Prepared to Fight by E.J. Shortall

Author:E.J. Shortall [Shortall, E.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: E.J. Shortall
Published: 2015-07-09T16:00:00+00:00

***

My finger running around and around the rim of my glass made a high-pitched, ear-splitting, squeaking sound. It was awesome. I’d looked over the wine menu… several times, listened to the conversation of the American couple sitting behind me—apparently they were visiting their granddaughter who was managing one of the local hotels. It was all very interesting. I’d memorised where each and every lamp was located on the outdoor terrace we’d been seated on. But what I hadn’t done was share more than a handful of sentences of conversation with Nate. I was beyond pissed off.

Dipping my fingertip in my Martini again, I began another revolution of the glass’ rim. I jumped when, out of nowhere a hand came crashing down on mine, halting my movements.

“Will you stop doing that?” Nate grumbled.

My eyes shot to his and I tried yanking my hand from his, but he just tightened his grip.

“Oh, I’m sorry, was that annoying you? Was it spoiling the silence?” My voice was saccharine sweet as I hissed at him through my teeth and continued trying to yank my hand away.

Nate sighed and slouched back in his seat. Clearly irritated, his hands ploughed into the longer tresses of his hair while his head fell backward. I’m sure the view of the stars was amazing and all, but what the hell? He needed to talk to me, not Andromeda or Orion. Suddenly, he shifted in his seat, moving forward once again so he could cross his arms on the edge of the table. He levelled his gaze on me, surprising me with the sincerity that glowed from the depths of the steel grey of his eyes.

“Liv, I’m sorry okay? I know things have been… awkward for you since you arrived and for my part in that I apologise. I should have maybe warned you that I become withdrawn right before a fight. I zone out. Everything has to be about the training, about the preparations. If I’m not in the right mind-set I might as well just throw in the towel now and hand the fight to Sanchez. Whilst we’re here, things will be more hectic. People will constantly want something from me and I can’t escape. I promise, when we’re at my place, things will get better.”

I nodded briefly. What he said made perfect sense to a certain extent. I wasn’t a famous sports personality trying to juggle training and PR obligations. I didn’t know all of the pressures he put on himself to ensure he was in tip top condition. However, whatever it was he was going through it didn’t excuse his silence, or constantly shifting moods towards me. I deserved more than that.

“Nathan—”

“Please, call me Nate, like you were before. My friends call me Nate.” He gave a small, almost timid smile and shrugged.

Friends, right.

“Okay, Nate. I understand this is serious business and you have to focus but… oh I don’t know, maybe I’m just being overdramatic and pathetic. Either way, I don’t appreciate being ignored.” I raised the glass to my lips and downed the last of my drink.

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