Page 65 of Burning Truths

The sudden change of pace has me backing away on instinct.

“Fight back.” He snaps.

His joking tone and smooth swagger is gone, replaced with a wild eyed fighter thirsty for trouble. His abs are cut and hard shining with fresh sweat tempting me to look lower. Twisting his hips, the distraction of his bare chest gives him the opening to hook his leg behind mine, shoving me backwards. The floor comes at me fast, my back slamming into the mat, G hovers over me with a hard look.

“Get me off you.”

His body lowers, putting more weight on me and my chest caves. Unable to pull in another gulp of air my ribs rattle bringing panic with it. He’s not completely on me but the close proximity shoves me head first into panic preventing my brain from understanding the space wedged between us. Instantly my palms slam forward striking him below his chest bone. He doesn’t move a fucking inch and I spiral. Tears threaten to spill, my skin tingling, a cold sweat breaks out over my body.

“Stop.” My words are weak.

G drops his mouth closer hovering just over my parted lips a scream on the tip of my tongue. Brown eyes shift into blue plunging me into a living nightmare. Pulling in air is impossible. My vision starts to blur around the edges mixing his form with another. Pounding my fist into his sides I take any shot I have that could free me but my knuckles smart from the onslaught. One of his large hands pins me down by my wrist. Eyes blown wide I can feel myself start to faint when his voice fills my ears.

“Shove it down and fight back. Open your eyes and fight back.” He orders me.

His words hold power behind them that I reach for begging for a lifejacket in the sea I’m drowning in. He’s the asshole that threw me overboard yet here he is forcing me to float in the deep waters. I don’t realize that my eyes are closed until he tells me to open them and I do. Blinking back the tears and sweat that roll over my face, my stare meets his mocha colored glare. Releasing my wrist he grips my face, pinching my cheeks like a child, he pulls me forward.

“Fight.” He snarls.

My teeth sink into my bottom lip biting down until the pain is all I can focus on. Feeding on that feeling I pull forward every single memory of pain, hurt, sorrow, and anger that I can muster until my bones hum with the overwhelming feelings. My tongue swipes over my lips I snake my arm around his back and snatch a handful of his thick hair yanking back. Exposing his throat I jerk forward biting into his throat before he breaks free from my grip. He’s strong but I’m fast and angry. Breaking skin the taste of copper fills my mouth but I don’t let go of my hold. With my other hand I punch G’s jaw ripping his flesh from between my teeth spraying my face with crimson liquid.

“Fuck, Kens!” He yelps, grabbing for his throat.

Blood slowly rolls down the column of his neck painting his tan skin red. Looking down at me with a clouded expression hismouth opens but nothing comes out. Using his shock against him my knee jolts forward plowing into his ass and sending him over my head. His lower half lands over me but I rush to roll from under him and jump to my feet. Once I’m standing the adrenaline starts to slow bringing another wave of exhaustion.

Turning to the side I spit out a mouthful of his fucking blood like a rabid dog but at least now I can pull in a lungful of air.

“Don’t ever do that again.” I spit at the bastard.

G’s holding pressure to his throat when he turns around with a look that’s a mix of pride and something else plastered across his face. Walking to the edge of the ring he bends over snatching up his shirt and pressing it to the bite.

“Now you know you can get me off of you if you need to.” He says, shrugging his shoulders.

“Let’s not pretend like you didn’t know what you were doing. Pushing me like that.” I snarl. “Forcing me down on my back. Laying over me.” My lip curls in raw rage. I can feel my face getting redder the more I speak.

Pulling the shirt away from his wound G tilts his head to the side, “I don’t think you have a problem stopping someone.” He states. “You just had to find the fight you think you lost.”

Spinning away from him I move to the edge of the ring when he speaks again, “You can’t run from what he did to you but you can take back control.”

“Yeah, and who would that be? Because as far as I can tell two people took something from me.” I toss over my shoulder.

I can hear him coming closer but I don’t flinch. I don’t move. I allow him to step into my back knowing that I’m no longer cornered on the mat.

“That’s for you to decide but don’t forget that your mind and body often speak different words. Close your eyes and tell me which monster you see and who you’re afraid of.”

His words settle over me giving me something to think about when the basement door swings open bringing with it voices that float down to us. Familiar ones. We both look towards the group making their way down the wooden steps, most of the faces familiar and a couple that I’ve only seen in photos. Hanks pictures from the room flash in behind my eyes reminding me of the woman with the wide smile sitting beside Ryker.

“What the hell happened to you, my boy.” West says, snickering at G.

Looking over my shoulder I twist my lips to the side waiting for his response when Oakley cuts in bouncing up to the ropes.

“My turn.” She dances on her toes.

Jumping over the top rope, unlike the rest of us, she ignores the stares and instead comes to stand next to me.

“Have at it.” I raise my hands attempting to back away from the fiery woman with blue hair and crazy eyes.

Rolling her eyes, she props a hand on her hip, “no, no.” A finger is now in my face, “I meant me and you.” She says. Hooking a thumb over her shoulder, “I already had my turn with G man and trust me it was fun but I think we have some stuff to work out.” She winks.

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