Joey leaned back in the chair, letting out a relaxed laugh as he looked toward the house, where the soft glow of lights poured out onto the lawn. "Haha, haa… this is a great party, man. I'm glad I get to be part of your family."
Damon gave him a side glance, smiling. "Wouldn't be the same without you."
But Joey's tone shifted slightly, more thoughtful now.
"But I gotta say… I envy you."
Damon raised an eyebrow, confused. He didn't see much Joey could envy. Their lives, while different in detail, ran a similar rhythm.
Damon fought, he lived in the spotlight, chased titles, handled the pressure. Joey, on the other hand, never wanted to fight.
He found his place managing and marketing, handling logistics and opportunities, steering the machine around Damon's name.
And more than anything, Joey loved MMA. He loved being around it, part of it.
They both had carved lives doing what they loved.
So Damon wasn't sure what he meant. "What's there to envy?" he asked.
