Battle Scars

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Silas

"i met you for a reason"

• • • • •

I don't think I've ever been more relieved to be inside a gym in my entire life.

Marie's has become a second home to me, and Lance has seemed to take me in as his own as well. I feel as if I'm part of a family again for the first time in five years.

Ever since I had decided to move to New York and become a boxer I haven't been very close to my family. Not as close as Anna and Lance are at least.

It's hard to stay close to people who don't want the same things for you as you want for yourself. And constantly having them remind you of it makes it worse. Even just visiting my family this weekend was enough to last me a few more years, their just so suffocating.

"Si, my boy how have you been?" Lance greets me later on once he seems to have finally gotten a break.

I slow down the treadmill I was on and take a large swig of my water before answering. "I'm good Lance. Been getting my ass hounded for training though, it's not as easy as it used to be."

A knowing smile spreads across his face. "I know what you mean. I might not be in the game anymore but I can still know a good boxer when I see one, and a good man. You are a good boxer Silas, that's why I've kept my eye on you these last three years. You're also a good man and I know my daughter trusts you."

I smile over at him. "Thank you."

He nods before patting me on the shoulder and heading back towards wherever he came from. My eyes shift to Anna who's busying herself at the front desk. Her natural smile and kind demeanour showing the most when she's in her element. And that being what she's doing now, talking to people and helping them in any way she can.

I grab my water bottle and make my way over to Anna as she hands a slip of paper to a lady who looks to be in here late thirties.

"Here you go Mrs. Lexington. All the information you need is there." She says, smiling sweetly at the lady.

Mrs. Lexington smiles back, a grateful look on her face. "Oh thank you Anna. I don't know what I would do without you."

Anna smiles back and waves politely as she watches the lady leave. She lets out a sigh once she's gone and turns to me. "May I help you?" She asks with no peppy tone to her voice.

"Actually yes. I'd like to set a date for next week. Six o'clock at this amazing diner I know." I reply, a hopeful smile stretching across my lips.

"Sounds lovely, who's the lucky girl?" Anna asks, pretending to not know what my implications are.

I hum thoughtfully, pretending to think it over longer than necessary. "Well, I was hoping you'd take the place as my date. I'll pick you up here at five thirty on my bike."

Anna rolls her eyes but I see the small smile she's trying to hide. "I think I'm busy. I'll have to take a rain check." She says as she moves towards the office with some papers in her hands.