Page 90 of Never Quiet

He responded as they made the turn into the training facility.

Amanda, I cannot imagine how you must feel right now but know this: we’re going to keep you safe. You message me if you need anything and I’ll make it happen.

Bright side…you got that awkward business out of the way!

Despite her stress, she had to laugh.

Thank you for making me laugh. My god, I really needed it. I’ll text you. Training starts now…

Thus started six months of training that had to be crammed into four. Day in, day out, no breaks, and a lot of screaming.

* * *

“Again, Amanda! Keep your eyes up, damn it!”

“Fuck you, Noel!”

After screaming, Amanda paced the large space, her breathing painful. They’d been going at it for five hours straight. She could barely lift her arms and her legs were shaking.

Three months non-stop of this.

She was exhausted, stressed, and off-balance.

“We don’t have time for this, Amanda...”

“Noel!” a familiar voice yelled from the main door.

Looking over her shoulder, Amanda was shocked to see Hayden. Approaching, he stopped in front of her and took in her appearance. His distress was clear. Her aunt walked closer to read his lips.

He asked, “What are you doing, Noel? Look at her. She’s too thin, obviously not sleeping.”

“She has to be trained!”

“She has to have something to train for, Noel. You’re so worried about her safety from outside forces that you’re not seeing the danger right here.”

“Why are you here, Hayden?” her aunt asked sharply.

“Ash texted me. He said Amanda is being trained as Ash was trained in the pits and he doesn’t like it. He wants it to stop.”

Noel staggered back a step. Hayden cupped Amanda’s face in his palm but she couldn’t meet his eyes.

She was on the verge of a breakdown.

“Amanda isn’t like you. She’s not like me. Not like Chaz or Dakota...she never wanted to be a fighter. This is too much. When’s the last time she had a day off? The last time she was allowed to relax?”

“There isn’t time!”

“You’re going to break her,” he said softly. “Trying to save her, you’re going to break her. What you break will never be fixed.”

“You don’t understand! If anything happens to her, my family…”

“Will not place the fucking blame at your door. However, if you drive her to the edge, make her feel like this is all the rest of her life will be, you’ll blame yourself but it will be too late to stop it.” He sighed. “I want you to go for a run. Clear your head and let me talk to Amanda.”

Without a word, Noel turned and left.

Amanda felt strangely dazed as Hayden tilted up her chin.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell me how close to the edge you were, Amanda?”

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