May

Sixteen

"I know, Josh does that when he is asleep. It's like he is afraid I am going to leave, he would rather I am crushed." I say laughing with John. We were talking about his wife. He says she died many years ago. He has never told me about her till now.

"Look at that face, he really loves you." John says looking at Josh.

"I know he does." I look at the idiot and I smile. I shake my head, how did I get this lucky to have Josh in my life, not forgetting John. These two men, quite the characters, lift my mood when it's down. It's scary the impact people can have even if they have been in your life in a shirt period.

"You know, You guys should bring me some cake, I have not had some in a while." Josh nods, I guess he will remind me tomorrow.

"I will bring it tomorrow." I say to John.

"How is my café?" He asks.

"It is in great shape. I am still making the cakes how you did, The café misses you too." I say.

"When I get out of here..." My heart breaks. He still has hope, I think, maybe the doctors were wrong. "Will you visit me on your birthday?"

"Of course, John. I will be here." I say squeezing his palm.

•
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Today is Friday. I have been in the gym since three am. I need to be well prepared for the fight.  It's not illegal for nothing.

Josh has been quite distant and I can feel it but it got worse when I could see it.

"Are you coming tonight?" I want him there but it is okay if he is not.

"I would not miss it." He says, the smile I love is not there. I do not want to ask him about it because I do not want to be hurt before a big match.

"What's wrong," I say without thinking.

"Nothing."

"Bull... speak."

"I... no... Look... I will tell you after the match." He says walking out of the kitchen of the café.

I wait for him to cool down and come back.

I honestly don't know what went wrong because last time I checked we were fine. We see John and there at least he is normal otherwise, he is so cold. Last night I slept alone. I woke up and he was facing the opposite direction.

My clothes and everything are in his room. He bought lilac paint to paint Amari's room.
I went with him to buy her books and a few toys. He got her a bed. It's this cute expensive thing. I am still yet to meet Amari or her mother.

I will stay here until around nine and then Josh will pick me up and take me to the place where the fights happen.

If I win I get two hundred grand, if I lose I get fifty grand.

I will win, I am one of the best and the girl I am fighting with is new to all of this. I do not want to underestimate her but I used to run the place but I quit.

"Noah, where the hell is your friend?" I ask the boy next to me.

"He is your boyfriend." Is he really?

"He has not been acting like it." I scuff.

"He is under tons of stress, cut him some slack." Maybe.

Noah gets a call to take me to the place, he says he will meet us there.

"Cut him some slack?" I look at Noah telling him that right now I could give a rat's *ss about everything.