Page 102 of Never Kiss and Tell

But what he said to me lights a spark in me, quickly spreading to a blazing inferno throughout my body.

I chuckle and he narrows his eyes at me.

“You’re going to regret that.”

“Gentlemen, corners.” I bump into him when I go take my place, nodding to my family as they cheer me on. I lock eyes with Bailey for a second, but I quickly look away. I can’t focus when she’s around.

I take a deep breath; the bell dings and it starts. Everything slows down when Rodriguez comes at me. He punches, missing me by an inch when I dodge him. He snarls around his mouth guard, lunging at me again.

He keeps coming for me until I’m back against the ropes and ducking out of his way. He manages a punch to my ribs, bringing the searing pain that drew me into this sport. It reminds me I’m alive, keeps me going.

I punch him, landing an uppercut on his jaw and causing him to step back. He hits me again, knocking my teeth guard into my gums and drawing blood.

The bell dings again and just like that, the first round is over. Three minutes goes quick when you’re in the ring.

We reset; I suck some water down and spit the blood out of my mouth into a bucket Sam holds out for me.

“You’re doing good. Watch his feet. He always steps with the right foot before he strikes.”

I nod. I already knew that, but I appreciate his insight. It’s different when you’re not in the ring. Everything is easy to see because it’s on display. In the ring, there’s only one thought: beat the other guy.

“Round two,” Jason says, slapping my back, while Sam wipes sweat off my brow. I can hear Andi when she cheers for me, but I don’t register it. I can’t.

Round two starts the same as round one, only Rodriguez goes hard, punching me in the jaw and bruising my cheek bone. I strike back, busting his lip and knocking him down. He gets back up, though, hits me in the ribs and then tries to pin me against the ropes again, but the round ends.

Fuck, Charlie, get it together.

I’m hot, sweaty, and I’m beat the fuck up.

“Come on Charlie,” Sam says, hunkering down to wipe the blood from my mouth. “You’ve lasted longer than most with him. He’s weak, just as beat up as you are. Finish it, so we can go home.”

I nod, though I’m not confident.

“That your girl back there?” Jason says, lowering his voice. He nods to my family behind us. I meet Bailey’s eyes over his shoulder and she’s watching me, a look of fierce determination in her eyes.

“Yeah, it is.”

“Good. Make her proud.”

At the start of round three, I do two things differently. First, I get a second wind and punch Rodriguez so hard he falls back.Second, I block him when he takes a step with his right foot, moving with a right hook.

I hit him over and over. Right hook, left hook, uppercut. He breaks, wearing down as I deliver blow after blow. I register the crowd cheering; I know Sam and Jason are yelling at me to finish this. I use the fuel of Mom’s death, my anger at myself, the shit with Drew yesterday morning — I channel all of it into my last strike, landing a jab so hard, Rodriguez falls back on his ass, completely passed out.

It takes me a second to understand what just happened. First, the room erupts in cheers. Second, the ref is declaring me the winner and third, I’m surrounded by Jason, Sam, and all the other guys from our gym.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Sam exclaims, holding my arm up. “You did it, you crazy fucking bastard.”

Rodriguez’s men practically drag him out of the ring once he wakes up. I should feel good, but all I feel is exhaustion. I hold a cool rag to my cheek, wincing at the dull throb in my cheek.

“Here you go,” Sam says, handing me an envelope with my winnings. “Five grand.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want it.”

He stares at me like I’ve lost my fucking mind.

“I don’t need it. I did this for me.”

“Jesus,” he sighs, sitting down on the bench beside me. “You know, something told me if I egged you on about your girl,you’d win.”

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