Page 124 of Forever Relentless

“Now and again, nothing serious.”

He handed me a bottle of water. “Want to go?”

I looked around, seeing no one else. “With you?”

His shoulder lifted slightly. “See anyone else here?”

I grinned. “Sorry, didn’t think you had it in you,” I trash-talked him, looking him over. He was middle-aged, his belly softer than he probably wanted, but his arms were strong, his shoulders wide. “You’re serious?” I took a long drink of water.

“I’m bored,” he said honestly, heading to the ring. “We can do a few rounds. No one needs to punch the shit out of anyone.” He stooped and held up two head protectors. “I’m guessing you want blue?” he asked, looking over his shoulder at me.

I breathed out a laugh as I joined him. “Nah, I’ll take red. Blue’s not really my color.”

He laughed and stepped into the ring. It was a bit smaller than a standard one, and I understood why, but still, the familiar feel of it beneath my feet eased the tension in my shoulders.

He had his headgear on and handed me a pair of gloves. “No martyrs here. Stay padded.”

“Agreed.”

Geared up, I faced him, and we touched gloves. He fell back into a stance so easily he took me by surprise, and the next second he swung, and I barely dodged.

“Gotta be quicker than that, friend,” he scolded with a grin.

I loosened my shoulders and then feinted a jab. When he ducked, I got him with my left.

“Got to be quicker than that, friend,” I mocked him.

“Okay, alright, I see you.” He jabbed and followed with a body cross.

We danced around each other for a few rounds — a few hits landed, some harder than others. We were both out of breath at the end, and we were both smiling.

There were a few more people in the gym now. Some had watched, some had gone on with their own workouts, ignoring us, as if this was normal. Which it probably was. It was a gym after all.

I’d have a black eye; he’d have a split lip. But they were both worth it. I don’t know what he got out of it, but I think I wasn’t the only one carrying demons on their back.

As I pulled off my gloves, he handed me my water. “You come back anytime,” he told me casually. “I haven’t felt this good in months.”

The fact he was mopping his bleeding lip just made me smile wider.

“Will do,” I told him, handing him the gloves. I noticed the time. “Shit, I overstayed my hour.”

He waved me off. “You’re good, slugger. See you again.”

I waved goodbye and jogged down the stairs to the outside, putting my headphones in.

I didn’t look around as I made my way down the street, so when my shirt got pulled at the back, I turned with my fist raised.

Briar jumped back. “Whoa, what the fuck?”

Shit.

“Why would you sneak up on me?” I demanded, taking my earbud out.

“Well, I called your name twice.” I held the earbud up, and she rolled her eyes. “You told me you didn’t wear them!”

“When I was running.” I took the other one out. “What do you want?”

Briar’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “Is this how you’re going to be?” she demanded, her hands on her hips. “I turn down your dick and you become one?”