Page 37 of Unbreakable Thread

This has been happening a lot lately. I don’t like attention, nor do I want to be chatty, but I try since they are fans. Hell, I still can’t believe I have fans, not for the Underground, but for a legit fight. A fight I have been dreaming of.

“Can we have your autograph?” She blushes, handing me a napkin.

“Please,” the guy next to her says. “Sorry, my wife saw you and ran. We didn’t mean to disturb you while you were eating.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m all done.” I came in for a quick bite before heading back to work. I take the pen from my shirt pocket and sign my name.

“Can we have a photo?” she asks.

“Sure,” I answer, standing to my feet.

The woman asks someone to take the photo, and I’m in the middle. Right after, whispers begin around the place. And a line forms.

Fuck.

“Max!” women, men, and kids shout.

I sign and take photos with them. One thing I never do is allow women to touch me or me touch them while taking a photo. Rainey and I might not be physically together, but that doesn’t mean I won’t respect her.

After an hour, I made it back to work to find Leo twirling in his chair. He stops and glances at me. “Finally. What happened? You said you’d be back in less than an hour.”

I run my fingers through my hair. “A shit ton of people asked for my autograph.”

He stands with a lopsided smile. “Dang, bro, that’s awesome. Look at you, Mr. Popular,” he mocks.

I lean on his desk, hands shoved in my pockets. “I appreciate those who support me and want photos and autographs, but that spotlight stuff—it’s not me. All I ever wanted was to be in the ring. But unfortunately, that’s what comes with it.” What I can’t bring myself to say is how wrong it feels doing any of this without Rainey beside me. She wasn’t just part of the journey—she was my reason.

“I understand. If I were in your shoes, I would feel the same way. This is also all new to you. It’s going to take some time to get used to.”

“I hope it all fades and they don’t recognize me.”

He laughs. “I highly doubt it.”

“What are you going to do with all that dough you made in this last fight? And well, the next fight you’ll be rolling in it.”

I’ll always keep myself humble, no matter how much money I make. I have been blessed with two careers, and I’m grateful for the position I’m in.

“I was thinking of opening my own gym someday. A thought crossed my mind to offer a program for kids less fortunate.”

Leo nods, his eyes softening. I can see he gets it without me having to explain my whole backstory. This wouldn’t just be for foster kids like I was. Some children have loving families who simply can’t afford sports programs, and they deserve a shot, too.

“That would be a great idea. I like how you think. I’m sure I could help where you need me.”

“Oh, of course, I need you. You’re great with kids. This won’t be until after the fight. I’ll look into it.” Pushing off the desk, I pull my wallet from my back pocket. “Do me a favor. Pick up dinner for my woman tonight and drop it off.”

Leo snorts. “Woman? She’s not yours.”

“The fuck she isn’t. If you see a man getting too close to her, slice his balls.”

His head falls back in a roar of laughter that has me laughing, and damn, it feels good to laugh. “You know, if this were months ago, I would have called you a grumpy asshole. No, psycho.” He laughs. “But since Bethany is here for a couple of weeks, I feel like doing that to her boyfriend, who calls her every night so they can blow kisses at one another. Then when she catches me staring, she turns around.”

“You’re probably freaking her out.”

“I’m not. I think she’s into me.”

“She has a man.”

Another roar of laughter comes out of him. “You call that a man?”