Darcy gave me a lopsided smile. “If you want to keep playing doubles, you’ll have no trouble finding a partner.”
I wouldn’t. I’d been approached before, but I couldn’t think about it now. “I don’t want to partner with anyone else.”
“You say that now, but you might change your mind.”
I shook my head.
“Well, it’s fine to concentrate on singles.”
“Darcy, I—”
She grabbed my hands. “It’s okay. It’s hard for me, too. But I’m trying to focus on the positive.”
“It is positive. If it’s something you want to do, it’s great news. I’m just so … surprised. I didn’t see it coming. I know you’ll be great at it.”
Darcy smiled. “I think I will. And who knows, maybe I’ll meet someone tall, dark, and handsome who’s also Mr. Right.”
Chapter 11
Zane
I punished the bag. Anger and frustration traveled from my shoulder, down my arms, and out through my hands with each punch and jab.
My sparring partner and sometime cornerman, Paulie, climbed into the ring. “You ready?”
In the month since had Jo left me at the beach, I’d trained non-stop. I was in shape—good shape, but any skill I could improve before the fight might give me an advantage. I’d been to Philadelphia to work on my wrestling and California to work on my ground game. Now I was back in New York for boxing and agility.
A fighter’s career wasn’t forever, and I was already feeling like I might be past my peak. I needed everything I had to give—physical and mental.
I couldn’t get Jo off my mind, but I wanted to give her some time. I wanted to give her some space, but it was hard. A part of me wanted to go to her, especially now that I was back in New York, but I didn’t think that would go over well.
I hoped she missed me. I hoped she was thinking of me, wishing we were together, but I didn’t know if I was that lucky. Just because thoughts of Jo filled my head didn’t mean the reverse was true.
I spread the ropes and climbed into the ring. This gym focused on boxing, but it suited me for now. The whole point of working with Paulie was to focus on my footwork. My feet were like lead lately. I needed to get my head on straight before I got it knocked off.
Paulie led with a feint to the left. I bobbed and we danced around one another. He threw punches and I ducked and shuffled.
I heard the door open but I didn’t look. Paulie managed to get under my guard and landed a punch on my jaw. I retaliated with a hook.
Paulie laughed and backed away. “I think someone’s here to see you.”
I turned around. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Jo was standing right there. Elation swept through me. I never thought she’d seek me out. I figured I’d have to go see her.
Jo looked gorgeous as ever, clean and fresh, while I probably smelled like old dirty socks and stale sweat.
“Hi Zane.”
I couldn’t think of anything charming to say, so I went with stupid instead. “What brings you to the neighborhood?”
“I called your agent. He let me know where you were.”
“That seems like a lot of trouble to go to.” My heart raced.
“No trouble.” Jo shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
I climbed out of the ring. I wanted to grab her and hold her so tight she’d never leave, but I didn’t. I wanted to spill my guts, but I couldn’t.
Jo moved closer. “I was in town, so I thought I’d drop by and say hi.”
My throat felt tight.
“So, hi.”
After a moment, I finally managed to speak again. “It’s good to see you.” I tried to choose my words carefully, but I didn’t know the right ones. “I’ve missed you.”
“If you missed me, why didn’t you call?” Jo challenged.
Anger rose within me. “Why didn’t I call? You left. You left without a word.”
“I didn’t leave without a word. We talked about it.”
“You needed time.”
Jo nodded and shrugged her shoulders. I couldn’t tell if that was agreement or indifference. “So … you’re getting ready.”
“Yeah. I have a lot of work to do.”
“Oh, I don’t want to keep you from your training.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant in general. I’m happy to see you.” I wanted to repeat it until she believed it.
~ * ~ * ~
Jo
Sheer nerve had carried me to the gym, but it seemed to desert me now. Zane was clad in shorts. His chest shone with sweat. He had a cut above one eye and a nasty looking bruise on his shoulder. To me, he looked wonderful.
I ached to touch Zane, but I didn’t move. “You got cut.”