"When everything changed
I had you
When my life was rearranged
I had you
When I hit rock bottom babe
I had you
When I thought I'd been forgotten babe
I had you
When I faced all my fears
I had you
When I thought nobody cared
I had you
And that's why

Whatever you want from me
You know you got it
Whatever you need baby
You're gonna get it
You got me forever
You got me forever"

Floacist – "Forever"

He had to take the chance at that moment, or else he wouldn't have the courage to try again.

The urge to kiss Athena washed over him as her lips ticked up into a wondrous smile as the wind blew her soft hair and the sunshine illuminated her beauty to the world. Damian feared she would disintegrate into the rays of sunlight like a misty mirage teasing him, and he dared to act by holding her chin and seeking sustenance in her lips. She welcomed the unexpected intrusion of desire and he wrapped his arms around her like she was life itself.

Heaven.

Her lips, her tongue, the gentle tickling of her hair brushing against his face, her scent... every molecule that made Athena a living, breathing soul blessed Damian to his core. She was the first woman he had ever kissed in his life and he would want no other after that.

He wasn't a virgin.

There had been several girlfriends and teenage sex for two good years before he was imprisoned, but Athena was the only grown woman he had ever touched like that. He savored every breath, the moist feel of her mouth, and the gentleness of her pliant tongue. It was a wise move to release her midway because she scrambled back for more and it was a lock for his heart. She had no idea how much of a lifeline she was for him being out in the world. The book she loaned him gave him the first foundation of looking at his circumstances in a different light.

Two weeks after running into her at the gym, Damian went to the downtown library and checked out three books by Thích Nhất Hạnh and listened to the audio of his lectures online. He had been raised Pentecostal in South L.A., but the first time he got into real trouble, his family sent him to a Catholic school. Spiritual matters didn't concern him much. Boxing and getting himself into a better situation was the goal. He lived with his grandmother down the street from Crenshaw Boulevard in Leimert Park and she had been a holy rolling bible thumper. She shipped him to an aunt in Eagle Rock to go to parochial school, but he always came back to his hood on the weekends. Big Mama Anderson died while he was in prison, and his older cousin took their grandmother's house as her own and refused to let him stay there when he got out because she had kids that didn't need to be around a loser. God died with his grandmother, but Athena awakened something new within him with her interest in spiritual matters outside of his upbringing.

His own relatives disavowed Damian, but Athena reached for him. She was the beacon he needed to stay the course and fight for what belonged to him. He was a junior Olympian. The most talked about Golden Gloves winner in the sport's history. To lose it all and watch Donnie reap the rewards — a man who was nowhere as good as him — burned like a motherfucker.

Donnie got by because he was Apollo Creed's son and Rocky Balboa took him in. Had he not had that connection, there was no way he would've gotten far on his own. The name opened doors because he sure as hell wasn't on anyone's radar when he tagged along with Damian to Inglewood. Donnie had an attitude and not much else, but Damian coddled and encouraged him to try his best. Their friendship was breezy and close, like brothers. When he won the Golden Gloves national title, it was Donnie who snuck Mary Anne's expensive liquor out of the house to celebrate Damian's new status along with the belt and ring that came with it. He had just turned nineteen, barely saying goodbye to eighteen, with the world by the balls… and then… it was over.

Having Athena in his arms rekindled a beast in him. He wanted everything denied in his past. Everything Donnie didn't deserve. Damian was the true diamond. Apollo's son was cubic zirconia. Donnie collected belts and multi-million-dollar fight purses, but he had never truly faced the best in the world.

Damian grasped Athena's hand and felt like a preening peacock. She was classy, sophisticated, educated, and gorgeous. Men and women on the boardwalk ogled her, and he puffed out his chest like he had the queen of the world on his arm.

Lost in the hazy intoxication of her presence, their stroll took them all the way to Venice Beach. Holding her hand made him protective, and he coveted the closeness they shared while meandering the weirdos and art hustlers trying to make a buck.

"Damian!"

A bulky bodybuilder shouted to him from the Venice outdoor gym known as Muscle Beach, which attracted narcissists to show off their sculpted abs and thighs. Damian worked out there every other day when he wasn't jogging on the Venice Beach sand.

