Fight Song

by Grace Brennan

  They finally pulled apart, lips clinging for a moment. Jax exhaled audibly, feeling stunned as he searched her violet eyes. “Whoa.”

  “Yeah,” she agreed. “Best kiss ever.”

  Piper started to find a spot on the bleachers in the fight barn, but Jax stopped her, putting a hand on her arm. Sucking in a breath as she felt the sensations from that touch streak through her body, she composed herself as she arched an eyebrow at him.

  “Come on back with me for a minute. See where we warm up,” he said, nodding toward the back of the barn.

  Nodding, she followed, suppressing a shiver as he touched a hand to the small of her back and guided her. They arrived at the Anderson ranch just a few moments ago, and she was surprised at the crowd gathering. She hadn’t realized the fights were so popular, but she supposed she should have realized. In a town as small as Eagle Creek, there wasn’t much entertainment available for the residents unless they went to Cheyenne.

  They reached a horse stall that already held Ian, Seth, and Amelia, and Jax walked to the bench to drop his bag. The stall was spacious, but with the three huge fighters in it, it felt very small. There was a small punching bag hanging in the corner, but other than that and the bench, it was empty of any furnishings.

  “You sure you’re prepared?” Ian asked Jax, and her attention snapped to them. He wasn’t ready? She didn’t want him to get hurt if he wasn’t in a good position to fight.

  Jax rolled his eyes. “Please. I only missed a few days of training with an opponent. That’s not enough to throw me off my game.”

  Three days… so he hadn’t trained with anyone since they saw each other again. She pushed back the guilt and unease she felt at the thought. Him not training had nothing to do with her.

  “Don’t worry,” Amelia said softly beside her. “I’ve seen Jax fight before and he’s really good. He’s telling the truth when he says missing a few days won’t hurt.”

  “I’m not worried,” Piper replied, forcing a smile.

  “Do you want to sit with me?” Amelia asked in a musical English accent. “Cammie and Alex aren’t coming tonight, and I wouldn’t mind the company.”

  “Yeah, that’d be nice, thanks. My friend Kelly is coming, but she won’t be here until later.”

  “We’ll make sure we save her a spot,” Amelia reassured her.

  Watching as the Amelia made her way to Seth, Piper didn’t realize Jax had come to stand beside her, and she jumped when she noticed him. “Dammit. Make a little noise when you walk or something.”

  “I’ll remember that,” he replied with a half-smile, dark green eyes taking her in. She felt that look like a tangible touch on her skin, and she shivered. “Amelia is nice. She’s a good one to spend the evening with.”

  “Is she one of you?”

  “Would it matter if she was?” he asked, expression intense.

  “Of course not,” she answered, surprised by the question. “I’m just curious. Doesn’t matter to me one way or the other.”

  “She’s human,” he said, darting a quick look Amelia’s way. “I don’t think she will be for long, though. Seth will probably turn her soon.”

  Eyebrows shooting up, she asked, “Y’all can do that? Turn a human into a shifter?”

  “Some can. Actually, a lot can, but some types can’t. Eagles are one of those that can’t. Disappointed?”

  “What? No. I love eagles, but that doesn’t mean I want to be one. You are, and that’s enough.”

  “So I’m enough for you, the way I am?”

  “What?” she replied, realizing what she’d said. “I didn’t mean it like that. I was just saying it’s cool that you’re an eagle. You know. Supernatural shit and all. It’s interesting.”

  Fucking hell. Clamping her mouth shut to stop her babbling, she looked at him defiantly, daring him to call her out on the way she backpedaled. But all he did was chuckle, the look in his eyes affectionate.

  Surprising her, he darted in and kissed her quick. “For luck. I wanted to make it longer, but I didn’t want to risk taking another layer of lipstick, especially since you put a fresh coat on.”

  She struggled to find her words, but before she could, Amelia joined them. “You ready to find a spot, Piper? I know there’s a good crowd out there, and being the owner doesn’t guarantee me good seats.”

