Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Cassius
I smile to myself as I wipe the sweat off my brow. Rhys might not be a fighter, but he’s definitely not an amateur either.
“That was a good punch,” I tell him as I flex my hands. The spot on my cheek where he hit me is throbbing, regardless that we’re both pulling our punches. “Try an uppercut this time.”
He nods quickly and brings his fists up.
We circle each other for a few beats before his fist snaps out, getting me right at the bottom of my chin, and sends me flying back.
I land with a thud against the ropes lining the ring and press my hand against my face.
“What the fuck? This is practice, Rhys.”
“Shit, sorry, man,” he says, appearing genuinely guilty as he teeters on his heels. He runs a wrapped hand through his sweaty hair and sighs. “I didn’t mean to hit you that hard.”
“Well, you did.” I accept his hand as he helps me up. “It’s fine. Anything pressing that’s pissing you off today?”
He shakes his head. “No, I’m good.”
“Alright,” I muse as we both begin to unwrap our hands.
Hopping out of the ring, we head outside where our cars are parked for a quick smoke. We’ve both promised our respective partners that we’d quit—and we’re trying—but we still manage to sneak one in every now and then.
“Did you get your job for Knox’s stupid surprise thing?” he asks.
I snort as I take a puff of the cigarette before handing it to him. “Don’t be a grump. It’s sweet that he’s trying to do something nice for Elton.”
“Sweet? I bet it’s something dirty.”
I shrug. “Probably. Let the man have his fun.”
He grumbles beside me, but I know he’ll follow through with Knox’s plan. While he claims to still hate him, I know he has a soft spot in his heart for that asshole ever since he got Elton back. Seeing as though his fiance’s brother is married to the guy, they might as well get along.
“When’s your next fight?”
“Tomorrow night,” I tell him, wincing when I clench and unclench my hands. “I’m a little tender, but it’ll be okay.”
“What is this? Your fourth undefeated fight?”
I smirk. “Fifth if it all goes well.”
And shit really has been going well. Skylar had an excellent idea when he told me I should focus all my rage and aggression on more…
legal ways of doing things. Even though I miss the cash I used to get from fight nights, being able to face opponents who can challenge me has been awesome.
It’s also nice that—since he knows now—he comes to every single one of my fights.
Normally the rest of the crew shows up too, but they’re not like Skylar, sitting in the front row with actual popcorn as he trash talks the other guy.
Rhys chuckles as if knowing what I’m thinking. “Think he’ll get kicked out again?”
“He didn’t even say anything that bad.”
“Cassius. He said—”
“We don’t have to repeat it,” I laugh, nudging his shoulder with mine so he’ll give me the cigarette. “Either way, he’ll be fine. You said Ev and Max are coming?”
“Yup.”
“They’ll keep him in check.”
“As if anyone could.”
I don’t bite at Rhys’s words because I know he says them with all the affection in the world. Instead, I turn to face him so I can go through with why I really invited him here. “So, why have you been acting weird lately?”
He stiffens beside me. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that Everest told Max who told Skylar that you’ve been acting weird lately. Any idea what that’s about?”
He groans and thumps his head on the wall behind him. “This fucking family…”
“It’s how it works.” I shrug with no remorse. “The question is, are you going to tell me? Or am I going to have to sic Skylar on you himself?”
He pinches the bridge of his nose, considering it, but he must realize—like everyone else—that I’m the safest option. I don’t even think he wants to know about the chibis that are currently in Skylar’s closet.
“I’m failing a class.”
My eyes widen. “You’re what?”
“Yeah, I know.” He beats his fist against the wall as he pushes off to pace in front of me. “I’m fucking failing. Out of everything I’ve been through and out of all I’ve learned, now my brain is choosing not to cooperate? Don’t you know how fucking ridiculous that is?”
“Calm down, man,” I say gently the more worked up he gets. “It’s just a class.”
“But it isn’t just a class!” he snaps, gaining on me with misplaced anger. “Elton fucking handed me the money for it! He’s basically paid for it and Everest is so hopeful that I’ll graduate top of the class. Everyone is always telling me how smart I am, but I feel like a goddamn idiot!”
“Rhys, you’re not an idiot,” I state calmly. I cautiously place my hands on his heaving shoulders and pull him back against the wall. “It’s normal to struggle with classes. Sometimes, shit is hard, even if you’re smarter than most.”
He shuts his eyes and sighs. “I don’t have the luxury of struggling, Cassius. Everyone is counting on me to succeed here.”
“Who? Elton? Everest?” I cock my head and slap the side of his cheek to get him to look at me. “Bro, you know they’d love you no matter what. Want some tough love?”
“I’m not too sure I do.”
“Too bad. This pedestal you’re on? You put it there, Rhys.
Nobody expects anything from you, and I don’t mean that in a bad way.
Elton gave you money that he saved up from you.
Everest couldn’t give a shit if you graduate or not, he just wants you to be happy.
The only one who’s putting all this pressure on your shoulders is yourself. ”
He narrows his eyes. “As if that doesn’t sound familiar.”
I roll my eyes at his jab. Sure, there was a time I felt the same.
Not about school, I’m shit at that, but with Skylar.
I always thought I had to be a certain kind of person for him and keeping so much of myself from him almost cost me everything.
Our relationship is so much better now that I know I don’t have to be strong and sturdy and unmoveable.
I can be a real human with real feelings, and it’s okay.
“Learn from me, man. Things would be so much easier if you just let Everest know you’re struggling. You’re months away from getting married. Do you want him to think you have cold feet?”
He gasps. “Is that what he thinks?”
“I don’t fucking know because it truthfully isn’t any of my business.” I shake my head at him as I kill the cigarette. “Just talk to him, alright? Everything will be fine if you do.”
He considers it for a moment. The vein in his forehead works overtime as he thinks and finally, he nods. “Alright. Sure.”
“Sounds great.” I clap him on the shoulder and point towards the back door. “Want to go another round?”
“Nah, you save your energy for the fight,” he tells me. Being the loving asshole he is, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a penny, tossing it to me. “Placing a bet on you for tomorrow.”
I roll my eyes. “Thanks. I can get new wheels for the bike.”
“Anytime, man.”