Chapter 78

JACKSON'S POV

Jason and I trained in the training arena outside. I needed a distraction, something to push away the thoughts that had disturbed me all day.

I threw a punch at Jason, harder than necessary, sending him stumbling back. His eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly regained his footing.

"Focus, Jackson," he said, blocking my next strike. "Your head's somewhere else."

I gritted my teeth and forced myself to concentrate, pushing thoughts of Elise to the back of my mind. It was no use. Even when I was fighting, the image of her kept slipping through. Her eyes, the way they’d look at me when she thought I wasn’t watching; her laugh, the way she smiled at me then and the way she looked at him—Ferris.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, swinging wildly at Jason again in anger.

He dodged easily. His movements were calculated and firm while mine were erratic and clumsy.

"Enough," Jason said, stepping back "With all due respect, I think we're done for today."

I nodded, breath