See Me(93)
“No.”
“The fight had to be rigged. They wanted Reese to finish his amateur career undefeated.”
“Who’s ‘they’?”
“I don’t know. The judges, the promoter, whoever. My point is, the fix was in.”
“The fix was in? You sound like a character in a gangster movie.”
“I’m just saying that no matter what you did, short of knocking him out or having him tap out, Reese was going to win that fight.”
Colin shrugged. “Reese is heading to the pros. I was a last-minute fill-in. It’s better for everyone if he finished undefeated as an amateur.”
“You’re kidding. That stuff matters?”
“Not officially. But produce a fighter from this area that gets to the UFC and it’s good for everyone.”
“You make it sound like a business, not a sport.”
“It’s the truth.”
Evan shook his head. “Fine. Be philosophical about it or whatever. Do you think you won?”
Colin took a forkful of eggs. “Yes.”
After a moment, Evan shook his head. “I still think you should have clocked him when he started doing that dance. Hell, I wanted to clock him.”
“Okay.”
Evan leaned back in his seat. “All right, then. Since you’re fine with it, I’m glad I got to watch you get your ass kicked. Especially after the fiasco last weekend.”
“Okay.”
“And there’s something else, too.”
“Yeah?”
“Maria was there tonight.”
Colin lifted his chin, instantly alert.
“She was with another girl who could have been her twin,” Evan added. “Well, not exactly like her, but close enough. You know what I mean. They were on the opposite side of the ring, way in the back. But it was her, without a doubt.”
“Okay.”
“What’s going on with the two of you, anyway?”
Colin forked a piece of sausage. “I don’t know.”
CHAPTER 18
Maria
“T
hanks again for coming,” Maria said to Serena on the drive back to Wilmington. The rain blew in soft sheets, making the oncoming headlights shimmer.
“It was fun,” Serena said from the passenger seat, a soda wedged between her legs. “It was also one of the more interesting Saturday nights I’ve had in a long time. I think I actually know one of the fighters.”
“Duh,” Maria said. “You were the one who set us up.”
“I’m not talking about Colin. I’m talking about one of the other fighters – I think I’ve seen him on campus. Of course, from where we were standing, it’s not as though I could be certain. Tell me again why we didn’t try to get closer?”
“Because I didn’t want Colin to know I was there.”
“And again… why is that?”
“Because we haven’t talked since last weekend,” Maria said. “I already told you all of this.”
“I know, I know. He yelled at the waitress and the police came and you got all freaked out. Blah, blah, blah.”
“I appreciate your sympathy.”
“I’m sympathetic. I just think you’re making a mistake.”
“You didn’t say that last Sunday.”
“Well, I’ve had a chance to think about it. And on that note, thanks for keeping me in the dark about the stalker until then.”
Her voice dripped sarcasm, but Maria couldn’t really blame her. “I didn’t know for sure until then.”
“And when you did find out? Colin was right there, trying to get answers.”
“He was doing way more than that.”
“Would you rather date the kind of guy who does nothing? Who would sit there like a log? Or would you have wanted him to take charge of the situation? Hell, if I’d been there, I would probably have yelled at that dingbat waitress, too. Who can’t remember what someone looks like a few minutes after they’ve ordered a drink?”
“I saw a side of Colin that I didn’t like.”
“So what? Do you think that Mom hasn’t seen a side of Dad that she doesn’t like? Or vice versa? I’ve seen a side of you that I don’t like, but I didn’t shut you out of my life.”
“What side?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. You always think you’re right. It bugs me.”
“No, I don’t.”
“You’re making my point.”
“And you’re beginning to irritate me.”
“Someone’s got to keep you in line and tell you when you’re wrong. And on that note, you’re wrong about Colin, too. You should call him. He’s good for you.”
“I’m not so sure of that.”
“Then why did you insist that we come watch him fight tonight?”
Why had she wanted to come tonight? She’d waffled, telling Serena that she’d promised Colin that she would, but Serena had merely scoffed.
“Just admit that you still like him,” she’d said.