Brad McCarthy

"How long are you planning to stay there?" My trainer Michael asked over the phone. A yawn left my mouth while my gaze was fixed on the bird outside the window.

"Three days."

"You had better be back on time. We don't have time for the next ring."

"Yes." I ended the call as Celeb, Axel and Vincent entered the room.

"So man, you aren't going to stay here for a whole week?" Axel asked, passing me the beer.

"No, I have to return."

"I thought of a road trip because we four met after a long time," he says. My gaze goes to Vincent, who is busy in his thoughts.

"What are you thinking?" Celeb questioned Vincent. Vincent sighed heavily, drinking his beer.

"If something is going on. Just speak it out rather than building it up as frustration," Axel spoke and Celeb nodded his head. "I agree with him, it is better if you speak about it," Celeb said.

I stayed quiet, knowing Vincent. He was thinking about Valerie and Paul. The truth that was kept hidden and the truth that he didn't try to know the other side of the story. He was guilty and couldn't shake off the feeling.

"I should've punched Paul that day. So that I could've learned the truth. I didn't try to find out the other side of the story or speak with Valarie after what had happened," Vincent said, looking at us.

"It is going to be okay. Things weren't good and you two needed a break. Now that you two have found your way back, just forget about what has passed away," I said. Vincent smiled, nodding his head.

"So you and Valerie are back again?" Celeb asked Vincent. They don't know that Vincent and Valarie have cleared the air.

"Yes, and this time I'm not going to leave her side no matter what."

"Good."

"What about you, Brad? Got an eye on any girl?" Axel asked me playfully. My thoughts went to Ava but I kept my face blank.

"No." I gave him a one-word answer.

"Why bro? Didn't Las Vegas girls attract you?" he asked.

"Nope."

"Brad, are you going to live in Las Vegas?" Vincent asked.

"For the time being, I'm not going to stay there forever." I gulped down my beer.

"What about your boxing? Fighting in that ring forever?"

I inhaled heavily, many asked me this question but I never replied to them. But when it comes to the boys, I would like to answer them. They are the only thing close to family, and if they don't know anything about me, who would?

"No, I will be boxing for the next two years."

"Two years? I thought you would be boxing until you crossed fifty," Axel said.

"I will, but not in that ring. I—I don't want to end up in that ring. You know what I mean," I said, taking another beer. I have already hurt my body and I don't think I will be able to fight for a longer run in the ring. I cannot dislocate my nose and limps.

"Then why two years?" Celeb asked.

"Boxing academy." They understood what I was saying. I'm saving all my money to open my own boxing academy where I can train people from the bottom chain of this pyramid.

"But didn't you earn millions?" Celeb asked with a confused expression on his face.

"Not yet." It's the truth, I have already earned enough money to open my boxing academy, but I'm going to fight in that ring for another two years because now I plan on building a future for Ava. I'm not sure if she is seeing someone or not. I looked away when the thought itself stung.

The day before leaving for Las Vegas, I was going to confess my feelings. I was ready for good and bad. I didn't know if Ava liked me or not. I got her favourite cupcakes and flowers. I was nervous and tense as I drove to her dormitory campus. On my way, Vincent called me.

I never ignored his calls. I parked the car and answered his call. He spoke about his life before he brought up Ava's topic and how passionate she is about her photography and her dream of opening a studio when she graduates from college. She was at the beginning of her second year at that time.

Then he mentioned her plans of not wanting to date anyone to focus on her dreams. Vincent was proud of Ava. When I got to know the answer from Vincent, it felt like the universe was asking me not to confess my feelings and after the call, I felt like it was better if I didn't confess my feelings.

I decided not to meet her, but I couldn't leave the city without meeting her, knowing I wouldn't be able to see her for the next two years. I went to meet her. I gave her the cupcakes and didn't give her the flowers, nor did I confess my feelings to her. A sigh left my mouth looking at the sky.

I met Ava, the only reason why I'm here is to see her. I hadn't seen her for two years. I missed her so much, I wanted to come back but my training, matches and travelling didn't allow me to come back. I was there on the day of her graduation. I planned on seeing her that day and I did. I didn't meet her as she was with her family and friends.

I was so happy seeing her from afar. I was quite surprised when I got to my apartment. There were photographs of me with Vincent, Axel and Celeb.

"I will see you guys later." Vincent stood up, leaving the room.

"Let's go for a drive?" Axel asked and I nodded my head, as I didn't have anything to do.

"Sure," Celeb said.

*

"Hi, Brad!" I heard her cheerful voice. I turned around to see her happy face, her face was glowing. She was wearing a white crop tee with ripped shorts.

"Briya will be picking us. Mum took her car out to meet her friends. Vincent and Valerie went out."

I nodded my head and leaned against the tree trunk while she called Briya to find out where they were. I was wearing my shades as I checked her out. She is beautiful and I just cannot take my eyes off her. The gentle wind blew her hair strands as she spoke on the phone. I shook my head and looked away when my gaze went to her thighs.

"They are here." I will be leaving tonight, so I thought of spending my time with her. She said she is going to decorate her studio with the latest portraits.

A black car stopped in the driveway, another girl was sitting in the passenger seat whom I didn't know. I followed Ava and got into the car. Ava and I sat in the backseat, while the girl Briya started driving.

"Hi, I'm Rita," the new girl introduced.

"Hello, Brad," I replied to her. She gave me a bright smile before turning back to her seat. I turned my head to see Ava looking at me. "Hmm?" Ava broke out of her trance and looked away while her ears turned red. A smile broke on my face knowing she was checking me out and I caught her.

We reached the studio. I waited while Rita spoke with Ava. They were talking about some projects while I patiently stood there listening to their conversation.

"Bye, you two," Briya said before driving away.

"They are making their blog video today so you are helping me," Ava replied. I followed her, enjoying her backside. She barely reaches my chin, she has to eat more to gain calories.

"Are you listening Brad?"

"What?" She looked a bit irritated, as I didn't listen to what she was saying.

"I told you to bring those giant frames."

"Okay," I observed her studio. It's cute and spacious, with creamy white walls and quotations are hung on the walls. I brought the frames she asked me to bring. She brought a ladder.

"Where should we hang them?" she asked me, looking at the walls. I looked around and pointed towards the wall behind the desk.

"I thought the same, we would hang these three stepwise. Then others on that wall." She says, going towards the desk. She put the ladder near the wall and turned to me.

"I will step on the ladder and hang them while you give me the frames." She put some hanging hooks before taking the frames from me. We did the work together before going to the other wall.

"Careful," I said as the ladder shook.

"Woah! I'm good," she said, standing straight. I bent down to give her the frame. Before I could hold the frame, I heard a noise.

"Aaa...." my head snapped quickly to see Ava falling. I couldn't stop her as we both fell to the ground with a thud. The back of my head hit the floor. It hurts but I tried not to show it on my face. I exhaled through my mouth and kept my eyes closed for a minute before opening them.

"I told you to be careful." I gazed at her to see her wide eyes. I stopped her before she could hit her head as I switched places. I was confused about why her face was bright red and looking at me with wide eyes.

Her skin felt soft against my rough hands, then it hit me. I looked down at where both my hands were, now it was my turn to turn red. My palms are pressed against her breasts, stopping her. We snapped out and she struggled to get down with my hands pressing against her... Ahem...

If I remove my hands, her body will fall on mine. She placed her hands on my shoulders as she straddled me before getting down. We both remained awkward, not knowing what to say.

"I—I have to meet Vincent," I said, getting up from the floor. I didn't wait for her reply and wandered out with one thought.

They felt so soft. I wonder how it would feel without those clothes.