She shakes her head, tears building in her eyes once again. “You can’t give this up just because I’m messed up in the head.”
I laugh. “You’re not messed up in the head. This lifestyle plays games with the best of people and I’m done with it. I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. You mean more to me than any of it.”
“Are you sure?” she asks.
“I’m positive. Your mood swings are enough of an adrenaline rush.”
She playfully swats at me, but I take her in my arms and kiss her cheek.
“Wherever you are is where I want to be,” I whisper.
She pulls back from our embrace and holds my upper arms. “Then go beat the shit out of Brett Rinaldo tomorrow night.”
“Consider it done.” I kiss her while everyone in the back of the room cheers. They’re not the only cheers I’ve got in my life, but they’re the best.
Epilogue
“I’m the only MMA figher in your world.”
Nikki
A little less than a year later…
The boys have decided to hold fight nights at their house, and since we couldn’t all get together last night, we’re here on a Sunday afternoon, watching the recording. A part of me wonders if it’s hard for Logan to attend these nights, but he insists he enjoys himself. He did, in fact, retire a champion—although tonight, someone else earned that belt since he doesn’t get to keep it forever because he retired.
“Do you still not believe me?” Logan puts his arm around me while we watch the new champion hold up his belt. “Look at Rinaldo’s face. I was able to keep mine all pretty.” He pats his cheek and smiles.
I will say the fight a year ago between him and Rinaldo was brutal to watch. Although I found myself standing and cheering him on, the nursing him back to health part was hard for me. Seeing my strong husband barely able to get up off the couch was tough. They both fought an incredible fight, and Rinaldo is now the belt winner. But only because he doesn’t have to compete against my husband.
I pat his cheek. “I do love seeing you without any bruises and cuts.”
Logan bought Pump It Up and turned one half of it into a boxing gym and left the other half as is. Who would’ve thought we needed one of those in Sunrise Bay? But business has been good. Plus, it’s right next to the podcast studio he built for me.
“And I love seeing you pregnant.” He places his hand on my small but growing belly as he so often does these days.
I smile and lean in to kiss him again. Shortly after returning to Sunrise Bay, we decided to start trying for a baby. We both want the same thing, so there seemed to be no point in putting it off. Besides, that’s not really our style anyway. We tend to jump right in.
I’m five months pregnant and next week is our gender reveal party. I cannot wait to find out whether we’re having a boy or a girl. I don’t have a preference either way, but I’m just excited to get everything together for his or her arrival.
“Maybe I’ll have to get Rinaldo up here for an interview. See if those baby mama rumors are true.” I grin.
Logan raises his eyebrows. “Nah, I’m the only MMA fighter in your world.”
I laugh and he pulls me toward him, kissing my neck. The podcast has been a great side gig for me, and I’m starting to get bigger sponsors for the show.
“Let’s go home,” he whispers in my ear.
We’ve bought a place together, closer to Adam and Lucy on the other side of the bay but right on the water. Pauline has stayed in town too, but she’s renting a small one-bedroom in the downtown area by the inn so she can do her nightly tarot card readings.
“Not yet. Mom said she’s coming by with a big announcement,” I say.
“If she’s pregnant, I’m moving in with one of you.” Rylan picks up the controller since the guys are going to play video games now that the fight is done.
“She can’t be pregnant,” I say.
“Those two are worse than you and Logan,” Xavier says. “Like right now.” He signals to where I’m sitting on Logan’s lap.
“Hey, seating is limited. We’re doing you all a favor by sharing,” Logan says.
“They’ll be saying they have to go soon,” Mandi says, and I stick my tongue out at her.
The door opens and my mom and Hank come inside holding flags and signs that say, “Vote Greene.” We all stare as they walk around and pass them out.
Then my mom pulls out a bag of pins. “Guess what?”
“Dad’s running for mayor?” Adam says.
Sam Klein, Sunrise Bay’s mayor, is retiring after his term. Please tell me someone from this family isn’t trying to take his place.
Hank shakes his head and puts up his hands. “Not me.”
No. No. Tell me this is not happening.
“Marla is!” Hank raises his hand and she high fives him.
“That’s right. I’ve decided to run for mayor.” My mom beams.
“Why?” Mandi stares at her flag with distaste. “Don’t you have enough to do?”
“You don’t look happy.” Mom’s smile fades as she looks around the room. “None of you do.”
Hank gives us all “the look.” The one that says, “Make your mom happy or I’ll make your life miserable.”
We all force smiles.
“Awesome,” Jed says. “We’ll hang a sign in the brewery.”
“I can put one up at Fringe,” Posey pipes up. “What else do you need help with? I could be your campaign manager. Or you could run your office out of Fringe.”
“Suck-up,” Fisher coughs out.
Posey’s not a suck-up, she just always wants to make Mom happy. But if she wants to be Mom’s campaign manager, I say have at it. Better her than me.
“You’ll all play a part in getting your mom elected, so put your thinking caps on,” Hank says.
“As though my life wasn’t embarrassing enough.” Rylan groans and sinks farther into the couch. Poor kid.
Jed ruffles Rylan’s hair. “Hey, maybe this will earn you points with the girls.”
We all know it won’t.
Another knock sounds on the door, and we look around to see who it could be. Most of us are here and accounted for. Fisher gets up and opens the door to find a man dressed in a suit.
“Did someone die?” Rylan asks mom.
She stands and so does Hank, walking toward the door.
“I’m looking for Jed Greene,” the man says.
Mom, Hank, and Fisher turn around and glare at Jed. He stays on the couch, playing his video game.
“Jed,” Mom says.
He looks up.
“This man is here to see you.”
Jed drops the controller and walks across the room.
Lucy, Chevelle, and Cam come into the room from the kitchen to see what’s happening.
“I’m Jed,” he says.
“Would you like to talk outside?” the man asks, gesturing to the door.
Jed looks back at us and laughs. “Nah, I’ve got nothing to hide.” He shrugs.