Page 66 of A Fighter’s Love

It caught Dale on the chin, making his head snap backward.

Dale instantly retaliated with a fast left jab which hit Billy just to the right of his cheekbone.

“Jesus Christ.” Jackson shot into the room. He moved fast and caught Billy’s arm as he tried to fire off another punch.

“Get the hell off me,” Billy said, lunging for Dale in what was a more of a street fighter’s move than a boxer’s move.

Dale skipped to the right. His hands were up, ready for defense or strike.

Jenny clasped her fingers under her chin. How the hell had it come to this?

“What the fuck is going on?” Jackson didn’t let go of Billy.

“I mean it, get off me. Or you’re banned too.” Billy glowered at Jackson.

“Yeah, like that’s going to happen.” Jackson put his face close to Billy’s. His biceps bulged, the tendons in his neck stood out. “So shut the fuck up.”

Billy dragged his arm back, putting all his body weight into it.

Jackson let him go but put himself between Dale and Billy.

“Let me the fuck at him,” Billy said. “This is the bastard who’s taken my girl away from me. I just saw them kissing.” He swung an evil glare at Jenny.

She pressed her hands to her lips though held his gaze. He was a big, mean bastard but she wasn’t scared of him. At least not when Dale and Jackson were there.

“So I’m going to fucking kill him.” Billy raised his fists again. “For what he’s done.”

“Yeah, you really think you can?” Dale said, rounding his shoulders and dropping his arms. He stepped closer, his body seeming to grow in size. “Come on then. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Billy lunged forward.

Jackson placed his gloved hand on Billy’s chest and shoved him away.

Billy staggered back, hitting the desk and sending several things flying to the floor.

Dale shot around Jackson, fury on his face. He was all about the fight now. Jenny could tell.

“Take this into the damn ring!”

Jackson, Dale and Billy all stilled at the sound of Michael’s booming voice.

“Whatever the hell this is about.” Michael glanced at Jenny then swung his gaze around them all. “Take it into the ring. You’re not cage fighters. You’re boxers. Show a bit of respect for each other and the sport.” He paused. “Gloves on, not off.” He pointed at the door. “Now.”

“Yeah, suits me,” Dale said, wiping his forearm over his damp brow. “I’ll take him in the ring any time.”

“No,” Jenny said, stepping forward. “That’s not necessary.”

“Yeah it is,” Billy said. “I’m gonna kick lover boy’s ass.”

“You think so, you really fucking think so?” Dale said, grabbing his red gloves. “Come on then. If you’ve got the bottle to.” He stormed from the room, his shoulder brushing Michael’s as he strode past.

Billy turned in a circle, as if not quite sure what to do with himself. Then he dragged off his t-shirt and flung it onto the desk. He wrenched open the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet, narrowly missing knocking Jenny’s leg, and pulled out a pair of navy blue boxing gloves.

He stood tall, downturned his mouth and marched out. Michael followed him.

“Jackson,” Jenny said, reaching for him. “You can’t let them do this.”

“It’s not up to me.” He frowned at her.

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