7. Caine
CHAPTER 7
CAINE
I won my fights in Portland, because of course I did. These were amateurs and I need more. I already told Adam I want to take him on when we get back just to at least feel like I’m getting some sort of challenge from someone. Drew used to be a good sparring partner before he got hurt, but now Adam doesn’t let him spar and makes him take it easy instead.
Not that he always does, but Adam can’t know that because it’ll piss him off since it’s on him if anyone gets hurt in his gym.
The guy that kicked out Drew’s knee should’ve gotten more punishment, but of course he claimed it as an accident and didn’t get shit for it. Accident my ass.
When we get back home it’s late and I’m tired, but I can’t deny the feeling of wanting to go see the new girl, Max. I don’t know why, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her the entire time we were gone. I want to get close to her again, to see how she struggles. How she would scream.
Bet she’d like it. Fucking love it.
That’s why after I get home, I can’t help myself from pulling on a hoodie and taking a walk. I saw the little house she’s living in when I followed her home the other night, and that’s where I find myself again. Standing on the sidewalk, my hood up as the drizzle of rain slowly seeps into the fabric of my jacket and the chill of the late winter wind tries to make me feel something. But it won’t work, I don’t feel any of it.
I haven’t felt anything in a long time.
Even the hits and kicks during a fight barely phase me. I hardly feel anything. The rush, the pain, I’m numb to it all.
Except when I think of the spitfire on the other side of these walls I’m staring at. The woman who didn’t look at me with fear, but with a challenge.
There aren’t any lights on inside, not even the single light outside the front door. It’s all dark, the sidewalk barely even illuminated by the streetlights. Everything is ensconced in darkness around me. The only sign of life existing is the faint sound of the ocean waves crashing onto the shore. The limited light around only reflects the lack of any life inside my body. At least in the morning some of the light from the sun may break through the gray clouds. The same can’t be said when it comes to me. There’s no light breaking through with me, not anymore.
I don’t know how long I stay there, staring at Max’s house waiting to see something, a glimpse of a silhouette through a window, a flicker of light. Anything that could remind me of what I felt the other night as I followed her.
Nothing happens. And for the briefest moment I think about trying to open her door, maybe she’s dumb and left it unlocked, unfamiliar with the dangers that lurk around here waiting for a pretty new toy to come into town they can play with.
Dangers like me.
Maybe not tonight. She’s safe for one more night. I refrain, turning on my heel and walking back to my house.
The same may not be said for tomorrow. The beast that sits dormant inside me is starting to wake up, and she’s the one to blame for it.
See you soon, killer.
“Again!” Adam barks as I submit Cal for the third time this session.
I lift up, and Cal groans, slowly getting himself off the floor once again. “For fucks sake, we get it, Caine,” he grumbles.
“But do you?” Adam asks bluntly.
“Yes. I do get that Caine can kick my ass, thanks for the reminder, Coach.”
“That right there is why you’re going to do it again. It’s not about Caine kicking your ass, it’s about you making him work for it. It’s skill, not strength.”
As we get in position to start again, I smirk, my eyes locking on Cal’s. He’s exhausted and I’ve barely broken a sweat.
“Yeah, it’s about skill, not strength. I just happen to have more of both,” I taunt right as Adam starts the round, and with my taunting I easily overtake Cal’s tired body, submitting him once again, not letting up until he taps, and I release my choke.
“Take a break.” Adam shakes his head as Cal drags himself off to the side to grab some water.
Adam walks up to me, his back turned to the rest of the room, as he addresses me, “I’m not telling you to take it easy on them, but you could cut down the shit talk at least.”
I shrug. “Why? It’s as much a mental sport as it is a physical one. Gotta make sure to work out both, right?”
He scoffs, “Right. Go hit the bag.”
I spray a stream of water in my mouth from my water bottle and go over to the heavy bags hanging on one side of the gym, adjusting the wrap on my hands before throwing combinations into the tough leather.
My mind empties in these moments, just me, my fists, and the bag. I continue various combinations until I feel the slight pang in my muscles. And then I don’t stop, in fact I double down my efforts, dying to feel the burn in my arms.
“Caine!” My name is barked across the gym. I lift up my sweat soaked head to see it’s Adam calling me back over. “You think you can tone it down a bit to show the beginner class an example of a pro?”
“Tone what down?” I fold my arms across my chest.
“Don’t kill your sparring partner.”
I huff. “Sure.”
He looks at me skeptically before nodding his head once, trusting my word. I haven’t actually killed anyone yet. Come close? Maybe.
But I’m not the only one.
“Hey.” Drew saddles up next to me.
“Sup?”
“Adam tell you that the new girl joined the beginner class?”
My head swings in his direction because no he didn’t. Not that he would have any reason to, I’m not particularly close with him or anyone here. Not like Drew. They may think they’re hiding what they’re doing, but we all know and don’t give a shit. It’s their business, not ours.
“Nah, she any good?” I fake nonchalance.
“Couldn’t tell you, it’s only been one class. Seems motivated, though.”
I grunt in response.
“Maybe you’ll scare her off with Coach’s example.”
“We’ll see about that.”
I hope I do scare her. I hope she runs. That way I can catch her. But it may be fun for her to stick around here a bit, learn how to put up more of a fight. The thought is way too appealing, and I need a distraction again.
“Cal,” I snap, pointing back to the cage. “Again.”
“Oh, for fucks sake,” he groans, but I don’t let him argue, climbing back up, jumping and shaking out my arms waiting for him to join. He’s sluggish and tired, but I’m more energized than ever.
This new girl may be both the best and worst thing to happen to me, as long as the thoughts of her keep me fired up and not distracted. I can’t afford distractions.
But motivation, that I can always afford.