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“About what?”
“Aboutwho,” he corrects angrily. “He was talking about Kit, so I shut his mouth for him.”
My relaxed stance against the wall transforms to fight-ready, as fire and anger roar through my veins. Jack’s in trouble for defending his sister? What the fuck is that? I’m so fixated on her, I didn’t even stop to let him explain himself. If that were any of my brothers, I’d automatically assume they were in the right, so why doesn’t he get the same courtesy? I’m such an asshole. “What was he saying? Why would he say something about someone he doesn’t even know?”
“Well… he does know her. His name is Chris, and his girlfriend’s name is… Rita.”
My eyes narrow at his easy answer. I’m missing something – something that should be obvious. “You’re gonna have to spell it out for me, kid.”
“Rita’s my cousin.”
“Oh. Right, okay. Why would your cousin’s boyfriend talk bad about Kit?”
“Well, Rita’s not really a good person. They don’t get along; she and Kit. My extended family are kind of assholes to her.”
“Okay, so your cousin’s boyfriend picks a fight with you at school? Why?”
“Well, that’s the thing; he wasn’t actually trying to pick a fight. He was just talking shit about Kit and saying how I should come live with them, instead. With my aunt, that is.”
“What the fuck? Why?”
“Beats me. I mean, I kind of get along with them. I’ve done some shitty things to my sister since living with her, drinking with Rita and them, stuff like that, which Kit tried to stop me from doing. I don’t have a problem with them, not really, but I’m not stupid, I know they’re bums. I know where I’ve gotta stay if I want a future that includes an education and no one named Big Bubba.” His eyes meet mine. “Kit’s got my back, but they don’t. They just want to party.”
Smart kid. “Does Kit know about this? Does she know it was Chris?”
“No. Didn’t tell her.”
“Why not?”
He shrugs carelessly.
“So she’s punishing you for standing up for her?”
Another shrug.
Fighting outside the gymisagainst the rules, but there’s no way in hell I’m standing by this punishment shit today. He did the right thing. You’ll never hear me say different. Even gym and school rules come second to standing up for his sister.
“I feel bad, you know? I was pretty horrible to her when Dad died. The day he was buried. A million times since.” He sighs. “I’ve been pretty horrible for a long time. I’ve got a lot of making up to do.”
“So you’ll fight her enemies in silence as penance? You need to talk to her, Jack. You’ve gotta be a team, fight the same enemies at the same time. Not this two heads, two plans, shit.” I clap my hand on his shoulder. “If it means anything to you, I think you did the right thing. Finish out the day with the jobs we gave you, but tomorrow you can shadow me or the guys. Help me train chicks like Eliza.”
The cheesy grin stretches his face. “I’ll help her get her posture right.”
I bark out a laugh. “I bet you will, pervert. This isn’t me condoning you hitting every asshole you ever encounter. Don’t do that. Every action comes with a consequence, Jack, and hitting to let off steam will land your ass in supermax in no time, but at the same time, I’m saying you did good by having her back. Never forget she’s all you’ve got now. Never waste what you have.”
His laughing eyes turn serious. “I won’t. I’ve been working hard on being better. Except for that shit yesterday, she was dancing around because I was an angel.”
There’s not much I wouldn’t give to see her dance around like that.
“Yeah, well, be that angel again. Make her smile, and I’ll turn you into the next world champion. You’re fifteen years old, kid, which means we can get you up and running long before you’re legal. You’ll hammer them once you get into the octagon.”
“You’re not kidding right now?”
“Not at all. I’ve watched you train. You don’t suck.”
“I don’t suck,” he snorts. “High praise from Bobby Kincaid.”
“Trust me, it is. Good job, thanks for telling me your shit, now get back to work.” He whips the towel between his hands, but before he can leave, I grab his shoulder. “Wait. One more thing; what are you guys going to buy for dinner on the way home tonight?”
“Pizza,” he answers me curiously. “We always get a loaded pizza.”
These are my people. “Alright, good talk. Get back to work.”
