Page 17 of Further To Fall

He chuckled. “It’ll get easier, I promise.”

“I don’t have high expectations. I’d just like to get through a mile without sounding like I’ve been smoking a pack a day since I was five.”

“It’s good to have goals,” Taylor retorted.

“That it is. Now, someone find me some Motrin so I can make it through this day.”

The only answer to my request was Taylor’s howling laughter and Kyle’s deep chuckle.

8

Austin

Sweat poured into my eyes as my fists hit the mitts with a precision that created the perfectpop, pop, popsound that fighters longed to hear.

“That’s it. Crisper. Give me a little more heat on that hook. Perfect,” Mel said as he put me through my paces. A buzzer sounded. “That’s time. Take a break.”

I pulled the gloves from my hands, chest heaving. “You’re going to kill me one of these days.”

Mel sent me a slightly feral grin. “Just making sure you’re ready to take Cobra down in a few weeks.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I gave Mel a hard time, but I was grateful to have a coach who knew exactly how hard to push. My fight against Cobra was my first big UFL fight. The prize money was great, and if I won, it was my ticket to the top international heavyweight bracket. There was no question, I had to win.

Mel leaned against the ropes of the ring we were working in today. “You eating right? Getting enough sleep? Staying focused?”

“Yes, old man. No pussy and no pizza.”

Mel chuckled. “Really? Something tells me that might not be entirely true.”

I turned to follow his gaze. Standing in the entryway to the gym was Carter. She wore a pale pink sundress that brought out the red undertones of her strawberry-blonde hair and made her ivory skin glow. I felt like I had taken an uppercut to the gut.

“I picked you up some boring lunch at that health food place you love,” she called over the din of gloved fists hitting punching bags.

I couldn’t help the grin that came to my face. “I hope you didn’t force any vegetables onto your own plate.”

She beamed back. “Never. I stopped at In-N-Out for Mel and me.”

Mel swung down from the ring at the uttered “In-N-Out.” “I told you, you’re my favorite. Didn’t I?”

Carter reached up on her tiptoes and kissed Mel’s stubbled cheek. “Yes, you did. How are you?”

“I’m just fine, girl. Busy, but fine.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“I’m going to take my lunch into the office and catch up on some paperwork, but you two use the break room or sit up on the roof.”

Carter handed Mel his bag of food as I dipped under the ropes. “Thanks for bringing me lunch, Firecracker.” I bent to kiss her cheek, fighting a smile when I saw the color pinking them. I fucking loved making Carter blush.

“Anytime, Bulldog. Where do you want to eat?”

“Let’s go up onto the roof. I could use some fresh air.”

“Sounds good.”

I grabbed my water bottle and led her toward the elevator. “What are you doing downtown anyway?”

Her long eyelashes fluttered as she looked up at me. Doe eyes, that’s what she had. These innocent-as-fuck doe eyes that could convince me to do almost anything. “I had to run by the school to pick up some papers I forgot and thought I might as well pay my favorite fighter a visit on my way home.”

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