~April 1~Paul was grateful Colburne had been available the following morning for a sparring match on short notice.
“That’s the second time you’ve thanked me,” Colburne said as he followed Paul into the ring.
Paul could only shake his head. “That’s because you might not be so happy you agreed to this in a few minutes.”
Colburne put up his gloved fists. “Oh?”
“You didn’t hear what happened last night, did you?” Paul asked, taking the first swipe at his friend.
“No.” Colburne retaliated immediately, catching Paul unawares.
He gave a little smile of acknowledgement of a hit well-timed. “Someone inappropriately propositioned my step-mother, and I very nearly beat him—well, I wanted to beat him to a bloody pulp.”
Colburne momentarily lowered his arms in shock, and Paul got in a good jab.
