Page 36 of Sparrow

“COME ON, ALDRICH,I know you can do better than that,” Case mocks me as we spar on the mat at a local gym, Flex.

Since the day I came back to Savannah after the accident, Case has been on my ass at the gym at least twice a week. I was an incredibly angry person when I first came home. Drinking constantly and feeling altogether sorry for myself, but he didn’t let that slide.

He and I threw many punches and said many terrible things to one another on the long road to where I am now. I’d never admit it to him, but he saved my life.

I bounce from foot to foot, throwing a jab his way, landing it with a pop to his jaw then swinging again, connecting with his stomach. He stumbles back a bit and I laugh.

“Come on, Officer Carmichael. Don’t puss out now,” I mock, causing him to launch at me.

We wrestle to the ground until I gain the upper hand, twisting to my back, taking his arm with me. I tug and pull, locking myself down until he taps on my leg, giving up.

I release him and hop to my feet, looking over to the women who had, not so subtly, posted up by the mat to watch us and say, “And that, ladies, is how it’s done.”

They all clap, which I know must rub salt in Case’s wound, which is exactly what I wanted of course.

“Sorry, pal.” I slap his back. “Guess you’ll have to work harder to get laid tonight after I’ve bruised that ego of yours.”

“Work harder? Nah. See that one with the black hair over there? Big tits, tight ass?” He points directly to her like the asshole he is.

I turn to see who he is talking about.

“The one that’s looking at you like a snack?”

“That’s the one. I’ll be balls deep in her in less than two hours. Guaranteed.” He opens his water and chugs a few gulps down.

“You’re an asshole.”

“But a loveable one all the same.”

***

In the locker room after our workout, I fill Case in on the happenings of Sunday night. The almost kiss, the dinner she made, the sofa...everything.

“How you managed to stop yourself is beyond me,” he says.

“I deserve a goddamn medal for it.”

I leave out the fact, as soon as I kissed her goodbye; I was in the shower, jerking my cock like a fucking teenager.

“Are you going to see her again?” he asks, sitting on the bench.

“Is that a real question? I couldn’t stay away if I tried. Hell, being away from her all week while I worked was hard enough. I asked her to go out again with me tomorrow night. She said yes.”

It’s been five days since I last saw her. We’ve spoken on the phone and texted all week, but I haven’t laid eyes on her. It’s killing me.

“Are you prepared for your flock of minions to bombard her?”

He’s referring to my usual Saturday night plans, pre-Amelia.

“I’ll cross that bridge when I get there, man. And really, I don’t think they’ll say anything.”

“You don’t think Carissa will open her mouth and flash her shit to make Amelia jealous? You do know this girl, right?”

“We may not even cross her path, Case.”

“Savannah is small, bro. You know that, and that broad could sniff you out like a bloodhound.” He laughs.

***

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