“I’ve told you to go out. Go online. Don’t hang around the sick girl too much.”
Fiona gave her a dismissive ‘pfft’. “It’s got nothing to do with hanging around my bestie too much. All I see around me are boys. I’d kill for a man. Charming, intelligent, and knows how to eat pussy. I swear to God, I’m this close to flicking the switch and going vegan. Or lesbian as it’s known these days.”
“Babe, I don’t often say this, but you need to get laid.”
“I know, right? Been so long since I’ve had sex, I can’t remember who gets tied up or who pays.” Fiona sighed. She then brought herself forward and held Tegan’s hand. “So how are you, really?”
“I feel good. Really. For the first time, I think I might be on the mend. I don’t know if Owen is here for the long term, but I hope he is. I’d love to explore this. Whatever this is. I just... I hope he feels as strongly as I do.”
“What are you saying? Do you... oh... Teegs... you love him?”
“I... well...” Tegan couldn’t finish the sentence but couldn’t stop her smile either, which was obviously all Fiona needed. “But I haven’t told him.”
For the briefest moment, Tegan could’ve sworn her best friend had broken. Her mouth was open in a delighted smile, but she was frozen. Emotion stifling her movements. She let out a whispered scream, mindful of a knock on the door.
Fiona opened it to find Owen had returned.
“Oh hey... sup...” Fiona said with a stiff nod. As if nothing had been said. As if nothing groundbreaking had just been revealed.
“Word,” Owen shrugged, holding out his fist for a bump, clearly trying to play along with what he thought was a joke from Fiona. “Just letting you know, my dad travelled back over with me. He got a phone call when we got out of the car, but he said he’d meet us up here.”
“Here? He’s coming up here?”
“Surprised me too.”
Almost on cue, Owen’s father appeared from behind him, holding a box of flowers. He lowered them so he could see everyone but looked at Tegan. “Hello, I’m Robert,” he said, holding out his free hand which Tegan shook. “These are for you. Both to hope you feel better and to apologise for our first meeting. I hope I didn’t offend you.”
“Thank you so much. They’re beautiful. No, you didn’t. I get it; you were just trying to look out for your son. Oh, I’m sorry!” she said, looking around and gesturing to Owen. “This is Owen. You might know him. Apparently, he’s famous or some shit. And this is my best friend, Fiona. Who is famous. Everyone knows her.”
Robert turned and offered his hand to her, which was taken. He held it there, regarding her carefully before turning to Owen. “Didn’t you say that a Fiona...”
Owen nodded. “This is her.”
Robert turned back to her. “Well then, let me thank you. We were in big trouble in the Williams fight if it wasn’t for you,” he finished with a swift peck on the top of her hand before letting go. Fiona, curiously for someone that never ran out of things to say, was silent.
“Actually, now, while I have you all here, I can make an announcement.” Owen said. “The Diaz fight is officially on, but there’s conditions.”
Owen told them all the conditions, looking at Tegan for the most part. He could’ve hidden it from her, but he didn’t. He said he wanted to be upfront and honest. Which she loved, but it chilled her heart when she heard what he was expected to agree to.
“There’s another thing too.” Robert said. “The phone call I just got. The fight is in Sydney.”
“What?” both Fiona and Owen said together, before Fiona continued. “There’s never been a Heavyweight championship fight here!”
“That’s what they’ll use to sell it. They’ll make the announcement in a few hours. And there’s more. It won’t be held at the same venue as the Dominov fight.”
“But it has to be; there’s no other venue that could host an event like that in Sydney,” Fiona replied. “Well...” she chuckled, “Except for Homebush Stadium.”
Robert's expression and silence answered the question that followed.
“Are you serious?” Tegan asked. “That’s a seventy thousand seat stadium.”
“Eighty-two, to be exact.” Robert replied. “It will be the biggest crowd in MMA history even if it’s three quarters full. But they are expecting a sell-out.”
“And they get all the gate while Owen gets nothing,” Fiona scoffed.
“It doesn’t matter.” Owen said.
“Bullshit. I wanna know how they anticipate a sell out? What marketing are they going to do? Sure, it’s the biggest match of all time, but they won’t just rely on that, right?” Fiona asked.