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“Your brother just put up one hell of a fight People are going to be talking about his comeback for weeks” I kiss Royce on thehis side and running towards the entrance of the cage as my brother makes his exit

“I a blood on ht now I don’t even care My brother just kicked the shit out of that guy I look at his opponent lying in the center of the ring as his trainer brings him to “How…I missed…I couldn’t watch”

“He hadto do I dropped down onto finish ht about you andainst his chin”

I leavearound hiainst the wall by the exit for o into work looking like that”

“Yeah, can we run by your place so I can freshen up? I have extra clothes in ”

“Yeah, let’s go It’s going to be a bitch to get out of this lot”

Royce’s house hasn’t changed much since I was last here It still looks like a frat house, but that’s mostly because he shares it with assholes one and two Royce has the master bedroom with the private bath because it is his house His friends and I use the term loosely, rent from him Thankfully they aren’t hohts for all I know, not that I care to know

“I’ll leave you to freshen up” Royce looks at ly

I’ht now I’d love to be able to feel the love I used to for him Maybe with time I will I inhale his scent in the bathroom Royce has always s toon top of the commode and strip offro my face and my arms I probably should have taken a shower, but I am pressed for ti it close as it is

I shia pants and tank top At leastshould work in a salon I apply so more

Royce is waiting patiently for me downstairs

“It’s a good feeling to see you back here, with s were different Brandi If I hadn’t been such a prick we could be ht now” He looks sad, and I can’t withstand that expression he is showing ht now

“Royce, let’s not go there tonight You don’t— you can’t know that We will talk I promise, but I really need you to drive me to work”

“Prohten themy mom and Charlie all these years, if what they have is considered a happy e and love, I want no part of it

The drive to work is quiet Royce is in deep thought, and I allow et lost in the scenery as we pass by all the flashing lights and neon signs I take in the people walking the strip and findwhat some of their stories are and how they ended up here