  Watching as Jax winked at her and turned back to the others, Piper nodded and followed Amelia back into the main barn. “You own this place?” she asked, raising her voice over the crowd.

  Amelia nodded as she led them to a spot on the bleachers about halfway up, putting a sweater she brought with her on Piper’s other side, saving the spot for Kelly. “Yes, I own the whole ranch.”

  “What made you decide to start hosting fights?” Piper asked, curious as to how an Englishwoman started hosting fights in her barn in small town Wyoming.

  “This was my uncle’s ranch. He started the fights. I inherited it when he died, came here to settle up the property, met Seth, and well—the rest is history.”

  That made more sense. Piper nodded as a man stepped into the ring to announce the first match, feeling unsettled inside. Some of Amelia’s story felt eerily familiar. A relative passing away, coming here to settle up, falling in love…

  Shaking her head, panicking a little, Piper cut her thoughts off quickly. No. Absolutely not. Nothing about their stories were similar. Yes, they both came to Eagle Creek to take care of a dead relative’s estate, but the similarities ended there.

  Piper wasn’t falling in love with Jax. She learned her lesson years ago. He wasn’t to be trusted, no matter his reasons for doing as he did. What was to say he wouldn’t do it again? It made him no different than any of the other douchebag, good for nothing men out there.

  Who the fuck was she trying to kid? No, she wasn’t falling in love with Jax, but only because she’d never fallen out of love with him. God knows, she tried. But through all the pain, her relationship with Scott, her marriage, turning herself into someone she wasn’t and then turning herself into who she really was—she never stopped loving him.

  What a fucking disaster. Eyes on the fight, but not really seeing it, she tried to figure out what the hell she was going to do. It was clear Jax wanted to begin again with her, so it wasn’t like her feelings weren’t reciprocated. But would he pull something like he did eight years ago, thinking he was protecting her? She wouldn’t be able to handle going through that a second time.

  “It’s kind of boring, isn’t it?” Amelia said low as the fight ended.

  “Hmmmm?” Piper said, trying to shake herself free of the thoughts tumbling around her head.

  “The fight,” Amelia said, giving her a probing look. “I mean, as far as humans go, I suppose it was a good one. But it’s nothing like the guys from Rocky River.”

  “I thought it was okay,” she lied. In truth, she paid very little attention to it. “But I’ve never seen anyone like the guys from Rocky River fight before, so I wouldn’t know the difference.”

  “Ah, I understand. You’re in for a treat then,” Amelia replied, a twinkle in her eye. “If you like this sort of thing, that is. But you look like the kind of person who would.”

  Piper couldn’t help laughing. “I guess I do, at that.”

  “Oh, bloody hell, I was rude, wasn’t I? I didn’t mean it like that,” Amelia said, a chagrined look on her face.

  “No, no, it wasn’t rude. More like accurate. Don’t worry about it, really. How many fights are there?” she asked as another set of humans entered the ring.

  “Four, total. These are the last of the regulars,” Amelia said. “The guys from Rocky River go up next, in two fights. Seth against Kian, and Jax against Ian.”

  “Kian doesn’t live at Rocky River, does he?” she asked with a frown. She hadn’t seen him last night.

  “No, he’s been staying at the hotel while he’s in town. But he’s kind of unofficially one of them, because of his connection to Shelby.”

  Nodd
ing her understanding, Piper turned her attention back to the fight. Amelia was right, it was boring. Piper wasn’t all that knowledgeable about fighting, but it wasn’t keeping her attention. Looking around, she spotted Kelly standing by the entrance, scanning the bleachers. Piper waved to her, and Kelly spotted her, giving her a beaming smile as she made her way to where Piper was sitting.

  Piper moved the sweater as Kelly reached them, and her friend sat down, surprising Piper by giving her a hug. “Hey, girl! You look hot.” She looked down and noticed Kelly’s hand was bandaged up. “What happened there?”

  Laughing, she nudged Piper’s shoulder. “You look hot, too. And this?” She waved it off. “I fell leaving the house. You know me,” she said with a laugh.

  Piper shook her head. “You have two left feet. Have you met Amelia?” she asked, gesturing to her other side.

