Page 27 of Dylan
“How about you show me what you’ve got while we wait for your sister. Boxer or MMA?”
“That sounds cool. I was a boxer.”
“Were you any good?”
“Cee … Um, Ariel. That’s my sister. She says I’m pretty good. I just need dedication and consistency.
“My trainer was my stepdad. He was an asshole. He made me hate training. My sister hasn’t made me train since we … um, left.”
I knit my brows, hearing this kid say a whole lot that hasn’t left his lips. He actually looks sad about not training anymore. I grab my gloves and nod for him to follow me downstairs.
Taegan moves to take my seat behind the desk, no doubt going to finish up the work I didn’t get done earlier before I started my workouts downstairs. I keep my eyes on the kid.
He’s pretty tall. His hair is cut in low brown curls. If I’m honest, he looks like he could be Ciara’s brother. It’s the nose and the lips.
“Hey, kid. How old are you?” I ask as we move down the steps.
“I turn twelve next week.”
I nod my head as I do the math in my head. Cadlha heads right for me as we get down to the gym, breaking right into my thoughts. I hold a hand up and take a step back as she tries to step into my space.
“Dylan, I was hoping to see ya today. I thought ya might be gone by now. Do ya want to get a bite to eat tonight with me?” she sings as she bats her lashes at me.
I had planned to leave. I was on my way out when Taegan and the kid walked into my office. I try to be gone before Cadlha comes in on Thursdays and Fridays. That or I remain out of sight until I know she’s gone.
“I love you guys’ accents around here,” the kid says with a huge smile on his lips.
“You don’t know anyone with an Irish accent?” I ask, thinking of Ciara’s heavy accent when we were little.
If this kid were her brother, he would surely have been around one all the time. Damn, I think I’m losing my mind.
“Nope. Miss Taegan is the first person I’ve ever met with one.”
I chuckle. “Don’t let her hear you call her that.”
“Who’s this?” Cadlha asks.
“A friend. I’m busy. I’ll talk to you later. Come on, I have a pair of gloves for you over here,” I turn to say to the kid.
Ignoring Cadlha, we grab the gloves, and I tape his hands then mine before we climb into the ring. I’m immediately impressed.
He’s good. He reminds me of myself in the beginning. I had been good when Ciara’s dad started me out. I got better after coming to America.
“Keep your hands up. That’s it. We could work on your stamina, but you have the basics. Great footwork, kid,” I coach as we’ve been sparring for a while.
“You would be willing to work with me?” he says with wide eyes.
“I’ll need to meet your guardian, and you’d have to join the gym, but sure. I have an opening.” I shrug.
“Cool, you can meet my sister when she arrives. I’ll ask her if it’s okay.”
A glance at the clock tells me an hour has gone by. Suddenly, the air is sucked right out of the gym. I turn to look toward the door and nearly stumble back.
In walks the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen. She’s dressed in a pink pencil skirt and a white, silky-looking sleeveless blouse. Her dark hair is curled into deep waves that are layered, causing it to flow and bounce around her pretty face.
She looks around the gym frantically until her gaze lands on the kid in the ring with me. Relief comes over her face. My heart is hammering so fast I think it may give out on me.
“Ciarán,” she breathes as she rushes to the side of the ring.
