Battle Scars

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Anna

"so many strong women began as broken girls"

• • • • •

The bell above the door rings out through the early morning bustle just as I'm putting the last few files in their place. Small footsteps echo through the gym as they make their way across the cement flooring.

"Auntie Annie." The little boy squeals as he flys towards me, his small arms wrapping around my shoulders as I bend down to his height.

I pull him into a tight hug, his laughter echoing around the office. "How's my boy doing?" I ask him as I spin us around once.

He laughs loudly before I place him back down on the ground. His blonde hair is rumpled like his hoodie and he's got a wide gap filled smile on his chubby face. One brown eye and one green eye stare up at me as I await his answer.

"Daddy gave me a brownie in the car." Chase exclames in response and that's the only answer I was really looking for.

I smile down at him, still crouched down so that we're somewhat level. "Well, I guess you gotta burn off all that new energy then don't you? Why don't you go beat up Uncle Lo while I talk to daddy."

Chase grins before running off into the gym again. Griff walks in as he leaves, a small smile directed towards his son as he runs past.

"Thanks again Ans. You know I wouldn't ask you to do this if it wasn't important." He says immediately.

"I know. Chase is a wonderful boy, and you know I'd gladly take him any day. Besides, who am I to stop you from going out on a date." I reply smugly.

He rolls his eyes at me but I see the smile that crosses his face. "I know Anna, thank you. It'll only be for tonight. I would've left him with Casey but she's got family stuff she needs to deal with back in Ohio."

I nod distractedly as my phone rings from my desk. It's been the same number calling me all week and I know exactly who it is, and I want absolutely nothing to do with him right now.

"You told me this already Griff, stop worrying. I won't feed him brownies for dinner if that's what your worried about." I say.

"Thanks Ans. I owe you." He says, and I can tell this means a lot by his appearance. He's got three day old stubble growing. His rumpled tee shirt and sweatpants doing nothing to make it any better and his hair is unkempt.

"I'll hold you to that." I reply just as my phone stops ringing.

Griffin looks down at the device and raises an eyebrow. "Not an important call?"

I sigh and glance down at my phone. "Not anymore."

He nods, understanding what I mean and dropping the subject. "Well let's go make sure Milo doesn't kill my son. Casey would have my balls if he got hurt on my watch."

I laugh at that and follow him out to the gym where Milo has Chase in the ring with him. A pair of red boxing gloves are strapped to his tinny hands and practically weigh him down as he drags them behind himself.

"Alright little man, lets see what you got." Milo says as he waves his own gloved hand at the little boy.

Chase attempts to lift a hand, almost losing his balance as the weight makes him more top heavy. He balances out on his own and takes a swing at Milo. It's slow and misses his leg by a foot but Milo falls to the ground anyways and clutches his shin as best he can with gloves.