Us [18+]

Chapter 7

MADELINE'S POV ⛓️

I angrily knocked off my gloves and stomped towards my changing room. You'd think that after busting Mikey's lip and breaking through two punching bags, I'd have calmed the fuck down. Nope.

I'm raging. I'm hurt and heartbroken and confused. She just sidelined me for someone she just reconnected with? Wasn't she supposed to be upfront about it? Didn't I come first anymore? What happened to what we have? Had.

She'd been honest with me about what she feels. Why isn't she honest with him? I'm some dirty secret now? That's just great. My vision blurred again. I'm tired of crying, damn it. My head is aching and my eyes are bloodshot. I don't need this right before I have to defend my championship.

What do I do now? I'll go home and see her pretty face there. I can't just ask her to leave. I feel like screaming. What the hell is this? I could go on a drive, but, if I do that, I might crash into a tree or someone.

The pool? An ice bath? Fuck it, I'll just go home. Tomorrow is Monday and I'll plunge myself in work and not have to think about my situation.
-
This was easier said than done. I'm sitting in my car and trying to calm my nerves. What if I snap at her? I don't snap at Iris, nobody snaps at her. Fuck, this hurts. How is it that I'm willing to ignore and deny everything I'm feeling for her to be happy? Is this okay?

Using these thoughts as a distraction, I walked through the front door. I saw Iris eating something, but, instead of gawking at her or pouncing on her, I mumbled a "hey" and made my way to the fridge, tossing my gym bag somewhere.

I heard footsteps but I didn't bother to turn around. My frame was guarded and my moves calculated. I can't let her get to me. I'm not removing my feelings for her completely, I'm just pushing them aside for as long as it takes to sort this out.

"Where'd you go?" Her voice was as smooth as always. My breath hitched a bit.

"The gym."

"Oh. Why?"

"Nothing." She was walking closer to me for whatever reason but I side stepped her and walked towards my room. "Goodnight."

"Night." She said, just as a slammed my door shut, the sound louder than I wanted it to be. I locked the door to make sure she couldn't come in if she wanted to.

I looked around to find most of her stuff gone. At least she still respects my wishes. The problem is that my room still smells like her.

Sighing and deciding to let the day's events weigh down on me, I went to have a bath. I would have liked a cup of tea but I don't want to run into Iris again. God knows what I'd do if I did.

-
I slept off in my bathtub. My only reaction was to take a deep breath- just how exhausted am I? I trudged out of the bathroom after drying my body and wrapping a towel around my hair.

I dried my hair and put on a shirt and loose shorts. I don't remember what point I fell asleep at but when I woke up, I felt refreshed. I even woke up a bit late. Before I could completely gather my thoughts, I got a call. I didn't even have to look to now it was Kayden. I held the phone away from my ear, anticipating him screaming at me.

What I didn't expect was how gentle his voice was when he asked if I was okay. My eyes stung and the walls I was trying to put up crumbled even before I could finish.

Doing my best to keep my voice steady, I told him I was just stressed and promised to be at the gym in 40 minutes. He said I should prepare for an even harder week because he'd be working my ass off. Good.
-
Kayden have me a hug and told me I'd be fine. I just took it, I didn't have the strength to think. I asked him if Maze Gilliams had contacted him about the practice matches and he gave a positive response.

"You'll be practicing with her, using your usual techniques while developing new ones on the side. That way, we can catch them off guard." Our thoughts aligned and I'm happy about that.

"Is Julia coming today?"

"No, she'll be here tomorrow. She would have come today but her coach's son, who was supposed to accompany her, went to his girlfriend's shoot."

I absentmindedly hummed and went to gear up. According to Kayden, I'll be doing "speed runs" with anyone that was interested. As usual, first to three wins. This means that men and women from the other side of the gym were gathered around the ring, seemingly waiting for their turn.

I spotted Jeremy, my 19 year old fan and have him a wave and a smile. It was kind of amusing that he was on the front line- he probably doesn't want to deal with losing first. It'll take me a few rounds to be properly warmed up so he's better off fighting me first. It's not my place to tell him that, anyways.
-
I walked through the path that the "contestants" made for me. The first part of the drill passed in a blur and now I want a break. Most of them were 'junior' members so it was a breeze. I'll get to have real fun in the second part.

I spotted Kayden talking to a mohawk that was very hard to miss. He caught my eye and I gave him an unimpressed look. How long did he watch the matches before deciding I wasn't worth his time?

He suddenly started walking towards me, hand in hand with the mohawk. I had to refrain from raising an eyebrow. I sipped on my water bottle while looking at them.

"Munchkin, th-"

"Madeline."

"Whatever. This is my boyfriend, Luca. Babe, this is my little sister. Well, not biologically but-" I looked mohawk over while Kayden was explaining our family history.

He was wearing a black turtleneck sweater and black jeans and to finish, black ankle boots. I saw tattoos peaking through his wrists and he has lip piercing. He looks like an emo kid and a biker all at once. It's strangely pleasing.

"It's good to meet you, Luca."