Understanding some parts of mixed martial arts competition, but not all of it, Merissa tipped her head. “They’ll expect him to switch camps?”
“It’s possible. But Cannon’s got the rec center so fine-tuned, most other camps are trying to get their guys here to train.”
Brand chimed in, saying, “You look at the fact Cannon is a champ, and Denver is kicking ass left and right¸ and now Armie is stepping up. They see a lot of talent coming from here.”
“Speaking of talent,” Miles murmured, smiling at a small crowd of women dressed as if they were in a nightclub instead of Rowdy’s local bar. “Excuse me.”
Cherry laughed. “And he’s off.”
“Can’t say as I blame him.” Brand pushed back his chair. “You ladies are hot, but taken.”
Both Merissa and Cherry laughed over that.
Giving them a crooked smile, Brand asked, “You two going to get in on the photo op?”
Merissa tilted back to see him. “What do you mean?”
Nodding toward Armie and the visiting fighters, Brand explained, “They agreed to do some fan photos. Rowdy didn’t tell you? That’s why the place is packed. Everyone is flocking in for the impromptu meet and greet.” He walked off after that, joining the group of welcoming women.
Soon as they were alone, Cherry leaned in to be heard over the drone of conversations and laughter. “Does Armie know you’re here?”
“I told him in a text.”
“So maybe he’ll join us.”
Merissa was pretty sure he wouldn’t. She hated the idea of secrecy, but she had agreed to Armie’s request, and she wouldn’t start regretting it now.
When Leese came in, she saw him as a welcome interruption and waved him over.
Looking very fine in faded jeans and a denim jacket, his inky-black hair mussed, beard shadow on his lean face, Leese got a lot of looks on his way to their table.
Anxious to see him, barely able to keep her smile suppressed, Merissa stood. More than the other guys, Leese knew how she felt about Armie and now she couldn’t wait to give him the details.
When he got close, he surprised her by grinning and offering a high five.
She laughed and smacked her hand to his.
Light blue eyes teasing, Leese spoke close so others wouldn’t hear. “I take it things went well?”
“Things went amazingly.”
“Glad to hear it.” His gaze cut to Cherry. “She knows?”
“Yup.” Linking her arm through his, Merissa said, “You guys are my two best friends.”
“I’m honored.”
“Do you have plans? Miles and Brand just left so we have an empty chair. Want to join us?”
“Be glad to.” But once she’d scooted in her chair, Leese put two hands to the table and stretched down to say, “In case you didn’t notice, Armie is mean mugging me.”
Merissa popped her head up, looked across the room and got caught in Armie’s forceful gaze.
“Wow,” Cherry whispered.
“Yeah.” Leese laughed. “At least you’re the recipient now instead of me.”
“Is he jealous of you?” Cherry asked.
“Naw. He’s just coming to grips with things.”
Merissa remembered Leese once telling her that Armie was fighting too many battles at one time. She didn’t want to be another battle.
She just wanted to love him.
Apparently, so did a whole bunch of other women. One by one, and occasionally in groups, they visited his table. Armie declined their company each time. Couldn’t the pushy women see he was involved in a meeting? That didn’t stop them from hanging on him, offering hugs and sometimes kisses and, given the many whispers in his ear, more.
Merissa distracted herself by spending the next twenty minutes chatting up Leese and Cherry. She’d already had a glass of wine, so when Leese bought a new round of drinks, including a beer for himself, both she and Cherry ordered Cokes.
Leese told her what to expect in the coming weeks for Armie, including the possibility that he’d go to a different camp.
“He hasn’t told you any of this himself?”
“We haven’t really talked much about his fight career.” They’d been too busy covering everything else, including his past. “And I guess I haven’t paid enough attention to Cannon’s routine. At least the fight is close. Cincinnati’s totally drivable.”
“They probably want his debut fight to be for his hometown. I’m sure they’re expecting big things from him.”
Cherry nodded. “Denver told me Armie will be the middleweight champ in no time.”
Merissa looked at him again. “I knew he was good...” Good enough that he was now surrounded by people.
Leese huffed a short laugh. “He’s a whole lot better than good. They’re calling him a phenomenon.” He cocked a brow. “Luckily Armie doesn’t suffer from performance anxiety.”
Cherry bobbed her eyebrows. “Yeah, from what I heard, he doesn’t have that problem.”
Casting Merissa a knowing look, Leese teased, “And now you’re blushing.”
“Because she’s a straight-up hussy,” Cherry told him, then sighed. “I hope Armie appreciates how good he’s got it.”
“Armie’s not a dummy. I think he knows.” Leese patted her hand. “I need to go. They’re getting ready to do photos.” He looked at each of them. “You two going to take part?”
Cherry wrinkled her nose. “I’ll leave Denver to his adoring fans.”
Shaking her head, Merissa said, “I’ll keep Cherry company.” That would be a lot more comfortable than waiting in a line full of fawning women, all anxious to get a picture with Armie when he was the only one she cared about.
It was another hour before the crowd finally began to disperse. Merissa saw Leese head off with a cute blonde, and Brand and Miles returned to the tableful of ladies, this time with Justice joining them.
“Do you ever wonder,” Cherry asked, “what they’re into?”
Confused, Merissa turned to her. “What do you mean?”
Moving to a closer seat, Cherry hunkered in and said low, “You know, the other guys.” She bobbed her eyebrows. “I know what Denver likes.”
Matching the quiet tone, Merissa asked, “What?”
“He’s very controlling and protective.”
Expecting something more titillating, Merissa scoffed. “Everyone knows that.”
“He’s really good, Rissy.”
Hearing her friend sigh, Merissa laughed. “I’m glad you’re so happy.”
“So...you said Armie’s good, too?”
“Oh yeah. He’s so...attentive. You know, paying a lot of attention to...details.” Even as she said it, she blushed.
Cherry grinned at her. “So don’t you wonder about the other guys?” She flapped a hand. “Not with like...personal interest or anything. You know I’m crazy in love with Denver. But aren’t you curious?”
Merissa frowned. “I never really thought about it.”
“Well, look at them. Brand is all cocky smiles, a little distanced, and that lady with him is all about getting him alone. But Miles keeps joking and every time that woman laughs, she inches closer.”