Page 46 of Grace of Spades
"It's true. She was... so beautiful. I walked right up to her with all the confidence in the world and I said -"
"Hey babe, wanna ditch these losers and come back to my place?" Mom says from the door with an amused grin. "Your uncles were not happy."
"I'll admit it. My brain wasn't working at the time." He shrugs making me laugh. "She decked me before her brothers could and said 'if you can't speak to me properly, don't speak at all.' I knew right then she was the one for me." I watch as mom makes her way over and kisses my dad on the cheek. I've always wanted a relationship like theirs. They're so in love. Not that it isn't gross to see your parents in compromising positions when you accidentally walk into the kitchen at the wrong time for a midnight snack. Yeah, that has happened far too often. But I find myself oddly okay with scarring my own children if it's with Grace.
"Go, get your girl." Dad smiles at me before turning back to my mom with affection. Don't have to tell me twice.
17
Grace
Kennedy drives us down to Rudy's and I can tell she's a bit nervous. She keeps fidgeting and chattering a mile a minute.
"Come on! Relax!" I say leading her through the noisy crowd to the bar. "Mel! Come here!" I shout leaning over the counter. I see the giant grin of the gorgeous Latina bartender. She has a red wiggle dress clinging to her curves. Her dark curls are pulled back with a matching red bandana. She looks like she should be plastered on a 1950's billboard for sex appeal.
"Gracie! I'm so happy you're here!" She says bringing me into a hug. I watch her eyes roam over Kennedy. "Who's your friend?" She asks with interest.
"This is Kennedy. This is her first fight can she stay with you while I get ready later?" I ask already knowing the answer.
"Absolutely." Mel grins.
"Thank you! We'll be back." I wink at her.
"Be sure you do." She smiles at Kennedy as we walk off.
"Holy hell. I need to come here more often." Kennedy pants.
"I knew you'd like her. She's good people." I smile.
"Ladies!" I hear Alek call out. I turn to see both him and Keir walking to us through the crowd.
"Gracie!" I hear from behind me. I turn to see Rudy pushing some guy out of the way. "Good, you're here early! I need you to go on now. Someone just bailed."
"Yeah. No biggie. Just let me get ready and I'll be out. Give me fifteen?"
"You got it." He grins. I turn to the guys and shrug.
"Guys, can you bring Kennedy to the bar?" I ask. They nod and I hurry to the locker room.
I blast Ivy Levan on my speakers as I get dressed. My black sports bra covers my tattoo so I don't have to worry about that as I tie my hair back into double french braids. My black shorts are tight to my body so I don't get taken down by my clothes. That would suck. I wrap my hands and feet and head out to the cage.
I'm heading down the hall when I see Jai. Why?! I try to keep quiet so he doesn't see me but it seems like luck is not on my side.
"Gracie! You're up!" Rudy calls and Jai's dark eyes are on me in an instant. I jog past him as he calls to me. I wave an apology at him and climb into the cage. I would rather have the crap kicked out of me than have to deal with him... or any of The Heirs right now.
My opponent is a goddamn Amazon. Her dark hair is long and pulled up into a bun. Her dark eyes are hard with a bruise under her left eye. This isn't her first fight tonight. She'll be getting tired faster but I can tell she’s riding the adrenaline high. It's a good thing I have shit to work out of my system tonight.
"Give it up for Gracie!" Rudy shouts. I hear some familiar voices cheer for me. "And the returning, Carmen!" I hear her cheerleaders holler for her. We bump fists and wait for Rudy to give us the signal to start.
"Fight!"
Carmen charges towards me, so I slide out of her way and land a hit to her side. She grunts at the impact, and we circle each other until she grabs a hold of my head and lands a knee on my ribs. I grab her hands and drop backward, tossing her over me with a kick to her chest. She flies into the side of the cage as I flip onto my feet. I watch her spit blood onto the floor before she charges at me again. I manage to land a solid punch to her chin, knocking her out.
I back up as Rudy calls the match. I make sure she's okay but stay where I am because I still have some shit I need to work through. I can do another fight. I give Rudy a nod, and he sends up another girl. Layla is a tall, thin woman with fire in her eyes.
This girl starts strong with a punch to my jaw. Yes! This is what I wanted! Maybe I'll get that sweet coma after all.
I grin viciously as I meet her hit for hit. We're bloody and panting when she charges in for a grapple and I lock my legs around her head and start landing blow after blow to her until she taps my thigh. I release her and help her up. I can tell she took a few solid hits her eyes look a bit glazed so I help her down to the medic.
