Page 165 of Quiet Obsession
She snatches her phone and sketchbook from the counter, then plants a quick kiss on my mouth on the way out. “Let’s go before Hyde texts me again.”
I follow her, locking the house while Millie slides into the passenger seat of my car and buckles up.
She flips through the sketchbook the whole five-minute drive, eyes scrunching at every logo design for Blackwood Point Boxing and Fitness.Mygym.
We’re still ironing out the details, the grand opening six weeks away, but the goal is simple: give kids like me a place to offload their anger in a safe environment.
Maybe even channel it into something useful.
We’ll have beginner and advanced boxing, kickboxing, and MMA classes, youth programs on weekends, licensed coaches, and proper equipment.
None of this feels real.
I never knew what I’d do with my life after college, didn’t dare think about the future because I was pretty certain that one day I’d take a bar fight too far and end up dead or behind bars.
Sometimes, I’m still waiting for shit to hit the fan and put me in my place, but whenever doubts creep in, I glance at the king and pawn tattoo on my arm, and my nerves settle.
Millie’s not the only one who has grown.
I’ve grown, too.
I’m a work in progress, probably always will be, stilllearning my worth and how to be a better friend and a decent boyfriend. Though that title won’t last long, given I have a ring and a plan.
The gym sits in a renovated warehouse and when I pull into the lot, the place looks as unfinished as it did yesterday.
Noah’s outside with a clipboard, overseeing a delivery while two guys unload big boxes from the back of a truck. Dash sits on the curb nearby, stuffing his mouth with a sandwich, no Hyde in sight. He’s probably inside, unpacking the crates of gloves and pads that arrived last night.
“Look who finally showed up,” Dash mumbles around a big bite when Millie and I step out of the car. “You two fucked while we waited, didn’t you?”
“Maybe,” Millie grins, bending down to kiss his cheek, then does the same with Noah.
It doesn’t bother me anymore. They’re good friends, but nothing more, and I no longer feel inadequate. Millie’s mine. She chose me. Shelovesme.
We enter the gym, or rather what will be a gym once we’re done setting everything up. For now, it’s under construction, as messy and chaotic as the house.
The ring frame sits in the center of the room with only three sides of ropes attached, heavy bags lean against the far wall waiting to be mounted, and unopened crates of gloves and pads are stacked beside the mats.
“Morning,” Hyde says, exiting the back office, a steaming cup in hand. “Took you long enough.”
“They were fucking,” Dash supplies, making himchoke on his coffee. “What? We were all thinking it, weren’t we?”
“No, we weren’t.” Hyde coughs, still clearing his throat. “I don’t need that visual, Dash. She’s my sister.”
“So you pretend they’re not doing it at all?”
“Jesus, Dash.” Hyde pinches the bridge of his nose, his ears bright red. “Just...shut up.”
Millie ignores them both, moving through the space, eyes sweeping the equipment that was delivered yesterday. Not that long ago, she would’ve stood near the wall, observing more than participating. Now she’s right in the middle, asking questions and making suggestions.
Noah comes in moments later, a clipboard tucked under his arm. “We’ve got some heavy lifting to do.”
“Why?” Dash scrunches his brows. “Aren’t they supposed to bring the deliveryinside?”
“They would if Creed paid extra.”
“Which I didn’t because I have friends,” I supply and Dash just huffs, following Hyde and Noah out the door.
For years, those three guys were the only constant in my life. Now there’s Millie, the house, the gym. That’s more than I’ve ever wished for and exactly why I turned down Brock when he asked if I’d consider going pro.
