He Won't Live Long, so I Must VanishChapter 3

Caleb's POV

Early the next morning, Grandma called me on video. She told me the town's sports center needed a boxing coach. The director was the son of one of her old friends.

As soon as he heard I had gotten into college on an athletic scholarship for boxing, he wanted to hire me.

"They said they needed to see if you could still box. Caleb, if you pass, take the job. If you don't, we'll find something else for you."

I gripped my phone and stayed silent for a long time.

I hadn't boxed in six years. After my acceptance letter was torn up, I had shoved my gloves into the back of a closet. I couldn't even bring myself to watch a boxing match. I was afraid I would remember what it felt like to stand in the ring.

Grandma laughed on the other end. "When you were a kid, you would spend the whole afternoon hitting the punching bag in my yard. Have you still got that same drive?"

"Yes."

After hanging up, I dug out my old boxing gloves. The leather had stiffened, and the straps were frayed. I had thought about throwing them away many times over the years, but I could never bring myself to.

No one would be home at this hour, so I pushed the coffee table aside and propped my phone on the TV stand. I rolled my shoulders and tried a round of shadow boxing.

My first combination was a complete mess. I stumbled and had to grab the couch to keep from falling. I was still out of breath on the second try.

By the third round, my body finally remembered the movements.

I moved on my feet, slipped, threw a lead jab, followed with a rear cross, and finished with a ducking hook.

My gloves made a soft swishing sound as they cut through the air. For a moment, I was back at that year's tryouts. The coach had patted my shoulder and said I was born to be a boxer.

I pulled back from my final straight punch and reached for my phone, breathing hard. Then the door behind me opened.

"Caleb?"

Casey stood in the entryway, wearing Hazel's coat. Mom carried his hospital bag, Gia held a bouquet, and Wanda and Hazel followed behind them.

"The doctor said Casey was recovering well, so he wanted to come home early and stay in his dating experience room…"

Mom didn't finish her sentence. Her eyes fell on my boxing gloves, and her expression darkened.

Casey slowly pressed a hand to his chest, and tears filled his eyes. "Caleb is so good at boxing. I'll never be able to do it in my life."

His voice was soft, but it was enough to set everyone off.

Mom stormed over and slapped me across the face. "You knew Casey was coming home from the hospital today. You did this on purpose!"

My ears rang. Before I could steady myself, Gia snatched my phone off the TV stand and slammed it onto the floor.

"I tore up your acceptance letter once, and you still haven't learned your lesson."

Wanda leaned against the doorframe and scoffed.

"I knew he couldn't stand seeing Casey happy. He didn't pull any stunts while Casey was in the hospital, but the moment Casey got discharged, Caleb started this. What perfect timing."

Hazel didn't yell at me. Instead, she stepped in front of Casey and frowned and looked deeply disappointed.

"You know Casey can't do anything strenuous."

Casey peeked out from behind her and sniffled. "Don't blame Caleb. I shouldn't have come home so soon."

Mom turned to glare at me.

I knew that look too well. She was waiting for me to back down, just as I had done every time over the past six years. All I had to do was apologize, and everyone would pretend nothing had happened.

Wanda was waiting too. She glanced impatiently at her watch. "Just apologize already. Everyone's tired. You always give in eventually anyway."

I said nothing. I crouched and picked up my phone. The screen was covered in cracks, but it was still on.

In the chat, two ticks appeared beneath the video. It had been sent.

When Gia grabbed my phone earlier, my finger had landed right on the send button.

"I did nothing wrong. I'm not apologizing," I said.

Mom pointed furiously at the door. "Get out! Don't come back until you've thought this through!"

Casey grabbed her arm, tears running down his face. "Mom, don't kick Caleb out. He was willing to put off his wedding for Hazel's sake. He'd never really leave."

No one argued with him.

I took my phone and went back to my room to pack. Outside the door, I could still hear Wanda saying, "It's not the first time he's threatened to leave. He'll be fine after a night's sleep."

I shut the door and finally tore all the photos off the wall. A moment later, my phone lit up with a reply from the sports center.

"We received your video. Please report for work next Monday."

I was just about to tell Grandma when I heard Hazel talking on the phone outside.

"Dad, I'm bringing my boyfriend home for dinner tomorrow night. I want him to meet you."