This time, as I headed to Eastside Boxing, I actually wanted to see Jay. I could give him the money and be done with him forever. It was wishful thinking—being done with him, because I couldn’t avoid him. Not when I was using the top floor of the gym for dance practice. Not when I couldn’t forget that kiss.

I went a little early so I wouldn’t miss him. He was there, teaching an adult class, all men. They were sparring together in pairs and he was circling the room, yelling at the top of his lungs.

“Harder!” Jay shouted. “Gloves up, Manny.”

I hesitated by the door. I didn’t want to go upstairs because Jay might leave before I could give him the money. But I felt weird standing there watching like a creeper. I shouldered my bag and shifted from foot to foot.

I caught his eye but he quickly looked away. He wouldn’t acknowledge me. Last time he had, outside the diner, he’d looked like he was about to murder someone.

When he moved to the outer edge of the mats, I approached him. He turned away when he saw me coming. I almost laughed. The world had gone topsy turvy if I was the one chasing Jay Thornton.

I grabbed his arm before he could escape. His muscles tensed under my grip. “I’ve got your money,” I said. “Come up when you’re done.”

He scowled. Not at all the reaction I’d been expecting. I let him go.

Upstairs, I knocked on Nico’s door. He answered almost immediately.

“Hey,” he said, smiling.

“Can I come in?” I asked. He pushed the door open and I stepped inside. The apartment was scrubbed clean, it smelled of bleach and lemons. Music played, something old and jazzy.

“Bron’s coming over.” He waved a hand. “She said we had something to celebrate but she complained last time about how messy the place was getting.”

“It looks great.” I dumped my bag on the table. It felt unnaturally heavy, maybe because of all the cash I was carrying. “Perfect for celebrating.”

“Do you know what it’s all about?” Nico opened his fridge and pulled out a bottle of orange juice. I didn’t see one can or bottle of alcohol in there. Bronwyn would be happy.

“I’ve got the money. I’m giving it to Jay as soon as he comes up here.”

His face broke into a wide grin. He started hopping around and I thought maybe he had to go to the bathroom until I realized he was dancing.

“Your brother came through, then?” he said, doing a poorly imitated Michael Jackson spin. I laughed. “Yeah, baby.”

“How did you know?” I asked.

He shrugged. “He said he had a plan, but I never heard if it worked.”

“Do you know anything about it?” Nico shook his head and I sighed. “Ting won’t be on your back anymore,” I said. “No more late night beatdowns from Jay.”

He finally stopped dancing. “He likes me. It wouldn’t have been so bad.”

Yeah, right. No matter what he thought, the important thing was Nico remembering he still owed my brother the money. He wouldn’t have someone hounding him, but it didn’t mean he didn’t have to pay up.

“Well, anyway, I’ve got practicing to do,” I said, going for the door. “Have fun with Bron.”

He said goodbye as I left. Jay was in my practice space, waiting. He stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed over his chest, muscles bulging in his sleeveless shirt. His hair was slick from sweat, and a scowl pulled down his brow.

I rifled through my bag for the envelope, having a mini panic attack when I couldn’t find it at first. Finally, I slipped it out from inside a ballet shoe where I had tucked it for safe keeping.

I held out the envelope. “Thirteen thousand dollars, as promised.”

Jay didn’t move. I didn’t move. The envelope hung in the space between us until my arm began to shake and I lowered it.

I knew things would be awkward between us after the kiss, but I didn’t think it would make Jay like this…whatever this was.

“What’s the problem?” I asked, breaking the silence.

He grabbed the envelope from my hand. He pulled the cash out and counted it before replacing it. “Where did you get this?”

I frowned. What did that matter?

He took a step toward me and I took one back. “Where did you get this?”

My mouth tightened. “That’s none of your business.”

His eyes narrowed.

“I got you the money. Nico doesn’t owe Officer Ting anymore. It’s done.”

He stuffed the envelope in the back pocket of his shorts and then looked at me, his gaze like a winter blizzard. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing.”

“What are you talking about?” My eyes went to his lips, then darted away.

“Don’t think you can screw over Simon Ting,” he said. “It won’t end well.”

“Is it not all there?” I reached around him and yanked the envelope from his pocket, my arm brushing his. My nose filled with his scent of sweat and soap but I ignored it. I’d counted the money three times already, just to make sure, but I would count it in front of him so he couldn’t accuse me of skimping.

He grabbed it back from me. “It’s all there.”

I looked at him in confusion. “Then what’s the problem?”

But he didn’t answer. He gave me one last cold look and left.

I understood why he was angry with me, why he radiated a chill toward me now—I’d rejected him. What I didn’t understand was why he thought I would screw over Ting.

I shed my sweater and shoes and turned on some music. There was no point worrying about it. I’d done what I’d promised—I’d paid off Nico’s debt.

It was over now.