Page 37 of Shadows Within

“Callum Mercer looks like he knows how to fuck.” She raises her eyebrows and squeezes my arm.

“Oh my god, Soph!” I screech.

“What, he does. And based on your reaction, I’m not wrong.”

I fight a smile as I look down at my watch.

“Bye Soph, I’ll see you later. Thanks for the chat.”

“Anytime. Love you.” We hug and walk our separate ways to class.

Professor Budgley calls on me for an answer. For the first time in a while, I wasn’t paying attention.

“Oh um, sorry can you repeat the question please.” She sighs with disappointment and moves on to a different student instead.

Professor Budgley’s voice sounds muffled between my thoughts. All I can think of is getting to the gym—I need clarity today. When everyone stands to pack their things, I realize that class is finally over.

I throw on my jacket and walk to the car. I unlock it and throw my bag in, wishing I had heated seats.

The gym’s fresh smell welcomes me as I open the door. It’s only been three days since I was last here, but it feels like forever. I spot Ricco tidying around the cardio machines. As I walk toward my locker, it’s not long before he sees me. I open its squeaky door as he comes over.

“Hey kid, it’s been a while. You ready to get back in the ring or what?” I should have known he would’ve noticed my absence.

“Careful old man, it almost sounds like you missed me.” I nudge him with my elbow.

“Oh yeah, I really missed your slacking off and smart mouth.” He says sarcastically.

Deep down, I know he cares about me. He’s put up with me for long enough that I’ve either grown on him or added more stress in his life. Likely both.

I crawl through the ring ropes. Something about placing my feet in the middle of the canvas calms my nerves. Ricco jumps into the ring, acting like he’s still twenty years old.

“You remember how to do this?” He says as he puts his gloves on.

“You’ll wish I didn’t soon enough, old man.” I bounce back and forth on the balls of my feet, prepared to unleash a fight. I never have to worry about going too hard on Ricco. I know he can take it. He understands that the further I go, the clearer my mind gets. He told me once he feels the same way.

I lift my hands to block my face. I throw the first punch, then move quickly on my feet, swaying to the dance we both know so well. We continue at it for about forty minutes. He blocks every shot I throw. Before I’ve even calculated my next move, he knows what to expect.

“You can do better Scar, come on.” Although that may discourage others, it gets me going.

I put my full force into the next jab. I lick the side of my mouth, tasting the salty sweat that runs down my face. My legs burn.

I shouldn’t have taken so many days off.I stop to catch my breath, take off my glove, and pull my mouth guard out.

Ricco removes his gloves and walks over to me. “You must’ve really needed that.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, I did.”

His face turns serious. “Does it have anything to do with the guy who followed you to the gym a while ago?”

I’ve never been good at hiding my facial expressions, so he must realize by my reaction that I have no idea what he’s talking about.

“What, when?”I never saw Callum here.

“I didn’t want to say anything at the time and make you worried. He left shortly after you came in. Are you in trouble Scarlett?” There’s the overbearing man I know.

“No, I’m not in trouble Ricco, Jesus. It’s just a guy with a crush. I’m fine, and for the record, we both know I can handle myself.”

He laughs.