Chapter 5

JACOB

My body ached and was sore when I woke up the next morning. I was sure this is what it felt like to be hit by a moving vehicle. I saw the space in the bed next to me was empty and I guessed Phoenix had already left for Uni. I was gutted that I'd missed her, but I must've been out cold. I knew I had to move though, so I tried to pull myself up in the bed, but my body hurt like a bitch. I pushed through it until I'd managed to heave myself up slightly, and my shoulders were against the pillows. I let out an exhausted breath as my head rest against the headboard, and I wondered where I put my phone last night.

I pulled back the duvet and saw I was still in the clothes I'd come back from the club in. I'd fallen asleep not long after Phoenix had cleaned me up.

With my foot pushing to the floor, I inched closer to the edge to sit up. As I made it to sitting up fully, the door opened. "What are you doing?" Nix asked, with her brows pinched as she walked in.

"Trying to get out of bed to reach my bag. I need my phone." She came around to me and placed a hot cup of tea on the bedside table, then she kissed my cheek.

"Wait there, it's downstairs," as she turned, I caught her by the wrist and spun her back to me. Our noses brushed as I pulled her closer, I wanted to kiss her but this fucking cut on my lip stopped me. Her lips brushed softly over mine instead. The soft peck was much less than I wanted, but I guess I had to put up with it, at least until it was healed. I let her go reluctantly and she left again. I pushed my arse further back on the bed and picked up my cup while I waited for her. As soon as the hot liquid touched my lip though, I could have thrown it up the wall. I placed the drink down again while it cooled a little.

"Here it is," she said as she waltzed back into her room.

"I thought you'd left already."

"I've got some time yet. I wanted to be here for you when you woke up." She placed my bag down next to me and kissed my cheek. I smiled as I admired her, then searched for my phone. As I caught hold of it, my fingers brushed against the notes I'd earned last night. I lifted my phone out first and dropped it down at the side of me on the bed, then pushed my hand back inside the bag.

"Close your eyes," rather than close, she narrowed them instead. "Close your eyes." I repeated, smirking. I have something to show you."

She let out a soft sigh and closed her eyes as I took her hand. I placed the notes inside her palm. "What are you doing?" I closed her fingers over the notes and told her to open her eyes. She looked down at her hand with wide eyes as she took in the amount of money in her hand. "What is this?"

"This baby, is my earnings from last night. Just under three grand," she gasped loudly. "I couldn't earn this in a gym."

"It doesn't make it right, you know." She exhaled tiredly, like she was sick of making the point.

"I promise it won't be forever, but I need your support right now. Please, Nix. Please support this."

She gazed down at her hand first, then found my eyes again. I could see her reluctance, but she eventually nodded. "You promise this isn't forever?"

"I promise," I repeated. All I wanted was enough money to get us a place, and a little starting cash, maybe get noticed and I'd be done. "This is for us, Nix. Our future."

I knew she hated this but as she gazed into my eyes, I knew she loved me. She nodded, confirming that she was in this with me, and I pulled her closer. Her arms slid around my neck as we held each other close. I couldn't do anything else, my body hurt too much, but as soon as I was healed, all bets were off. I inhaled the sweet scent of vanilla, enjoying the feel of her until she tried to move away from me. "I have to get going," she moaned into my neck. "I need to get to Uni."

"I guess I should try and drive my car. I need a shower, too." I brushed her lips with mine, my top lip throbbed, but I'd take the pain if it meant I could kiss her. Her dark eyes gazed into mine. She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever met, inside and out, I knew I was the luckiest guy to walk this earth. "I love you."

"I love you more, but I hate to see you hurt, and as much as I said I could handle this, I'm not sure I can."

I took her face into my hands and brought our foreheads together. "I just need you by my side."

"Okay." I knew she was only appeasing me, but if she walked away I didn't know what I would do. She removed my hands and got up from the bed before she helped me with my trainers and put the money back in my bag. I quickly scanned my phone for messages and saw one from Ethan and another from Rico. When I tried to unlock my screen, my face ID wouldn't work, my face was so bad, so I entered my password and opened the messages, one by one.

Ethan: Hey mate, how you feeling?

Rico: I hope you're a fast healer, you've got another fight in two weeks. Another big fight. I'll send the details your way as soon as I know more.

Rico: Good fight last night. I'm impressed.

I closed Rico's messages and opened Ethan's again.

Me: Sore and like I've been hit by a truck but I'm alright. Cud be worse I s'pose.

As Nix came over, I closed my inbox and let her help me up from the bed. I didn't want to tell her about the next fight yet. We'd just found some common ground, and I didn't want to upset her, so I kept my mouth shut.

"Anyone important?" she asked, watching intently as I slid my phone into my pocket.

"Just Ethan, asking how I'm feeling."

She lifted her chin at me in understanding. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yep, let's go." I sounded way more ready than I actually was, but I needed a shower and to rest in my own bed.