As if I summoned her, she walks through the door. “Hey,” she snips. “Where are the guys?”
“I told them you were going to be here.” I actually demanded them not to come, but she doesn’t need to know that. It’s been a long time since we did this just the two of us. Seeing her grow so much with her training and the notoriety that has come with Rory’s win has been so good. But I miss my sad best friend that hates people as much as I do.
“I saw the guy you’re up against. Easy win.” She sits opposite of me and starts wrapping my hands. “It’s pointless to even fight him, really.”She stays focused on the wrap, methodically moving the fabric through my fingers.
“You know why I fight, A.” I let out easily. She’s probably the only other person that truly understands it. Fighting lets our souls breathe better. All the suffocating thoughts and disappointment that rampages our brains throughout the day, are battled in the lack of light in that cement hole.
“I just hate seeing you hurt. I could have helped if I was here.” Her voice trails off as she finishes the wrap.
“We always use your method. You’re here even when you aren’t.” I assure her. Her head finally lifts, and her eyes lighten with the ease of the guilt she’s been carrying around. “We’re all proud of you.” I tell her as she starts wrapping my other hand. “Dad hasn’t even had to be at the gym because of how much of a badass you’ve been. We never thought we would see him live a semi-retired life.”
“Yeah. Where the fuck has he been? I tried to bring pizza over this week and he wasn’t home and he pretended his phone was dead while he was out, but it rang all the way. So I know it wasn’t dead.” Her eyes narrow and she pulls the wrap a little too tight. I have to stretch my fingers even wider to loosen it back up.
“No idea. I’ve been busy.” I play dumb. I know exactly where Dad was. He asked me to come with him, but I wasn’t in the mood to be questioned by all the old ladies again. He really thinks he’s going to beat her next week at Thanksgiving dinner and I can’t wait.
“Yeah. How is my best friend?” She velcros the end of the wrap, sitting up straighter.
“I’m great, thanks for asking.” I grin.
She pushes my shoulder and laughs. “Seriously. How is she? She’s been extra stressed lately. But she doesn’t want to talk about it. So I haven’t pushed it.” I watch her shoulders drop a little in defeat.
“I think she’s worried about having to see her family soon.” It’s the only thing that I know stresses her out. Mia takes on everything with a confidence I’ve never seen in anyone. It’s impressive and intimidating.
“I don’t know anything about her family. Her application didn’t list any family for references. Just old bosses. I’ve never even met anyone she’s related to. The only one she talks about is her grandma.”
“Gigi.” I nod my head before standing to stretch. Rob will be coming in any minute to pull us out there. “They have a joint birthday party the week after next. It’s like this huge party charity gala. I have to wear a tux and everything. But she seems apprehensive about going. I’m pretty sure grandma is the only reason she is going. Hey, actually we should,” I turn around to face her but the look on her face has me worried. She looks terrified. “What?”
She stands up and looks up at me like she thinks I’ve lost my mind. “You’re going to wear a tux.”
“I’m going to wear a tux.” I repeat. “Like I was saying,” I try to continue but she puts her hand up to stop me.
“Do you even own a tux? Do you know what one even looks like?”
“Do you know what a dress looks like?” I raise an eyebrow and her mouth drops open.
Her lips twitch, fighting a smirk. “You really like her.”
I let her accusation rest between us. Because I do. I miss just being in the same room as her. I miss the way she makes herself laugh by whatever ridiculous thoughts are running through her head. I miss the smell of cherries. “I really do.”
“She’s at Mik’s. She’s wearing pants. I didn’t even have to try and convince her. I walked in and she was cussing about having killer legs and she had every pair of pants on her bed.” I can’t help the victorious smile that is spreading across my face. “What did you do?” AJ clocks me immediately. I shrug my shoulders because to be a step ahead of Mia Cassidy feels like winning a war. “You’re a brat. Whatever you did.”
“I learn from the best.” I look at her pointedly. Two bangs come from the other side of the door, letting us know it’s time to head out for the fight. “What I was trying to say before you kept interrupting me. Her birthday. We should throw her a party.”
AJ looks horrified before she throws her hands up saying, “I don’t do surprise parties. I would ruin it by even trying.”
She isn’t wrong. We are the worst pair to try and throw a party worthy of Mia. We both look at each other and I know the same thought comes to our minds at the same time because her whole face lights up just as mine does. Like a literal light bulb going off.
“Maxie.” We say together. He is the perfect one to throw her a party. They are basically the same person.
She nods excitedly as we head down the hallway. “She will love it!” She pushes her way through the door separating us from the crowd and her whole body lights up as the crowd roars. They love her here. I think a part of her misses fighting too.
We reach the corner of the pool easily, and before I can go down the ladder, Tucker pulls me to the side. “We have you booked tomorrow night too. Just like you asked.” I nod once to him and make my way back to where AJ is holding herself up at the top of the ladder. I was hoping she didn’t see that.
“What did he want?”
I shut her questioning down. “Nothing.” The look on her face tells me she doesn’t believe me, but doesn’t want to argue with me right now. Thankfully, she doesn’t ask any more questions.
We’re standing in the corner as the other guy makes his way down. She’s right. I’ve actually fought this guy before. He thinks he’s faster than he is and makes a lot of mistakes because he has little follow through. AJ steps before me and grins wickedly. “If you end this fight in less than ten minutes you can crash her date.” I love having AJ in my corner.