"Dallas!" Damian called back.

The thick-neck white man with a spray-on tan, leathery skin, and thin blonde lanky hair stepped away from deadlifting two hundred pounds and trotted over to Damian.

"Thought you'd be out here today," Dallas said.

"Had a cheat day with a friend," he said, squeezing Athena's hand.

"Hey, got word on that spot near here for you if you're still interested. It's available on the twenty-second." Dallas said.

"Hell yeah," Damian said.

"I'll hit you up with details later," Dallas said.

Damian gave him a hand slap, and his good mood lifted even higher. Dallas was a popular regular with the body-building scene who befriended Damian, despite the ankle monitor and criminal record. He had a brother that rented rooms in his house on the beach scene right around the corner from the Venice Gold's Gym, and Damian wanted one. The price was reasonable for an ex-con, and Dallas promised him the first three months free as a favor. God was good.

"Where did you find this beautiful woman?" Dallas asked in a teasing tone.

Athena grinned, and Damian pulled her away from the spectacle of Muscle Beach. They ended their walk, dipping their toes in the sand and watching the ocean. He didn't want to rush things with her. She would think he was using her and trying to get over because she was rich and connected. He wanted things in place on his own to make him feel like a productive athlete on the rise. The clothes on his back were the nicest he owned, and it was better to keep his nose close to the grindstone. He had a place lined up to live, a trainer, and a warehouse job if things worked out the way he hoped. The plan was to train during the day and work the graveyard shift.

His cell rang.

"Hold on a minute," he said.

He pulled away from Athena and turned his back to the water.

"Hello?" Damian said.

"Dame?"

The voice surprised him.

"Kev—"

"Aye man, nobody told me you got out until I ran into Aunt Bibi. Where you at right now? I'm over at Big Mama's house. Shelly said you weren't staying there. What's up with that?"

"Ask her."

"This your house too, cuz."

"They don't act like it."

"Where are you?"

"The beach."

"What beach?"

"Venice."

"What's going on there?"

Damian turned back toward Athena. Her eyes were closed, and she tilted her head back to sunbathe her face as he spoke.

"Hanging out. Getting some air."

"Come through so I can see you. I'll wait until you get here. Need a ride?"

"I can get there on my own," Damian said.

He tapped his phone and slid it into his back pocket. It was time to end the date and face his family.

"Should we head back?" Damian asked.

"Sure," she said.

The wind blew her hair around again. If he were a painter, he could make the next Mona Lisa with her image. He recorded it to his brain-computer, too shy to ask if he could take a picture with his phone. Her windswept hair, the slight smile on her lips, and the comforting brown of her eyes were divine perfection.

"This was a great date. Thank you, Damian," she said.

"Dame," he said. "My close friends call me Dame."

"Okay. Dame."

She leaned forward and kissed his cheek before slipping her arm into the crook of his, and headed toward Santa Monica. They could've easily hopped in a Lyft for the journey back, but it was obvious they enjoyed each other's company.

"We should do this again," she suggested.

"I'll be a little busy the next few weeks. Training. Moving—"

"I understand. Just wanted to put it out there because I had fun," she said.

"I'm glad. I was worried you would find this… me, boring."

"A great lunch and fantastic conversation are never boring. You're far from boring, Damian… Dame."

"I'm sure you've had rich guys take you to all kinds of fancy places."

She stopped walking and turned to him.

"This was one of the best dates I've had in a long time. If all I ever did with you was eat well and walk on the beach talking up a storm and holding hands, that would outdo ninety percent of the men I've stepped out with," she said.

She toyed with a button on his shirt.

"When you have yourself situated, feel free to call me again for another outing," she said.

Damian looked into her earnest eyes and threw caution to the wind again. He touched her hair and drew her in close for another kiss that was longer than the last. They both grinned when they parted lips again. Putting on their shoes and socks, Athena stopped to check her cell as the ringtone played an anime sound effect. She swiped and scrolled her screen and her facial expression changed from bliss to an eyebrow arched.

"Something wrong?" Damian asked.

