Page 109 of The Clinch
Then I setthe phone facedown and leave it there.
She’s right here. For now.
That’s the bruise.
Wanting. Knowing better.
Her breathing has evened out against my chest.
I don’t move.
27
IN THE CORNER (LIZ)
Nate’s Tarrytown house gleams in late-afternoon sunlight. Glass, straight lines, expensive quiet.
I used to call Brooklyn “over there” like it was exile. Now I live there. With a ring on my finger that started as a prop, but doesn’t feel like one anymore.
Standing here with Leo, I can’t stop the thought from forming,this is how it starts. One boyfriend, one ring, and you get moved out of Manhattan in stages. First the occasional Tarrytown excursion. Then you’re in Brooklyn with your fake, not-so-fake fiancé. Then you’re sleeping in his bed every night, even though you still have your own room down the hall.
And boom. You are a couple.
Next thing you know I’ll own a Vitamix and have opinions about school districts.
I stop myself before I build a whole life out of one afternoon
Leo’s hand is in mine. His posture says this is normal. My brain takes the hint.
I hate that it works.
The front door is open. Music is low. Someone laughs inside.
“Carver,” Finn calls, “you gonna spar with me this week, or are you saving all your time for Liz now?”
Leo doesn’t flinch. His palm settles at the small of my back, holding the line.
Finn appears in the doorway with a nonalcoholic beer in one hand and that slow, lethal grin that makes half of New York forget its own name. He looks sun-browned and relaxed, but sharp underneath. He glances at my left hand, then back to my face. “Hey, Liz.”
“Finn,” I say, and manage something close to a smile.
He tips his beer at Leo. “You got room for me this week? I need a couple more sessions before preseason. My hands are getting soft.”
“Your hands are not soft,” Leo says. “Come once this week. Lukas can work with you after camp starts.”
Finn’s grin widens. “Eden’s sparring buddy? I thought he just lets her choke him for fun.”
Leo’s mouth lifts, barely. “He does that too.”
Finn moves aside and waves us in. “Come on. Everyone’s in the back.”
Nate looks up from the grill when we step onto the patio.
“Good. You made it,” he says, like we’re already accounted for. “If camp doesn’t wreck your schedule, I’m claiming you both for Labor Day.”
The sentence lands so cleanly it takes me a second to realize what just happened.
Not if Leo can make it.
