Lydia’s P.O.V:
“Lydia?” Lyric blinked several times to make sure that it was actually me and not someone else. “How did you get here?”
“Derek told me where to find you.” I told him a bit sheepishly. “I went to your house first.”
“Oh?” Lyric scratched the back of his head awkwardly and even I was at a loss for words. Why was it so hard to say something that I wanted to tell him so badly? We had never had awkward moments like this before but I guess there was a first for everything.
So, I took a deep breath and spoke what was in my mind.
“I’m sorry for last night.”
“I’m sorry for last night.”
We looked into each other’s eyes then and Lyric cracked a smile of relief. “I didn’t think you’d come here today…or at all.” He told me. “I was so worried I hardly slept a wink last night. But I knew the decision had to be yours. I couldn’t force you to chose-”
“You weren’t forcing me.” I shook my head immediately. “I had a say in every decision we took and I chose to be with you. I couldn’t sleep last night either…not knowing where you went or how you’re doing, it was something I don’t want to feel ever again.”
Lyric threw his arms around me and pulled me in, crushing me to his chest. “Me neither.” He whispered into my ears as I wrapped my arm around his waist.
“I love you too.” I told him then, knowing well that he had been waiting to hear it. I’d know that I was in love with him the day I went to his parents’ anniversary party, but I had been too scared to admit it to him or myself. But not anymore. Whatever happened next, I knew I couldn’t see a future without him in it.
“I love you two, three, four!” Lyric’s smile lit up his entire face when he pulled back to look at me. “Thank you for accepting me, flaws and all.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one saying it?” I frowned at him.
“Never.” Lyric cupped my cheeks in his palms and placed the sweetest of kisses on my lips that made me breathless and my toes curl. I knew I couldn’t smile or cry, but at that moment I wanted to do both.
“Hey,” Lyric wiped his thumbs at the corner of my eyes. “No getting emotional today. Come on; let me introduce you to my ring partners.” Lyric started pulling me inside the warehouse but I resisted. “What’s wrong?”
“Is it really okay?” I asked him a bit nervously.
“Of course! Come on!” Lyric pulled me inside and it was completely different from what I was expecting it to be.
It was huge, even for warehouse status and it was pretty clean. There was a boxing ring in the centre but only twice the size. There were even two bars at the far corners and two other doors on either ends of the hall. As soon as Lyric entered, two men and two women came up to join us.
“Hey, man.” Spoke a tall blonde man with humongous bulging muscles and a scar that ran from his right temple down to his chin. His eyes were a mix between icy blue and grey and he looked to be in his early thirties. He was also wearing a pair of black trousers and a black V-neck with its sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing arms full of tattoos. “Is she your girl?”
“Yeah.” Lyric turned to me with a smile. “Lydia, this is Cody Thunder. Cody, Lydia McKenzie. Cody works as the Mayor’s bodyguard and he’s a part-timer here.”
I nodded at Cody in greeting, but he just grinned and ruffled my hair in a big-brotherly manner. “Nice to meet you, kiddo.”
“And this is Harvey Raider.” He pointed to a brunette with a lean built who was in a white shirt and denims. He also had two eyebrow rings and his hair was long, reaching past his shoulders. He looked younger than the others, but not quiet our age either. “He’s a tattoo artist.”
“Hi!” I waved at him and he nodded in acknowledgement.
“And these are Trisha and Tanya Dawson,” Lyric pointed to two women, twins, with black hair and dark brown eyes who looked to be in their late twenties or early thirties. The tanned colour of their skin pointed to a south-Asian ancestry but I couldn’t tell from where exactly. They were around five feet four with a curvy build and both women were gorgeous. They were also very identical, from accessories to their clothing and shoes. Both of them wore khaki coloured cargo pants paired with dark green tank tops. The only difference was that Tanya had her hair pulled back into a high ponytail while Trisha had it in two thick braids.
“You guys have women fighters as well?” I asked in surprise.
“Yup!” Cody slung an arm around Trisha’s shoulders. “Believe it or not, the chick fights bring in all the crowd and the cash.”
“People expect to see two women pulling each other’s hair and clothes off,” Trisha shrugged off Cody’s arm and glared at him.
“Imagine their disappointment when they see us throwing punches and roundhouse kicks instead.” Tanya shook her head with a smirk.
“Anyways,” Harvey interrupted what looked like couples’ banter between Trisha and Cody before bringing everyone’s attention to Lyric. “You said there was something important you wanted us to know?”
“Yeah…actually,” Lyric took a deep breath before continuing. “I’m quitting the ring.”
There was pin drop silence in the warehouse for a few seconds before Harvey spoke. “About. Damn. Time!”
“Dude’s finally got a life!” Cody grinned, bringing his scar into stark focus.
I felt my shoulders relax as Lyric’s ring partners accepted the news wholeheartedly. I knew he needed to quit the ring for his own safety, but I never wanted to force it upon him. The fact that Lyric had come to this decision on his own gave me immense relief.
“Wait…you guys are okay with it?” Lyric asked a bit suspiciously.
“Look, kid.” Cody placed a hand on Lyric’s shoulders in support. “This ring is good as a hobby or to blow off some steam, but you were the only one who came here every day like your life depended on it. To be honest, we were kinda worried about you. So, all of us were a bit relieved when you stopped coming for the past month. But now we can see that we don’t have to worry about you after all.”
“Life is a lot better outside this ring,” Harvey told him. “Go enjoy it. Have fun.”
“Thanks guys,” Lyric sighed in relief. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
“What? You’re not gonna treat us to a farewell dinner?” Tanya mock-frowned at Lyric while the others nodded their heads in excitement.
“Better yet,” Lyric laughed. “How about a farewell barbeque? My house next Sunday? Derek will be hosting too.”
“Hell yeah!” Cody pumped his fist in the air. “Count us in.”