Reece cracked his neck, then his knuckles, then his neck again, this time just for the intimidation factor. His broad frame rippled with muscle, and the faded scar etched above his right eyebrow gave him that unmistakable street-beast aesthetic.
Most could guess how he got it, probably from using his head a little too much.
Across from him, Jay stood still. He rolled his shoulders, taking deep, slow breaths as he carefully sized up the opponent in front of him.
He wasn't a trained fighter. Not like Joe, who had studied boxing and treated the art like a craft. Jay had never stepped foot in a dojo or even cared to. Fighting wasn't something he dreamed of mastering. It was just… something that came naturally. When pushed, he pushed back. When cornered, he wrestled his way out.
But today was different.
This wasn't some schoolyard scrap or last-minute tussle.
This time, he was facing someone who matched him in size, in power, maybe even in grit.
