Fight

by Nicole Dykes

  “No, but that’s what you do when you’re with someone. You take care of them. And I have. And how do you repay me? You run right back to your little fuckboy and spread your legs.”

  “I’m not doing this. I want my things and I want to go.”

  I start toward my bag that’s still sitting on the arm of the chair, but he grabs my wrist, keeping me there. “You aren’t leaving until we work this out.”

  I try to tug my arm away from him, but he won’t release me. “Let. Go.”

  “No. Not until you tell me the truth.”

  I’m angry now. Seething with rage as I spin and face him head on, but he still hasn’t let go of my wrist. “Yes. Okay? I’ve fucked him. Several times and I would have continued it, but he stopped it. Because he only sees me as a friend.”

  His jaw is clenched tight and his grip on my wrist grows tighter. “You had sex with him.”

  “Yes.” I’m spitting venom and I don’t care. “And it was good. So fucking good I still think about it when I touch myself at night. Especially on nights when you’ll only kiss me but won’t take it any further.”

  He drops my wrist, but I’m shocked when his palm slaps me hard across the face. “Slut.”

  I want to hit him back, but I’m stunned. He just hit me. It takes me a minute, but I jump into action and leap for my purse nearly making it to the front door before he grabs me around the waist. “Let go!” I shout.

  He doesn’t and I elbow him hard in the stomach before turning around and use the heel of my hand to press it into his nose, instantly seeing red blood run down his face. I don’t waste any more time and run out the door, grabbing my phone.

  I call Carter twice, but he doesn’t answer.

  Shit.

  I call my mom as I walk down the street, just wanting to get away. She doesn’t answer, but I keep walking.

  Minutes later I hear him behind me and I spin around, ready for the fight, but he holds his hands up in surrender. “I called an Uber. They’ll be here in ten.”

  I don’t let my guard down. “I don’t want you to buy me anything else.”

  “It’s already paid for. Just take it.” He’s holding a cloth to his nose and I no longer see the fury I saw in his eyes earlier.

  “Fine. Leave me alone.”

  “Shaw.” He takes a step toward me but I back away.

  “No.”

  “I’m sorry. I…” He grips his hair in his hand and looks distraught. “I’m sorry that I got out of control.”

  I just stare at him coldly, adrenaline pumping through me. “Just leave me alone.”

  He nods his head sadly, his shoulders sagging as he goes back to his house. I don’t feel at ease until I see the door close behind him.

  The Uber arrives soon after and I go back to the empty house, crawling into my bed and doing what I do often.

  I curse Dane for dying.

  Because I could really use him right now.

  I leave the ring, passing by the crowd that’s assembled in the dank lower level of an old warehouse in Kansas City where all the fights take place and go into the room they’ve made into a locker room.

  I’m on an adrenaline high with blood dripping from a cut above my left eye from one of the few times my opponent caught me, but in the end I won.

  I always win.

  He went down for the count and I’m still standing.

  I yank the gloves off and work on unwrapping my hands when Will pushes through the door. He doesn’t smile, but he’s sporting a smirk as he walks in and sits on the bench. “You did good, kid.”

  I grab a bandage and put it over the cut above my eye. It’ll be fine. “I always do good.” I wink and sit on the bench in my black shorts, flexing my hands.

  “Don’t get too fucking cocky.” I grin and Will shakes his head at me, pulling cash from his pocket, handing it to me.

  I take it and place it on the bench next to me.

  Will’s a good guy. I mean as good as he can be in his line of work. Mid-thirties and married to his high school sweetheart. They have two kids, but I still can’t shake the feeling that he knew Dane in a way that had nothing to do with work.

  He tosses my phone at me. “A Shaw called you twice.”

  There’s a sick feeling in my gut as I struggle to unlock the screen to see if she left a message. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “While you were on your sixth round with that big motherfucker?”

  I scoff at that, pissed that there’s no voicemail and no text. Shit. “You mean slow motherfucker.”

