then starting another pot because I need something to do with my hands. No thought required.
I love the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Maybe I’ll grab a cup for Pops. He’s been out there working on that old Nova of his since five. Now there’s a morning person for ya. I haven’t seen that man sleep in late more than a dozen times in my entire life, and when he did, it was because he was sick. Pops has always been rock-solid.
I grab another mug and fill it up, adding a splash of vanilla creamer. I take both mugs and head out the side door. Living right next to my folks took some adjustment, but there’s always been more pros than cons.
“Morning, Pops.”
“You’re up early, son. What’s on your mind?” he asks, sliding out from under the old Nova he’s been “fixing-up” since he retired. Mom and I aren’t sure this thing will ever run, but he seems to be enjoying himself, so we’ve let it be. Mom doesn’t want him hanging around in the house all day. She likes a little alone time, especially in the morning.
“Does there have to be something on my mind? Maybe I was bringing you coffee.”
“Humf. Okay, we can pretend that’s the case if you want.”
