Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2017 21:51:54 GMT -5
It was late, the Chicago condo was quiet and mostly dark. Only a single table lamp in the first-floor sitting area glowed as Logan stepped out of the shower. Over the railing he spied Sadie in her pajamas sitting on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, with a pile of papers in her lap.
“Seems we both have that career obsession.” His words were light-hearted as he descended the steps with a towel on and nothing more, but carrying clothes in his hand.
Almost comically making his point, Sadie started to turn her head toward him while still trying to keep her eyes on the paper, fighting to read one last line. “Hmm? … Oh.” As what he said sunk in, she looked a little abashed. “I’m just trying to see if you and Drake have the means to expand the gym yet. I’ve been going over the numbers.” For several days, at that.
“Yeah? And what's the status?” Undivided attention was given to her, even as he whipped his towel off and began to dress before her without hesitation.
Her attention remained less focused for a few moments, however, and she had to look back down at the paper to re-collected her thoughts. “Tell me something, Logan. I’ve heard Drake talk about expanding the gym or opening a second location. He obviously wants to… but do you?”
Logan took a deep breath as be thought. “Yeah… yeah… as long as it could be done in a modest fashion. I'm hesitant about expanding too far for our own good.”
At long last Sadie set the papers aside on the coffee table and turned fully toward him. “What’s on your mind?”
“I'm just not a fan of becoming too big. The thought of fortune makes me feel uneasy. Money changes people.”
There was more to it, she could tell, but Sadie didn’t press, for the moment. “Well, expanding could be possible, but for the time being it’s a stretch. I think you’re safe for now.” She offered what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “How are you feeling about your match?”
The relief of not having to explain further and not feeling pressured about expansion set him at ease.“I'm feeling good, confident, and ready. It's an opportunity for one hell of a first impression.”
“Exactly,” she agreed, some of her own anticipation bleeding into her voice. “And it’s not coincidence that you have that opportunity. SCUV knows you’re cut from something different than the rest, they want to see it.”
“They will. I have it all planned out in my head. Impose my will, and I have it handled.” A nod followed his words, with him looking off momentarily while in thought. “That will be the most telling factor… my ability to control the pace and outcome.
“Precisely,” she confirmed with her own nod. “But you can’t get complacent. Trixie is a marathoner and not a sprinter, she can keep going where others can’t.”
“Then I can't give her a chance to race. Keep her slowed, grounded, and mentally off.”
Whether it was his assessment or his tenacity, she smiled at the response. “Absolutely, but be sure to keep your eyes moving. Toma Knupp is the most technically sound of the three, and a submission specialist.”
“Defense and offensive striking or moves that result in big impact. The more I focus on his strengths to weaken them, the less he plays a factor.” Logan did have a fair knowledge of submission defense, so that would be more than useful.
“And while his strength in submissions may outmatch your ability to counter or escape them, yours also outweigh his. Keep that in mind. Trent Bishop, however, is a whole other ballgame, maybe the biggest wildcard in the match. He’s got the speed, the agility, and the power behind his strikes to make him a big threat.”
“I'll have to overpower him and keep him slowed down as well. The biggest importance is that I set the pace first, keep everyone locked in my game. Whatever speed is offered, I need to keep vigilant and reflexive, because he will make a mistake.”
“I’m proud of you,” Sadie declared abruptly, interrupting the flow of strategizing. “You’ve been training hard, and I know you can do this. You’re stronger than all three of them, you have the skill with submissions to tap any of them out, and most importantly you’re smarter between the ropes than any of those three.”
Logan knelt down before Sadie and took a kiss.“It's all part of the plan. Psychology and physicality, both leading to victory.” Before he could move, she leaned forward into his arms, wrapping all four of her limbs around him so that he could carry her up to bed. No more needed to be said, at least on her part.
“Sadie,” Logan hesitated. “There’s someone I need to talk to you about.”
“Seems we both have that career obsession.” His words were light-hearted as he descended the steps with a towel on and nothing more, but carrying clothes in his hand.
Almost comically making his point, Sadie started to turn her head toward him while still trying to keep her eyes on the paper, fighting to read one last line. “Hmm? … Oh.” As what he said sunk in, she looked a little abashed. “I’m just trying to see if you and Drake have the means to expand the gym yet. I’ve been going over the numbers.” For several days, at that.
“Yeah? And what's the status?” Undivided attention was given to her, even as he whipped his towel off and began to dress before her without hesitation.
Her attention remained less focused for a few moments, however, and she had to look back down at the paper to re-collected her thoughts. “Tell me something, Logan. I’ve heard Drake talk about expanding the gym or opening a second location. He obviously wants to… but do you?”
Logan took a deep breath as be thought. “Yeah… yeah… as long as it could be done in a modest fashion. I'm hesitant about expanding too far for our own good.”
At long last Sadie set the papers aside on the coffee table and turned fully toward him. “What’s on your mind?”
“I'm just not a fan of becoming too big. The thought of fortune makes me feel uneasy. Money changes people.”
There was more to it, she could tell, but Sadie didn’t press, for the moment. “Well, expanding could be possible, but for the time being it’s a stretch. I think you’re safe for now.” She offered what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “How are you feeling about your match?”
The relief of not having to explain further and not feeling pressured about expansion set him at ease.“I'm feeling good, confident, and ready. It's an opportunity for one hell of a first impression.”
“Exactly,” she agreed, some of her own anticipation bleeding into her voice. “And it’s not coincidence that you have that opportunity. SCUV knows you’re cut from something different than the rest, they want to see it.”
“They will. I have it all planned out in my head. Impose my will, and I have it handled.” A nod followed his words, with him looking off momentarily while in thought. “That will be the most telling factor… my ability to control the pace and outcome.
“Precisely,” she confirmed with her own nod. “But you can’t get complacent. Trixie is a marathoner and not a sprinter, she can keep going where others can’t.”
“Then I can't give her a chance to race. Keep her slowed, grounded, and mentally off.”
Whether it was his assessment or his tenacity, she smiled at the response. “Absolutely, but be sure to keep your eyes moving. Toma Knupp is the most technically sound of the three, and a submission specialist.”
“Defense and offensive striking or moves that result in big impact. The more I focus on his strengths to weaken them, the less he plays a factor.” Logan did have a fair knowledge of submission defense, so that would be more than useful.
“And while his strength in submissions may outmatch your ability to counter or escape them, yours also outweigh his. Keep that in mind. Trent Bishop, however, is a whole other ballgame, maybe the biggest wildcard in the match. He’s got the speed, the agility, and the power behind his strikes to make him a big threat.”
“I'll have to overpower him and keep him slowed down as well. The biggest importance is that I set the pace first, keep everyone locked in my game. Whatever speed is offered, I need to keep vigilant and reflexive, because he will make a mistake.”
“I’m proud of you,” Sadie declared abruptly, interrupting the flow of strategizing. “You’ve been training hard, and I know you can do this. You’re stronger than all three of them, you have the skill with submissions to tap any of them out, and most importantly you’re smarter between the ropes than any of those three.”
Logan knelt down before Sadie and took a kiss.“It's all part of the plan. Psychology and physicality, both leading to victory.” Before he could move, she leaned forward into his arms, wrapping all four of her limbs around him so that he could carry her up to bed. No more needed to be said, at least on her part.
“Sadie,” Logan hesitated. “There’s someone I need to talk to you about.”