Fire and Ice

Chapter 22

Kaden

That was not easy to do. Cutting Alyssa off was something I never wanted to do. But seeing how my dad was being, it was the best thing to do for her.

It was best that we acted like we never met. She had her own life. And after hearing about her own darkness and struggles, I knew that I had to get out of her life as soon as possible.

When I woke up on her couch, nearly laying on her completely, I got up slowly, careful not to disturb her.

I couldn't help but smile down at her. I thought she would panic and run away as soon as she saw my condition. But instead, she instantly turned into a mother hen.

The last time I had been taken care of like that was the night after my first fight. Ellie helped me out as well as she could. This time it was Alyssa.

Alyssa only wanted to help. She made that more than clear. But as soon as I asked her to not push, she stopped.

I was grateful for her, and pushing her out like this only felt like I was anything but.

But it was the best thing to do.

* * *

My father didn't care that I was still in major pain. It was Saturday night, the night of the week that I was scheduled with the most fights.

After fighting so many times while injured like this, you would think I would be used to it. But I still struggled with it anyway.

It was an hour before my first fight, and I was in the basement, putting in last minute training as my father watched me like usual.

"Don't look so weak." He growled. "You have several fights tonight. Lose a single one and you will regret it."

I was in a foul mood. I was always pissed off when it came to my father, but after shutting Alyssa out yesterday, I was rather... murderous. And I was out of patience.

"The repetition of threats is getting old." I punched the bag again, this time harder. The move sent pain shooting through my body, but I continued.

"You wanna say that again, boy?!"

I ignored him.

He didn't say anything else. At that the moment it was just him and I here. His men were already at there ring. So he was obviously trying to be careful.

A phone rang from upstairs and Dad left the basement to get it.

As soon as he was gone I stopped and caught my breath. My body was hating me, and it was ready to give up on me for the day. But I had to keep going.

An hour later I was at the ring, preparing for my first fight. I was dreading this. I could still defeat my opponents, but it would be much slower, much more painful.

Then my phone rang. I glared down at it, almost wondering if it was Alyssa. But a number I didn't recognize flashed at me instead. I ignored the call. The same number called again. And then again.

Finally fed up, I answered it. "Who is this?"

"Kaden?" A girl's voice came. "It's- it's Myla Jones."