Page 26 of Dating After the End of the World
“Whatever. I don’t care if you two are friends, but I am going on the run,” I say, throwing my hands on my hips.
“No. You aren’t,” Blake pipes in.
“Yes. I am.”
“Dale, back me up here.” He looks to my father, appealing for his assistance in a matter that shouldn’t concern either of them.
“Casey, I’m sorry, but like I said, we have rules in place, and everyone has to follow them.”
“That’s right.” Blake nods. “You need to pass firearms training and hand-to-hand combat before you can go on a run.”
I doubt anyone here has experienced anything close to what I went through yesterday. They have no idea what’s even out there.
“I’ve seen more action than everyone here combined,” I say, clenching my jaw.
“It’s not a contest, Doomsday. Anyone can kill. It’s about making sure everyone comes home safe.”
I’m so sick of his smug attitude. “Everyone will come home safe,” I seethe through my teeth. “Because I can handle myself just fine.”
“Okay then. Come at me,” Blake says, waving me toward him with a flick of his fingers.
I scrunch up my face. “What?”
“Prove it, and I’ll tell you what—if you can take me down, or even come close, I’ll let you come.” He smirks.
“That’s not even a fair fight. You’re a NavySeal, and you’re twice my size.”
“Great. So we’re in agreement. You aren’t ready.” Blake turns and starts off toward the truck. “Let’s go, JJ. We’ve got a sweet supply run to go on.”
Gripped by fury, I roll my shoulders back, dig my heels into the ground, and launch myself into a full sprint. Just as I’m about to drop my shoulder into Blake’s spine, he quickly steps to the side, letting me reel forward. My own momentum causes me to topple to the ground, ungracefully somersaulting as I do so.
“Nice try, Crazy Pearson. The element of surprise is certainly a powerful asset ... when you actually have it, that is.” Blake stands over me, smiling.
He offers me a helping hand, but I swat it away. “I don’t need your help.” Panting, I pull myself up and get back on my feet.
“Suit yourself. Now, are you done?”
“Not even close.” I square up with him, fists raised, making him think I’ll attack at any second. JJ and Dad take a step back, giving us our space. I stare intensely as I circle Blake like a predator with its prey, waiting for the right moment to strike. He watches me, half-amused, but he won’t be soon. I fake a low jab at his kidney, then bring my right arm around in a dramatic, overly telegraphed hook motion. Halfway through, I dive and shoot down toward his legs.
Blake doesn’t bite at either punch. When I plunge forward, he merely steps back and pushes my head down, forcing me to land right on my face. Grass and dirt enter my open mouth, and I choke on the unwelcome micro forest. I spit several times, trying to get it all out, and wipe my face with the back of my forearm.
“Give it up, Casey.” He leans down and pats my back twice between my shoulder blades, punctuating my defeat. But what he thinks was the sharp wrap of a period is merely a comma to me.
I roll onto my back and, with a quick sweeping motion, kick Blake’s legs out from under him. His tailbone smashes into the ground before his head rocks back, following suit.
“Damn,” JJ gasps.
“That’s my girl,” Dad says.
I flip over and mount him, pinning his arms under each of my knees. One hand hovers over his throat, while the other is cocked back, ready to strike if needed. “Yield,” I say, grinning.
Blake smiles back, and then he drives his shoulders into the earth, lifts his chest, and rolls his hips. In an instant, his boots are right in front of my face before they cross in an X over my chest, pulling me back and slamming me into the ground.
He sits up and looks down at me pinned to the grass. “Not bad, Pearson. Not bad at all.”
“Get off of me,” I yell as I try to writhe out of his grip, but I can barely move under the weight of his legs.
“Then yield.” He smirks. The green in his eyes glows with excitement at his forthcoming victory, but he’s going to have to earn it.
