Bruised

Chapter 19

Matthew didn't really like to change his fighting place, besides Dirty Dancing had always been enough for him, enough money, and more than enough of an audience.

But maybe a change would actually do him good. Being early was not weird for him but firstly he was not familiar to the place and secondly he didn't feel exactly comfortable in his new place so he decided to leave even earlier than usual.

His black baggy shorts and his black shirt showed he should not be messed with, but not so many would realise that he was actually a professional boxer heading for a fight. As he waited for the cab he checked his phone, no messages nor calls. Then it hit him, it hadn't been two weeks, he was going to break the promise he had made Nate.

A familiar voice picked soon after the second ring "You really can't live without me my oldest son"
"I seriously don't wanna know what you have been doing if I'm your oldest son, please Nate, use protection" Matthew laughed "Ok, enough, we're not having this conversation now with so many fancy people around me" the other almost whispered and then laughed " What do you need?"

"Well long story short, I may have said yes to a fight, I'm so sorry Nate, I just" he felt embarrassed and ashamed to let his friend down."You gotta be joking!" He heard him swear on the other side "Jesus Matthew, we had agreed! I want my two hundred dollars I don't care if it's two days away from the end of the promise!"
"I know and I'm sorry but it's not at 'Dirty', it's different, it's legal, it's cleaner, they give us medical attention if needed, and it's some millionaire league, I was so excited I completely forgot" He explained his heart pounding harder.

"I want a text once that fight is over, and I want my money once I'm back in town" he said in a serious tone, Matthew laughed.

"It's not funny, remember how bad it was last time? I do" he knew how serious Nate was about that matter but he also knew he was right "I know Nate, but it's different now, look the cab has arrived, I'm sorry and I hope you are having a blast in there" he said and hung up right after the other said goodbye.

On the way to the small arena he checked his messages, not a single one from Stella since the day he tried to help her and the last one from Joe was《She still doesn't wanna see you, I tried, I'm sorry.

Tonight he didn't have to hide or be ashamed of what he was doing, so after thinking for a while he decided to text Stella. "Tonight, Golden Arena. 11pm. I have a fight, it would be cool to have you there. Think about it?" Then he pressed send, and there was no going back.

A few minutes later the man parked and asked for the money, after that he kindly wished him luck. Matthew got more nervous as he got closer to the place.

He called Dave and in just a few seconds he was at the VIP entrance to let him in."I know you haven't trained much, I hope you are still on shape" He just nodded as put his bag in the locker that said MaMa.

Then he heard the locker room door open "Bossy!" Matthew said surprised when he saw the old man standing in front of him.

"I couldn't miss this, soon you'll be selling out Madison Square Garden and someone has to keep you grounded" The three laughed "Sit down son" he said and started wrapping his hands. "I can hear your blood pounding from here, that's good".

Bossy didn't take his eyes of Matt's "This is what you deserve, this is what your father wanted for you, I'm sorry I never managed to get you this while he was still here" Matthew nodded "It's okay" and it really was, it was not his fault, he didn't need to apologise, Matthew was the only who would have to apologise and only if he lost the fight.

"Soon that arena will be full, prepare yourself, I'll come back in half an hour" Dave said before leaving them. Those minutes were obviously spent with Matthew throwing some punches, warming up.

He look at his watch, 10:35 it marked, not long until the fight he realised.
This was all he ever wanted and he would not throw it all away.

Bossy was giving the last instructions to Matthew when someone knocked on the door. Thinking it was Dave his heart started beating faster. He was quite relieved when another familiar face appeared next to the security guard "This young man claims he is your family, is this true?" The blue eyed laughed and nodded.

"They wouldn't let me in" Joe said in his defense "And we're long lost cousins, ain't that right sweet lil Matthew"

"What are you even doing here?" Matthew was slight confused he had to admit, he couldn't remember telling Joe about the fight.

"I was actually trying to skip the part where I lecture you and tell you how deeply annoyed I am for not knowing about this." The other tried to keep a straight face but it was basically impossible.

Matthew's eyes started shining when Joe started talking again "Stella. She told me" he said and started smirking "I should take a photo of you right now, seriously".

But the truth was he felt really happy and there was no other way of saying it. Their conversation was cut short once Dave opened the door "You didn't tell me you were bringing friends" he was surprised and was quite normal, he rarely brought anyone to any of his fights. "Here mate" he handed Joe a blue card just like the one he had on the chest. "When security asks you anything show them this and they'll let you through"

Joe ended up wishing him good luck even though Matt didn't really liked that expression. Once the locker room was empty he finished getting ready and Bossy came back only to put his gloves one, something he always did.