Bittersweet Endings

Chapter Six

I had finally gotten my rematch with Jesse, it was long overdue. I could see Scott out of the corner of my eye, he looked scared shitless. I had seen him approach Caleb I'm assuming to get him to stop this, he would be worried I was going to get hurt. He really doesn't know me. I hate how I still knew how he thought even after all these years. By the end of the fight I could see the black eye forming on Jesse's face. I wonder what story he will tell everyone about how he got it, I knew it wouldn’t be the truth especially around any girls. I hoped I was there to witness it. As the fight ended in a draw we both had bruises forming and cuts dripping, a round of applause echoed in the gym. It wasn't the first time we had done this and wouldn't be the last. I had done it with each of my boys and some of the new guys.

"Aww the poor baby is going to have a black eye." I cooed at him.

He turned around and started to glare at me before turning back around and started walking towards the bathroom, I would assume to get the first aid kit to clean up our cuts. Before he knew what was happening I had run at him and jumped onto his shoulders.

"You still love me." I whispered into his ear, before sliding off and running back to Megan, Luke and unfortunately Scott. I was still impartial to him.

"What did you all think?" I asked no one in particular.

"I think you hurt poor Jesse's ego." Megan replied.

I laughed. "Wouldn't be the first time." I replied.

I approached Max in the office and got the small first aid kit from there to clean up with, I only really needed it to clean my knuckles. I sat down on the mat and got to work. Megan, Luke and Scott sat down near me and watched as I cleaned up. The crowd had dispersed and I could hear Max, Caleb and John giving some tips to some of the new fighters. Normally we would all sit down together and make sure each was cleaned properly to stop any infections and then we would talk shit with each other. Once I was cleaned up we all headed out to the office where I put the first aid kit back.

"You all went to head out somewhere?" I asked.

"Sure." They chorused.

"Where to?" I asked.

"How about McDonalds. I'm starving and I'm sure your hungry too Joey." Luke replied.

"Alright. I'll meet you at the car I'm just going to say goodbye first." I told them before walking back through the door.

I found John, Caleb, and Max now standing next to the bathroom door, had Jesse not come back out yet.

"Hey guys, we're heading off now. I'll come back tonight or tomorrow after school." I said.

"Aww, do you have to go?" Caleb whined.

"Yes I do. Is he still in there?" I asked, it had been longer than normal.

They all nodded together. I knocked on the door, I didn't get a response so I yelled out that it was me and then walked in. The boys would have been contemplating doing the same thing but Jesse would kill them if they did. We had a special bond. It wasn't that I was closer to him but we just got each other.

"You alright?" I asked.

He looked up from where he was sitting, "Yeah I'm okay. I've got a few bruises forming though, and I think you re-cracked one of my ribs."

"Why did you tell me that you weren't fully healed yet you idiot. I wouldn't have hit you so hard around the ribs." I replied.

"Because that would be a weakness." He said back.

I walked closer to him and slapped him over the head. "Stop been so stupid, we were just mucking around. I'm telling Caleb because I know he will make sure you go to the doctors and you will listen to him. I've got to head out now, I'll be back either tonight or tomorrow after school. Don't be afraid to use the phone if you need to." I finished before hugging him softly.

"I promise." was all he said as he hugged me back.

Letting go I walked out the door, they were still waiting right by the door for me to come out and tell them how he was. He didn't like appearing weak but he often forgets that none of us would see him that way.

"Caleb you've got to make sure he goes to the doctors. I don't care if you have to grab him by that crazy hair and drag him. He did promise he would go but you know what he can be like. He didn't tell me his ribs weren't fully healed so he thinks I've re-cracked one of his ribs. I'm off now." I said before hugging each of them.

Walking outside I could see the other three whispering about something until they realised I was coming. This was something that appeared to be happening more and more lately. I just shook my head I wasn't going to question it, if they wanted to tell me they would tell me if not I wouldn't let it bother me.

I climbed into the backseat and rested my head against the window as the others climbed in and we left the carpark. I still didn't know why Scott or my dad was here. Scott and I were now able to be civil towards each other but I wasn't about to ask him what was going on. I doubted that he would tell me. With dad been back it made me not want to go home. I knew I had plenty of places to stay it would just cause more trouble.

Before long we pulled up at McDonalds and they were all telling me to get out of the car. I climbed out and followed them, I was a little hungry mostly from losing energy from the fight. I would get something small to eat, I was mainly here for the company. I told Megan my order and watched as they went over to order food while I made my way to the table we always sat at, with Scott following me. I was hoping this wasn't going to be another 'you're not the same person' speech as I can't deal with that.

I sat down and crossed my arms on the table and hid my head, hoping that he would get the idea that I didn't want to talk, after a few seconds I realised I was wrong.

"I know you don't like me. I'm not sure why thought. I just need to say one thing, you better get used to having me around, because you're going to be stuck with me for a long time" he said.

I raised my head and looked at him like he was crazy.

"Your right I don't like you. I know I never got in contact with you, that would be because I wasn't allowed, mum forced me to forget you, she blocked your number on my phone, and deleted it so I couldn't remember, and yet you never once tried to get in contact with me. And that's not the only reason why I don't like you, but you'll never understand the other reason. And what in hell do you mean by 'You better get used to having me around, because you're going to be stuck with me for a long time'" I released like a tidal wave, I was shocked at myself that I said everything I did.

"I tried getting in contact with you for such a long time after you left, but your mum always told me that you didn't want to talk to me. I can't tell you, not yet." he replied.

I didn't want to believe what he said. That my mum could be so heartless towards me. I didn't want to accept the fact that my hate may have been directed at the wrong person.

"Whatever." I said, standing up and walking out leaving him there.

I didn't care that I hadn't got my food. I started walking no destination in particular, my mind wouldn't stop racing. What did he mean by that? Couldn't he just give me a straight answer? Was he just here to confuse me? Looking around I realised that I had subconsciously walked in the direction of home. Well no better time than now to get home. Mum will of course notice my knuckles and begin to ask questions, like she always did when I come home with bloody knuckles and bruises all over my body. It is the only times she actually takes time to sit down and talk, it's more her talking me ignoring her.

As I got closer to the house I noticed another car that I didn't recognise in the driveway, I wonder who else will be popping up now. I walked through the front door, as I was taking my shoes off mum came out. She looked at my hands noticing my knuckles straight away.

"No need in asking where you were." She snapped.

I simply smirked at her, she was right she didn't need to ask. Next thing she was yelling out to dad, to go and get the first aid kit. I had learnt after the first time that even if I told her that I had already cleaned up she would do it again anyway. She led me into the lounge room, where there were two people, who looked vaguely familiar. I heard them gasp, as I sat down on the loveseat so mum could fix up the cut on my face. Dad walked into the room and gasped too, I smirked at him too. Mum sat down in front of me and started cleaning the cuts. That's when dad finally spoke up.

"Joey, you remember Scott's parents right." Dad said.

"Oh hey, yeah sort of. I guess it's good to see you again. Speaking of Scott if you're waiting for him he won't be much longer he was just getting some food." I  replied.

"That's okay. We will just have to wait until he gets here and then we can discuss the contract." Scott's mum said.

"The contract?" I questioned.

"You're just going to have to wait, sorry." She said, giving me a soft smile.

I was beginning to wish people would stop telling me to wait longer it was getting harder and harder. I nodded not sure what in the world she was talking about. I had no idea what was going on and I wanted to know. I was about to start demanding that someone tell me when I realised that would be no help. I have to wait for my personal demon to get here. With the way my stomach was flipping in nervousness I had a suspicion that I'm not going to like what they have to say.