Page 132 of My Family

Forget my problems by lifting something heavy.

At the gym, I load more weight onto the bench than I should. Jack stands behind me to spot, already looking suspicious.

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah."

I'm not.

Doesn't matter.

I'm going to lift it one way or another.

I unrack the bar.

It comes down.

Then it almost doesn't go back up.

My arms shake violently, close to giving out, but I keep pushing.

Whatever happens, I'm going to hold it.

Even if it's more than I can take.

"Come on," Jack says from above me. "Push."

I do.

The bar crawls upward. My elbows nearly buckle.

Jack's hands hover under it, close enough to catch it if I fail, but I don't let him.

I push until the bar finally reaches the rack.

Jack helps guide it into place.

I drop my arms to my sides and lie there, breathing hard.

I did it.

But it cost me.

My arms hurt. Maybe more than they should.

I've hurt myself plenty of times training harder than I should.

After that, the three of us go to MMA.

I watch Tyler and Reed go at each other every chance they get, but underneath all of it, it's starting to look like they actually like each other.

Maybe my brother is going to be okay without me.

The thought sits heavily in my stomach.

I look over at Liam, who's sparring with Jack.

My little puppy. So good-looking.