Stanton Box Set

“Um,” she sounds evasive.

“So, where are you?” I repeat.

“I’m at Josh’s.”

“What,” I snap.

“He’s not here,” she quickly adds.

“Where is he?” I immediately ask.

“I’m not sure, I’m with Cameron and Will.”

“Oh that’s right,” I reply, disappointed. Josh’s two younger brothers are staying with him for the week. Mum had told me this, although I had forgotten. “Say hi for me,” I whisper.

“I will,” she smiles down the phone. I pull my jacket around my shoulders as the cold air chills me.

“Do you want to come out tonight?” she asks.

“Where to?” I ask.

“The boys have tickets for some show and they bought some extra tickets in case we want to come.”

I smile at the two muscle men leaving the gym. “Oh, I don’t know, I told Abbs I would catch a movie.”

“No, I’ve spoken to her. She’s keen to come to this show.”

“Oh,” I answer flatly. “Is Josh coming?” I scrunch my eyes shut as I say it, knowing how desperate I sound.

“No, the boys said he’s going to some kickboxing thing.” She lowers her voice so they can’t hear her. “If you come we might be able to get some info on him,” she whispers. I nod as her plan rolls around in my head. This is true—they are staying with him so maybe I can find out if he is seeing someone else.

“Do you think they know anything?”

“Who knows? Of course, they must. Brothers talk, don’t they?”

Three hours later I find myself at the Luna Park Convention Centre with Abbie, Bridget, Cameron and Will. We grab some drinks from the bar and head to our seats. As we are walking to our seats, I notice the crowd is all mostly male and a bit rough around the edges.

“Why did we come here again?” I frown at Bridget as we walk through the rows of numbered seating. “What are we seeing?” Bridget hunches her shoulders.

“Beats me. Cam, what are we seeing?” she asks.

“Josh is fighting tonight.” I stop dead in my tracks. Cameron and Will turn to face me.

“Fighting,” I repeat. “What, what do you mean?” I am shocked, this was not in the brochure.

“He is in a cage fight tonight.” Will starts to laugh at the distress on my face.

“Cage fight,” I repeat.

“Yeah,” Cameron nods.

“That’s crazy talk, you can’t be serious?” My eyes are bulging out of their sockets. Will laughs again.

“He’s done it before Natasha. Chill.”

“Josh,” I repeat. They nod. “Josh, Josh. Like our Josh.”

“Apparently he is pretty good. I haven’t seen him but Will has in America. He kicks ass.”