Chapter 21: The Corner

Cal's POV

The commission put four rules on her corner.

The water would come from Rae's own case, the one Bea bought, held by the doctor until the opening bell.

A licensed second would work the stool.

A licensed cutman would stand on the apron.

And the licensed man with the best record of fighters who stayed on their feet was Lou Gannon.

Vince could have said no.

On camera, with the doctor's finding still in the air, he said, "Of course, Louis, go to her," and he smiled at the cameras.

So Lou stood on my left with a towel over his shoulder, and Bea stood on my right with the bucket.

Rae sat on the stool in the locker room with her hands out in front of her.

I wrapped them.

I took my time over the left, and I put my thumb on the inside of her wrist, and neither of us said anything about it.

"The wrap's tight," she said.

"It's right."

"Cal."

"Keep the elbow in," I said. "And when you throw it hard, bring it home. Don't leave it out."

"I know."

"You've known it since I told you. Your body hasn't."

She looked at me for a second.

Then she stood up and put her forehead against my chest, one time, and walked out toward the noise.

Bea leaned in beside me as the door opened.

"Lou's file is on my laptop," she said. "I've got a man in the sound booth who owes me a favor."

"Bea."

"Don't ask when. Lou told me when."

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