The Last Round (4 page)

It was the beginning of all things. The beginning of our life as a couple. An angry, passionate couple. It was just always us. It will always be us.

“Julian! Julian!” Distracted with my memories, I shake out of the daze and look up. There are several men with cameras in tow heading my way. Paparazzi.

Great. They’re running toward me. I suck in air, bow my head, and continue walking. It’s all I can do. If I run in the opposite direction, they’ll just follow. I have to face them sooner or later. But I wish they knew that right now is not the right fucking time.

I can hear their footsteps as they catch up, surrounding me. They move as I move, their cameras flashing and snapping away. The questions rushing out all at once.

“Julian, smile for the camera.”

“Julian, did you just see your wife?”

“Julian, are you really going to live a sober life now?”

“Julian, are you heading to a bar?”

“Julian, how was rehab?”

“Julian, who are you wearing?”

“Julian, is your wife truly divorcing you?”

“Julian, are you ready for your next big fight?”

Julian . . . Julian . . . Julian . . .

“Get out of my damn face!” I snap, chest straining as I glare at each of them. They smile, cameras still clicking away, and happy to get a shot of my outburst.

“Julian!” a familiar voice yells, and although I don’t want to deal with him, I’m actually relieved to hear his voice. I turn around to find Jonathan swimming through the small crowd. He reaches in and grabs my arm, guiding me to where the limo awaits.

Once behind the safety of closed doors, I exhale, both relieved and exhausted.

“Where to?” Jonathan asks.

I want to say home. But it isn’t home without her there. I want to say to the nearest bar. But I know how that’ll turn out. I want to say back to her hotel, so that maybe we can actually talk this time, but I know she needs her space for the night. So, I go with what I know, what I had originally planned. “Home.” But it isn’t home, not at all.

I push through the double-iron doors and allow my gaze to sweep across the grand marble entrance. It’s cold in this house, and quiet. I dump my keys in the crystal bowl beside the door and walk up the spiral staircase. We made love on these stairs when we first purchased the house three years ago.

I make it to the top, removing my jacket as I stride through the wide hallway and toward our bedroom. We made love in this hallway too; I can still hear her giggle as I lifted her against the wall. I toss the suit jacket on the floor, stepping into our bedroom. It feels so empty in here. There was never a night I entered this room and didn’t have her here, waiting for me, until now.

Exhaustion fills me as I fall backwards onto the king-sized bed. I stare at the recess lighting and think. For so many years I’ve trained to fight. Boxing is my life; it’s all I know. When I’m in the ring I have control of my mind, of every move I make, even control of my opponent. In the ring, I am powerful.

But in life? I have no control. I’m reckless and untamed; it’s exactly the reason why I’m losing her. I’d rather live my life alone if I don’t have her, but I refuse to go down without fight.

I never thought in the last twelve years, the most important fight of my life would be to win her back.

Natalia

THIS MORNING I
wake up to TMZ News and social media of Julian’s paparazzi outburst. I think about calling him. I wonder if he gave in and had a few drinks, or met up with old friends to get high off God knows what, because it’s his initial reaction. To drink his pain, his anger, and his emotions away. Drink until he can’t remember and wakes up with some strange woman wrapped around his legs.

And when I think of that, I remember it’s exactly why I shouldn’t call him.

I pack the rest of my things, check out of the hotel, and hop into the awaiting cab.

“Airport, ma’am?” the driver asks.

“Yes, please.”

I reach for my cell and call the only person I can think of. My sister.

“Hey, sissy. What’s up?” she answers.

It feels so good to hear her voice. So damn good.

“Hey there . . . what’s wrong? Natalia, why’re you crying?”

I breathe in a shaky breath. “I just miss you and Mami, that’s all. I can’t wait to see you guys.”

“Natalia, I know you so well. What’s up? Talk to me.”

My head leans against the headrest. I close my eyes and exhale. “I think this is really it, Viv. I think I’m going to go ahead with the divorce papers.”

Her tone drops, softening. “Have you really thought this through? You and Julian may be going through a rough patch right now, but what relationship doesn’t? Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

I sniffle. “Yeah, well, I don’t know! I’m just confused, you know? I love him, but I’m just so angry with him. I don’t feel appreciated; he doesn’t want to admit he’s slept around and we’ve changed so much, Viviana.”

“Have you tried talking to him?”

“Yes! There’s no getting through to him. Talking is not an option with Julian. Talking leads to yelling, and then we’re arguing and throwing the past in each other’s face, and then we’re back to square one.”

