“I’m ok,” I said, throwing an arm over her shoulders. “I just need you and I’ll be fine.” Kissing the top of her head, I hoped she would just let this go. I just wanted to shower after she patched me up, and sleep for days. I groaned, thinking that tomorrow was a workday, making me hate Lucio even more with the random fight nights. Everyone helped me to my room. Well, they didn’t all help me, but they were there in case I needed help. Jane stripped me down and let me get into the shower to wash off the grime of the night. I stood there replaying the fight over and over. If I hadn’t gotten lucky, I probably would have been the one on the floor not getting up. I shook off the bad feeling I had, but I was so relieved I won. He was an asshole of a fighter. I was happy to knock him down a few pegs and bring him back to reality.

I finished my shower, hoping it would remove some stiffness, but I think it had made it worse. I dried off and put on the pair of boxers that were left on the sink. It took me a few tries to get them on, leaving me breathless. I leaned over the sink to catch my breath. Looking up, I took stock of everything. I wasn’t in as much pain as I thought I would be. Whatever Jane had given me seemed to help. Though my face was almost completely swollen, it didn’t seem like I would be able to see out of my eye soon. My body was darkening with bruises and the flesh on my ribs was looking swollen.

This was the first time I had ever gone into the cage thinking I was going to lose. He was definitely not in my weight class and he had at least a good forty pounds of muscle on me. I definitely felt it in his punches. I stood up wincing at the pain on my side and I walked into the bedroom to see Jane sitting on the bed with her chin resting on her knee and her arms wrapped around her legs. Her expression worried me. Had it been too much for her to take?

“Let’s get you patched up and in bed.” Her voice was soft as she helped me onto the bed.

I groaned with the exertion. Every little movement was a struggle. If she hadn’t given me those pills, I wouldn’t be able to move at all. She had me lie down, and went to work on my face. Her soft touches were soothing, and I was getting sleepy.

“Callum?” Jane’s voice brought me back from the edge of sleep.

I hummed, hoping that was enough of a response.