“Good, good!” His trainer complimented encouragingly.
Jasper smacked the pads the American was holding up with such force that the trainer stumbled back.
“Woah,” he smiled, revealing his perfect teeth. “Take it easy there, champ. I’d hate to be whoever you’re imaging when you’re throwing these shots out.”
Jasper gritted his teeth and punched again. He was imagining Event Sports, taking out his anger towards them on the punching pads. With each blow, he came closer to feeling over their decision to drop him.
A hard jab right, followed by a swift upper cut from the left. Jasper was on fire. His entire body tingled with adrenaline. If he fought like this a week from Friday there was no question as to whether or not he’d win. He’d floor his opponent in just a few rounds.
“Whatever you’re doing, keep at it!” His trainer enthused. “You’re on fire today, Duboix!”
Jasper grinned and then delivered more punches.
“Okay, okay,” his trainer stepped back and dropped the pads he’d been holding. “Let’s take ten, okay?”
Jasper nodded, too breathless to talk.
The two men sat on a bench beside the ring as Jasper drank greedily from his bottle of energy drink.
“You’re certainly back on form,” his trainer told him with a smile.
“Thanks,” Jasper gasped. “I’ve been pushing myself to get back to my best.”
His trainer looked down at Jasper’s knee which was covered in a supportive bandage.
“How’s the leg?”
“Getting stronger,” Jasper lied. The moment his pain relief wore off, his knee burned with a fiery agony. Jasper was becoming increasingly convinced that it wouldn’t be long until he had to have surgery on it. It was liable to give way at any moment, but he had to ignore that. He had to ignore everything and just focus on winning. It was all that mattered. He needed to save his career before all that remained were tatters and faded memories.
“Good,” his trainer nodded. “Listen, Jasper, I’ve loved training with you, and it’s great to see you back on form, but sadly this is our last day together.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry, man,” his trainer reached over and patted him on the back. “I wish I could stay longer but your agent, Carl, said that you can’t extend my contract anymore. So this is where we part ways.”
Jasper’s heart started to beat in a mad panic in his chest. He knew finances were bad, but he didn’t think that Carl would start cutting such vital corners as getting rid of his trainer. The same trainer who had been specially flown in to England to train him just over a month ago.
“Carl didn’t mention anything to me,” Jasper said through gritted teeth.
“He probably didn’t want to worry you,” his trainer suggested breezily. “You’ve got enough on your plate with your next big fight coming up.”
“Yeah,” Jasper sighed in agreement. The fight had become so big it looked set to decide his fate in the world of professional fighting.
“Hey, look, come next Friday, win or lose, you’re a champion, Duboix. I’ve seen first-hand what a powerhouse you are.”
“Thanks, man.”
They shook hands. Jasper didn’t want to see his trainer go. He needed him now more than ever.
“How about we throw out some more punches before I leave?” His trainer glanced up towards the vacant boxing ring in front of them.
“Sure.” Jasper eagerly climbed back in to the ring; he was keen to throw more angry punches whilst thinking of Event Sports who had now just cost him his trainer.
Chapter 76
“I am beat,” Kait rested her head against the back of Jasper’s plush sofa. Her entire body ached as it sank against the soft leather. She could easily remain on the sofa for the rest of her life it was so comfortable. She wasn’t sure how Jasper ever managed to leave it. If it was in her apartment, she’d just spend all her time sprawled across it, savoring its softness.
“Busy day?” Jasper asked from the other side of the sofa.
“The busiest,” Kait sighed. “I was literally in back to back meetings.”
“Here,” Jasper patted the space on the sofa beside him, and Kait scooted over. He maneuvered her so that her back was to him and then began massaging her sore shoulders.
“Ooh,” Kait uttered in glee, “that feels amazing.”
“Whenever I ache, a massage can work wonders.”
“Ooh, yeah,” Kait agreed, currently feeling the benefits first hand. As she relaxed, her stomach growled, reminding her that it had been hours since she’d last eaten.