Dan Stein: “The SHOOT Project Iron Fist Champion. That's who I am. That's who I will be known as until the day that I lose this belt, upon which I'll be known as Dan Stein, The FORMER SHOOT Project Iron Fist Champion. Winning this belt... the accomplishment of beating Adrian Corazon, CURRENT SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Champion, can never be taken away from me. The belt, sure. I could lose it. I could be stripped of it. I could retire and vacate it. But I will forever be known as a SHOOT Project Iron Fist Champion.”

Stein was talking to no one in particular, in fact, the camera wasn't even rolling yet. Stein was just talking to hear himself think.

Dan Stein: “The name Dan Stein is synonymous for rising star right now; it's the name on everyone's mouths, it's the face that women choose to lust over. Dan Stein is becoming a big name, with big accomplishments. And all I can do right now is run away from it because it makes me scared. Scared to know what the fuck is happening; scared to find out what it's like to actually be... at peace. It's all I've know for the last year, I don't know how to be anything different than... scared.”

Stein shook his head as he stood up off the bed.

Dan Stein: “But I have to face it, I have to grow up. I have to become the man that my mom and pops wanted me to be. Nut up, fight like a fucking champ, like the champ I am, and come out victoriously.”

Stein grabbed his hooded sweatshirt off of the bed and turned to walk out of the hotel room before stopping dead in his tracks and spinning his head to the side. In the corner of his eye was the Iron Fist Title. Stein turned and walked toward it until his reflection could be seen in the gold. He looked down at it, ran his fingers over it, and smirked.

Dan Stein: “Damn, you look good around my waist.”

* * *

Stein wore that black UnderArmour sweatshirt with the hood back, his blonde hair slicked with gel, gold rimmed Oakley aviators over his baby blue eyes. He walked down the sidewalk of Spokane, Washington with his hands in his jean pockets, thumbs in his belt loops. Dan walked quickly, confidently, towards a local Irish pub.

The place was packed, and the music was loud. People were drinking their favorites, from domestic beers to imported whiskeys, eating Reubens and all sorts of pizzas. It was exactly what Stein heard it was. Now that Stein Sky High was over and he had the entire week off, Stein had done his researching on the local area. If he was going to support his best friend and the only man he'd ever call his brother, Cade Sydal, he was going to at least hit up the local hot spots.

Inside, Stein hurried himself to a booth.