Warrior

Chapter 18: Getting Into Sparta

"You gonna be ok? Wanna grab a bite?" I asked Frank as we walked into the underground parking lot of the hospital. Marco injured his knee severely today when we were training, he wasn't able to do Sparta, and Frank was so stressed out.

"Nah. I'm gonna head home, gotta call the boys and break the news. I'll call you tomorrow" he headed off through the parking lot and I reached my car, opening it and putting my bag inside. I stood there for a moment, I looked up at Frank who was putting stuff in his car. Here was an opportunity staring me in the face. I called out to him, jogging towards him. He looked up at me, eyebrows furrowed.

"Coach! Hey," he turned to face me "I know this isn't a great time... And it's too bad about Marco. But what about me?" I asked, looking at him with hope. He stared at me for a moment like I was crazy but shook his head and opened the door to his Ford bronco.

"You're talking about Sparta? Brendan, please. You got a better chance of starting a boy band. I'll talk to you tomorrow." He scoffed, but I refused to let him throw me out like that.

"It's a Grand Prix tournament, which means anything can happen. You know that as well as k do" I reasoned, I was serious, I wasn't fucking around. Frank looked at me, and I knew he could see me determination. "They'll have to kill me to get me out of that cage" I continued.

"That's what I'm afraid of." I let out a sigh.

"Frank, I need this. You're in real tight with those guys. You call them, they'll listen to you" he raised his hand and pointed at me, pausing for a moment before saying anything.

"You realize what you're asking me to do here, Brendan? We go down to AC and you get tapped out in five seconds, how does that benefit either of us?" He spread his arms out in front of him but I shook my head.

"That's not gonna happen"

"Not gonna happen" he scoffed "wish I had a nickel for every time I heard that." I smiled at him.

"It's not gonna happen" he stared at me for a bit, he broke and smiled, how could he say no?

"I'll make a call" I grinned at him and made my way back to my car, ecstatic and excited, I actually had a chance now to save my family.

"I love my coach!" I yelled, getting into my car and driving out of the parking lot, making my way home. I was happy and smiling for the whole drive, but my thoughts were interrupted by my phone ringing. I usually didn't take calls when driving, but it was Jade, and I had been so worried about her. I answered, pulling the flip phone to my ear "hello?" My voice was a little worried. I listened, there was silence for a bit, but I knew she was there.

"Brendan I'm sorry" she whispered into the phone, she was crying definitely, and she was on something. It broke my heart to hear her like this. "Brendan I love you please don't be mad at me I'm sorry"

"I'm not mad, you know that" I spoke low, trying to comfort her. "Are you somewhere safe?" I asked now.

"I'm at Naomi and-" she trailed off.

"And what?" I asked, becoming worried again.

"Nothing" she sniffled, I heard her shift around. "How are you?" She asked quietly, I chuckled, she called me because she just wanted to talk and I thought she was so sweet.

"Ah, I'm alright" I cleared my throat. "Frank might get me into Sparta, so there's that" there was a pause.

"Really?!" She exclaimed "oh my god, can I come if you go?!" I laughed.

"Of course you and Naomi are coming, I don't think Tess will... She doesn't wanna see me fight. You guys will get your own room" I paused. "That's if he gets me in"

"He will, I know he will"

"Alright honey, you should get some sleep alright? It's getting late. Call me in the morning" I took a turn onto the highway, and I didn't wanna be on the phone, couldn't afford an accident.

"Okay" she mumbled, "I love you" I smiled.

"I love you too, goodnight" I waited for her to hang up, she was with Naomi so I knew she was safe, maybe I'd go visit them soon.