Page 60 of Midnights
There’s nothing that clears my head quite like this.
I go through the motions of wrapping my hands and step into the ring. I keep my mind zeroed in on the routine. The scent of sweat and canvas steadies me. And still, she creeps in. Slipping past my defenses like she’s got a damn key.
I've been on my best behavior, keeping my distance even though it takes every ounce of control I have not to close the gap and touch her. The temptation is there, with every glance and every laugh. And my dick is a relentless reminder of everything I can't have.
Before I can sink any deeper, Cam lands a sharp jab to the side of my face.
The impact snaps my head to the side, pulling me out of it.
“Fucking hell, man,” I mutter, shaking it off.
Cam just grins as his eyes light up with that familiar challenge. “Where’s your head at?”
He knowsexactlywhere my head’s at.
I exhale slowly, rolling out my shoulders. “You know you’d never land a blow like that unless I was distracted,” I taunt, throwing a punch of my own.
This time, he doesn’t dodge. The hit lands, and while he laughs it off, I know that one stung.
“Just because Rachel isn’t into you, doesn't mean you two can’t be friends,” I circle him, aiming another swing.
He wipes his mouth, spitting out blood, and flashes that cocky grin like he didn’t just take a solid hit to the jaw. “Yes, I'm aware,” he says dryly. “And ow.”
He’s not taking it personally, he never does. Cam knows what this is. We’ve always settled things like this. No holding back, no sugarcoating. Just fists, sweat, and a chance to clear the air.
“Cry me a fucking river,” I mutter, stepping back into the fight.
Cam’s laughter echoes off the walls while our fists meet flesh. The familiar rhythm of violence does wonders for shaking the tension loose.
I just needed to hit someone a few times and already the fire burning in my gut is beginning to settle.
“You know,” Cam says, slipping past my guard with frustrating ease. “You can just be friends with Raven, too.”
I freeze for half a second, and it's just enough time for him to land a shot to my ribs that forces a sharp exhale from my lungs.
He grins. “Doesn't have to be all or nothing. Just think of her more like a sister. Then maybe you won’t want to bend her over the nearest surface every time she fucking smiles at you.”
Wrong move.
The second the words leave his mouth, I swing, fast and hard. Cam dodges,barely, and his grin only widens.
“Interesting.” he taunts, sidestepping another punch.
I narrow my eyes. “Stop talking.”
“Or what?” He dodges again, still bouncing off his feet like this is all just a game. “You gonna hit me harder? Shit, I should’ve brought popcorn.”
I lunge and finally land a clean shot to his shoulder. His grin falters, but only for a second.
“See?” He coughs, rolling out his neck. “I’m practically doing you a favor.”
I grit my teeth and I can feel the irritation rolling through me in waves. Not because he’s wrong, but because he’s right.
As we trade blows, my focus sharpens, forcing me out of my own fucking head. One slip and I’ll take a right hook to the jaw. Cam’s not holding back, and that’s exactly what I need right now.
The rounds blur together, our bodies moving on instinct, but my muscles are screaming. I haven’t done this in a while, and I can feel it.
“All right, fuck it,” I finally pant, rolling back on my heels as sweat drips down my back. “It’s a tie.”
