“That’s why you won’t do this again. Right?” he said with a smile.
I nodded. After a small break, I got back in the ring for a few more rounds with Joe. I was surprised at how easy it was for me to keep taking him out. He got a few good hits in, but not enough to make me back down or tap out.
After another hour of going back and forth, Joe had to take off. I told him we’d catch up after my final fight and maybe get a beer together.
“You’ll have to tell me all about the new girl,” he said.
“Yeah, I will,” I said with pride. I wasn’t one to get weird with my friends about having a girl in my life. I was always honest and respectful.
I stayed late into the night. I checked on Margie a couple times to make sure everything was going okay. She was having a blast with Anna like I knew she would. Anna was a great woman. She was so good with Margie, and I was so thankful to have her in my life.
Around ten o’clock that night, Anna walked into the gym.
“Hey, beautiful,” I said.
“Hi, handsome. I hope it’s okay I stopped by?” she said as I removed my boxing gloves.
“Of course, it is,” I said and pulled her in for a kiss. I liked that she didn’t freak out about me being dirty and sweaty from my training.
“Margie’s asleep. My parents are with her. So, don’t worry about that. I just couldn’t stand to be away from you any longer.”
“I wasn’t worried about it. I figured she was with them. I trust them, and I trust you.” I said. She gave me another kiss. “I don’t like to be away from you, either.”
Anna smiled at me.
“I’m going to go get changed really quick,” I said.
“Okay,” she said and sat down on a chair to wait for me.
I went into the locker room and changed into the clothes I brought with me. I did this quickly because I didn’t want to keep her waiting. When I was finished, I walked back over to Anna.
“All done?” she asked.
“Yeah, I am. I can follow you to your house to get Margie?” I didn’t want to leave my car outside since Markie hung out close by. I wasn’t sure what he was capable of, and I wanted to watch my back.
“Sounds good,” she said, and I followed her out to her car.
I pulled her to me and gave her a long kiss. “I’ll see you at your house,” I said when we pulled apart.
“Okay,” she said and got into her car.
I followed her to her house, and when we got there, she stopped before we made it to the door. She turned to face me with a serious expression.
“I want you to know that no matter what happens, I’m going to be here for you,” she said.
“Win or lose?” I asked.
“Win or lose. I want to be with you,” she said. It felt so good to hear her say that. I was nervous since my last fight ended with us arguing.
“That sounds like the perfect deal to me,” I said.
We kissed again, and I could feel the spark between us. The passion and the lust flowed between us so easily that I wanted her right there. Instead, we pulled apart, as hard as it was, and walked inside together.
Inside, Margie was sound asleep in Anna’s spare bedroom. I picked her up gently and carried her out to my car. I was amazed that I could move her like that without waking her.
“Thank you so much,” I whispered to her parents who were getting into their car.
“You’re welcome, Justin. Let us watch her for you during your next fight,” Millie said.