She looked at him with a gleam in her eye.

"Ricky Conlan just left prison. My brother announced they'll fight a re-match at the end of the year."

"Creed versus Conlan part two," Damian said.

"Donnie's only professional loss."

Damian watched her put her phone away, and they continued walking. The mood shifted between them as Athena took on a more serious energy. They parted ways at her car in a parking structure a block away from the café, and he declined her offer of a ride to his grandmother's house.

On the bus headed toward the Crenshaw district, Damian wondered how much money Donnie would pocket facing Pretty Ricky Conlan.

###

Donnie and Bianca never missed the monthly family dinner at the Creed mansion.

Mary Anne expected her children to come together and stay connected through buttered rolls, green beans, mashed potatoes, and good brisket. She cooked everything herself, along with a homemade seven-up cake. A.J. could join them because he had a medical convention in L.A. he was attending, so the evening was extra special, having all three Creed children together in one place for a home-cooked meal.

He noticed his sister was in a great mood. A lot of wine loosened her up. She chatted about her new work assignment with the Lakers and her planned trip to spend a girls' weekend at their family cabin in Big Bear. Her skin looked extra brown from the sun and her voice had a sing-song quality to it. Donnie loved when she was happy. It made him feel closer to her. The older they had gotten, the more closed off she became, even more so since he had married Bianca. His wife and daughter got along with her perfectly and Athena was the best ASL learner out of all of them, often having conversations with Amara that he couldn't keep up with.

A.J. was his usual stoic self, sounding like their father with his booming voice and a thick mustache. Amara was signing with Athena when his brother turned to him and eyed Donnie with serious energy.

"Are you confident that you will beat Conlan?" A.J. asked.

Mary Anne stood at the head of the grand dining table, cutting cake slices and passing around plates. She licked her finger on the icing of her own slice as she sat down, staring at him.

"Yes," Donnie said.

Athena stuffed her fork in her mouth with a look of doubt.

"You don't think so?" Donnie said to her.

Athena glanced around.

"I didn't say anything," Athena said.

"I know that look," Donnie said.

A.J. looked at their sister, too.

"You always know the odds and you have never been wrong about his matches," A.J. said.

Mary Anne and Bianca watched Athena carefully. She took another bite of her cake slice and signed for Amara to fill up the water pitcher with cold water from the kitchen. His daughter leaped at the chance to do anything for Athena and dashed away with the clear glass pitcher.

"I think Ricky Conlan is washed up. His last hurrah was facing you before he went in. It's a cash grab for him," Athena said.

Bianca openly relaxed and patted Donnie on his shoulder.

"I told you," Bianca said, grinning.

"If I were him, I'd let it rest and fade away, but he wants that last rush. So he'll end his career losing to you," Athena said.

A.J. rested his folded hands on the table.

"Who comes after Conlan?" A. J. asked.

Donnie looked at Bianca, and she tilted her head. Amara came back in with the water. She handed it to Athena and signed to be excused to play an RPG game in her famous grandpa's trophy room. Bianca gave her permission to go, and Amara took off like a rocket to get away from the boring adults.

"Now's the time," Bianca whispered to him.

Donnie cleared his throat and straightened his back. Mary Anne cocked her head and her eyes became hooded with contemplation like she knew what was coming next. Just like she knew when Bianca was pregnant before they did.

"I've discussed this with Bianca for months now, and I've decided to retire after the Conlan fight," Donnie said.

They held their breath for a long time around the table. Mary Anne pressed her hands together and placed the tips under her nose like she was praying, but the tears came down first.

"Whoa," A.J. said, glancing at Athena." I was not expecting that."

"Thank the Lord… oh thank the Lord," Mary Anne muttered.

Athena's face stayed neutral. There was no surprise or elation like the others with her expression. She studied him like she always did.

"I've accomplished a lot in the past seven years. I have nothing else to prove and I want to go out on top. My organization will start a new boxing venture, managing and promoting boxers. I've lined up key endorsements and partnering investors to make this profitable next move for me and my family. Boxing will still be a part of my life, but I'll run things outside of the ring and not in it," Donnie said.

