I mean, I know it’ll be fine. I’ve worked hard. I’m not worried, just nervous, you know?

Anyway, I hope you can make it. No pressure. If you can, it’d be great to see you.

I miss you.

This can’t be happening. Fighting at Vic’s? Didn’t she want me to stop fighting because that’s what I did.

“What do you know about this?” I ask Ezra as I show him the texts. His eyes go wide as he reads through them.

“What the fuck?” he asks.

“We have to stop her,” I answer, as I’m typing my response.

Tell me you’re kidding.

Where are you?

You’re fighting at Vic’s over my dead body.

Ezra’s too.

She’s not answering. And soon Ezra and I both find that she’s not home either. He follows me in his car as we rush over to Vic’s. She’s not there either.

When I find Vic, I fight the urge to put my fist through his teeth. I’ve changed. This isn’t the guy I am anymore. But protecting Shelby brings out this caveman in me, and I can’t help it.

I put up my hand as I burst through his office. “What the fuck is going on?” I ask, Ezra hot on my heels.

Vic responds with a hearty laugh. “I expected this. Took you long enough.”

“How is this funny?” I grit through my teeth.

“Because you’re predictable. She knew you’d react like this,” he answers, closing his laptop.

“Well how else are we supposed to react?” Ezra adds from beside me.

Vic’s smile fades as he looks at the man next to me. “If you weren’t Shelby’s brother, I’d have you dragged out of here by your teeth.”

“Vic,” I bark, bringing his attention back. “What do you expect us to do?”

He stands up and shakes his head at us. “I don’t know, guys. Support her? Cheer her on? Has it occurred to either of you that she’s a lot stronger than either of you give her credit for? I don’t want to spoil it for you, but she’s one of the strongest female beginners I’ve had in this club. She’s the last one to believe it, but she’s going to win tonight, hands down. So maybe instead of convincing her that she’s not strong enough, come here and stand on the sidelines for her. God fucking knows she’s done it for the both of you.”

Well that certainly shuts us the fuck up.

I look over at Ezra and it’s clear he’s thinking the same thing. Vic is right. We’ve both put Shelby on the sidelines, expecting her to support us, accommodate us, sacrifice for us. And as much as it pains me to even think about it, I guess I’ll be there to support her.

The fight starts at five, and when we meet back at the gym, Ez and I keep our eyes peeled for Shelby. I texted her back about ten times after I made an ass of myself with my first replies. I looked like a psychopath apologizing and spilling my heart over unanswered text messages.