And there it is. I was wondering when the fangs would come out.
I watched her revel in her own delusional victory. I, on the other hand, let the darkness show its ugly head just for her. The smile that was displayed on her face faded slowly, as I continued to stare at her.
Finally, after I had her squirming in her seat, I leaned forward and said, “You aren’t the only one who is prepared to go down fighting. If you are pregnant, I know for a fact it isn’t by me. As a matter of fact, I have video of each and every encounter between you and my brother in law. So, go right ahead and say and do whatever you want. Please believe I will let what I have out in the open for all to see. I will play the victim in all this. With the proof that I have, who do you think will look like the money sucking whore?”
I watched Diane’s face pale, and she slowly shook her head.
“You’re bluffing.”
I tilted my head to the side.
“Call my bluff, then.”
I sat back in my chair took and another sip of my Scotch.
“Do you think I give a shit about outing my brother in law and making my sister look like a fucking fool? If you think that, you really don’t know me as well as you think. Hell, I’ve warned her multiple times about that son of a bitch, but she just doesn’t listen.”
“You’re a heartless bastard.”
“No, I’m sick and tired of this shit. I’m asking you to bow out gracefully, but you’re the one that wants to play games. Well, I don’t have time for the fucking games. So sign the god damn papers, so we can be done with this shit!”
I didn’t mean to raise my voice and show how she’s affected me, but I’m sick of this shit. I’m sick of playing games, and most of all, I’m tired of being away from Maxine.
We sat there for a minute before she finally said to me, in a voice I could barely make out, “You have to give me some time to at least get everything together. I need to find a place to live.”
I took a few deep breaths and said calmly, “As I said, that’s all in there.”
Diane absently picked at her dress to remove an imaginary lint ball.
She said not looking at me, “You have to allow me to leave with at least some dignity. While I’m looking for a place, we will slowly reveal our break up. It doesn’t have to be messy.”
“That’s fine with me. I would prefer we part on amicable terms.”
We talked a little more, setting up her exit strategy, which she completed while I was away thankfully.
As I pulled on my shirt and grabbed my wallet and keys, my focus shifted to my next challenge. I thought about how I was going to get my woman back.
Please don’t let me fuck this up!
****
It was cold as shit in Philly, and I didn’t miss this shit for nothing. I opened the door to the gym and strolled inside. I saw a few faces that I remembered from the last time I was here, but there were a lot of new faces too. As I walked further inside, I saw Lou standing on the side of the boxing ring in the middle of the gym.
“Still at it, old man?” I smiled, as he turned to face me.
He smiled too and walked down the side of the ring. We embraced quickly with manly pats on the back.
“What brings you here? Coming back for the shot at the title?” He grinned.
I laughed, “I think your memory is lacking there, old man. If I was coming back, it would be to defend my title. No one has taken it from me yet.”
Lou looked me up and down.
“Yeah, from the looks of it, they probably could.”
I frowned.
“Is that a challenge?”
Lou gave me a rare laugh.
“What can I do you for, Reaper?”
I heard a few whispers around me when my name was used.
I ignored them and said, “Have you seen Maxine?”
Lou studied me before he answered. I was hoping he would talk to me. But the look on his face told me if he did say something, I would have to work for it.
“Yeah, I’ve seen her.”
My eyes lit up.
“Really? When? Where? Did she come and see you here? At The Bar? Where?”
Lou raised his arms.
“Whoa there, cowboy. I won’t talk about that here. We can meet at The Bar later for a drink in a few hours.”
“Yeah, of course. No problem.”
“In the meantime, you wanna go a few rounds? Show me if you still got it?”
I knew this was a set up. I looked around at the guys. Some were still boxing around and working out, but there were a few that stood and watched our exchange. I took my jacket off.
“I don’t see why not. Do you have someone worthy of being in the ring with me?”
Lou laughed again.
“You have something to change into?”
I smirked…Yup, I’m not above smirking.