Against the Odds (Fighting to Survive #2)(50)

“That’s good, so it’s not all work?”

“No, not hardly. I would still rather be home.”

“Me, too. I miss you.”

“Are you sure everything’s all right?”

I try to put on my happy voice. “I am. Just heading home. I wanted to call before I got on the road.”

“I’m glad you did. Be careful and I’ll call you later.”

“Sounds good. I love you, Ace."

“I love you, too, Sweets.”

I couldn’t tell Robert about Chelsea. Not over the phone. This is something I need to say to him in person. When I get home, I have to feed Gracie right away. I was gone longer than I wanted to be. After she eats and she lies down for her nap, I tell Mom and Margie what happened. “Oh, that poor girl,” Margie says talking about Chelsea. “To just wait and wait, knowing you’ll lose custody of your daughter.”

“I know, I feel terrible,” I say.

“Oh, Leah, this isn’t your fault. You shouldn’t feel bad. Madison is your biological daughter, so she belongs here with you and Robert,” Margie clarifies.

“It’s not her fault either. There isn’t a good ending for anyone. I worry about Madison. We don’t know her and she doesn’t know us. She’ll be traumatized.”

“The courts and social workers will work with everyone to make the transition easy for her. I imagine it’ll be a long and gradual process,” Mom says as she stands to fill her coffee cup.

“Chelsea said she thought Drake was losing it. What do you think she meant by that?”

Margie says, “I have no idea, Leah.”

“What about Caden? Will he even understand about Madison and Jamie?” I put my hand on my stomach. I think I may be sick.

“I’m sorry, Leah. I wish it were easier.”

Later that night when I go bed I hold Gracie a little bit longer. I pray to God and talk to Jamie that everything will work out as it should. I run every scenario over in my head and in every scenario someone is going to get hurt. There isn’t any way around it.

Robert

The next morning we have a large buffet-style breakfast before the news conference. I wore the suit and tie as Leah instructed. Good thing I did because everyone else did too. It appears that Abel Kennedy and I are the guests of honor. We sit together at the head table with our team members at our side. Leah isn’t here because of the baby, but Kennedy is also here alone. Come to think of it, I saw him with a woman only one time. That is what started my vendetta against him. I remove the thought from my head.

After breakfast we mingle and give short comments to questions as we were instructed to do prior to the breakfast. I see Drake and he is talking with Mr. Pelayo. Kennedy and I are cordial, but not friendly. We pose for several photos together and make pleasantries. I watch him closely as he walks around the room. His gait is off again today and his limp is heavier than it was yesterday. I ask Gus, Dad, and Tim to watch him and see if they can see a difference in his walk.

We meet our supporters and get our pictures taken with them. Drake Sinclair is on his best behavior. I watch and he appears to be very friendly and well liked with everyone. I wonder if his anger just surfaced after he learned about the baby swap and if he is normally a good guy.

During our break I call Leah. “Hey Sweets, did you sleep well?”

“Sleep? What’s that?” she giggles. “I think I remember sleep. I also think I remember something called sex.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Gracie was up with me. We all had a girls’ slumber party. I think she missed you.”


“I missed her and you. Is everything all right, there?”

“It’s good. My Mom’s cooking and your Mom’s making dessert.”

“That’s good.”

“I’m thinking of asking them to move in. I like having my own personal chefs.”

“If I didn’t know better, I would think you were serious. But, I do know you, so therefore, I’m not worried in the least.”

“Good, because I’m kidding. How is it there? Are you making friends?”

“It’s good, I’m busy today, and no, I’m not making any friends. I have to go, but I’ll call you later.”

“I’ll be here. We love you.”

“I love you both, too.”

We take our place at the press conference and it’s in a much larger room. This time there are more cameras and lighting and definitely more people. Kennedy and his crew are on one side of the table while my crew and me take up the other side. “Are you nervous? Gus asks.

I look at him and say, “No, I just want this over with. I hate sitting up at these things.”

“The sooner they start, the sooner it’ll be over.”

Mr. Pelayo begins by introducing everyone. Kennedy is sitting to my right with a podium separating us. Mr. Pelayo is standing at the podium, acting as referee and spokesperson. Kennedy doesn’t speak or look at me. Did you ever see Rocky V, where they sat there with the Russian at a press conference? This reminds me of that. Mr. Pelayo speaks of this fight being one of the most profiled fights of all times.

He stands at the podium and picks the reporters to ask a question one by one. The questions range from how much money we stand to make, will you fight again after this fight, how is my new baby doing. One questions throw me off. “Bobby, it’s no secret that you have a personal vendetta against Kennedy. Do you want to share with us what it is?” a young woman asks.