Chapter 20 - CODY'S RETURN
Cody Mercer fought again eight months after the incident.
Smaller promotion.
Half the purse.
No main card.
No Keller.
He trained at a boxing gym forty miles away.
The promoter wanted controversy.
Naturally.
At the weigh-in, a reporter asked:
“Cody, people still associate your name with what happened to Maya Hale. Do you feel like you've paid enough?”
Cody stared at him.
“Paid who?”
The reporter blinked.
“For the mistake.”
Cody shook his head.
“That's not how it works.”
The clip spread online.
Maya saw it while wrapping her hands.
Noah sent it to her.
Underneath:
HE'S FINALLY LEARNING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
Maya replied:
MAYBE.
Cody won his fight.
No knockout.
No celebration.
He raised his hand.
Thanked his opponent.
Left.
Three days later he called Maya.
She almost didn't answer.
Then did.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
Silence.
Cody cleared his throat.
“I got offered something.”
“Congratulations?”
“Not sure.”
Maya waited.
“They want us on the same card.”
Her face changed.
“When?”
“June.”
“That doesn't mean anything.”
“They want to market it.”
Of course.
Cody continued.
“They want your fight first. Mine after.”
Maya already knew where this was going.
“Same promo package.”
“Yes.”
“Hospital footage?”
“They asked me for interviews.”
Maya closed her eyes.
“What did you say?”
“No.”
That surprised her.
Cody continued.
“They offered more if I talked about you.”
Maya leaned against the wall.
“And?”
“I told them if they wanted to sell tickets with what I did, they could do it without me.”
Silence.
Maya finally said:
“Good.”
Cody laughed once.
“That might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me.”
“Don't get used to it.”
He grew serious.
“They'll ask you too.”
“They already did.”
“What'd you say?”
Maya looked at her gloves.
“I haven't decided.”
Cody paused.
Then:
“Whatever you decide, don't decide because of me.”
May you like
Maya smiled faintly.
For once, everybody was finally learning the same lesson.
