Page 112 of Rematch
“Pretty alright, actually. I thought getting shot would hurt worse, but it’s been pretty manageable.”
“Probably because your ass just got grazed. There ain’t no bullet in there.”
“Yes, there was!” He insisted. “The doctors gave it back to me and everything. I put that shit right on top of my dresser. See?”He pointed to his vanity where a silver bullet sat atop on his vintage car figurines.
“For what? You really want a reminder of that night?”
“I wanted a reminder of you.”
My brows pinched in confusion.
He lowered his eyes. “When I woke up and Mom told me you were worse off than me, I decided to keep it, just in case you…” He trailed off, his voice growing smaller with every word. “I needed something to remember that night. To remember you.”
“Well, you can throw that shit out now. I’ll gladly give you a black eye if you want something to remember me by.”
“What? I didn’t even do anything!”
“You’re my little brother. You don’t have to for me to rock your shit. Big brother privilege.”
“You’re so full of shit.” He jutted his chin to my chest. “How are you?”
“Sore, but nothing I can’t handle.”
“How come you don’t seem worried?” His voice lowered to a whisper, and a flash of fear struck through his irises. “You don’t think he’ll take another shot at us again?”
“We’re taking care of the situation. Soon enough, you won’t have to worry about him or his crew ever again. You, and your mom, will be safe.”
He let out a breath of relief. “Thank you. For…for everything.”
“You don’t need to-”
“Yes, I do. Just because we’re blood doesn’t mean you owe me anything. Yet, you still did everything in your power to help me. To protect me. So, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me just yet. Now that there’s going to be a delay in our training sessions, I’ve got to push your ass just as hard to fill in the gaps. That is…if you like MMA enough to keep up with it.”
“I do,” he assured me. “I’m trying to compete in a tournament someday. With your help, who knows, maybe I’ll even make it into the big leagues. Might even make it bigger than you.”
I chuckled. “Watch yourself, amateur. Wounded or not, I’ll still whip your ass.”
Jayden smirked. “I’m still waiting for you to give me my fair one. That last one didn’t count because Adrian jumped in.”
“There’s a parking lot right outside; nothing but room and opportunity.”
“Nah, I’ll wait until you’re fully healed. I’ll just let you win because I don’t want to hurt you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Your soft ass punches don’t hurt.”
He flipped me off, and I kicked him.
Jayden laughed, and I realized it was the first time I’d ever seen him do it. He used to be so tense, so guarded. I was glad to finally see the kid he’s been protecting behind those walls.
One day, I hope I’ll be able to do more than see him. That I’ll be able toknowhim.
Chapter 47
Audrey
“Your turn,” Dad’s voice pulled me from thoughts I hadn’t even realized I’d fallen into. We were at the hospital for another chemotherapy treatment, playing checkers. Dad was taking a minute deliberating his next move, so I’d cast my gaze out the window. Somewhere between those few seconds, I must’ve drifted off.
