Chapter 22 - NOT YOUR FIGHT
Rick Solano confronted Maya the next morning.
“You embarrassed me in my own gym.”
Maya zipped her bag.
“I asked Tessa if she was okay.”
“You undermined a coach.”
“She asked me to stay.”
Rick laughed.
“She is nineteen.”
“Yes.”
“She's a kid.”
“No.”
Maya stood.
“She's nineteen.”
Rick stepped closer.
“You think because of what happened to you, every hard session is abuse?”
“No.”
“You think I'm Keller?”
“No.”
“Then stay out of my fighters.”
Maya's expression changed.
“Your fighters?”
Rick realized the phrase too late.
Maya picked up her bag.
“Tessa isn't yours.”
He rolled his eyes.
“You know what I meant.”
“I do.”
That was the problem.
Maya left.
Outside, Marcus was sitting in his truck.
She stopped.
“You stalking me?”
“You left your wraps at my house.”
He held them up.
Maya got in.
Marcus looked at her.
“What happened?”
She told him.
Every word.
Then:
“I wanted to destroy him.”
Marcus nodded.
“I know.”
“You don't even know him.”
“I know the feeling.”
Maya leaned back.
“What do I do?”
Marcus almost answered.
Then caught himself.
“What do you want?”
“I want Tessa safe.”
“That's not entirely yours to control.”
Maya glared.
“I hate when you sound reasonable.”
“I'm having a difficult year.”
She laughed despite herself.
Marcus continued.
“You can give her information.”
“About what?”
“Commission rules. Other gyms. Medical rights. Whatever applies.”
“She might stay.”
“Yes.”
“That makes me crazy.”
“I know.”
Maya stared through the windshield.
Marcus said:
“You can offer someone a door.”
She looked at him.
“You can't drag them through it.”
Maya went quiet.
Then slowly smiled.
“What?”
Marcus frowned.
“You finally understand why I hated your fighting.”
He stared ahead.
“That wasn't necessary.”
“Oh, it absolutely was.”
“Get out of my truck.”
She laughed.
But the point stayed with her.
That afternoon Maya texted Tessa.
No pressure.
No order.
Just:
IF YOU EVER WANT ANOTHER GYM, A DOCTOR, OR SOMEONE IN THE ROOM WHEN YOU TALK TO RICK, CALL ME.
Tessa didn't respond.
For three days.
Then:
May you like
CAN YOU COME WITH ME TOMORROW?
Maya did.
