“So what are you gonna do?” Andrew asked. “I bet you could take him on. You’re strong and stuff.”

“I don’t know, okay? I don’t know.” Jake crossed his arms. Someone laughed, and he looked up quickly.

Brady and his friends loomed ahead of them, their grins almost as big as their necks. Jake swallowed and walked up to them, faking confidence. “What do you want?” he said. His voice was loud and angry- it surprised both of them.

Brady looked taken aback for a split second. “I want us to settle this like men,” he said. ”’Course, I don’t know if you can do that-”

“Good,” Jake said, cutting him off. “Let’s get this over with. But tell them to back off. This is between you and me.” He was running on pure adrenaline now, the words spilling out of his mouth foreign but familiar.

“Fine,” Brady said. “You heard him, guys. I’ll find you later.” Knowing glances. “So, would you rather I just punched you, or-”

Jake threw the first punch, and five years of rage spilled out through his fist.