Page 104 of Road to Absolution

Looking away, he thumbed his nose. “Such is life.”

Diesel winced. “Damn, I feel like shit to say this, but I’m just now catching the drift of how hard this is for you boxing guys.”

To hear someone actually understanding my sorrow, a little of my anxiety melted. “It’s so frustrating…” I tried to breathe in deeply before sharing, “it steals my breath, daily.”

His wince deepening to a full cringe, Diesel grabbed his chest. “Fuck, dude. What can I do?”

Hopeless, I faced the speed bag. “Tell me my doctor was wrong.” I had just had an appointment. Still the same verdict. No boxing. Why I even allowed myself a sliver of hope was only setting myself up for disappointment. The only good news I got was that I could finally return to light workouts.

Diesel Pfftted! “We already know he’s a liar.”

Chance filling my chest, my fists dropped as I turned back to him. “Diesel.”

“Oh, kid. Hold on. You didn’t just get a concussion. You had serious brain damage.” He pulled on his beard. “That pot help at all?”

“What pot?”

He grumbled, “I was wondering why you weren’t on cameras doing a little puff-puff outside anywhere.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? I don’t do drugs.”

“What if they could help your melon?”

“Talk to me.”

“Justice sent some primo shit to your girl. Stallions grow some miracle combo that is sold out every season. Even pro athletes. Big names in football, due to concussions.”

Unwrapping my wrists, I did my best not to jump to conclusions. “Since I don’t want to face those toilets again, I will be mature and go speak to my wife, and not start throwing shit around.”

Diesel spread his arms as wide as his smile. “Gold star for the pup!”

Walking away backward, I groaned, “Asshole.”

Then Knuckles asked, “Interested in working the mitts?”

Following me, head gesturing to the ring at my back, I offered, “Tell me when.”

Passing a garbage can, I tossed some wrapping away, then started on my next wrist while pushing open the door with my ass. Bikers working on cars gave waves and head nods as I passed them. There was a car shop in town, but they were transporting vehicles to the compound so more bodies were present if needed.

By the time I entered the Cave, my second wrist was free. “How’s it going, gentlemen?”

The old coots eyed me. One mentioned, “A young man on a mission?”

I dipped a chin. “Isn’t every married man?”

They all burst out laughing, lifting shot glasses. “Here! Here!”

Coming out of a room, Chains said, “Hey there, Pup.”

“What up, my man?” I kept moving, eventually turning down our hallway.

Opening our bedroom door, I was shocked to see a peaked-looking Lilah exiting the bathroom.

Forgetting all anger, I ran to her. “Babe.”

Holding a wet cloth to her cheek while walking back to the bed, she claimed, “I’m okay. Some women deal with morning sickness at the end of the pregnancy.” Her long white maternity dress stretched around her fabulous ass as she crawled into bed. She moaned, “Are you checking out my ass?”

“Shit, sorry. You’re miserable and I just—”