Totaled (37 page)

I don’t know why, but I did
not
feel right about this. “What do they want you to do?” My stomach instantly cramped up, as if someone was wringing it out like a wet rag.

“I’m going to read a statement to the press outside of the hospital today. And I’m going to give an interview to some sportswriter named Vince Johns in two days.” He said it so matter of fact, obviously not understanding the weight of what he just revealed to me.

“Vince Johns?” I all but yelled. “As in the most controversial and aggressive sports journalist around?” I finally earned his full attention. “You couldn’t possibly have picked a worse person. He’ll eat you alive!”

“You know who he is?” The shock on his face was almost laughable. Of course I knew who he was—my family runs an MMA gym!

“How is it possible that you
don’t
know of him?” I couldn’t stifle my shock. “He’s the same guy that scored an interview with a certain Cuban-American MLB player and single-handedly changed the face of professional baseball after getting him to admit to using performance enhancing substances. He is arrogant, obnoxious, and ruthless.”

“Oh. Okay then.” He looked down at the floor, apparently ashamed, his cheeks even blushing a little. I didn’t mean to embarrass him. “Well, I have a meeting with him on Wednesday. I had to agree to an interview. Chris and Arlene think that it’s best if I give a raw, nothing-off-limits interview to set the record straight about my parents’ deaths.” He sighed and started to pace a little, rubbing his hands back and forth over his hair. “I just want this all over with. They seem to know what they’re doing and they’re going to prep me for it all. Please just trust me,” he begged. His eyes pleaded and tried to convince me but I was stuck to the floor unable to even move after learning of all of this. Talk about dropping a bomb. I was terrified for him and had no idea how to help in this situation.

What choice did I have? “I trust you. I’m just worried.”

He came over and pulled me into an embrace, softly rubbing my back as he held me. He kissed my temple and ran his large hand over my hair, smoothing it down over and over again in a soothing gesture. I rubbed his back as we hugged, trying to infuse my love into him, arming him with my affection. We remained like that for a few minutes before he left to go downstairs and I said a silent prayer for God to be with him when he faced that horde of brutal paparazzi outside.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

DREW

“Fighting in the UFC is a dream come true for me. The fact that you all are here is both flattering and overwhelming. While I am humbled by all of the attention, it is unfortunate that it’s as a result of an altercation that occurred after my performance in the octagon. What happened outside of the arena on Saturday night was simply a misunderstanding that got a little out of hand. I will not be commenting on the specifics of what happened other than to say that a member of my team was injured and has been admitted to the hospital. My focus will remain with him until his condition improves enough for us to go home and get back to the business of training.

“I feel the need to respond to questions asked regarding my past. My personal life is just that, personal. I would prefer to keep it that way. However, being recently thrust into the spotlight has forced me to address false assumptions and accusations that are both hurtful and potentially damaging. I will reluctantly be giving an interview to Vince Johns in two days, where I will candidly answer everything asked of me and hopefully set the record straight.

“I thank you all for your time. I look forward to a long and successful career in the UFC and truly hope that any and all future media attention can be based on my positive advancement in my sport. Thank you again.”

I stood there for a few seconds, barraged by flash photography and a wave of noisy shouting. Despite just making an official statement that I wouldn’t be commenting further, they still wanted more. I turned and slowly walked back into the hospital, where I was met by Chris and Arlene, who both had pleased looks and sincere smiles on their faces.

“Great job. It was perfect,” my leprechaun agent praised.

“You sure? I felt like I read it too fast.” My heart was racing. I felt like I was about to blow chunks.

“No. It was good. You did a great job.” Apparently that was all the reassurance I was going to get from Chris. His expression revealed that his mind was already on the next order of business.

I looked at Arlene, who held a stoic face and professional posture.

“So what now?” I asked them both. I had no idea where to go from here.

Chris answered quickly. “I’ve taken the liberty of moving you and your entire team to a different hotel, all under false names, and security at the hotel has been alerted. I need to meet with your coach as soon as possible. Pat, right?”

“Yeah. He should be here soon. Liam woke up, so he’s heading into the hospital to see him. I can call him now and see when,” I offered, reaching into my pocket for my phone.

