The Boxers Daughter

Ice and heat

I was late for Cason's release. 

My mind was still fuzzy when I pulled into a free parking spot. Cason's parents were walking out with him when I ran up to the front doors. Cason's brows furrowed as he took me in. 

For a second I thought he saw the blood on me, but then I remembered that I had showered and changed my clothes. But my eyes... they were clouded with a sadness I was trying my hardest to hide. 

"I'm sorry I'm late," My voice was dry, and I cleared my throat before continuing. "Pop needed a hand with something at the club." 

Jeanie and Tom- Cason's parents- just smiled down at me and Mr. Bane moved away from Cason to open the car door. I hadn't even noticed it parked behind me. "All that matters is you're here now." He told me with a touch to my shoulder. 

"Will you be coming over for dinner, sweetie?" Jeanie asked. 

I smiled apologetically and shook my head. "I can't, I'm sorry." 

Pop still wasn't home when I left. I brought Tony- one of Pop's men- with me, he sat just outside the parking lot. Waiting for me to drive back down the road so he could follow me home. 

Cason hadn't stopped staring at me. When I met his eyes I could've sworn something like worry or caution shown in them. Jeanie noticed our stares (mistaking them for lovey-dovey-du-eyed stares) and her smile widened slightly. 

"We'll wait in the car." She told Cason, kissing his cheek before her and Tom got in the black Nissan behind us. 

"What's wrong?" Cason demanded as soon as we were alone. 

"What?" I asked, confused. 

"Something's up, I can tell." I squeezed my fists. When he glanced down at them I played it off by snapping my fingers in a breezy, you're-just-being-paranoid kind of way. 

"There's nothing wrong," Damnit, I thought I was a better liar. 

Cason didn't buy it. "Asp-"

"There's nothing wrong, Cason. I've just been worried about you. That's it." It probably came out more aggressive than I intended. His eyes flashed before they softened. 

He reached out to rub my arm like he usually did while trying to console me. Usually I'd welcome the touch, but right now It annoyed the piss out of me. I didn't want to be consoled.

"I just wanted to see you off, make sure you left in one piece." I tried brushing off his touch with a forced smile and hugged him tightly. I was worried about him. But I knew he would be alright if I left. 

"At least you're not in crutches." Cason chuckled against my head. My chest hurt too bad to really smile, but when I pulled away I made sure to flash one before swallowing hard. 

"Thank you." He said softly. I looked into his molten chocolate eyes and felt the pain in my chest grow. "Not just for coming, but for the whole Nermani thing." He looked like he was struggling to find the right words, but I smirked and shook my head. 

"I would punch Donovan again if I had the chance. And not just for your benefit, Bane." I winked. 

Cason grinned. The expression stretched the bandages that covered his face, but he didn't seem to mind. Slight purple and yellow lined the bottoms of his eyes, and his lip looked better. He still looked beat up, but healthier then the night of his match.

"That's my girl." He snarled playfully, causing me to giggle, and then leaned in to kiss me. 

I melted against him, needing this comfort above all else right now. If his soothing touches wouldn't help, then his kisses would.