  He chuckles again, shaking his head. I stand up and go to the shower, stripping out of my shorts and showering quickly. I get out and get dressed in jeans and a t-shirt as fast as I can.

  “I gotta go.”

  Will folds his massive, muscular arms over his chest and shakes his head. “No, you have a meeting with the boss.”

  “What?” I grab my phone and my cash. “No, I don’t. Why would I have to meet with him?”

  As far as I’m concerned, I work for Will and he works for the mysterious boss who I don’t even have the privilege of knowing his real name.

  “Because he wants a meeting.”

  “I have to go find out what Shaw needed.”

  He stands firm, blocking my way to the door. “No.”

  “This is Shaw I’m talking about. I know Dane told you about her.”

  That brings a slight smile to his face and it’s grins like that, that make me think he had a thing with Dane. “He said she was a real pain in the ass.” His smile broadens. “And that he loved her more than anyone on the planet.”

  That pulls my own smile from me. “That would be her.” I yank a hoodie on over my head. “What does the boss want with me anyway? I won.”

  “Exactly. And you always win. He wants to extend your contract.”

  I sit down on the wooden bench like the wind got knocked out of me. “Why?”

  “Because you’re good kid. Really good. You know with a new contract there will be a hell of a lot more money up for grabs.”

  I shake my head slowly from side to side like it’s a dream. “I can’t. Two years. That’s what I signed up for. That’s it.”

  “Come on, kid. What the hell are you going to do when you collect that final bonus?” He takes the seat next to me. “I’ll tell you. You’re going to blow it all then come back and beg for a job, but by then he will have a new shiny fighter. And you’ll end up doing other jobs.”

  “No.” There’s no conviction in my tone because even if I won’t blow the money, I do have plans for it. And then he’s right after that.

  “This about the girl?”

  I swallow hard and then take a deep breath, slowly letting it out. “It’s always about the girl.” I turn to the side to face him. “Two years and then I’m out. I have like a year and a half left.”

  “Think about it. I’ll stall him for a bit, but think about it.”

  I nod and stand up, with him no longer blocking my way I head out, driving right to Shaw’s house hoping like hell she’s here.

  I don’t know where that Aiden guy lives. The house is dark and I see Pam’s car parked outside. It’s late and I don’t want to wake her if she’s asleep.

  I walk to Shaw’s window, peeking inside like a creeper and see her room is dark. I tap on the glass and wait, hoping like hell she will open it.

  The window lifts and I’m flooded with relief when I hear her voice, “Carter? What the hell are you doing?”

  “You called me. Twice.” I can’t see more than an outline of her with her lights off.

  I do know when she steps back to allow me to climb in. Once I’m inside I close her window and stand in front of her.

  “What’s wrong? And were you asleep?”

  She laughs at that, but not like it’s actually funny. “No. I wasn’t. And nothing. I um…” She moves away from me and I see her sit on her bed. “I needed a ride.” I start toward the light switch because this is fucking ridiculous, bu
t she stops me, standing up abruptly. “Don’t.”

  I turn to face her, my hands finding her hips in the dark. “Why?”

  “Just don’t.” Is the only answer I get.

  “Why did you need a ride?”

  “I broke up with Aiden.” I suck in a surprised breath not expecting that at all.

  “What? Why?” I want to see her goddamn face.

  She steps out of my hold. “Because it just wasn’t right with him. It would never work out.”

  “Because you don’t feel good enough for him?” It’s a little more of an intense growl than I meant, but man it pisses me off that she doesn’t know how amazing she is.

  “Lots of things, Carter.”

  I find her body again in the dark, once again resting my hands on her hips and holding her in place. “Like what?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. Not now.” Her voice is raspy and in it I hear the need.

  “Shaw…” I feel her rise on her toes, her fingers graze my jawline as she pulls my face to hers, right before her lips find mine, nipping on my bottom lip gently and then mashing her mouth against mine.

  “I just need you.” She says it through kisses she places on my lips, her hands holding the back of my neck.

