He drops in the lounger beside me. “Maybe next time.”
“There won’t be another since it’s senior year. So, you’d better get going and not miss out.”
Luca remains reclined beside me, and I have to ask, “Are you really fighting Micah?”
“Yes.”
“Competing against your brother in Mercy isn’t enough? You need to beat the shit out of each other in the ring too?”
“Worried about me?” he smiles as he says, “Don’t get soft on me now.”
“I’m not. You’re the idiot who wants to brawl. I don’t feel sorry for you.”
“Are you going to come cheer me on?”
“No,” I reply. Brooke has already tried to convince me to attend that too.
“Shame.” He pauses for a few minutes before he continues, “I heard Willowbrook is having their homecoming tonight too. Poor best friend is probably licking his wounds in the corner somewhere.”
“Stop it.” When he finally turns to me, I tell him, “You don’t have to be an ass. That’s a choice too.”
For a second, I think maybe he will listen. But that was definitely a pipe dream.
“So is denial.”
Suddenly the balcony for the night is out of the question. I go into my bedroom and lock the doors behind me. Doubt it’d stophim if he really wanted in. But at least I’ll make it a little more difficult for him before he’d get his way.
47
LUCA
“If you’re really doing this, we need to train,” Cain whines.
“I am.”
“No, not your half-ass attempt. A whole-ass regimen. Micah is a regular and will be a tougher opponent than Dante.”
“I’m aware.” And still can’t wait until it’s time.
“He fights dirty even when he doesn’t need to.” Cain seems like he’s struggling before he admits, “Man, he’s my friend too, and I need to stay as neutral as possible. I can’t pick sides.”
“Then don’t.”
His teeth clench before he tells me, “If he gets his arms around you, he’ll have you. Don’t let him.”
“Got it.”
“And let me know when you’re ready to actually train.”
It’s taken care of. I started working out at the old gym again. And it’s exactly what I need.
Cain is almost out the room when he stops and walks back up to me, “If you’ve ever been honest with me, now is the time. Do you want Ivy there? Will she be a distraction?”
I admit, “I’m distracted when I don’t know where she is. Yeah, I need her there.”
“Then she will be. I’ll make sure of it if you swear to keep your head in the match. And not kill Micah. He’s a tool most of the time but I don’t want him dead.”
“I’ll train but no promises on the latter.”
