Page 52 of Brightness

He’s wasted, but it doesn’t give him the right to kiss her if she doesn’t want it. And I can see she doesn’t want it—her eyes were wide as she slapped and pushed at him.

“Oh, hey, Voi—”

My fist slamming straight into Dash’s eye socket makes him spin and fly face-first into the pool table. My knuckles hurt like a bitch, but it’s nothing compared to the pain searing through my side. I need to be careful, but right now, when I look at Dash, all I see is fucking red.

I reach out and grab him by the collar of his shirt, but as I do, he turns and pushes forward with all of his energy, ramming me back. I unleash a groan as the agony in my ribs becomes blinding. So much so, I can’t fucking breathe as he slams me down to the floor. I can’t function for even a second through the pain before his fist comes back, slamming straight into my jaw. The drunken assholes all cheer, enjoying the brawl rather than moving in to end it.

“Stop it!” Ivy screams, but Dash doesn’t let up, slamming me with another fist into my eye socket.

Suddenly, Dash is knocked away from me, and when I look up, Ivy’s standing there, shaking out her hand while Dash gawks at her, rubbing his face.

Did she just hit him?

“That’s enough! You two are fucking ridiculous. And Dash, hitting Void in the ribs? What were you thinking?” Ivy berates.

Nycto walks over, rubbing his chin in disapproval. “Prospect, you attacked the VP. There will be consequences. Chapel, now. Void, go to your room and sleep it off. Party’s over for both of you.”

I try to stand and cough, still finding it hard to breathe.

Ivy moves into my side, helping me up. “You’re a damn idiot… but thank you,” she whispers in my ear as she leads me through the drunken bikers to the hall.

“I know Dash wanted you to choose him, Ivy. I overheard him in the lab last night. Then seeing him try to kiss you just now… fuck.”

Ivy grimaces as we enter my room, but she takes me over to my bed and lays me down. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It’s not because I felt bad for him or anything. It’s because you’re hurt, and I just… I didn’t want this to happen. I didn’t want you to get worked up and get yourself hurt even more trying to knock him out.”

I exhale, shaking my head. “I don’t care how fucking hurt I get, Ivy. I will always fight for what’s mine.”

She huffs, then leans in and grabs the hem of my shirt angrily. “For the record, I’m mine. I don’t care if Nycto ‘bought’ me, I don’t belong to anyone. Now, take off your shirt. I need to check your ribs.”

I help her pull my shirt off, and she winces. “Shit, Void! Dammit! The bruising’s worse. Maybe I should get Nerve in here?”

I wave my hand through the air dismissively. “He’s drunk. He’ll be no help.”

Ivy slowly sits on the bed beside me. “Can you take a deep breath for me?”

I somehow find the strength to smirk. “You going all ‘medical Ivy’ on me now?”

She rolls her eyes. “Just appease me, will you?”

I inhale as deep as I can. It hurts like hell, but I’m able to do it. I have to admit, it does relieve me, as I was concerned when I was winded out there that my fractured rib might have punctured my lung. It hurt that fucking much, and I couldn’t draw a breath.

“Good. Now stay here, I need to get some ice for your fucking… everything.”

She stands, and I reach out, grabbing her arm. She turns back to me, and I stare into her eyes. “Thank you…”

“It’s not him I want, Void.” She leans down to place an extremely gentle kiss on my lips.

I guess she’s trying not to hurt me.

Then she pulls back, heading out to grab some ice. I have to admit, it’s good hearing her say the words.

But having a fight with Dash with everyone watching?

Yeah, that was not my finest hour.

What a clusterfuck.

The Next Morning

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