Asher
3 Months Later…
Iroll over to silence the insistent ringing of my phone. It’s plugged in on the bedside table but right now, I’m wishing that I’d let it die during the night. As I pick up the bastard device the light blinds me in my otherwise pitch black room.
What fucking time is it?
It’s Cam. Of course it is. Cameron is the only one who would call me so fucking early.
“What?” I demand, I hate being woken up.
“Meet me at the gym.” Cameron says.
“What? We didn’t have plans this morning.” I’m a hundred percent sure that I did not agree to a crack of dawn gym wake up call. And on a Sunday no less, it’s still dark out for christ’s sake. “What time is it?”
Dammit…
I can almost hear the laugh in Cam’s voice. “Like five?”
“You’re bat shit crazy. Bye.” I end the call.
Unfortunately, my peace only lasts about two seconds before my phone’s buzzing once again. By the third phone call, I contemplate powering off the device, or throwing it out the window.
“Give me twenty,” I respond as I answer the call and hang up again
It’s with a loud sigh that I slowly stretch and get out of bed. I pull on some gym shorts over my boxers and grab some clean clothes, shoving them into my gym bag.
I swing my bag up onto my shoulder and make my way through the Frat house. Everything is still dark, so Cam meant five in the morning, then. The brat.
Shaking my head I blow out a breath as I clatter down the stairs. If I’m awake, then who gives a damn if I’m waking up the others. There’s only Corbin, Zach and Reece here anyway, the rest all had big plans for the summer.
I jog to the gym — my way of warming up before starting my gym session. Saves time, especially since I know Cam is waiting for me. He’s probably bouncing on his heels, ready to go.
Lo and behold, as soon as I walk in I spot Cam running laps around the boxing ring upstairs.
I scan my membership card at the entrance turnstiles, giving the receptionist, Tess, a wink and smile. Tess and I go back, but she’s not into me, or even men at all. It’s been a while since we hung out, I think as I head up and around to the training area.
I head up the metal stairs to meet Cam, when he sees me he slows to stop in front of me. He’s already glistening with sweat and a little out of breath, but I know this is the least of his workout. Or our workout for that matter.
“Well, finally!” He jibes loudly. I’m sure his voice breaks the 5am noise restriction rule. I don’t even want to know how long he’s been awake.
“What did you drag me out so early for anyway?”
“Two reasons,” Cam tells me. “I needed to get out of the house. Things broke down with one of my roommates and they bailed on us. I’ve been tidying and cleaning all damn week. But also, I’ve got that big fight tonight and I wanna win. The dude I’m fighting has a wicked haymaker and I want to be ready for him.”
I nod, putting my bag down on the floor and pulling off my shoes. If it’s a fighting session this morning, that means barefoot in the ring. I get myself ready, in the zone, as it were, for the session. Cameron’s good — better than me by a long shot but he’s trained for much longer than I have, and actually enjoys it.
I pull out the target pads, slip my hands into the worn leather, and climb into the ring. Cam is already up there, shadow boxing.
“Why don’t you come tonight? There’s gonna be some good match-ups.” He asks between combos.
I grimace, unfortunately I’ve got plans which means I’ll be turning him down yet again. “I’d love to, but there’s a poker night at the house tonight, we’re short of players and I promised I’d be there.”
The unlucky few that are still hanging around the fraternity over the summer have been bored as shit, hence the poker game tonight. Some of the guys have got some kush in so there’s a chance, even if I have an unlucky hand, that I’ll come out on top. I just need to pay attention.
Cam gives a one shoulder shrug. “Damn, I’m missing a game?”
“Yeah. Sorry, man. I’ll catch the next one.” It’s been a while since I’ve been down to the Octagon to watch Cam. I figure I owe him one.
“So who’re you fighting tonight?” I ask, curious now. If Cam has this much nervous energy, his opponent must be good.
“Some dude called Devon. He’s from out of state, a New Yorker I think,” he waves his hand dismissively. “But I’ve watched a few of his fights, he has this wild haymaker but he always drops his guard afterwards, so I think, as long as I can get through the initial hit, I can take him down. KO.” He adds with a self-assured smile.
“Well, let’s get to it then,” I love his confidence, and I’m actually a little sad that I’ll be missing the fight.
