When We Were Young

When We Were Young(27.1)

Alec
My head was pounding. I honestly felt like a garbage truck picked me up and threw me in and compressed me. I couldn't even move. All I could see was darkness. Just blackness. I could hear distant voices.

"He's going to be okay."

"He'll wake up soon."

"If he doesn't wake up soon I'll kill him myself."

I knew that was Alicia. No one could threaten someone like she could. I desperately tried moving. To let them know I'm okay, that I'm awake...inside my head at least. I can't remember what happened though. The last day or maybe several , seem to be gone. I don't even know where I am. All I know is that I'm in pain and I don't want to be.

"Mami, is Papi going to be okay?"

My son. AJ is here, and he sounds so upset. Why would they bring AJ to see me if I didn't look good ? Goddamnit where am I?!

"He's fine, he just had a little accident and is tired okay chulo?"

Alicia's voice was so calming. So beautiful. I missed her. I really did. She was always the center of my world and I loved the center of my world. I still did. And I have to tell her. I have this sudden wave of emotion to tell her how much a fucking love her.

But I couldn't. Because I was still 'asleep'.

Why was I sleeping ?

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12 Hours Earlier
"You're sure you got this Alec?" Alicia whispered as she wrapped my hands. We were sitting in a shitty back room with horrible lighting waiting for my name to be called for my first fight of the night. I had spent my day sparring and making sure to say goodnight to AJ and tucking him into bed. I don't even remember how many times I told him I loved him, but I needed to make sure that he knew I did.

"Yeah Lacy, I'm sure. I got this." I declared with more confidence than I felt. It had been nearly four years since my last fight. In those four years I had only sparred a handful of times. My last fight had really left me in bad condition. I could still see all the blood. God there had been so much blood. He had taunted me. He knew about AJ and used that against me. He went for my stomach and I went for his jugular. What scares me the most is that if I hadn't been pulled off, then I would've ended him. And I wouldn't have even regretted it.

"Remember, switch it up. Some of these guys are new but some might be guys you've fought before. Throw in a few of my moves to confuse them so they can't keep up. Never use a combo more than three times in a row? And never, ever, let your eyes wander from you opponent. If I make eye contact with you once during your fights I will get in that cage and fuck you up." Lacy ripped the tape with her teeth as she finished talking. I flexed my knuckles to make sure that it was tight enough to keep my fingers from getting jammed or dislocated but loose enough so I didn't loose circulation in my hands.

"I know Lacy, I've done this before." I tried to joke but Alicia was too worried about me for it.

I could see the worry etched on her face as she stood and put the tape away. I sighed and moved to grab her face between my hands.

"I'm leaving with you tonight Alicia. I'm going home with you and tomorrow you'll have to take care of me and bring me soup and make me take ice baths. Trust me when I tell you you'll see this ugly mug tomorrow morning." I spoke softly and looked her in the eyes trying to make sure that she saw what I said was as close to the truth as I could get.

"I swear to God if you don't leave here with me, I will bring you back from the dead Handler." She whispered back. I nodded and kissed her forehead.