Page 51 of Ravaged From Fate

Ha, got him.

“Then ask her out.”

Cyrus shakes his head, knowing he’s been defeated. “I’m not talking about this.”

“Right.”

He spins around and yells out to Caspian. “I’m ready for a sparring match, brother. Let me whoop your ass this time.”

That’s when Caspian notices me. I see his eyes quickly dart to me and then back to Cyrus. My heart flutters.

“Let’s go,” Caspian answers back, trying his best to seem like he hasn’t spotted me.

But he certainly has.

Both boys go and get ready for their match. Caspian doesn’t speak to me, but that’s okay. I think he’s secretly trying to impress me with his newly learned boxing skills.

Well, it ain’t too secret. I can read him like a book.

I slide up to Juniper by the side of the boxing ring as we wait for the boys to start.

“Hey.”

“Hi.”

I nod at Cyrus as he fits on his boxing gloves. He stretches his thick arms. “He’s an idiot for not asking you out already,” I say to Juniper, low enough for the boys to be unable to hear. Can’t let them in on our little girl talk.

“He is,” Juniper agrees with a sigh, sweat from her exercise session sticking to her forehead. “But I’m happy to wait for the man to come to his senses.”

“Don’t wait too long.”

“Oh, I won’t. Maybe he might need a gentle shove in the right direction.”

I snigger.

“And what about you and the dark, handsome stranger?” she asks me. “Things been progressing?”

“It’s… good…”

Juniper smiles. “So, it’s complicated?”

“I’m just going to see where things go. But things thus far are good.”

She nods.

“I got you.”

The boys fight, and Juniper and I spectate. The sounds of their boxing gloves contacting echo out through the gym.

Jab.

Jab.

Duck.

Swing.

As seemingly soon as it starts, it’s over. Caspian is the winner this time, making Cyrus call for a time-out.