Sucker Punch (TKO 4)

“Ready to go again, man?” Garrett asks me.

“Hell yeah. Let’s do this.” And we begin again. Round after round and I’m feeling better. I’m slowly regaining the confidence I lost in the accident and I love it.

***

Lance pulls up at my apartment and I open my door. “Thanks for the ride, man, I appreciate it.”

“That’s what friends do. Enjoy your Sunday off. I’ll see you Monday.”

I wave bye and walk inside. Ruston is washing a few dishes. I laugh at seeing him so domesticated. “Hey Rus.”

“Hey, Austin. I was just cleaning up a little before I go meet Tam. We have a, uh, date tonight.” His voice is low like he didn’t mean to slip that last part out. I guess he still thinks deep down I’m really bothered by it all when in reality, I’m not.

“Sounds fun.”

“How was Joe’s last night?”

“It was all right. We just had a few drinks and I ran into the nurse from the hospital. I got her number,” I tell him.

“Really? That’s awesome.”

“I have even better news.” I just can’t contain what Howard told me any longer. “I started practicing again today. Howard says with more practice I should be able to fight again.”

Ruston’s eyes widen much like mine did earlier. “That’s fucking awesome, man. You better let me know when you step back into the ring. I want to be there for you.”

“When I know, you’ll know, I swear. I’ll let you finish up and get ready for your date. Garrett fucking worked me today. I’m exhausted.”

“You need anything before I go?” he asks me.

I shake my head and smile. “No thanks man, I’m good. I may order a pizza in a bit but I’m good.”

He smiles and finishes the last of the dishes. He’s already dressed, so I take that as an okay to go into the bathroom and shower. I haven’t had to wash sweat off of my body in a long time and I love it. I dry off and put on a fresh change of clothes. I grab my phone and contemplate texting Paige. I don’t w

ant to bother her, but the talk we had in the early hours of this morning seemed to go rather well.

I lie across my bed and stare at the messages from this morning. I begin typing and glance at my words before I decide to hit send.

Austin: Hey, how was your day?

A few minutes pass before an answer pops up. Like a fool, I just lay there waiting for her response, wondering if it was going to even come.

Paige: Hey! It was okay. It was my day off so I took care of some things around my house and relaxed. That was probably more info than you wanted.

Austin: No, it’s okay. I started practicing at my gym again today; now I’m home.

Paige: Practicing? What were you practicing?

Austin: Fighting.

Paige: Oh, I hope you’re being careful.

I smile. It seems like it’s been forever since someone has cared. She doesn’t even know me and her concern may not be genuine, but I’m taking it that way.

Austin: I’m always careful, I promise.

Paige: Good, I’d hate to see you in the hospital again.

Austin: You won’t.