Page 42 of Drop the Gloves
Look I’m not trying to argue
Thanks for the apology.I didn’t think anything of the crosscheck or whatever
No hard feelings promise
Walker
Good
Hit me up when you’re in Nevada if you wanna hang out
19
Evan wasn’tin bed by 9 p.m.as planned.Instead, he’d been pacing in his living room as he mulled over Walker, Barczyk, and the game.He felt bad for defending Walker in the locker room when he was essentially doing the same shit Evan didn’t like about Barczyk’s game.He kept replaying what he’d said in the locker room over and over, wondering if Barczyk saw the double standard.The only difference between the two was that Barczyk had hurt Evan with his antics, but tonight Walker could have just as easily.Watching the re-plays, Evan was grateful he hadn’t hit the boards on his way down.
Though he supposed Walker had apologized, something Barczyk never had.That counted for something.
Except he’d also called Evan out for being a wimp.It’d been like a slap to the face.Walker had never said anything about it to Evan during the literal years they’d played together.Had he thought it was a problem the whole time and that the rest of them were picking up his slack?Did others think that but weren’t going to say anything?
Fuck.
Abernathy
Hey you have time for another fighting lesson before we travel?
Barczyk
OFC
We could do Tuesday after practice
Just don’t punch my face it’s sore lol
Don’t want to go into Wednesday’s game with a shiner
Abernathy
Tuesday’s good.Thanks.I won’t punch your face.
Team gym?
Barczyk
* * *
Evan squared his feet and swung his right fist.Barczyk deflected it so that Evan’s hand only grazed his chest.
“Your punches are looking better,” Barczyk said.“You might be ready for the big leagues soon.”
“Thanks.”Evan tried to sneak another one in while Barczyk was distracted, but he missed and Barczyk jabbed him in the ribs.“Maybe not,” he grumbled.When they’d started this whole lessons thing, Evan had seen every near hit as a sign of improvement; now he saw them as misses and hated it.
“You’ll never be a prizefighter, but you won’t look tragic.”That stupid grin with the missing tooth.Evan’s heart fluttered; he got distracted and Barczyk punched him in the gut.“Ha!”
Evan’s cheeks flushed.They’d been going at it for an hour, and he’d managed not to get hit full on until now.And it wasn’t like he had anyone to blame for it but himself and his stupid weakness for Barczyk’s stupid face.
“It’s all right, Abs,” Barczyk said.“There's no shame in losing to the best—oof!”
Evan tackled Barczyk to the ground.He enjoyed Barczyk’s undignified squawks as Evan punched him with the padded gloves.It was one of those rare moments when he’d turned the tables on Barczyk, and Evan was smiling as he pressed his advantage.He should’ve never underestimated Barczyk, though: soon it wasn’t boxing gloves pushing back against him, but bare fingers tickling his stomach and along his sides.
