“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’d like to keep training, I’ll keep fighting, just for fun, but I’m done competing. It was beautiful while it lasted, but it’s time to move on.”
“What are you going to do?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll give you a run for your money and open up my own gym.”
Chema laughs. “I’d love some competition, Tini,” he says and musses my hair like I’m a child.
“Only Pilar is allowed to call me that.”
“Uh-huh.”
Something, or someone, catches Chema’s attention from behind me, and he nods. I twist around to look where Chema’s eyes are focused, and a stone so heavy drops in my stomach that I fail to stand up when I try.
Chema stands first and reaches out a hand to help me to my feet.
Too stunned to form words, I follow Chema wordlessly off the mat until we both reach the spot where Rory Dennis stands.
“Hey, buddy,” Chema says and takes Rory into a hug.
I blink. ‘Buddy?’ What the hell is going on?
“Hi, Chema. Nice to see you.”
“You too,” says Chema. “Let’s talk soon, but right now, I’m going to, um—I’m going somewhere else for absolutely no reason. Valentina, take my office if you want it.”
I can only shake my head.
Rory’s face lights up as he takes me in. “You look so good, Valentina.”
“Um, thanks.” I tuck my unruly hair behind my ear and start unwrapping my knuckle wraps with shaky hands. “What are you doing here, Rory?”
“Thought I’d check out the gym. Thinking about picking up boxing.” He blinks at me when I stay quiet, staring at him.
Nothing’s changed about him, while I look entirely different from the last time he saw me. Luckily, it’s a change for the better.
“I’m joking,” he says finally. “I’m here for you.”
I peer around us to see if anyone is within earshot. Chema is on the other end of the gym with Nico, probably telling him everything about Rory. It’s the off hours at the gym, my favorite time to train, so only a couple of other people are around.
“Here for me?” I ask.
“Yes. I can't stop thinking about you.” Again I say nothing to that. “Do you think I could get a hug? I’ve missed you.”
As if I have no control of my body, I step forward and wrap around him, resting my cheek on his chest right over where I know his scar is. Neither of us comments on my sweat dampening his shirt. His arms envelop around me and squeeze tightly while his cheek lands on top of my head. Being in his arms like this feels like finally being home. I thought I’d feel that way when I returned to my apartment, my friends, and family, but it hadn’t. That feeling eluded me until right now, cocooned in Rory’s arms.
“I’m so happy I don’t have to be careful, worried about crushing you.”
I pull away from him only long enough to look into his green eyes. “You’re here.”
“Yes. I’m here. I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
“Is it okay that I’m here? I know you wanted me to stay away, and I respected those wishes as long as I humanly could.”
I shake my head. “No. I mean, I’m glad to see you, but I wish you hadn’t come.”