“Thanks, I’ll give him a call. Now, you’ll need to disable all of your social media accounts. Obviously, don’t answer any unknown numbers on your cell phone; we can work on changing your number this afternoon. Do not make any comments regarding any of this to anyone. And watch what you say in public places when talking to your team. People are listening everywhere.”

I felt like I was in some sort of twilight zone and caught myself staring off into space, completely in a trance. There was a whole lot of talking going on, but I’m not sure I was processing any of it.

“Hello? Earth to Drew! Are you getting any of this?” Chris asked as he snapped his little sausage fingers in front of my face, apparently offended and annoyed that I wasn’t completely focused on him.

“Oh, yes. Sorry,” I apologized, shaking my head and surfacing from my daze. “This is all just so surreal.”

“No, it is very real, I assure you,” Chris said, his voice deathly serious. “And I can’t do my job if you don’t help me. Now, let’s get you upstairs.”

He led me down the long sterile hospital hallway. All I could focus on was the click clack of Arlene’s high heels as she marched beside us. She wasn’t even looking forward as she walked, her fingers busy and eyes trained on her phone as she typed an email or something.

After Chris gave me all the information on the new hotel and my itinerary for the next few days, I finally felt like I could breathe. Maybe this really would all be okay. He seemed to know what he was doing and I felt comfortable and confident. I couldn’t believe the whirlwind of last few days.

“Thank you so much for all of your help,” I said suddenly, really meaning it. “I didn’t realize how much I needed you guys.”

“Well, that’s what we’re here for. Just listen to everything I tell you and this will all blow over quickly. You need to focus on the interview next. It could make or break you and our plan is definitely for it to make you. Arlene and I will need to meet with you tomorrow and go over everything. You need to be as prepared as possible so we’re going to try a lot of role play, see how you respond, and coach you on how you should actually respond. The last thing we need is for you to put your foot into your mouth when under pressure and create unnecessary legal trouble for yourself.”

“Understood. Can we not meet at the hospital tomorrow?” I asked, looking around at the main corridor of the hospital. “I don’t want to put any more pressure on Bree and Pat. And this place just gives me the creeps.”

“Sure. We can meet in the business center of the hotel. We will set it up. 10:00 am sound good for you? It’s going to take a few hours.” Chris glanced over at Arlene, who immediately seemed to understand that it meant for her to pull out her phone again and start making arrangements as we stood in the lobby and talked.

“Let’s make it 11 instead. I need to get in a few hours at the gym tomorrow morning and I’d like time to shower before we do this.” I felt like everyone walking around was looking at me. Listening to me. It was unnerving and awful.

“Well, we certainly appreciate that,” he said with a laugh. “Eleven will be fine. I’ll order in lunch for us all. We’ll see you then.” He turned to shake my hand. “Don’t hesitate to call me if you have any problems or questions. I mean it. 24/7. That’s what you pay me for.” With that statement, accompanied by a smug smile, he turned to leave and Arlene followed.

I took a minute for me to compose myself and made my way back up to Bree and Liam. I walked into the room to see Liam sitting up, eating off of a hospital tray and talking to Bree and Pat.

“Pat, I didn’t know you were here yet,” I said, moving to give him a man hug.

“I just got here not too long ago,” he replied, patting me on the back. I hear you’ve had a busy day.”

“Yeah, I guess I have. We can talk about all of that later. Liam, it’s so good to see you awake. And eating! How’s the food?”

“It’s good but they didn’t give me enough,” Liam answered, his brow wrinkled in frustration. “Do they have me on a diet or something?” he asked as he looked down at his tray of some sort of stew with one breadstick next to it.

We all laughed. For a few seconds, I didn’t feel the stress of everything that had just happened and it felt good to relax and share a laugh with the people that I considered my family. A situation that should have been filled with tension and uncertainty was anything but.

“We can get you more food after you eat this and tolerate it. You haven’t had real food in a while. They don’t want you to get sick,” Bree explained, rubbing his forearm to console him.

