“No,” Robert replied. “I know how they’re going to tackle it. I can see it. They are going to make Owen the bad guy. And Diaz will be the ‘hero’.”
Fiona giggled. “This is Owen’s hometown. I was in the crowd at the Dominov fight. They’re insane to think the fans would turn on him like that.”
“Don’t be so sure. They say the fans have turned on him since the scandals. So, Diaz and his manager are going to use that, I’d say. Pushing any and every scandal they can get. Keeping Owen’s name out in the public eye in a negative light. They’ll, no doubt, feed stories to the tabloids that are already hounding him. Relentlessly shoving him down the fans’ faces as an abuser of women.”
“This is such horseshit!” Fiona cried.
“Yes,” Owen said. “But it makes sense. Look at the climate out there. The push for abused women to speak up. Of course arseholes like this are going to take advantage and make a mockery of an actual issue. Why wouldn’t they? The media are sharks for stories like this, whether true or not, and will latch on to anything that looks like it has legs because it’s a hot topic right now.”
“Meanwhile, the real victims get lost and ignored, drowned out by who’s got the loudest voice...” Tegan sighed softly, looking downcast. “Or the deepest pockets.”
Owen placed a hand on Tegan’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know this is hard, but we will get through it. I promise.”
Tegan gripped Owen’s hand briefly. “I just hate people that use other people’s hardship for their own greed.”
There were a few seconds of silence before Fiona broke it. “Right, so we got a plan or what? Am I making one up?”
“We?” Robert asked.
“Yeah. We’re together on this, aren’t we?” Fiona asked. “Us four are the only ones that know the truth. We gotta kick this in the dick fast.”
“We can only control what we do.” Robert said.
“So... what? Let them make the first move? Do nothing?” Fiona frowned.
“What would you suggest?” Robert asked evenly. His tone calm, yet an air of frustration had crept in.
“Pre-emptive strike!” Fiona replied. “Get Gaz out there and show the world who he really is. Cut these bastard’s nuts off.”
“With all due respect to you, we aren’t running a PR campaign here. Owen has to train for the biggest and most dangerous fight of his life. Not start kissing babies and having photo opportunities.”
Fiona leaned forward. “Look, I don’t have any experience in this. I get that. But I know people. I know shitty tactics. You just said they are coming for him. It’s going to be in Sydney, his hometown. Why would they tell you that? Why would they even do that? He is more loved here than anywhere in the world. They are planning to hit us with something. Something big.”
“No doubt,” Robert said, his temper rising. “But until we know something more concrete, what’s the point of speculating at shadows when there is work to be done?”
Fiona was about to reply when Owen stood up, calling out calmly, “Enough. You’re both right. They’re telling us things to make us jittery, but all I can do is focus on us. Not them. Whatever they have planned, I want to make sure Tegan is kept away from it. Nothing can get in her way until the results come. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” both Fiona and Robert said. “Teegs can stay here for as long as she likes. A safe place while you train and then you can stay here too. On the couch. If I’m not getting laid under my own roof, you two aren’t either.”
16
The next fewweeks flew by as if on skates. Owen’s training camp had moved to Sydney to be close to Tegan. They had kept their word and had not slept with each other although it appeared unnecessary to have made the vow. Owen spent most of his limited time with her simply sitting by her bedside, stroking her head as she slept, whispering that he loved her. He still hadn’t told her, and truthfully, he wasn’t sure why. It was probably because they just hadn’t had the right time. When was a good time to tell someone you were in love with them? Sure, he had been back for weeks, but that time hadn’t exactly been flowers and romantic dates.
Helping her walk was a harsh reality for them both. Her weakness from treatment had gotten worse. Having to carry her to the bathroom and holding her steady so she wouldn't topple over wasn't a big deal to him. Tegan, though, wept in his arms from embarrassment, apologising for things that were not her fault.
Now they walked together through the hospital car park, hand in hand. Today, they would find out if the treatment had worked. If she was going to live.
Chancing looks at each other, trying to reassure without words that they were there for one another, both were blindsided by the flash of a camera. Then another. Owen looked left to right, and more cameramen were creeping towards them, clicking and flashing away. They came from behind cars and from the doorway leading to the stairs. They were everywhere. Half a dozen or so reporters burst forward, recording devices thrust out. Owen held them at bay as he struggled to both shield Tegan’s face and lead her to the elevator.
“Ms Holland! How are you feeling?”
“Are you in a relationship with Owen Gasnier?”
“Has he brought you here against your will?”
“Is it true you’re having complications since your abortion?”
“How do you feel knowing how many women he has done this to?”