“Aye, I don’t know what to say. You know I love Julian. He’s like a brother to me, but you are and will always be my sister, and whatever makes you happy, I’m here to support you one hundred percent.”

That’s the one comment I always hesitate over.
Whatever makes you happy
, because in reality, I’m not certain at all that leaving Julian will make me happier. There’s nothing happy about ending something that has been a part of me for half my life. I don’t know if I’ll ever be happy without him.

I end the call with my sister and silently spend the last twenty minutes of my drive in tears. Being with Julian is draining and so is the thought of being without him.

The cab driver hauls my luggage from the trunk and hands me a tissue. I smile at him, give him a large tip for dealing with my sobs the past hour, and step into the airport. In a way, flying to Philly is both scary and exciting for me. The filming of
Perfectly Damaged
begins in just a couple days right in my hometown. It’s amazing; I get the opportunity of a lifetime and am able to visit my family while working. But it isn’t the same without Julian there with me.

I breathe out a harsh moan, shake my head and try to keep it together. It’s the only thing I can do for now.

The flight was long; I slept through most of it. It’s a first for me; my nerves usually have me on the edge of my seat while flying, but I guess with everything going on, my body literally shut down.

I guess I needed the rest; even though my heart feels heavy, my mind is clearer, for now. With my carry-on luggage rolling behind me, a small grin tugs at my lips.
I’m home
. I call for an Uber, hop in, and give the driver my mother’s address. It’s about lunchtime and I’m starving, but knowing my mother, she probably has all of my favorites ready and waiting for me.

As the driver merges onto I95 North, I reach for my purse and grab my phone. I turn it on so I can quickly call my mom to tell her I landed safely and that I’m on my way there. But once it’s on, I swear my phone jolts and vibrates and hums from all the messages I’ve missed from the past five hours. Messages from Julian, my agent, my manager, my sister—everyone.

I ignore them all for now and focus on calling my mom. She’s excited to hear my voice and knowing I’m finally here, she’s more eager to see me. After we end the call, my phone rings. It’s a number I’ve never seen before, and usually I don’t pick up a call when I’m not certain who it is. But my cell is saying it’s a number based in New York. Curiosity gets the best of me and I answer.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this the beautiful Natalia Rios?” A male voice beams from the speaker.

I smile. “Yes. Can I ask who’s speaking?”

A chuckle escapes him, causing my grin to brighten. “I’m your soon-to-be lover.”

“Excuse me?”

He laughs again. “On the big screen? It’s Liam. Liam Matthews.”

Eyes widening, I stumble over my words. “Oh, Liam.” I chuckle, nerves tickling my throat. “I’m sorry. You caught me off guard.”

“It must be a trait of mine; I’m told I do that often.”

I’m certain he does. Liam Matthews has been a rising star since his teens. He’s well known in several Oscar Award-winning films. He’s beyond talented, dangerously gorgeous, and very famous. He was already cast to play Logan Reed in
Perfectly Damaged;
they were just looking for the perfect woman to play Jenna McDaniel. From what I’m told, he’s the reason I got the role. I submitted my recorded audition and didn’t hear anything—Liam took part in choosing the female role—a month later they offered me the position. When I found out he would be playing the male lead, I kind of freaked out and had a fan girl moment.

“How are you? Are you excited to start filming?” I ask.

“Yeah, I am. Actually, I’m in Philly already, I wasn’t certain if you’d be here.”

“I literally just landed. I’m on my way to my mother’s to spend the day with her and then I’ll be heading to the hotel in the city, which I’m staying in for the rest of the week.”

“Which hotel? I’m staying at the Rittenhouse.”

“So am I,” I answer.

“Nice. I wanted to see if you’re available tonight or tomorrow for lunch or dinner? I usually like to meet with co-workers before we begin filming. So we can discuss the role and get to know each other.”

“Oh, okay, are the others in yet?”

“I’m not sure. I was just hoping to get to know you without the others first, if that’s okay.”

Stomach dipping, a hint of guilt surges through me. I don’t know why. I shouldn’t feel guilty. It’s not as if I’m hooking up with the guy. He’s a co-worker and nothing else. “Okay, sounds great. How about tonight? Maybe a late dinner, around eight?”

“I’ll make reservations close by. Do you like sushi?”

“I love it.”

“Awesome! I heard about this place called Raw near 12
th
and Samson. Have you heard of it?”

Julian took me there once for my first sushi experience. Guilt bubbles in my chest and I bite my lip. “Yes, it’s amazing. Great atmosphere, delicious food.”