Page 32 of Secret

I walk through the packed room, avoiding the half-clothed girls who try to stop me for a dance, and pass the second bar into the 'No Entry' door. The bodyguard, with a nasty-looking snake tattoo on his neck, nods at me before moving out of the way of the training room where I know Elliot will be.

The room is small with weights on the floor and mats around. It's used for fighting practice, or auditions for the fighters the boss wants to see before putting them into the ring. I take a guess that Elliot is in the shower in the back room. So I lean on the wall by the door I came in and wait.

About ten minutes later, Elliot walks out dressed in jeans and a loose-fitting black shirt. I’m glad to see he doesn’t have too much bruising to his face, only a cracked lip. It doesn’t look like it needs stitches.

"Are you all right, man?" I ask as he gets closer.

"Fine, maybe two broken ribs, but I'm going back home and I will sort them. No doctor," he says bluntly. We’ve known each other long enough that I can tell he is mostly telling me the truth. I decide to leave it as I think he will be all right. I'll remember to text Harley to keep an eye on his ribs.The fucker should be seeing a doctor.

"Where's Lily?" I ask, changing the subject. I know the last thing he wants to talk about after a fight is a fight.

"Fuck knows," he mutters, pushing his hair out of his eyes.

"What's going on with you two?" I frown at him when he glares at me a little before relaxing when he sees I’m not just being nosy, and he leans against the wall next to me.

"I think she wants us over. Honestly, I want the same, but she is acting weird. The last few times I’ve gone to her place at night, she’s never there," he grunts, staring at the floor like he wants it to open up and show him where Lily is hiding. Despite being quiet and seeming angry all the time, Elliot does care.I reckon more than most guys. He is just too fucked up from his past to know how to show it.

"You think she is with someone else?" I ask, but I'm angry. She shouldn't be screwing my friend around.

"Yeah, I do," he says angrily and punches the wall before dropping to the floor. I give him a minute while he breathes heavily, putting his head on his knees.

"Sorry, man. I know you love her." I sit next to him.

"Yeah, I think I do, but I'm not sure. Fuck, I’m only seventeen. What the hell do I know about love?"he says to the floor. I can see that, but I'm sure I’m falling for his sister, and I’m only a few months older. I can't tell him that, though. I hope Lily isn't cheating on him. It would be good for them to at least part as friends.

"Right, I'm off to home. Later," he says and struggles to stand, holding his ribs. Elliot waves me off when I offer a hand to help the stubborn bastard up.

"Want a lift? I'm done here," I ask, patting his shoulder. I'm hoping he says ‘yes’ as he isn't in a fit state to drive right now.

"No girl to fuck tonight?" he askswith a small grin.

"Nah," I say, walking to open the door. The heat of the place hits me along with the loud music. It helps me to avoid eye contact with him because the fucker knows me better than anyone and is fucking good at spotting a lie.

"Who is she?" he asks, drawing me back to look at him.

"No one," I say way too quickly, and he smirks at me.

"Sure. Look, I'm glad you met someone who makes you look like that." He gestures to my face.

"Like what?" I ask confused.

"All happy and fucking rainbows and stuff," he laughs and then frowns, holding his ribs. “Fuck, don’t make me laugh.” He elbows me.

"Do I look that lovesick?" I ask, and I know I must. I can't help but think of Izzy and our moments together every five minutes, which makes me smile.

"That look. Lovesick puppy-eyes look." He smirks.

"Let's just go," I say and glare at him. He laughs, the fucker. I hope his damn ribs hurt from being a bastard.

"Let me meet the girl who's got your balls someday soon, man." He chuckles, still holding his side, and it's nice to hear him laugh, just not about this topic.

"Fuck off. You'll meet that girl who blows your mind, and I’ll be right there making jokes, too," I say and smirk at him as I know he will hate it.

"Who says I haven't already met her? We don’t all get happy endings."

I look at him and frown.Lily can't be who he’s talking about, so who is?

We weave through the crowd with a wave to Seb, who is dancing with some girl, and make it to the car park. A shadow of a man is leaning against my car, and I glance at Elliot who nods. I know we have each other's back, and Elliot will ring Harley's phone so he can hear the conversation.

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