Page 57 of River, Wild

“You’ve never told me! That’s so unfair.”

“It’s Royal’s story to tell. I’m sure he will one day when he doesn’t feel so badly about it,” I tell her with a laugh.

“It was that bad, huh?”

“It was pretty bad.”

“So, change of subject. I have this friend,” April begins.

“Guy friend?”

“Yeah. He’s … a little lost right now. He’s just having a really hard time with life, which is something we all know about,” she starts as Royal walks over.

“A boyfriend?”

“Not like that. Just a friend I want to help out,” she says. Royal nods his head.

“What can we do?”

“Talk to him? He’s not much different than you were. Thinking about the underground fights and shit. I know things have changed since you were doing it, and I’m afraid that it might be worse now,” she explains.

“It is worse now. And I don’t want that shit around the gym.”

“Will you just talk to him?”

“I don’t know how much good that will do, but yeah, I can.”

“Good. He’s outside,” she responds before taking off. I look at Royal, and he just shrugs.

April comes in with a kid around her age. You can tell that life has kicked his ass just by looking at him.

“I’m James,” he says, holding his hand out to Royal.

“Royal.”

“I’ve heard about you,” he adds.

“Yeah? Well, that’s the old me. That’s not what I do anymore.” Royal talks to him a little about why he doesn’t do it and how badly things turn out in that life. The kid seems to listen, and I can only hope it does some good.

“I don’t have anything. Nowhere to go. No family.”

“You do now. You can stay here at night. There are a few cots in the back, a place to shower, and food in the fridge. Don’t bring that bullshit around my gym, though.”

“Are you serious? You’d let me stay here?”

“I was just like you once, and no one gave me a chance, but I mean what I said. None of that underground shit comes around here. We’ve worked too hard to get away from all that.”

“Yes, sir. I won’t bring that around here.”

“You can work here, help with cleaning up. That’ll get you some cash, but for now, you’re welcome to stay here,” he tells him. Thekid smiles and nods, thanking him, before April pulls him off to the side.

“What’s that about?” I ask.

“Kid needs help. No one helped me, and it fucking sucked. If I can help just one kid to not end up like that, then why not?”

“Aww, I knew you were a softy,” I tease him. Royal looks at me and shakes his head.

“You'd better watch your mouth,” he warns me.

“Or what? What are you going to do?”

“Spank your ass for one.”

“You love my mouth,” I remind him.

“Yeah, when you’re using it right.” Now we both laugh.

“I love you.”