Page 13 of Hurts So Good
While I’m distracted by her presence, my opponent takes advantage of the situation. He clocks me on the jaw, causing me to stumble. I readjust myself and bounce around the ring, mainly so my back is to her. If I keep facing Lakelynn, my concentration will be on her, not the fight.
Adrenaline pumps in my veins. I land two more kicks under his knee. My goal was to play with him, let out aggression, and win. Now, after spotting Lakelynn, I want to end this as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work as well as I planned. My opponent lands another kick to my side. I grunt, feeling the bruise forming. As payback, I slam my fist into his side.
I continue punching wherever I can connect on him. He fights to gain an advantage and takes us to the ground. Being faster than him, I pin his arms down with my knees and land punches onto his face before he has time to block. Blood spews from his nose and mouth.
The second he’s out, the ref blows a whistle and enters the ring. I get to my feet.
“The Masked Demon wins!” The ref holds my arm up in celebration.
Tomas cheers along with most of the crowd. I glance over to Lakelynn again, and our gazes connect. Her eyes widen.
Fuck. Does she recognize me?
Grabbing my hoodie from Tomas, I smirk under my mask as I disappear into the crowd.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Lakelynn
“Happy birthday to you!” Mr. and Mrs. Rylee sing, their voices bouncing off the dining room walls.
The room is filled with my fellow foster siblings; none of them are as enthusiastic as the adults. They seem bored, actually, but I ignore their bad moods as I do every day. I only care about one of them anyway.
My gaze moves to the doorway, where he’s propped up against the frame and his arms are crossed over his chest. I smile, unable to contain it, just as I can’t help doing every time I look at him. Ty doesn’t return the gesture, but deep down, I know he’s happy for me.
“Make a wish!” Mrs. Rylee motions to the cake on the table between us.
Closing my eyes, I see Ty in my mind. I don’t know when I fell in love with him, or if he feels the same about me, but I do know he’s become the center of my world. He’s my favorite person. I’m so thankful I was placed in this family, not only because they dote on me, but because if I hadn’t been, I’d never have met Ty.
I wish Ty and I could stay together forever.
With my wish made, I open my eyes and blow out my candles. Cheers and applause break out. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Rylee are the loudest again, but I don’t mind. I’ve gotten used to them being my biggest cheerleaders.
Ty is the second. My smile widens seeing him clap for me. He gives me the smallest of grins; it’s perfect.
Mrs. Rylee cuts the cake, and because I’m the birthday girl, I get the biggest piece. Everyone leaves the room except the three main people in my life: my foster parents and Ty.
“Time for your present,” Mr. Rylee says. “Come with me.”
He takes my hand and leads me into the living room. After taking a seat on the sofa, he pulls me down onto his lap. I swallow nervously. Mr. Rylee has never done anything bad to me, but it’s an odd feeling I get at times when I’m alone with him.
Ty again hangs in the doorway. The tic in his jaw worries me, but he always tenses up when Mr. Rylee is near me. He never lets me go anywhere alone with the males in the house if he can help it.
Mr. Rylee leans forward to grab a small wrapped box off the coffee table. My eyes widen as something hard pokes me in the butt. I try to ignore it and calm myself.
He’s not doing it on purpose; it’s just a natural reaction that he can’t help. He’s not interested in me. He has a wife.
Even as I repeat these words, the uncomfortable feeling inside me grows. I avoid Ty’s gaze, too ashamed. I keep my head down as Mr. Rylee passes me the box.
“This is from all of us.” He rubs my arms. “I hope you like it.”
It takes effort to keep still and not run away from his touch. I focus on unwrapping my gift, willing my hands not to tremble. Within the box is a heart-shaped necklace with the letter R on it.
Tears burn my eyes, and not in a good way. Fear courses up my spine.
“Now you’ll always remember you’re a part of our family and how much we love you,” Mr. Rylee says in my ear.