  “No, I haven’t,” Kelly replied, her expression curious.

  “Kelly, this is Amelia. She owns the Anderson ranch now. Amelia, this is my friend Kelly. We were best friends growing up.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Kelly said, sticking her hand out to Amelia for a shake.

  “It’s nice to meet you, as well,” Amelia replied, shaking her hand.

  “Oh, I love your accent,” Kelly gushed to Amelia. In a whisper to Piper, she said, “I like her already.”

  Shaking her head with a smile, Piper turned her attention back to the ring as the fight ended. The announcer called Seth and Kian’s name, and the crowd around them went wild, cheering in anticipation. She glanced around in surprise. The response to the other fighters had been tepid at best, and she hadn’t been expecting this level of reaction.

  “I told you. Even the patrons agree with me about the Rocky River fighters,” Amelia said when she caught Piper’s eye, smiling broadly as she turned her attention to Seth.

  The fight began and Piper watched with growing shock. This fight was nothing like the two before it, and she winced as Seth landed a particularly brutal blow. The two fighters went at each other hard, and it was disturbing and fascinating all at the same time. If this was the level of skill Jax would be up against, how could he not get hurt?

  “Oh my, this is hard to watch,” Kelly said, drawing Piper’s attention. “People are actually entertained by this? I’m having a hard time understanding why.”

  She didn’t seem to expect a reply, and Piper was grateful for it. The fight was intense, brutal, and bloody, but she could absolutely see the appeal. She’d be here every Saturday night if she still lived in Eagle Creek.

  The fight finally ended, Kian declared the winner, and Jax and Ian were announced. Piper straightened in her seat, breath catching as she watched Jax walk into the ring. He was wearing shorts and nothing else, and she ran her eyes up and down his body. Dear Lord, he was the hottest thing she’d ever seen.

  Shifting in her seat, she pressed her thighs together as her core tingled and tightened, positive she was getting wet just from looking at him. No man had ever affected her like he did, and she knew none ever would. Something about Jax drew her on a level no other man could touch.

  “Are you sure you’re over him?” came Kelly’s amused voice from beside her. “Because it doesn’t look like it. You look like you’d eat him up right now if he was standing in front of you.”

  Exhaling, Piper glanced over and shook her head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I should be over him. I should hate him, and a part of me still does. But there’s this bigger part of me that can’t help but want him.”

  Kelly’s smile faded a bit as she searched Piper’s eyes. “You talk like you’ve made up your mind about getting involved with him again. I’m glad. You and Jax are the only two people I’ve ever known who truly loved each other. A love like that isn’t easy to find. Trust me, I know.”

  “I haven’t decided anything for sure yet,” she answered, blowing out a breath as she looked at Jax again. “But I won’t lie—a big part of me wants to.”

  “Well, I support you, no matter what you decide. But I still say you two are meant for each other,” Kelly declared, patting Piper’s hand. She looked toward the ring and glared in Jax’s direction. “But he’ll have me to answer to if he hurts you again.”

  Piper smiled at the threat against a man like Jax coming from someone like Kelly, but her friend’s voice was fierce, and Piper knew she meant every word.

  “Thanks, Kel. I appreciate it a lot,” she replied.

  Amelia touched her on the arm, drawing her attention. “I’m going to go on back and see Seth, if that’s all right with you.”

  Waving her off, Piper said, “Sure, that’s fine. Thanks for keeping me company.”

  “Anytime,” Amelia replied, smiling before making her way down the bleachers.

  Turning back to the ring, she watched as Jax and Ian bumped fists before stepping back. Then quick as a lightning strike, Jax threw his fist at Ian’s face, connecting with a powerful blow Piper swore she heard from where she sat. And from there, it was on.

  Her concern for Jax disappeared as she watched the fight unfold. He was focused and precise, not backing down an inch, striking quick as a snake. He used his whole body, throwing his weight behind his punches and kicks, defensive when he needed to be, but on the offensive for the whole fight.

  He dominated it. He was a beast. He was amazing. He was fucking hot.

