The Fighter

Chapter 8

|Andy|

I couldn't sleep at all. I didn't want to go downstairs because Simon was still down there. Going downstairs was like admitting defeat. My clock said three, but there was no chance of me sleeping at this point.
At six, Simon was pounding on my bedroom door.
"Go away, Simon."
"No, Andy, we really need to talk about this. Just give me another chance."
"No, that's one of the stupidest things I could do."
"Andy, I'm asking for one chance. If I mess up again, I'll let it go."
"Yeah right."
"Andy, I promise you."
"Talk is cheap, Simon."
"Andy, I will get down on my fucking knees if I have to. Can you at least open the door?" He looked like he'd slept about as much as I had.
"Simon, if I do give you another chance, you better watch yourself because I'll be unforgiving as hell."
"Understood. So, can I take you on a date tonight?"
"I didn't say I actually would give you another chance."
"Come on, I've got the perfect idea for a date."
"If I say yes, will you leave me alone for a while."
"Yes."
"Okay, fine." He texted me later and told me to wear something comfortable and that jeans were an absolute no. I put on leggings and a long-sleeved shirt and hoped that would cut it.
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
"Simon–"
"Just trust me, Andy." It was an old building that looked pretty rundown. I did not like it whatsoever. Inside, it was setup like a training facility for boxing.
"You brought me so you could practice?"
"No, I brought you so I could teach you self defense. Just in case I'm not with you when something happens." He mumbled something about gloves being too big and walked off looking for something.
There was athletic tape in his hand when he approached me again. He took one of my hands and began to wrap tape around my knuckles.
"What are you doing?"
"Wrapping your knuckles up so that you don't break one. There aren't any gloves small enough for you."
"Simon, I don't know about this."
"It'll be perfectly fine. I won't let you get hurt."
"Mr. Minter, Mr. Minter, you're not the type to bring a girl with you." I turned my head to see who had said it. Cal was leaned up against the wall, watching the spectacle in front of him unfold. "Oo, and she's still around. How are you, Andy?"
"Fine, for now. How are you?"
"Even better know that I know what Simon's soft spot is." Simon glared at him and lifted me up into the ring before climbing in himself.
He taught me how to position myself, how to block, how to throw a proper punch, but I was getting distracted.
"Andy." He tapped my jaw lightly when he did it, causing my focus to shift completely to him.
"What?"
"Hit me."
"What?! No!"
"Yes. I want to make sure you're doing it right."
"I'm not going to hit you."
"Not even if I talk about the other night? All the details of–" I took a swing at him and he stumbled back a bit. "Yep, you can swing just fine."
"That's brutal, mate, going after her emotions like that," Cal interjected.
"He knows. He knows!"
"I'm not the best with people, okay?"
"Yeah, I think we've all noticed."
"And I'm the brutal one? Really?" Cal just shook his head and took his leave. That left Simon and me alone, standing very close together in the ring.
"You did well."
"I'm no boxer, Simon. You don't have to try to make me feel better about it."
"You underestimate yourself, Andy." He leaned forward and kissed me, which caught me off guard a little. But, I kissed him back.