I slow my pace, wondering what’s concerning Craig. “What’s up?”
He glances over then away before looking me in the eye. “I know we touched on this before but do you think Rinaldo is your last fight? Are you retiring?”
I stop and throw my head back to catch my breath. Walking, I debate my answer, but I owe Craig the truth. “I’m not sure. I’m getting older, man. Every injury is harder to recover from. I’m sick of the strict diet and training regimen. I want to live a normal life, but at the same time, what the fuck will I do if I retire?”
“I’m pretty sure you don’t even have to work.”
Craig’s right. If I lived a normal life, I’d be good to go with the money I have in the bank, but that’s not what I meant.
“Fighting is everything to me. I’ve always been a fighter. I can’t imagine it not being a part of my life.”
“Then why are you considering retirement?”
Truth is, besides everything else, I also want a wife and a family. I want to settle down. I’m just not sure now is the right time. “Because I can’t do it forever and there are other things I want out of life too. Maybe it’s time to start down a different path. Maybe that’s what this situation with Nikki is all about. Besides, like I said before—no one wants to go out while they’re not on top.”
“You’re still on top.” Craig begins our run again as we head back toward the house.
“Right now.”
“And Nikki? What does she think of this?”
I glance at him from the side of my eye. “I’ve never talked to her about it.”
He nods. “Don’t you think you should?”
Craig’s right. Nikki has a say in this too.
“No matter what, I wouldn’t leave you high and dry,” I say. “I’d give you notice, and I’d definitely find you someone to work with.”
Craig waves me off. “I’m a big boy. There’re lots of guys to work with. But you asked about Vince, and I’m hearing rumors about him trying to score a new fighter. He’s spreading buzz, Log. Buzz that you’re out after this fight.”
Once again, my feet fall to a stop along the pavement. I always knew I was replaceable, but I figured Vince would wait to replace me until I said I was done.
“You know what they say about you never having won while dating someone.”
I nod.
“Vince thinks you might give it all up for her.”
I say nothing. We walk back toward the house and stop to stretch. Whether I like it or not, going into the fight with Nikki on my arm could be setting me up to retire a loser. Decisions have to be made before I step into that ring.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Make a wish, Nik.”
Nikki
“I didn’t think I’d need my hiking boots for a date.” Nor did I think I would be out of breath hiking up a trail. This is not my type of date, but I won’t ruin it. Logan was so excited when he messaged from the gym earlier, telling me what to wear.
“Just a little farther and you can take them off,” he says. “I do like the view though.”
I look over my shoulder to see his attention on my ass. “I think it’s a little early for my ass to be in your face so long.”
Waking up in Logan’s bed this morning felt good. Smelling him on the pillowcase, remembering his body pressed to mine. His hands exploring my body the night before. I could kick myself for not taking this step sooner.
“Hate to break it to you, but I’ve been staring at your ass since we met.”
I wiggle my ass and he comes up behind me, pressing both hands to my ass cheeks. “If you keep doing that, we’ll never make it to wherever you’re leading me.”
“We could make a quick pit stop,” he says.
I look at the leaves and twigs. Just because I live in Alaska doesn’t mean I’m at one with nature. I’m thinking Logan missed the mark on that one. Especially since it’s nearing dusk, which means soon the sun will go down. I have no idea how we’ll get out of here alive. But I’m trying to be optimistic and not show my crazy controlling side so early in this… whatever this is between us.
We break through the tree line and into a clearing. There’s a lake surrounded by mountains, and I stare at the sky that’s just starting to get the softest hues of pink and orange mixed in with the blue. It’s breathtaking.
“Congratulations, you made it,” Logan says and drops the bag he’s carrying.
I drop the backpack he gave me and sit down, staring up. “You do know the sun is going to go down and the animals will come out?”
He opens his large backpack and pulls out a small tent. “Good thing your brother is great at directions.”
“Adam?” I ask, assuming it had to be him.
He smiles and nods. “Gave me the map and told me where to go. He said we’re most likely safe here.”
“Most likely isn’t very reassuring.”
He chuckles and unfolds the tent. “Let’s see if we can follow directions together.” He holds up the stakes.
Yeah, this is not my forte. “I hate to break this to you after we’ve made it this far, but I’m guessing Adam didn’t tell you I’m not really an adventurist. I don’t usually partake in the outdoor adventures most Alaskans enjoy.”
He laughs and hands me the tent poles. “Straighten these out. We need shelter just in case.”
My gut twists at the thought of sleeping out here all by ourselves. I mean, one bear, and we’re both done. “Do you have a gun?”
He looks up at me from under his dark eyelashes and nods.
“Do you know how to use a gun?”
“No. But Adam gave me a quick lesson.”
I stare blankly in disbelief. One of us will end up being shot before any bear most likely.
“I’m kidding.” He takes a pole from my hand. “I know how to use one, but I am borrowing one from your brother.”
“Give me more specifics. When did you use a gun last?” I hand him another pole and he slides it through the canvas slot.
“Trust me. You’re safe. I’m your husband.” He winks, and my stomach flips. It still feels surreal that I’ll be able to sleep with this man tonight because he is indeed my husband.
“Speaking of…” I broach the subject that needs to be addressed.
“Let’s wait to have that conversation until everything is set up, okay?”
I nod and we continue to put the tent up. Our first successful mission as a team. The fact it’s standing is a great sign we can work together. We’re losing more and more sunlight and the darker it becomes outside, the more scared I become.
Next, he digs a spot for a fire and starts one as if he’s not an MMA fighter but a survivalist.
“Where did you learn all this?” I ask.
He stops teepeeing the twigs he picked up around the perimeter and looks at me. “I’m not a city boy.”
“But you’re not an Alaskan boy either. Didn’t you say you grew up in Indiana?” I ask, bringing my legs to my chest.