"Come on now, Rico. It's only been three weeks.."
"Yeah, but no call or anything? I thought we were cooler than that?"
"Yeah.. well… I've kinda been staying off my phone recently. And my dad has me working six days. It's hard to even find time to meet up."
They made their way onto the deck. The night had already fallen onto them. And the air was colder. Rico rubbed his right knee. Casey looked at it. He'd seen him favoring one side as they'd walked.
"What happened to your knee?"
"It was a small injury at work."
"Casey, you can't take the Nadene thing too seriously. To be straight with you. We are young dude. We've got options"
"I really don't think that's a good way to live, though. I'm a guy who likes the idea of a family Rico."
"Well I know that but you still have to understand that you need to find someone who thinks like you."
"Yeah, I see what you're saying too"
Casey shifted the topic. "So, how are you?"
"Well, I've been doing alright. I've been working at a hotel. The Maypole, if you believe that?" Rico leaned on the railing and faced Casey.
"So, what do they got you doing there?"
"I'm just a server, and sometimes I do security at their casino too."
"Is that how you got hurt?"
"Yeah."
Seeing that Rico didn't want to talk about it, he asked, "So, does it pay well?"
"Kinda does… it depends. I usually make good money, but it's because of gratuity and tips. They're paying like 80 more than minimum wage."
Casey stood next to him. He felt some cold air rolling off the pond. Because it was cold it wasn't as fishy.
"Well once you're happy with it, I guess. You can always come work for my dad if you want. You know he always liked you. "
"Yeah, your old man always looked out for me for real. Maybe I'll try a little longer at the hotel and then take up your offer?"
Casey leaned onto the railing and looked at the cars passing him by. Some drove into the trisection down the street. The right would take you to another community and the left would take you to the southern business district.
Some of the cars stopped just down the road too. At the basketball court.
"So they're fighting over there, then?"
"Yeah, they are. That's actually what I called you. I need to borrow your BPC I.D, Case."
Casey realized that the registration for the Bimini Cadoo and Pugilism group was not cheap, so he didn't ask why.
"I can lend you it, but you do know it'll be a problem if we get caught?"
Rico explained. "You haven't been involved in the fighting scene that much at all. And the guys doing the judging and security tonight are locals. You really think they'll tell on us? I don't."
"Well I'd hope not. I'll help you with it. But I'm coming to watch."
.....
Tonight's air smelt salty, almost making her taste it. The ride over had been peaceful. Just her and some slow music, and green trees rolling by. She needed rest right now. Sometimes her mind would still think back to him. Her ex, Casey.
Nadene sighed.
Kendal had gone to get her a drink. Weaving through the thick crowd to a stall off to the left of the court. Smoke came from the stand, probably also the lingering scent of barbecue that she fought against wanting.
The BPC group, had temporarily refurbished the court; laying a red rubber mat over the asphalt. Burgundy stains were splotched every where.
There were benches courtside. Usually the group would base themselves in Williams Town, but sometimes they would host fights in other communities, just like tonight. They weren't big enough to be on tv yet, but they were entertaining to watch.
Kendal would be fighting later. His opponent wasn't too intimidating. She knew he'd win. At least expected him to.
Kendal had set up the seats for them. He had some pull over things because his dad was a cop. Just something like this was more influence than Casey had ever shown. Not that Casey couldn't.
She had left him because he lacked ambition. He seemed to only be interested in working for his father his whole life. In being almost a clone of the man. She had always felt like he could be more then that, but Casey wouldn't hear her out.
She bit her lips.
The lights were warm now, and the crowd cheered as more fighters came in. Nadene's mind came back to the present.
One of the guys was brown, with lots of hair, and some abstract tattoos. He took off his shirt, and swung his arms, while shouting.
She thought that he seemed nervous because he was sweating, but she hadn't seen him fight to sweat like that.
The second man was a little shorter. He was also bare-backed, and stoutly built. His body was covered in sweat too.
She felt the cool drink on her cheek, and smiled, before accepting it.
"Lovely. I got you something mixed.."
Kendal's eyes were hazel. They were gentle, and attentive. He didn't have the softness of Casey, or that stupid smile. He leaned his head and spoke. "I told the bartender to be careful with the alcohol, because I know you used to go to church a lot."
"Thank you, honey."
She put it to her peach lips. It was mixed just right.
She winked at him with a smile. And he sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
Nadene turned her attention to the ring again. A slim man in a striped shirt entered it. He was tall. He had a white squared beard and was really handsome, despite his age.
"Jeffrey Dean, versus, Johnathan Clarke. I hope everyone's ready for what's about to come?"
The crowd cheered loudly. And a lot of cameras flashed.
The fight started just as the slim referee dropped his arm. Jeffrey, the slim man shot forward with a switch kick. Johnathan parried his heel and stepped across, letting him miss completely.
Jeffrey stayed on the offensive. Throwing jabs and straights, then kicks to land powerful hits. Johnathan slipped and parried. Going in and taunting the slim man.
After a few minutes Johnathan became slower. The sorcerers weren't allowed to use their powers in this tournament. From Nadene's seat she could see the big wristband on Johnathan. He was a sorcerer.
Johnathan deflected a jab upwards. Dropped to his knees and grabbed one of Jeffrey's legs, twisting, slamming him to the ground.
Nadene knew that he must've cracked asphalt beneath the mat.
Her eyes were wide and amazed. She had finally forgotten.