Page 10 of Chasing Shadows
I stare at him incredulously as he backs out of the spot and starts driving home. My fists clench on my lap, and Istruggle not to punch him in his smug face. “A funk? Are you serious? I’m not in a funk. I just broke up with a girl I’m fucking in love with after finding out we share the same brother because our dad couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. I also just found out that myrealbrother has been lying to my face for the last five years because you knew. So, sorry I’m not walking around whistling fucking dixie.” I shake my head, muttering, “I don’t understand how you’re all okay with what he did to Mum.”
The smile slips from his face. “I’m not okay with what he did to Mum.”
“Uh-huh, sure.”
“Ihatehim for what he did. Why do you think I refused to go visit him while he was in prison? He cheated on her, and he was the reason she died. I fucking hate him just as much as you do.”
“Yet you’re fine with playing happy families with Conrad?”
“How is it his fault? He wasn’t even born when our parents were sneaking around. He’s just as much a victim in this as us. When are you going to realise that?”
I let out a huff. If I’m honest with myself, I know that Tom’s right. But it doesn’t change the fact that I lost Ellie in all of this. I don’t want Conrad as a brother. I want his sister, hishalf-sister, as my girlfriend. The shit thing is, I promised her I’d give him a chance… eventually. It doesn’t have to be right now.
As if our conversation has summoned him like the devil, Tom’s phone rings–the caller ID showing up as Dad. Hemutters a curse and rejects the call.
“You still talk to him?” I don’t know why I thought otherwise. Just because I’m ignoring him doesn’t mean Tom is as well.
“He still checks in.”
I snort. “Pretending like he cares after everything he put this family through.”
“I’m not going to push you to have a relationship with Conrad,” Tom says, ignoring my comment and turning the conversation back to the other topic I’d be happy to avoid forever. “You need time, and I get that. My hope with the gym was that it would help you focus your anger and aggression in a healthy way. When you’re ready to talk, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. I’m still your brother. Yeah, I lied to you, and Iamsorry about that. I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping you from the pain I went through while I was locked away in a prison cell. But that’s clearly blown up in my face now. Whatever you need in order to forgive me, I’ll do it. All we have left now is each other.”
“And Conrad,” I mutter.
“And Conrad,” Tom agrees, sounding somewhat surprised by my admission.
I let those words sink into the silence in the ute as he drives us home.
FIVE
HARLEY
MY WRAPPED HANDS hit the worn leather in a swift one-two combo. Around the gym, sounds of men grunting mix in with the smacks of fists and feet connecting with body parts. It’s the week leading up to fight night, so the gym is packed with fighters getting in their last training sessions.
“That all you got, surfer boy?” Zeke chuckles, steadying the bag. “Come on. Don’t get lazy with me. Show me what you’re really made of.”
I roll my eyes and bring my right leg up, knowing it’s my most powerful. I strike the bag cleanly and follow up with a one-one-two with my fists.
“Better. You been practising the five-two?”
I dip my chin, protecting it from my imaginary opponent, and strike with a powerful lead uppercut, followed by a left cross.
Zeke lets go of the bag with a grin, shaking out his shoulders. He lets out an impressive sound. “Not bad at all.”
The compliment washes over me as I bend down to grab my water, sculling half the contents. It’s been three weekssince I started training with Zeke, and my body already feels stronger. I’ve had a couple of bouts in the cage with some of the other guys that just started, and I’ve been able to hold my own.
It's funny. I’ve never been much of a fighter–tending to stand back when my mates got in scuffles. The only time I’ve ever been in a real fight was over Ellie, but the odds weren’t exactly fair when Conrad took me down from behind before I even had the chance to fight back.
Thoughts of Ellie have my gut twisting. She’s leaving for the Northern Territory on Sunday. Apart from a couple of texts, I haven’t had any interaction with her since we broke up. Trying to stay friends with an ex is easier said than done, I guess. I still haven’t decided if I’ll go to Ivy’s twenty-first on Saturday night. I don’t want to ruin her birthday with all my self-deprecating bullshit–it’s not fair.
Zeke claps me on the shoulder, jolting me back from my thoughts. “I think we’ll be seeing you in the cage sooner rather than later, kid.”
I know he’s referring to the fight nights they have here once a month–not just a friendly match-up against another rookie. I scoff. “It hasn’t even been a month.”
“Steve was right. You have natural talent. He’s not going to let that go to waste when there’s money to be made.” He winks.
I flex my hands. Summer is over, meaning my shifts as a lifeguard are drying up. I usually help Tom at the garage over the off-season, but I’m still trying to avoid him as much as I can. Not to mention, the garage was Dad’s legacy, and I don’t want anything to do with him.