Behind the Iron Fist — J.C. Szot

Emasculated by his father's prejudicial behavior, Drew Walker lives an inward life, avoiding social situations as well as women. Boxing is an outlet for Drew, enabling him to vent his pent-up aggressions. When his father is injured in an accident, he becomes a bedridden liability, forcing Drew to care for a man he loathes. Though dedicated to his fitness regimen, Drew battles the escape that alcohol provides. Mia Riley, a compassionate LPN who fled from her career after losing a patient, resorts to slinging beers in Troy's Tavern. Drew looks the way she feels, empty. Her need to heal has her preoccupied with Drew. Witnessing a bar brawl leads to their first encounter. As their relationship slowly evolves, Mia learns of Drew's tumultuous childhood. Drew is confident that he can fight his way through any physical confrontation and win, but as his attraction to Mia grows, he questions whether he'll ever have the confidence to emerge from behind the iron fist and be the man that Mia wants.