The next few days followed the same routine of mornings at the orchard, afternoons training in the gym, and evenings grabbing a bite to eat somewhere. This morning was no different. I liked that it was predictable because my upcoming fight wouldn’t be. I walked the rows with my clipboard, checking fruit, making notes, trying to keep my mind where it belonged. Training sat heavy in my muscles already. I ran before sunrise. Shadowboxed in the barn while everyone else slept. My body felt sharp and tired but ready.
Jonah lifted a crate and smirked when he saw me. “You look like you’re about to fight someone.”
“I am,” I muttered.
He laughed. “Fair.”
Marc and Elise were already working. Soleil lingered near the bins, twirling an apple between her fingers. When she noticed me, her smile brightened.
“Morning, boss.”
“Morning.”
She stepped closer. Too close.
“You clean up nice when you’re focused,” she said lightly.
I exhaled slow. “Soleil, I need you focused on work.”
Her smile faltered. There had never been anything between us, but it wasn’t because she didn’t try. Soleil was a flirt and sometimes she made me uncomfortable.
“And I’m seeing someone.”
Understanding flashed across her face. Embarrassment followed. “Oh. Right. Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I said, softening my tone. “Let’s just keep it professional.”
She nodded and moved away. I turned and saw Claire walking toward us. Everything inside me settled. She smiled when she caught my eye.
“Morning,” she said.
“Hey.” I wanted to kiss her, but considering I was her boss and we had too many eyes on us, I didn’t. I don’t know how I forgot to use a condom a few nights ago. I was so worried and focused on Claire that any rational thought had left me. Now the thought of her pregnant with my child wasn’t freaking me out the way it should. Thinking of us as a family felt right. I blinked and pushed the thought away.
Instead, I watched her fall into the rhythm of the workday. Laughing with Elise. Talking to Jonah. Moving like she’d been part of this place longer than a few months. And the thought hit me again. She wasn’t permanent. We hadn’t talked about what happened after her seasonal work ended. My chest tightened. I had to force my attention back to work.
By late afternoon, I went to train. The gym smelled like sweat and old leather. I wrapped my hands slowly. Focusing on the pull of the tape around my knuckles was a ritual that kept my head clear.
One week until the fight. My opponent had a dirty reputation. He was known for doing damage when refs looked away. I also had confidence in myself, in my technique and hardwork. I stepped into the ring and moved, focusing on footwork first: angles, distance control. Coach shouted corrections while I pictured the fight in my head: where he’d rush, where he’d drop his guard, how to survive the early storm. Bag work came next, then heavy strikes with my elbows and knees. Every hit echoed through my arms as thoughts of Claire once again bounced through my mind. The money from this fight could change things. Expand the orchard. Stabilize everything. Give me something solid to offer. Except… we hadn’t really talked about a future. And now, with our slip-up, we could be connected forever through a child. I hit the bag harder.
Coach barked, “Control, Asher. Don’t chase.”
Right.
Ground drills followed as sweat burned my eyes. My lungs burned worse. I pushed through anyway. When the gym emptied, I stayed behind and sat on the mat with my eyes closed. Breathe in. Breathe out. Visualize the cage. The crowd. The first punch. Claire snuck into my thoughts as I pictured her waiting somewhere outside, carrying my child. That thought scared me more than the fight. For the first time in my life, I had something to lose. I forced myself to refocus. I wouldn’t lose anything. I’d study tape of the guy fighting. I’d hit him where he was weak. Winning the money was my only option. Hell, it would help if she turned out to be pregnant.
My phone buzzed on the mat beside me. I waited a few more moments, taking some cleansing breaths. Then I grabbed my phone and stood, checking the screen.
Dad:Dinner tonight. Main house.
I already knew why. Phoenix probably told him he was worried about the fight. Anyway, I was starving, and some home-cooked food would hit the spot. The drive back to Maple Valley was quick, and I pulled up to the main drive. I knocked lightly before entering the front door. This was technically myhome too, but it felt like it was time for me to move out. To have my own place. The worker cabins were fine as something temporary, but if Claire was staying in Maple Valley and if she was pregnant… I was getting ahead of myself, and the thought made me chuckle. One step at a time.
The kitchen smelled like Sandy’s cooking when I walked in. Dad looked up from the table. His expression told me everything.
“Hi, Sandy,” I said. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“I heard you’re working extra hard these days and thought you could use a good home-cooked meal.”
“Much appreciated,” I grinned.