Page 11 of Let Me Love You

“Ya need a ride?” he asks, and the guilt begins to pour in because the last thing I want is to inconvenience him even more. He’s already driving me all over today.

“Nah, I don’t wanna be a burden. I’ll order a taxi or something.”

“You kiddin’ me? You aren’t, not even close. I wanna help you, Archer. That’s why I told you to come out here. Trust me, I’m more than happy to do whatever you need.”

“Thanks, man. I just feel…I dunno. I can’t really explain it.”

“You don’t have to. I understand, and I’m here for you, man. Please don’t ever forget that.”

I nod, grateful to have a friend like Tyler.

Once he parks, we walk to the entrance. The place is larger than I imagined, and I love the oversized windows across the front that give a perfect street view.

Once I step in, I’m even more impressed than I already was. The first thing I notice is the juice bar along with all the equipment.

“Wanna try one?” Tyler asks.

“Sure. I can’t remember the last time I had a smoothie.”

“Oh, you haven’t ever had a smoothie until you’ve tasted one of these.” Tyler smirks.

A younger woman who looks like she recently graduated high school is running the bar. There are a lot of options, and I can’t decide what I want.

“What’s your favorite?” I ask her, then look down at her name tag. Raquel.

“Well, I like the pumpkin cream or the classic strawberry banana.”

“Surprise me,” I say, and within a couple of minutes, she’s sliding a pink concoction across the countertop.

I take a sip, and my tastebuds nearly explode in my mouth. “Wow.”

“Right!” Tyler nods as he leads me to the section of free weights and exercise machines. “We’re so busy during lunch because everyone wants smoothies and protein blends.”

“That’s awesome for you guys,” I add, nearly inhaling the magical drink in my hand.

“Yeah, it is. I’m really grateful.” Tyler waves a hand around the room. “This is the main area where people work out.”

“This is what I couldn’t wait to show you.” There’s a boxing ring and kickboxing bags with gloves and powder sitting against the wall. For the first time in years, I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be.

I’m speechless as I take it all in.

“Incredible, isn’t it?”

“Hell yeah, it is! I can’t believe you have a full-sized ring in here.” I move forward, running my hand across the posts and ropes.

“Wanna put on some gloves?” He walks over and grabs two pairs. “You have to put your weight on the floor and feel the bounce.”

I slip the gloves over my hands and swallow down my emotions. Boxing was one of the only things that saved me when I felt like I had nothing else in life. When we were cellmates, Tyler taught me everything he knew, and considering I wasn’t as experienced, it gave me something to look forward to. Throwing punches the correct way and learning how to read my opponent helped me so damn much.

I had a lot of internal anger to work through, and boxing helped with that.

Tyler puts on his gloves, and we step into the ring.

“Go easy on me. I haven’t boxed with someone else in a while,” I admit as he positions himself.

We throw a few jabs until I throw a punch that connects with his cheek. The motion of it feels incredible. After a few staggered steps, Tyler laughs, then gets me in the jaw. After we’ve both taken a few hits, we come to a truce and call it quits.

“You’ve gotten faster on your feet, and your posture was perfect,” Tyler says.