Page 35 of Something Borrowed

“Hey, he’s going in.” Tuomo slaps me excitedly on my back and points his chin towards Celso who he walking towards the fight ring.

“Hells ye.” I cheer him on, blending in and giving them no reason to think I am up to anything at all. “What’s his opponent like?”

“Fast. And dangerous. But Celso is faster. It’s going to be a close fight though.” Masaccio says, tilting his beer back and downing half of it.

Tuomo chuckles. “He’s going to be hurting after this.”

“Nothing a few drinks won’t solve at the afterparty.” Mas laughs.

I glance from Mas to Tuomo and then across the ring to Celso. For the briefest of moments I feel like I am part of the family. A sense of belonging I’ve been craving all my life. But it’s fleeting. Disintegrating before it takes hold inside of me.

It’s easy to pretend though. Just for now.

Until I can make my move.

The ref stands between Celso and his opponent.

“Let’s have a clean fight.” He shouts, then steps back and blows his whistle to show the start of this round.

Neither Celso nor his opponent waste even a second of time. They both fly forward, attacking with force and energy.

Celso drops low at the last second and swings his fist up towards the other guys chin, connecting with a snap and causing his head to jolt backwards.

The crowd erupts in screaming chaos.

A thick layer of goosebumps spreads across my arms.

It’s exhilarating.

It’s so raw to watch them beat the living shit out of each other and have thousands of people scream encouragement at them.

I didn’t anticipate getting so involved in the fight, but as each moment passes, I become excited about it.

Celso is fucking good.

Tuomo was right. His opponent is fast, but Celso is faster.

A spinning kick to the head sends Celso flying across the mat.

I hold my breath, waiting for him to get up.

Tuomo and Mas are shouting next to me. “Get up. Get the fuck up.”

Just as his opponent reaches him Celso kicks upwards and sends the guy stumbling away. Then he’s back on his feet and I feel a current of relief.

When Celso takes the guy down, it’s brutal.

He hits him so hard his mouth guard goes flying out of his mouth, somewhere into the crowd. The guy spins and lands flat on his face, not moving.

The ref counts and the entire crowd is silent, holding their breath, waiting.

“Winner.” The ref shouts, grabbing Celso’s hand and lifting it high into the air. My brothers are going crazy next to me, jumping and cheering.

I stare across the ring towards Verity. She licks her lips and runs her fingertips over her collar bone. My cock stirs and heat burns beneath my skin.

Soon, vixen.

One of her friends grabs her arm and pulls her from her seat. I hear her shouting something about the afterparty.

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