Liam stared at Bree and looked like he was starting to get a little choked up. I was completely shocked and had no idea at to do or say. Bree just leaned over and hugged him, whispering something into his ear, which seemed to calm him down a little. I tried to take some of the attention off of Liam by striking up conversation with Pat again.

“So, I hired Chris Gibson to represent me. He’s helping me through all of this craziness.”

“He’ll be good,” Pat replied, and I felt immediately better about my decision. “He left me a message, actually. He wants me to meet with him tomorrow afternoon after y’all do your practice thing. What could he want to talk to me about?”

“I’m not entirely sure. He probably just wants us all to be on the same page about how to respond to all of this media attention. And since you’re my coach, all of this shit affects you too.” I felt awful just saying it. My coach’s family didn’t deserve any of this shit.

“Listen, whatever you need me to do, Drew, I’ll do it,” he said to me with a pat on the shoulder.

“There is one thing you can do. I need a gym. I want to get a workout in tomorrow morning before my meeting with Chris and Arlene. Can you find us a gym and set something up?”

“Absolutely,” Pat answered, clapping his hands together. “I’ll handle that, no problem. I would actually love to get into the gym. Ever since the fight, I’ve been picturing things I want to work on with you.”

“Sounds great,” I agreed, exhaling a sigh of relief.

The conversation between Bree and Liam seemed to be in a better place, so I sat down next to his bed and we all started talking with each other again.

“So when can we spring you out of here?” I asked Liam.

“The doctor told me tomorrow afternoon or the next day.”

“Well, that’s good.” I smiled at Liam and Bree, thrilled at that news.

“He said I shouldn’t fly home, though. Because of my head.”

“That’s okay. I know you were excited about flying again, but it’s just not safe. We’ll just rent a car and drive. It’s only seven hours. A road trip could be fun,” Bree said, looking to Pat and me with an expression that said, “A little help here?”

“Yeah, I love road trips,” I scoffed.
Who the heck was she kidding?
“Nothing like a 6′4″, 255 pound guy crouched up in a car for seven hours straight. And you want the two of us to cram in with you and your dad? Sign me up for that!” I exclaimed sarcastically.

“Who says you and Dad are invited?” she teased.

“Oh, I’m coming! It’ll be a blast!” I teased, loving seeing her cheeks blush after I threw a wink her way.

“I can’t wait to get back into the gym,” Liam chimed in, interrupting our flirtation. “When do I get to train again?”

“I know, Buddy. I know. We’ll talk about that later. The doctor has some concerns,” Bree said calmly but dismissively.

Bree and Pat shared a look between them that was uncomfortable and awkward for me and she rubbed her hand over Liam’s forehead as she said it, looking defeated. I had a feeling that Liam’s fighting days were numbered, if not already over, and I felt sick to my stomach with the knowledge that I was the cause.

“Why do we have to talk about it later? What did he say?” Liam asked eagerly, looking at Bree, his voice slightly breaking with emotion when it rose.

“Well, your neurologist, the doctor taking care of your head, doesn’t think that you should fight anymore,” Bree answered calmly. “He says it’s just too dangerous.”

“Dangerous how? I’ve always fought. I’m not going to stop fighting. I don’t see what the big deal is anyway,” Liam said, frustration radiating off of him as he spoke, becoming fidgety in the bed.

“The big deal is that you got hit in the head really hard, a lot, and it put you into a coma. A
coma,
” she stressed, her voice rising. “You were asleep for almost twenty four hours. We didn’t know if you would ever even wake up. If you get hit in the head like that again, you could go to sleep again and never wake up, or your brain could be so badly hurt that you wouldn’t know how to talk or walk or do anything. Is that what you want?” she yelled, her voice cracking. She started to cry.

I moved toward her and attempted to support and comfort her as she cried, but she waved me off, lowering her head, her posture betraying her defeat. I thought it was inappropriate that I was still standing there, invading this intimate moment between Bree and her brother. Feeling uneasy, I discreetly excused myself, walking out into the hallway but staying right outside on the other side of the curtain. Pat followed me out but didn’t stop outside the door. He nodded his goodbye, assuring me we would catch up later. I made sure he had the new hotel information, knowing he was on his way to cope how he needed to cope, which I guessed was away from the hospital room.