  It came as no surprise that he won the fight. Even after he started to walk back to the stalls, she was still frozen in awe. She remembered him saying once when they were younger that he wanted to fight. And look at him now. He’d not only learned to fight, but he’d become the best in the process.

  He paused at the edge of the walkway and turned, searching her out. When he found her, he gestured for her to come on back, and then he disappeared.

  “Looks like he wants to celebrate his win with you,” Kelly said mischievously.

  Lips quirking, Piper said, “We rode over here together. He probably just wants to leave.”

  “Yeah, right,” Kelly snorted. “You’re not fooling me with that. I’m gonna head on home, but you go get ‘em, tiger. Literally,” she said with a wink, eyes twinkling.

  Laughing, Piper waved as Kelly stood and made her way down the bleachers, and then stood with a sigh. She felt incredibly nervous about seeing Jax again after her earlier thoughts, but it wasn’t like he’d know what she was thinking. And she needed to forget about it for now. She still didn’t know if she wanted to start things again with him.

  But she knew she needed to make up her mind soon. Things were moving fast, and she needed to put a halt to it now, if that was really what she wanted.

  Jax pulled his shirt down over his head just as Piper knocked on the side of the stall, peeking around the edge. Smiling, he gestured her forward.

  “I’m dressed now, and decent. At least in body,” he said, winking.

  Seemingly flustered, she looked around the stall. “Did everyone leave already?”

  “Yep, a minute ago.”

  “Oh,” she said softly before walking closer and finally looking him in the eyes. “You were amazing out there. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “Thanks,” he replied, resisting the urge to puff up like a rooster.

  “Remember when we were kids, and you said you wanted to learn how to fight? You did it. Not only learned how, but you kick ass at it. Literally,” she said with a laugh. “I’m proud of you, Jax.”

  His heart did this weird melty thing in his chest, and feeling like a twelve-year-old girl, he shrugged. “I just worked hard, is all. You did it, too, Pippy. You always wanted to be an artist. And now you sell your paintings all over the place. I’m proud of you, too.”

  “I guess we both realized our dreams,” she said with a grin.

  “Some of them,” he said, stepping forward and cupping her cheek. “But not the most important one.”

  Leaning into his touch, she gazed up at him with big violet eyes, and he knew she understood what he
meant. She gave an almost imperceptible nod, and his heart leapt in his chest. Bending down, he kissed her lips softly, and then with increasing intensity. When he pulled back, they were both fighting for air, and her eyes were hazy.

  Smiling, his eagle soaring high inside him, he said, “Let’s get you home.”

  She just nodded, and he turned to grab his gym bag, throwing the strap over his shoulder and guiding her to his truck. The drive to her house was made in silence, the air between them taut with meaning and understanding. He felt like she was finally giving in to him, to her feelings. Finally giving the go ahead to move things along, and the relief he felt would have been enough to knock him on his ass if he wasn’t already sitting.

  Pulling up to her house, he got out at the same time she did. Meeting her at the front of the truck to walk with her to the door, he frowned at the strong smell of freshly turned dirt, looking around for the source.

  “What the fuck?” Piper hissed, leaving his side and jetting up the sidewalk.

  Frowning after her, he noticed what had her upset, and took off after. Standing beside her, they both stared at the bottom of the porch steps. Both of the flower pots that bracketed the top of the porch stairs were smashed, lying broken on the sidewalk.

  “Who would—oh my God, Snickers.” Rushing forward before he could stop her, she tried the door knob. “Still locked,” she muttered, digging for her keys.

  Quickly putting his hand over hers, he gently pried the keys from her fingers. “Being locked doesn’t mean they didn’t get inside. Let me go in. You stay out here until I get done searching the house.”

  “You’re out of your ever lovin’ delusional damned mind if you think I’m standing out here in the dark while you search the house. Besides, I have to check on Snickers. Have to, Jackson Brody.”

  Seeing the wisdom in her words, he nodded. “Okay, but you stick right next to me while I check out the house. I mean, stuck to me like glue, Piper Jasmine.”