Page 189 of Scatter the Bones

I’m…a friend. A guest. Someone who belongs here.

Heidi and her daughter stop by for a few minutes. But after Alexa watches the screen for a bit, she tries to mimic one of the fighters’ moves on Z’s son, Chance.

“That’s our cue to go back to the dining room,” Heidi mutters, while Murphy scoops up his mini menace before a full toddler cage match breaks out.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is just as pleasantly chaotic.

Then, the television screen goes dark except for thousands of twinkling lights in the arena.

“This is it!” Teller shouts. “It’s starting!”

A low hum of anticipation zips around us.

The theme song to Halloween starts playing.

“What the fuck? The guy’s using the Halloween theme song as his walkout?” Sparky shouts. “What a doofus. I hope Griff rocks that dude into next year.”

“Who knew Sparky was so bloodthirsty,” Serena titters.

While Griff’s opponent takes a lap around the entire arena, the screen splits, showing a full hallway of jittering men.

Stash jumps up off his blanket and points at the screen. “There’s Remy.”

Hope squeals. “There’s Wrath. Oh my God, he looks ready to chuck people left and right.”

The camera zooms in on Griff squinting into the light and Molly handing him a pair of sunglasses.

“Awww, they’re so cute,” I sigh.

“There’s Dawson.” Heidi elbows Murphy’s side. “I’msojealous we couldn’t go with them. Shelby said the private plane was a-maze-ing.”

“Next time,” he promises her.

The screen shifts to just showing Mike “Magic” Everson again. Sparky’s right, the guy looks like a doofus, hurling insults and talking trash about Griff.

The camera switches again.

The whole parade of people backstage starts walking down the long hall into the arena. A loud, grinding country song blares from the speakers. Lights flash everywhere.

“I never realized it was such a spectacle,” I murmur. “It’s all so… theatrical.”

“Right?” Lilly flashes a grin. “Men aresodramatic.”

I shake with laughter and nod.

The announcer’s voice booms, rattling off betting stats—how the odds are laughably against Griff. Making it sound like he’s a charity case.

Indignation flares in my chest. “That’s rude. Why would he be there if he has no chance of winning?”

Teller turns and grins at me. “Let ’em keep underestimating him.” He rubs his fingers together in the universal sign for money. “Only benefits us.”

“Is it too late for me to place a bet?”

“Nope.” He rattles off a bunch of different options—which mean nothing to me, finally promising to place fifty on Griff to win by knockout.

“Oh!” Heidi jumps out of her chair and points at the TV. “There’s Shelby and Molly.”

“Shelby looks so cute in that jumpsuit!” Serena gushes.

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