Chapter 13: Fighting People
"Matthew, you shouldn’t fight them," Lenox called out, his voice cutting through the tension. "I’m fine, just don’t do anything reckless, okay?"
Matthew didn’t even look back. He wasn’t avoiding them because he was scared. He just didn’t see the point. If this were before, sure, maybe. But now? There was no benefit in it.
Inwardly, he muttered to himself, "Why is it always like this? I get into trouble because of this idiot. Every single time. Lenox causes something, and I get dragged in."
He took another step forward. However, the guy with the tattoo wasn’t having it.
He tightened his hand on Matthew’s shoulder. Then, without warning, he shoved Matthew back.
Matthew took the step easily, his shoes sliding slightly on the polished floor. He glanced down, then up.
Then the punch came.
Straight toward his face.
He didn’t even think. He just moved.
The fist felt slow, too slow. It was almost strange. The guy’s whole arm telegraphed the movement from a mile away. The way his shoulder tensed, the way his hip shifted. It was obvious.
Matthew tilted his head to the side. The punch was missed by several inches.