Page 85 of Timber's Line

“Okay.”

He goes to the fridge and pulls out a couple beers. “Figure you might need this.”

He hands one to me, and I reluctantly take it.

“What is wrong with you?” Alright, we’re getting down to business.

“What do you want me to say?”

“The truth. I didn’t raise you to be a dick to women.”

“I don’t remember going to any party,” I reply honestly.

“Drinking?”

“A lot. When you kicked me out, I did drink. A lot. It’s a wonder how I’m still here.”

“Snow?”

“I tried to hide it. I thought I loved her, and I didn’t want to drag her down. According to her, she found me a couple times blitzed out of my mind. We fought about drinking. I probably told her it wasn’t a problem, and then it was. My accident was my fault.”

“Go on,” he urges.

“Drinking gave me an outlet. The only time I didn’t drink was when I was in training for a fight. But then I had nightmares about the night of the fire. When I don’t drink now, I have nightmares about the accident. But Timber,” I almost break, “whenever I spent time with her, I didn’t have them. She didn’t judge me or push me. I treated her like shit in the beginning, when I saw her right before the show. But when she didn’t just bow down and run, I was intrigued. Then I kissed her, and it felt right, even though I pushed her away. I liked Snow, but what I feel for Timber is different.”

“And the party?”

I take a swig of beer. “I swear, I don’t remember a party. I didn’t like going to galas or parties, so I don’t see myself at a frat party.”

“Let’s back track for a minute. You were working for Sal?”

I nod. “He was waiting for me to wake up in the hospital. He gave me the letter from Snow, and before I had a chance to melt down, he made me a deal. I wanted back in the ring. It’s the only other place I feel at home. I know that’s weird to say.”

“No, I get it,” he replies.

“I had to do everything he said, and working the show was one of them. I was angry after my accident, angry at the world, and myself, and at Snow. I hated my life, but I hoped to get back in the cage and reluctantly did everything Sal told me to do.”

“Where would you go drink?”

“At a bar down the street from the apartment I had. I was going to live in Hickory but wanted to be closer to the gym, and Snow. The bar was within walking distance.”

“I don’t see how a frat party would fall into the picture.”

“I swear, it didn’t. I can’t stand them. I hung around other guys from the gym. Or alone. I don’t know why he would say I was there, but you have to believe me, I didn’t do that to her.”

“She told us her story. It’s not pretty.”

“I don’t care about her past. I was falling for her. I let her in, and I need her.”

“Give it a few days. I’ll talk to the guys and see if we can have a sit down. But you do this my way,” he tells me.

I want to say no, but I can’t do that. He believes me or at least acts like he does.

“Okay.”

“I’ll order some pizza, and we can watch some of your old fights.”

“Why would I want to do that?”