A.J. grinned and held out his hand to shake.

"Congratulations little brother," A.J. said.

Donnie shook his hand, and Mary Anne left her seat to hug him.

"I have prayed for this day," she said, kissing his forehead.

"Making moves like I suggested," Athena said.

"Ma's input was tremendous. She knows how to make money with money," Donnie said.

Mary Anne stood behind him with her hands on his shoulders.

"You all know I majored in finance in college. I took your father's first million dollars and turned it into five million in under three years with smart investments and our own business ventures. We keep the money growing in this family," Mary Anne said.

She glanced around the table at all of her children and grew misty-eyed.

"If only Apollo could see what he gave the world," Mary Anne said.

Athena turned her gaze back down to her plate and fiddled with the crumbs of her cake.

"So where does that leave the biopic about Dad and Rocky?" Athena asked.

Mary Anne went back to her seat and sipped on some water.

"The producers are still negotiating with the studio. Rocky gave his consent to use the current story treatment as they shop it around," Mary Anne said.

"Will Donnie be a part of the story?" A.J. asked.

Athena tried not to give a tell on her face, but it was so clear in the furrow of her brows that she was still upset about the narrative.

"He has to be. I mean, it's an important part of Apollo's life," Bianca said.

"I think it will take away from Dad's narrative if it's given a huge chunk of screen time," Athena said.

Bianca's lips became tight.

"Part of the resurgence of Apollo's popularity is Donnie coming into the picture. We uplift the tragedy of losing him with Donnie carrying on the family fighting legacy and winning," Bianca said.

"Well, if we're going to add that to the story, then we should tell the whole thing," Athena said.

Donnie didn't like the growl in her throat or the surly look in her eyes. Mary Anne folded up her cloth napkin.

"I think we should table this conversation for another time when we're all a little more sober," Mary Anne said.

"What more is there to tell?" Bianca said.

Donnie glanced at Mary Anne who did her utmost to stay poised. Athena leaned forward and Mary Anne reached out and touched her daughter's hand.

"Athena… please. Don't," Mary Anne said.

Athena stared at her mother and her eyes became shiny. She turned her head away, swallowed the last of her wine, and jumped up from the table.

"I'm going to go play video games with my niece if anyone needs me," Athena said with a slightly tipsy slur. "Enjoy the retirement life, Adonis."

His sister left the dining room and A.J. stared around in confusion.

"Ma, what was that all about?" A.J. asked.

Mary Anne spread her hands on the table.

"You all know how sensitive she is about your father's good name. She's worried that putting an emphasis on Donnie's mother will have folks making jokes again… about me and Apollo… and Amara seeing all of that," Mary Anne said.

"We've dealt with that before, but she acted like there was something we didn't know about that whole situation. What are you hiding from us?" A. J. said.

Mary Anne lowered her head to find words.

"It just still hurts me. Sometimes," Mary Anne said.

"Ma…." Donnie said.

She held a hand up.

"Donnie. Say nothing about it. You are a blessing to me. You're my son. Understand? How you got here is not your fault and I will not have you feeling sorry for me or for yourself just because I have a moment from time to time—"

"Ma, I don't believe you," A.J. interjected. "You can say what you want to Donnie about it, but this is something that's hitting Athena more than what you're letting on. We're grown now. You can tell us everything."

"I don't want to talk about the past. I want to talk about Donnie's future… your future. Athena's. Yours too, Bianca. This biopic is stirring up terrible memories, as we all knew it would before we agreed to let it happen. Anyone want more cake before I put it away?" Mary Anne said.

She stood up abruptly and for a moment, she looked around the table confused.

"I'll have another piece. It was so good," Bianca said, trying to divert Mary Anne's attention.

A.J. tapped his fingers on the table and turned toward Donnie.

"Excited for you, Donnie, proud of your career, man," A.J. said.

For a second, Donnie allowed himself to pretend that A.J. was their father. Practically Apollo's clone, his older brother was sincere and there was love in his eyes. Donnie latched onto it.

"Thank you, A.J.," he said.

They set all talk of the biopic aside, but Athena's absence from the table felt heavy to all of them.