Chapter 88

Drew

The sound of my gloved fist hitting the focus mitt reverberates off the empty concrete walls of our boxing complex. Before me, Tyler stands, bracing against the impact of my punch. No matter how hard I hit, he's always been able to withstand the force. Sweat flings in every direction as I try to punish my body enough so that I can sleep tonight without the nightmares.

"Harder," he encourages. "Show me with the velocity of your punches, what you can't with words."

That's what I need to hear to break down the dam holding all my feelings and emotions in. I throw hands harder and faster than I've ever thrown them before. I'm not sure how he's keeping up with me, but he is. It's always been that way with Tyler. He knows what I need, when I need it. We started working out together when I was a teenager who desperately wanted to control his anger. Now I'm an adult who wants to let that tight grasp he's had on the emotion for years go.

I'm back to what I know, and what I know is