Maybe This Time(43)

“You stalking me?” I tease. His lip curves as he sits opposite me, same as last time. He pulls out a thick text book, and I read it upside down.

“You’re studying law?”

“Guilty.”

I wince. “Looks painful.”

“Trust me, it is. How about you?” he asks, gesturing to my folder.

“Nursing at Tafe.” He tilts his head and smiles. I return to my assignment, wanting to get at least a quarter of it finished today. My phone vibrates and I pull it out of my pocket to see a text from Reid. I realize I never texted him saying I was home safe, so I send a quick reply saying I’m studying at the library.

“Boyfriend?” the stranger asks.

“You ever going to tell me your name?” I counter.

He grins cheekily. “Silas.”

“Nice to meet you, Silas, I’m Summer, and yes, that was my boyfriend.”

“All the good ones really are taken,” he answers, but he doesn’t look let down in the slightest, so I know he’s just teasing. We spend the rest of the time in silence, until it’s time for me to leave.

“Bye, Silas,” I say as I pick up my folder.

“Bye, Summer,” he says, not looking up.

By the time I get home I have an hour until Reid comes to pick me up. I jump into the shower, and then walk to my room with dripping wet hair. Wrapping a towel over my head, I stand naked in the corner of my room, staring at my wardrobe. What am I meant to wear? I settle for a pair of low riding skinny jeans and a tight black sweater. I put on my favourite pair of battered combat boots, because they're comfortable and flat, and they look pretty badass too. I blow-dry my hair and iron it so it’s dead straight. A little mascara, powder and bronzer and I’m done.

“Summer!” Xander calls through the door.

“Yeah, come in.”

He opens the door, looking excited and dressed casually in jeans and a white T-shirt. His shoulder length hair is pulled back at the nape of his neck. “You ready?”

“Yeah,” I say, smoothing my hair with my fingers.

“You look fine. Reid’s on his way,” he says, bouncing on his feet.

“I’m glad someone’s excited,” I say as I dab some lip balm on my lips. I grab my phone and slide it into my bra, ready to go. Reid arrives ten minutes later, not looking his usual self. He looks like Reid when I first met him, tightly wound and brooding.

“You okay?” I ask him, wrapping my arms around his torso.

“Yeah, I get a little anxious before a fight,” he says, which is understandable, I guess. Xander takes his own car, and I jump into Reid’s.

“Summer,” says a feminine voice from the back seat. My head spins around faster than the chick from The Exorcist, as I turn and see Jade.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, surprised.

“I’ve never missed a fight before, you think I’m gonna miss one just because you’re in Reid’s life?” she says, staring down at her manicured nails. Fucking Reid. A little warning would be nice. Reid slides into the driver’s seat, and obviously feels the tension because he snaps, “Not today, alright.”

The ride is silent and tense, and I stare out the window the entire time. Is he always like this before a fight? If so, I’d rather stay at home and watch Catfish. We arrive at a different location than the last fight, and it looks more crowded this time around. Reid steps out the car, and walks around to my door, opening it for me. He’s dressed in a pair of shorts and a hoodie, which I assume will be coming off when he enters the ring.

“You okay?” I ask him softly. Jade opens her own car door, huffing about something or the other.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Just… just stay with your brother, Ryan, and your dad, and stay where I can see you, okay?”

“Okay,” I say, clutching my jacket and pulling it tighter.

“I’m serious, Summer, I want you in my line of sight.”

“Okay.”

We walk up to the entrance, and the man standing at the door lets us through, jumping the line. I ignore the looks a few of the women give me when Reid puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me in. When I see the huge caged octagon, I swallow hard. This place looks scarier than the last one.

I look at Reid to find him already looking at me, taking in my reaction. I attempt a smile but I’m sure it comes out more as a grimace than anything. He takes my hand in his, threading our fingers together. I take comfort in the gesture. Surprisingly, Jade steps up next to me, flanking my other side.

I spot my dad, my brother, Dash, and Ryan standing in a group, talking amongst each other. Reid squeezes my hand as we approach them. Dad immediately comes over and kisses me on the top of my head, and then pulls Reid aside, for what I assume is a pep talk. Another man walks up and joins them.