Page 32 of Tell Me Everything
“Are you implying that I'm drowsy and that I am like a sleeping pill?”
She pretended to pout, and Alex smiled back.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don't know how you do it, but I feel serene when you're around.”
“Then close your eyes and take a nap.”
She stroked his hair, and Alex sighed with pleasure. Elena seemed to be the only one who could touch him without an anxiety attack shaking him. Her presence really did make him feel more at ease. He didn't know how she did it, but for once, hestopped worrying and enjoyed the moment.
“Sorry. I ruined your marathon.”
“Don't worry. I like taking care of you.”
***
Alex was a bit nervous. His coach had insisted he take part in the kickboxing tournament, but Alex wasn't feeling it. Overly competitive by nature, Alex only participated when he knew victory was assured. In other words, there was enough rage inside him to punch whoever was standing in the ring. Today was no such day. A few years earlier, he had picked up kickboxing because he had so much bottled-up anger. That violence had never left him, but now that he needed it, he felt empty. And as luck would have it, today he had to fight Robbe, a guy who had even more self-control problems than Alex.Just great.
“Are you ready?”
Matthew, his coach, put a hand on his shoulder. Alex shrugged. This time, he was going to have to rely on his skills and technique rather than his determination to crush someone.
“I guess,” he said, jumping from one foot to the other.
“You look nervous. That’s unusual.”
“I usually know in advance that I'm going to win.”
His phone buzzed. The coach gave him a disapproving look. No phones before a tournament. He quickly glanced down.
Elena:Good luck with your tournament! If you win, I'll treat you to ice cream and a massage?(???)?
Alex:I'm looking forward to it.
Matthew clicked his tongue.
“Alex, put that phone away and focus!”
Knowing that his coach wasn't going to do him any favours, he put his phone in his bag.
“Why are you grinning like an idiot?”
“I just got the motivation I needed.”
The coach hesitated to answer and finally ignored him. They headed for the ring, and Alex took a deep breath. On the other side of the room, he spotted his opponent already watching him. Robbe had come to win. This wasn't going to be fun.
***
“A new round of drinks!”
The club members raised their glasses, shouting at the top of their lungs. The coach returned to Alex and patted him on the back with a smile. He'd won. For most of the fight, Robbe had had the upper hand. Alex had started to tire towards the end, but not enough for his opponent. Robbe’s punches became more violent and uncontrolled, eventually disqualifying him and making Alex the winner. If Robbe hadn't lost it at the last moment, Alex would have been knocked out. It wasn't a victory to be proud of, but he didn’t care when it was finally over.
He left the bar for a cigarette. Alex closed his eyes and enjoyed the quiet. All the club members stayed inside and continued to celebrate. The only thing Alex wanted to do now was to get what he'd been promised and to see Elena.
“If that isn’t the star of the show.”
Alex stood face to face with the person he no longer wished to see. He tried to put on a polite smile. It was best not to look for trouble. The fight had exhausted him.
“Hi, Robbe. You did well.”