  She’s too hard to resist even when I know I should.

  I pull her t-shirt off over her head, tossing it behind us somewhere and lead her toward the bed. I tug my shirt off and find her lips again. I hope for the best when I lay her down, thankfully finding the bed and let my body tumble after hers, still lost in hurried kisses.

  She wasn’t wearing a bra and my hand moves up to her bare tits, finding her nipples, hard and begging for attention. She moans into my mouth when I pinch one of them between my thumb and fingers, pulling and pinching with enough pressure to drive her wild; making her hips thrust forward, seeking my dick that’s desperate for her.

  She’s still wearing jeans, so I guess she really wasn’t asleep earlier. I move my hand from her full tits and down to her jeans. I flick open the button, bracing myself on my free hand, my lips glued to hers.

  I’ve missed kissing her almost as much as I’ve missed her in general.

  I slide her zipper down and thrust my hand into her panties feeling how wet and ready she is for me. “God, Carter. Yes.” She moans into my mouth, shoving her hips forward, begging for the friction.

  I slide my fingers through her wet folds and then up to her clit, circling and teasing her swollen nub. Her chest heaves forward, her hard nipples scraping against my chest.

  “Yes. Please, Carter.” She’s desperate and needy to come and I’m all too happy to oblige as I stroke her clit over and over, sliding through her wetness and back up to tease again. She’s writhing underneath me, begging for release.

  “Let go, Shaw.”

  “I need this.” She gasps as her hips buck forward with each stroke of my fingers.

  “Take it.” I kiss her mouth and down her neck, relishing the throaty cries she’s making, letting the sound burn deep into my memory.

  “Fuck, Carter!” She shrieks and I press my mouth over hers letting her ride out her orgasm and hoping we don’t wake Pam.

  When she comes down from her high, she pushes her jeans down quickly and then makes quick work of mine, pushing them off with her feet and pulling me up to her.

  “I need you. I need this.” Her kisses are frenzied as she leaves them over my mouth, cheeks, neck, anywhere she can reach.

  My cock is aching and already dripping with need for her, but still I don’t press into her. “Shaw…”

  “I know,” she breathes. “Just shut up. I know.”

  I rest my forehead against hers and feel my heart thundering in my chest, resting above her. Her legs fall apart and I’m laying between them, but I’m not sure I can go through with this.

  “I know you’re upset…”

  “I am.” She tilts her head up and I know she’s looking directly at me even if I can barely make her out. “Because your cock isn’t inside of me.”

  Jesus.

  “Shaw…” I try again, but she hooks the back of my neck and pulls me into an intense kiss.

  “I know. It’s okay. I just want this right now. I need this.” She bites my bottom lip. “Fuck me.”

  And I do. Because I’m a selfish bastard. Because I’m reckless and probably exactly like my father. I push into her with one deep thrust and it’s like coming home.

  The sensation making us both groan before her mouth consumes mine and I’m lost inside her body, both of us desperate for our release.

  I know that she’s already close to another orgasm by the way she squeezes around me when I hit deep inside her. She moves with me, angling her hips and taking each punishing stroke, over and over until it feels like we both cease to breathe.

  We’re just fucking. One unit moving toward one goal and nothing else matters.

  And when I come inside her she moans my name, clenching me tightly, holding me inside her to ride out her own orgasm, milking my cock and another piece of me while leaving a part of her with me.

  Because no matter where we are, we’re always together.

  I wake up in an empty bed and I had a feeling I would. I feel broken about that fact, but also grateful. Aiden’s slap only split my lip open, but I knew Carter would see it if we were in the light.

  I didn’t want him to see it.

  I’m still trying to process the fact that Aiden hit me. I look out the window and see the sun is only now starting to come up.

  I want to go back to sleep, but the sound of my mom coughing from the next room lifts me from my bed to seek her out.

  I find her, dressed in her uniform for work pouring coffee into her thermos. “Mom.”

