The Art of Being Tony (Tony Winters Book 1) Read online

  When they got back home, it was incredibly early in the morning. So early that it was time for him to get out for some road work with the others. Jen sighed at him, but smiled. She was tired, but had already managed a few hours’ sleep.

  Tony hadn’t. It was the moving vehicle thing. How people did that he didn’t know.

  “You know, the day after a fight, we normally give people some time off. Aren’t you sore?”

  He was, of course, but shrugged.

  “Sure, but people need me to keep them moving. It’s kind of my thing here. My way of being useful. I’m not a fighter. Not really. If I want to stay here, I have to be worth something. So, towels, clean floors and road work.”

  Rick shook his head at the words. He also smiled and patted his nephew on the back.

  “You don’t have to win a place here, Tony. You’re family. Now, I can’t say I don’t like those other things, but we’re here for you. You don’t have to hold down a full time job on top of your life for us. That isn’t your part here.”

  It was nice to hear. One day, maybe even soon, he might even believe it was true.

  “Okay. Still, I like being useful. That’s good, right?”

  Ashley sighed and then yawned, but also gave him a hug.

  “You know, it is a good thing. Important, too. Just do it for the right reason. To help people, not because you think that we need you to do those things just to have a place here. You have people. Lots of them. Even if you don’t go running ever again, or… I don’t know, take a day off, after a fight?”

  He smiled at her and nodded.

  “Okay. In that case, since no one is judging me that way… let’s get that run in and then have a good workout?”

  That got a groan, but people went off to change, so that they could do that with him. He nodded, understanding that it wasn’t just because it was the good thing to do, or even that it would help them in the future, but because they knew it was what he wanted.

  What Tony wanted.

  Which, he finally understood, was who he really was. Tony Winters.

  Apparently that was something worth being.

  Smiling, he got ready himself. After all, there were fights coming up soon and people to help. Friends and maybe even family. Thinking about it, Tony decided that he liked the sound of that.

  Family.

  It was a new idea for him, but one he could run with.