Do it a hundred percent or don’t do it at all. Don’t half ass anything.

I remembered that lesson he taught me when I first came to work at Townsend Industries. I’d made it clear from the beginning that I wasn’t interested in the energy side of things but I was all in when it came to the real estate division. My father had told me those words and then got out of my way to let me sink or swim on my own.

“I know you’re getting old, but are you getting senile on me? You came down here to fight?” Buddy questioned.

My father shook his head. “Just checking up on my third youngest. Seeing how this operation of his is running.”

Buddy’s gaze shifted to mine. “The kid’s doing alright. A chip off the old block.”

I grunted at Buddy. “Whatever. I didn’t come here to talk and reminisce. You came to watch me fight or what?” I questioned my father.

“Let’s see what you’ve got.”

“Finally.”

I parted ways with my father and Buddy to head to the bathroom to change into my fighting gear which was only a pair of boxing shorts, boxing shoes, and hand wraps. I waited until Buddy entered to tie my wraps.

“Damon’s not here tonight,” he informed me.

I nodded, already knowing he wouldn’t be making it. “He’s a newlywed. I don’t expect him to be coming as often.”

Buddy snorted and laughed. “Same with you. We’re lucky if you make it out here once a month.”

I shrugged. “I’d rather be at home in bed with my wife and daughter than looking at you all night.”

“I’m hurt,” Buddy stated, clutching his chest.

“You’ll get over it.”

I left out of the bathroom, chuckling as he retorted something to my back. I glanced up into the ring to see Doc inside. That was his nickname. He was actually a doctor, which, obviously, was how he got the name.

“What’s up, pretty boy?” I taunted as I entered the ring.

“Townsend. Oh, how I’m going to enjoy this opportunity to mess up that grin of yours tonight.”

I grunted. “Don’t count on it.”

“Alright, boys, you know the rules. I won’t exhaust myself going over that shit again,” Buddy yelled as he stood between us. “Let’s go!” Stepping out of our way, he allowed us to do our thing.

Doc and I circled one another, and while I was certain he was the quietest one in the room, I could feel my father’s eyes on me, watching me. It didn’t make me nervous, however. It did the same it’d always done when I knew my father was observing. It made me brave.

“Shit!” Doc cursed when I saw an opening and landed a left hook to his right side ribs.

“That was just a fucking love tap. Don’t be a pussy!” I taunted.

“Fuck you, Townsend,” he retorted.

He swung and just narrowly missed clipping my chin. But I didn’t let that near miss deter me. I went in for a sweep of his right leg, but he saw it coming and side hopped it. However, I caught him on my way up, sending a right cross to his chest, causing him to stumble backward. Nevertheless, Doc was no easy win. He wasn’t too knocked out by my cross and quickly recovered, trapping my right hook in his grasp.