“Why? Because you fucked me more than once? I’m sorry to be blunt, but one of us has to say it. How long can you possibly do this? Go back and forth between America and here. Training, fighting, and a quick pop in to see how I am? The title is all you’ve ever wanted. You said that. I personally think you’re insane. But whatever. You did all your duties. But... we’re not connected anymore...”
“Tegan—”
“Just go!” she screamed, her hands shaking. The noise brought a nurse to the doorway, looking in. “Please...” Tegan whimpered. “Please, just go.”
The nurse beckoned him out, and despite knowing she was just upset and wanting to comfort her, he knew he had to go. He left without a word or sideward glance to anyone.
* * *
“Teegs, please try and calm down. That’s not like you.”
“I had to. For his own good. Now, I can focus on getting better. And he isn’t guilt-tripped into staying. He’d never leave of his own accord. You know that. He’s too good. He’s the best.”
“Yeah, I agree on the last bit. But, did you have to hurt him like that? This isn’t coz I’m his fan. He didn’t deserve that, babe...”
“I know he didn’t. It’s all I could think of...” She paused, thinking of his face, and the pain she had seen. The man she loved was still within distance of her running to him. Begging him to stay. To never leave. To please help her through this. But then another vision hit her. One of the Cage and Diaz standing over Owen’s broken body, saluting a stunned crowd much the same way she had seen at the Chozen fight. That’s what Diaz could do to a seasoned, switched-on champion. What was he going to do to a half-focussed fighter? She shook both visions away and continued, “Maybe, by breaking his heart. I can save his life.”
* * *
Owen took several deep breaths as the elevator lowered.OK, breathe. She’s just upset.He was too. He wiped his palm under his eyes at the testament of that. Crying for the fact she felt she had to push him away, and, as the doors slid open, crying for the baby he would never get to see or hold.
He stepped out into the parking lot to a series of flashes and pops. Cameras.Fuck. He moved as quickly as he could towards his car, but it felt like a snail’s pace as he held up a hand, shielding his eyes from the camera light. Several reporters, their phones out, and even more cameramen blocked his way. “Owen! Any response to Dominic Damascus’ claim you breached contract?”
“No...” Owen grumbled.
“Have you read the papers today, Owen? Have you had any contact with Emily Hobson since her allegations?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about...”
“She’s claimed, on your last day of filming, you exposed yourself to her in the shower of the gymnasium and made unwanted advances.”
“She fuckin’ what?” he blurted out before moving faster into the crowd to get to his car. Where the fuck was it? “Can you move, please?” he sighed to the nearest reporter.
“Why were you here, Owen? Are you forcing the women you sleep with to have abortions against their will?”
Owen stopped pushing and turned to the reporter that said that to him. “What did you just say?”
“Are you paying to have their babies aborted because you don’t want anything to do with them?”
Owen lunged at the reporter, knocking back two cameramen who tripped and fell back. He grabbed her blouse in both hands and brought her close to his face. “How fucking dare you. You know nothing. NOTHING! FUCK YOU! ALL OF YOU! GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY!”
He pushed her to the side and rushed to his car. Seconds after getting in, he gunned it towards the exit, just missing the cameramen that had fallen over.
11
Tegan cuppedher hand and squeezed the conditioner out of the bottle. She lathered up and closed her eyes, letting her fingers massage her scalp. The shower was so tiny she couldn’t open her arms out, but it didn’t matter.
It would do.
Once completely clean, she got out and swore to herself. She had left her towel on her bed. She opened the door a crack and spotted Fiona watching the TV screen with her back to her. “Babe, can you—”
“Oh shit...” Fiona said, frantically pointing the remote at the screen and flicking the channel over.
“No. Change it back,” Tegan said.
Fiona groaned but did as she asked, turning it back to the news. “Repeating today’s top story. Well, is he insane or just a crazed misogynist? Inside the Cage or out of it? It seems one MMA fighter doesn’t know the difference. Owen Gasnier was filmed in a violent rampage this afternoon. Our crew spotted him leaving the Women’s Hospital, and confronted him concerning the sexual misconduct allegations recently levelled against him and his reasons for being at the hospital. He flew into a rage, threatening and then assaulting them. No charges have been laid, and it is understood the Australian fighter is free to leave the country. Sources report he’s expected to head back to America where he currently lives...”
Tegan held her hands up to her face, moving out of the bathroom, no longer caring that she was naked. She saw the footage. She heard the question asked just before he snapped. “Oh God, no...”