Page 44 of Brutal Days

“There goes your friend’s boy!” Tucker had to shout over the crowd’s cheers as Damon entered the Ring.

I didn’t know Damon’s much larger opponent. He had to be from a different school, which was typical for those events.Could the guy be in college?A sliver of worry went through me, but I quickly shoved it aside. I didn’t care what happened to him. But I didn’t mind checking him out. Nothing wrong with that. He was incredible, all six foot two of sculpted muscle that I wouldn’t mind running my hands or tongue over.

The announcer did his thing, then Damon and the other beast—who I’d learned was named Steve—circled each other. Goose bumps peppered my skin at the savage expression Damon wore. He moved fast, his fist extending toward Steve’s chin. The guy’s head snapped back when Damon made contact. He threw a second punch, but Steve managed to block it. They went back and forth with similar combinations. Some made impact. Others, they blocked. It was brutal and adrenaline inducing.

By round two, the crowd was screaming, and both fighters had cuts. Damon’s eye was swollen, and his lip had split. It only added fuel to his determination. I cringed as he hit Steve so hard the guy’s head snapped back and he stumbled. It was over in a handful of seconds when Damon followed that hit with another across Steve’s chin.

Tense and agitated, I found watching him fight hot. I turned to Tucker, motioning for the flask, and took another long pull, needing the alcohol to numb my overactive mind. It wasn’t doing me much good.

When I put the cap back on and extended my arm, Tucker’s eyes went wide, and his hand dropped from my waist.When had he put it there?I didn’t remember him touching me. My reactions were slower. I turned to follow what had spooked Tucker and caught a blur before he went down to the ground.

Holy fuck!Damon straddled him, raining punches on Tucker.

“Stop, you asshole!” I screamed then stepped close to help.

Phoenix grabbed me and shifted me behind him. Next, he and Shane tore Damon away and hauled him back. Horrified, I bent to check on Tucker and, with the help of one of his friends, got him to his feet.

“You need to leave, Sky,” Phoenix said close to my ear before they herded a snarling Damon in the opposite direction.

I caught a glimpse of blond hair as Gia fawned over him. Not once did she look my way, and I hated every second of that. It was like Gia had become someone else.

Fuck it.I didn’t need to be told twice. I hit the Uber app on my phone and ordered a ride, deciding that helping Tucker after Damon’s bullshit beatdown took precedence over saving money for Mom’s birthday. By the time I had pushed through the crowd with Tucker and his friend and we got outside, one had arrived. I thanked Tucker’s friend, who departed, and helped Tucker get in before following him into the car.

My heart beat a thousand miles a minute.What was that?The savage fury on Damon’s face and the explosive violence had shocked me to my core.Over what?I couldn’t make total sense of it.

“I know I have a pack of tissues in here somewhere.” I rummaged through my purse as Tucker told the driver his address. “Aha.” My trembling fingers closed around the travel package of Kleenexes, and I pulled a few out for him.

Tucker shoved one in his nose to stop the bleeding. The other went to his split lip, then his head fell back against the seat. “You didn’t tell me you were dating Damon.”

“What? Are you crazy? Why would I date that idiot?”

Tucker rolled his head in my direction so he could pin me with a stern look. “Sky, the guy attacked me for having my hand on your waist. Something’s going on.”

“Please.” I snorted, feigning disgust when in truth, sheer panic chased away the buzz I’d had earlier. “I am not dating that guy.”

“Well, then screwing around with him?”

Nope. Not going there. Not analyzing what he said. Just ignoring it all.

The driver pulled up in front of Tucker’s house, and Tucker lumbered out of the car.

He grabbed the roof and bent to look back into the vehicle, a resigned smirk curving his bruised and bloody mouth. “Trust me, Sky. Even if something isn’t going on at your end, it is on his.” He pushed off the car then gave me a small wave. “Later, and thanks for the assist.” He winked his good eye—the other was already swelling shut.

After he was inside his house, I told the driver my address. My phone pinged, and I glanced at it, hoping it was Gia apologizing for deserting me. Of course, it wasn’t.

Damon:Are you fucking him?

What an asshole. I was furious and refused to answer. He sent multiple messages, asking pretty much the same thing.And if I am, how is that his business?It wasn’t.

When I didn’t answer his slew of texts, he switched to calling. I ignored everything until I got home. Mom was asleep, and I tiptoed through the house to get to my room. After shutting the door, I whipped out my phone. Another stupid message came through, asking if I was home.

Me:I’m in bed

Which was where I wanted to be. I shimmied out of my jeans and kicked them toward the laundry basket. Then I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and put on pajamas before checking my phone again. Of course, another demanding message waited from him.

Damon:Prove it

I snapped a picture of my middle finger in the center of my room with a little message to accentuate how I felt about him.There’s your proof, douchebag.

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