I kick my trainer’s ass in boxing.
Waking up early means I can work out before going into the office, so I grab my duffle bag and drive to the gym with my nightmare and Brandon still lingering in my thoughts.
It still doesn’t feel real. I’m still waiting for him to walk in the door and dare me to do a keg stand. He was so in love with Lennon, and unfortunately, I do know exactly how she feels and what she’s going through. Hunter, too. All three of them were roommates, and I know Hunter and him were pretty damn close. He’s being strong, though, for Lennon’s sake. I’ve seen how he acted around her before, but ever since the accident, he’s done a complete one-eighty and will do anything for her. I suspect he’s had feelings for her, but knowing Hunter, he’d never act on them. He’s not that kind of guy, but he’ll sacrifice everything, even himself, to take care of her for Brandon’s sake. That’s just how he is. And to make matters even harder, Lennon found out she was pregnant shortly after he died.
Everything is a damn mess right now.
I graduated with my master’s degree and wrapped up my internship at the city morgue last month, and had I been working the night Brandon died, his body would’ve been brought in before I had even gotten word of the accident. Knowing that pierces my gut because even after getting used to being around dead bodies, seeing his would’ve fucked me up even more.
This fucking head of mine. I wish I could turn it off and clear out the trauma that’s made me the man I am today. The one who’s a constant failure in my dad’s eyes, the one who can’t do relationships, and the one who numbs the pain by hitting someone.
I’m all worked up as soon as I get to the mat, which Tyler immediately recognizes. He thinks it makes me better, but he doesn’t realize how much pain I harbor, pain that allows me to punch the bag the way I do. After I do my reps, he wraps up his own hands and taunts me, knowing it won’t take much to set me off. He taps my right cheek, then my left, pushes my shoulders a bit, and tells me to hit him.
He knows I won’t hurt him, but we fight to win. Once I’m in that ring, I give it my all just as he does. His job is to make me better by strengthening my moves and critiquing my techniques. Tyler’s at least five years older than I am and has been boxing for over a decade. I’d consider him a friend if I didn’t need to keep our relationship at a professional level. Getting too close to people only gives them permission to let you down, and I’ve had enough of that to last a fucking lifetime.
“That’s all you’ve got, Holt?” he mocks when he misses me, and I sucker punch him in the ribs. He barely winces even though I know it was a decent hit. “My baby sister hits harder than you.”
Grinding my teeth, I narrow my eyes into slits with my hands up. “Oh yeah? She legal?” I swing and miss when he steps out of my reach.
“Fuck off.” Tyler goes for my jaw, but I duck and punch his other rib.
“I bet I could corrupt her. Give her a damn good time. Whatdaya say? Give me her number.” I smirk, knowing my words are distracting him, so when I punch him right in the gut, he nearly falls back into the ropes.
“Motherfucker, that was a low blow.” He grimaces, pushing himself back up. “She’s too good for you.”
I shrug, letting his dig slide right off. And because I’m a glutton for punishment today, I keep punching and swinging. “Bet she gives good head.”
Tyler pushes me back, nearly making me trip over my own feet until I’m bouncing off the ropes and he’s in my face. I hold up my arms, covering my face as he lands punch after punch to my stomach.
After a half dozen jabs, I twist my body away from him and wrap my arm around his neck as my other hand decks him in the side. I manage to get him to his knees right before he takes my legs from under me. Soon, we’re both on the floor, holding each other tight and trying to throw blows.
“If your sister cuddles half as good as you do, I just might take her ass too.”
“Holt, I warned you…” he growls before kneeing me between the legs.
I groan loudly as he releases his hold on me, then stands as I lie helplessly below him. After blinking away the tears, I manage to get to my hands and knees, breathing heavily. Things haven’t gotten this heated in months.