  She just recovered from a coughing fit and I notice her breathing is rapid. I want to ask her to go to the doctor for the millionth time, but I know she won’t.

  “Good morning, sweetheart.” She walks over to me, her hands on both sides of my face, her eyes drop to my bottom lip. “What happened?”

  I don’t know why I lie to her. I’ve never lied to her. “I slipped. I’m fine.”

  She quirks her eyebrow up high, looking worried and weak from another restless sleep. “Are you sure?”

  I nod quickly. “Just clumsy. I’m fine.”

  She studies me closely and then releases my face with a kiss to my forehead. “I’m working a double shift today. What time do you go in?”

  “Not until noon.”

  She smiles. “Well, I’ll get to see you some today then.”

  “Always looking at the bright side.”

  She grabs her thermos and kisses my cheek. “Everyone should. No point in living in the dark.”

  I have no idea how my mom can be such a positive person, but I force a smile for her anyway. “Be careful, mom. I’ll see you later.”

  “If you want a ride let me know. Or is Aiden picking you up?”

  I try not to let my body stiffen at the mention of him and keep my face plastered with a smile. “I’ll be fine.”

  She nods and grabs her keys, leaving out the front door. I feel guilty for lying to her, but I didn’t want her to worry. I have it under control.

  I take a shower and dress in shorts and tank top until I have to change for my shift. I smile when I get a text from Carter telling me he was sorry he had to leave early, but needed to check on Dane’s brothers and get them breakfast.

  I know he makes sure they get every meal. They told me last time I saw them. My chest aches with a pang of grief that never goes away, but definitely intensifies at any thought related to Dane.

  There’s a knock on the front door and I look out the peephole, sucking in a shocked breath when I see Aiden standing there.

  Oh. No.

  I don’t want to deal with him. But I know he is a determined man. I might as well get this over with.

  I pull the door open and fold my arms over my chest, not making any attempt to let him in. My gaze roams over him,
standing there in a crisp suit with two black eyes and a swollen nose. “What? No flowers? Or even a diamond?”

  “Would you accept those things?”

  I shake my head confidently. “No.”

  “I didn’t think so. I know you aren’t a woman who can be bought. I knew that right away.”

  But didn’t he try to buy me?

  Tuition? Text books?

  But he didn’t ever collect.

  My confusing thoughts are interrupted by his deep, smooth voice. “I’m so sorry, Shaw. I’ve never…” I watch his throat bob and his eyes seem genuinely sad. “I don’t lose control.”

  “It doesn’t matter. It’s fine.”

  “It’s not fine.” His face is all seriousness and guilty. “I never should have laid a hand on you and I’m truly sorry. I just…”

  I drop my arms to my side. “You just what?”

  “I’ve never felt like this before. Never.” I hate how sincere he sounds and that my heart is begging for me to listen to him. “Jealous. I don’t get jealous, Shaw. Never.”

  “You didn’t have a reason to be jealous.”

  “Didn’t I?” He doesn’t seem angry. It seems like an actual question when he says it. “You’ve…” He pauses and looks nearly sick. “You’ve slept with him. And then you told me how good it was and how you still think about him.”

  Shame heats my cheeks and I clear my throat with discomfort thinking about my own words to him. I did challenge him on purpose. “I admit I shouldn’t have said that just to get at you.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” He waves it off. “I shouldn’t have let it get out of control. I’m so sorry, Shaw.”

  I nod my head, thinking about his apology. “Me too. But you were being hateful.”

  “I was. I acted like an asshole and I’m sorry. I hope that you’ll give me another chance, because I’ve never felt like this before.”

  I don’t know what to say. I really enjoyed my time with him. I felt safe, until I didn’t. I felt cherished, until I didn’t. But won’t it just happen again? You can’t truly trust someone who has raised their hand to you, can you? “I have to think about it. I don’t know if I can ever truly forgive you.”

  He nods his head sadly, looking way more abused than I do. “I understand that. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am and that I hope you have a great first day of college.”