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Chapter Twenty-One
Tyson
“Gottabefasterthanthat, brother,” I chided, dodging Atlas’s right hook. The two of us had taken to sparring a few times a week in the brand new practice ring I had installed at the back of the gym space.
I was still a long way from opening and running a fully functional gym for the community, but I was happy with the few equipment purchases. The open area was mapped out for where everything was going to go. Once I had it filled, it was really going to be a great space.
Having the gym was a godsend, even more so now than when I first bought it. It was good for me to keep my body moving, pushing myself to start training again. Of course, I’d never get back to where I’d once been physically, but it was a nice distraction to keep myself busy after everything that happened.
I hadn’t seen or spoken to Ellie since the day of Charlie’s funeral. I’d done what she asked of me, even if it crushed me to stay away. I worried about her often and though I tried not to pester Wren and Knox to keep me updated on how she was, it was almost impossible not to. The worst part was, they were worried about her too.
Atlas kicked out swiftly with his right leg. I blocked it, but just barely. The dull sting of pain was nothing compared to what it would’ve felt like to get hit full on with a blow like that. I gave my head a small shake, bringing my full attention back to the fight. Sparing with my brother was fun. Atlas was actually a decent competitor, even if we weren’t going all out because of my injury.
I feigned to the right and moved to strike at his unguarded ribs. He adjusted quickly enough to avoid most of my attacks. I grinned. “Look at you, getting better.”
Atlas grumbled something under his breath. As I tried to decipher what it was, he stepped in for a quick jab, managing to land a good shot under my jaw. I jumped back, shaking away the burst of pain. He was getting much better than I realized.
I clenched my teeth, annoyed. Atlas’s lip twitched up at the corner. We circled each other, our muscles loose, but poised to strike. I wasn’t about to lose this fight. We went back and forth for a little while longer. I landed a few strikes on him and Atlas did the same. Sweat glistened on our skin when I finally found my opening. I kicked out so fast, he didn’t see it coming. Pain twinged in my bad knee, but I ignored it as I hooked my leg around his and sent him flying, landing flat on his back.
I smiled, my chest heaving from the workout, but I was satisfied. Offering Atlas my hand, he took it and I helped him to his feet. He glared at me, disgruntled that I’d gotten the better of him. He should be used to it by now. He might be the older brother, but I’d been doing this longer.
“I’m going to beat you one of these days,” he grumbled as we went to the side of the ring where our water bottles were.
I gave him a pompous grin. “You keep telling yourself that.”
We stood and chugged some water as we cooled down. I was already sore from a particularly hard workout the day before. I’d been focusing a lot on my arms and upper body strength, and I was happy with the results. I already noticed a difference in my core and I’d gained muscle mass in my arms and chest.
Atlas lowered his water bottle, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He stared at me funny, his mouth set in a tight line.
I frowned. “What?”
He tilted his head to the side, and leaned back against the side of the ring. “How have you been doing?”
I raised a brow. “Good enough to kick your ass.”
Atlas shook his head. “No. I mean, how have you really been doing? I know you haven’t seen Ellie since her dad died. I just want to make sure you’re all right.”
“I don’t particularly want to talk about it.” I looked away.
“How about you try.”
I sighed, glancing up at the ceiling that still had cracked plaster. “She doesn’t want to see me.”
Atlas patted my shoulder. “I know. But damn, Ty. You and Ellie have been inseparable since we came to Cypress Falls. I can’t imagine you just giving up on her…even if she did ask for it.”
My eyes snapped to his, a sudden burning in my chest. “I didn’t give up on her.”
Atlas shrugged. “Then what happened?”
I ground my teeth. This really wasn’t any of his business. I thought about walking away, going up to my apartment and locking him out. But Atlas was my brother. Despite being distant from each other in miles, we had gotten closer again the last few years. He had come to be one of my closest friends.
I ran a hand through my hair. I hadn’t had it cut short in a long time and my curls were full and falling into my face. “I—I don’t know.”
“You know you can always talk to me, Ty.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I know.” It was true. I trusted Atlas with a lot of things. It was just…it had been a lot to figure out the past few months. Not only was I trying to decipher how my feelings for Ellie had shifted, but I was also working through what she had said to me. The hate that had burned in her expression when she screamed at me to leave her alone.
I folded my arms over my chest and gave Atlas a weighted stare. “Do you remember when our mama died?”
