door.
Derek called after me.
“Cole.”
I stopped.
He looked ashamed.
“I owe you.”
“No.”
“The bet.”
A few people shifted uncomfortably.
He swallowed.
“I said I’d pay the equity.”
“There is no equity for Claire.”
“I still gave my word.”
I studied him.
For the first time, the kid was standing without performing.
“No,” I said. “You need that money for your lawyer.”
His face dropped.
Rebecca winced.
“Definitely.”
I started walking again.
Then Derek said, “Why didn’t you knock me out?”
I looked back.
Everyone in the gym waited.
“Because I didn’t come here to prove I was dangerous.”
I glanced toward Claire.
“I spent half my life learning that men who need everyone to know how dangerous they are usually aren’t.”
I looked at Derek.
“And men who actually are dangerous spend the rest of their lives trying not to be.”
Then I left.
I wish I
