MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

They had talked for what felt like hours, the easy rhythm of catching up tinged with heavier undertones as Joey began to open up more.

Damon listened closely, his expression shifting between concern and quiet understanding.

As Joey stopped talking, Damon sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Man, I didn't know it was like that. What about your brother? You've talked to him about any of this?"

Joey leaned back in his seat, his posture deflated. "I don't know."

Damon frowned and furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, you don't know?"

Joey exhaled sharply, frustration creeping into his voice. "What I mean is, I've called. He hasn't answered. Not once. We were supposed to meet a while back, but it's like he just... disappeared. I don't know, man. I don't know what's going on with him."

Damon leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You're saying you've got no clue where he is?"

Joey shook his head. "None. And the thing is, he was supposed to be here for me, you know? Like, when I found out about the baby, he said he'd help. Said he'd come to Santa Monica and we'd figure it out together. But now... nothing."

Joey's voice was heavy, and Damon could see how much it was eating at him.

"That's not like him, right?" Damon pressed gently. "To just ghost you like that?"

"No," Joey said firmly.

Damon leaned back, his hands raised slightly in a calming gesture. "You said Ashley's parents cut her off?"

Joey nodded, his face tight with frustration. "Yeah. I don't know all the details, but they did. It's not like I planned on relying on them forever or anything. I just wanted to finish this year, get my degree, and find a job. Then we'd take care of ourselves, you know? I mean, it's not like I can let Ashley go work while she's pregnant. I was thinking about dropping out, you know–"

"Woah, drop out? Chill, man," Damon interrupted, his tone firm but calm.

Joey's frustration reached a peak, and his voice rose. "What do you want me to do then, huh?" He leaned forward and clenched his hands. His feelings came out in a raw burst.

"I'm not a fighter like you, Damon! I can't just go and do that to earn money! I don't have any fucking notable skills besides what I've been studying for the past couple of years! And most part-time jobs? They don't pay enough to keep us afloat!"

Joey was frustrated and sad at the same time, and his face showed it.

Damon didn't say anything until the silence was over.

"Hey, hey. That's not the way, Joey. Take a breath, man." Damon leaned forward, his tone reassuring but serious. "And you're wrong about yourself. Don't sell yourself short like that."

Joey's jaw tightened, but he stayed quiet, his eyes darting away as Damon continued.

"You've got skills, man. You used to run a backyard fight show, remember? That wasn't easy. You organized everything, promotions, schedules, the whole deal. That's management. And you've been studying hard for years. That's discipline, that's effort. You're not as helpless as you think."

Joey glanced back at him, his expression softening slightly.

"I get it, this situation's messed up," Damon said, his voice low but firm. "And yeah, it's not fair. But dropping out? Giving up? That's not gonna solve anything. You've come too far for that, Joey. You've got people who care about you, Ashley, your kid, and even me. So don't talk like you're out of options, alright?"

"Sorry for that... I just, I don't know, shit's been piling up," Joey said, his voice tinged with guilt as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Damon waved it off with a small smile. "It's cool, man. How about joining us at the gym sometime? You can let out all that tension, clear your head."

Joey shook his head, a faint smile crossing his face. "Would love to, but I need to get back. I don't wanna leave Ashley too long in case she needs me. And I need to apologize to her."

Damon nodded, understanding the weight Joey was carrying. "Don't stress yourself too much, alright? Just take it one step at a time. And remember, call me. We're all here to help. You helped me before, and now it's my turn. I want to help you too."

Joey looked at him, his eyes softening. "Thanks, D. I mean that."

"Always, man," Damon replied, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Alright, it was good chatting with you. Thanks for listening," Joey said, standing up and stretching.

Damon smiled as he stood as well. "How about I give you a ride? I'm heading back to the gym, left Lana there."

Joey grinned and clapped Damon on the back. "Oh, right, you've got a car now, huh? Look at you, big man. Proud of you, D. And yeah, of course, I'll take the ride."

As they left the fast food place together, Damon laughed. It seemed like the stress from earlier had gone away a little.

As they approached the sleek black Audi, Joey whistled in appreciation. "Man, you really leveled up. This is nice."

Damon smirked, unlocking the car with a press of the button. "Yeah, it's alright," he said, feigning modesty as they got in.

Damon's mind wandered as he drove.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

It was nice to have friends like Joey, who laughed and smiled even though they were going through a lot.

But seeing how hard things were for Joey had stirred something in him.

He wanted to help. really help.

But just handing Joey money didn't feel right.

Damon respected him too much to offer something that might seem like a handout.

Joey had his pride, and Damon didn't want to step on that.

Still, he couldn't do nothing and watch his friend struggle while he had millions of dollars sitting in his account getting no use.

He was going to do it.

Not just with money, but also with tangible support that would make a difference.

Joey didn't know it yet, but Damon had already decided.

He wasn't going to let his friends face this kind of burden alone.

Whatever it took, he'd make sure Joey and Ashley got through this.