Worth the fight

Chapter 39

Nico

I can actually see that douchebag lawyer’s face on the bag as I pummel it. He’s fucking lucky I didn’t drag his pansy ass back here and hang him from the chain instead.

“You gonna stop acting like a spoiled brat and go after your girl?” Preach is lucky he’s old or I’d kick his ass too.

“She’s not my girl anymore.” I hit the bag hard with a left and then a quick right. My knuckle pops out of place, but the pain feels too good to stop.

“Maybe you’ve grown soft.” Preach stands behind the bag as he speaks. Smart move.

I stop hitting to respond. “She doesn’t want to see me anymore. How does that make me soft?” My words are angry, bordering on violent, and my fists are at my sides clenched tightly. But Preach doesn’t flinch. The old man has balls of steel.

“The Nico I know is a fighter. Isn’t she worth the fight?” Preach hits me with his last verbal jab and walks away.

My mind is swimming in thoughts as I shower. I feel like I might explode. Seeing her tonight fucked with my head. For a second, I thought there was a chance. Why else would Regina have told me to go to the restaurant? Does she want to see me beat the crap out of William? And I could have sworn that there was something in Elle’s eyes when she saw me too. But she stayed put…next to him….and let me walk out the door again. Let me. Fuck, Preach is right, I am being a damn pussy. I’m done letting her make the decisions. She’s worth it…worth the fight.

It’s almost midnight when I arrive at her door. If that asshole is inside, I’m afraid what I might do. But I’m done keeping on the sidelines. I have a lot of baggage that she doesn’t deserve, but I can carry it for the both of us. I’m not going down without a fight. I knock and wait.

After a few minutes, the door opens and I’m relieved to see it looks like she’s been sleeping. She looks at me and for a minute we just stand there, neither of us saying a word. Then I catch it. It’s the difference between a good fighter and a great fighter. Reading your opponents eyes and finding an opening. And going for it. So I do. I go for it.