Page 23 of Caged

There’s a line wrapped around the building on any given night, full of people waiting to get inside to hear a band, have a drink, and enjoy the cool industrial vibe happening. Luckily for us, he’s also got a VIP section, complete with restricted access and a private bar sitting at the top of a black metal staircase, overlooking the dance floor and stage below.

That’s where we’re hanging tonight. Becket and I have claimed the corner table, while Cooper dances with the girls downstairs. Max is home with his very pregnant wife, and Jace is approaching us now, late, as usual. The only thing that little shit’s ever on time for is hockey practice.

“Hey, bitch-ass. How are you feeling?” He drops down into an empty seat and grabs Becks’s beer.

Becks gives him aWhat the fuck?look. “Bitch-ass? That’s the best you can do? You’re a hockey player, brother. Shouldn’t your smack-talk be better than that? You better up your game before you go pro.”

I glare at our youngest brother. “Who you calling bitch-ass, you little spanker? Even hurt, I can still take you.”

Jace lifts his arm to show off his muscles, then smiles. “You wish you had guns like these.”

“Jesus Christ. You gonna whip your dick out next, asshole?” Sawyer stands behind him, then passes out another round of beer. “Put that shit away before Hudson sends you back to school, crying to your coach.”

Sawyer has been coming and going as he deals with whatever the hell he’s dealing with downstairs. The place is a madhouse since word leaked that Six Day War was doing a surprise set tonight. Imogen’s band, Sinners & Saints, did their normal set earlier, and the crowd’s getting anxious, waiting for the main event. “Where’s your girl, Becks?”

“Shh,” Jace groans. “Don’t ask about the dragon queen.”

“Don’t insult the dragons.” Sawyer drops down into the seat next to me, then laughs when Becks flips him off.

Becket has been with his girl longer than any of us thought it would last, and not a single one of us can figure out why.

“What’s caught your eye, Hud?” Sawyer watches me closely, then looks over the open railing of the VIP section—down to the dance floor below as the band talks to everyone between songs—then settles back in his chair. “Oh, I’ve got you. It’s not a what, but a who.”

There’s no way to miss who has my attention.

Maddie stands dead-center in front of the stage, with a light shining above her, giving her a golden glow. Cooper, Carys, and Chloe are all there with her as they cheer on the band.

But damn... It’s her. She’s fucking incredible.

“How are things going with Maddie?” Becks asks, happy to have the attention off him for a minute.

“Yeah, Hud. Howarethings going with the little yoga teacher?” Jace lifts his beer to his lips with a fucking smirk I want to knock right off his face.

“Shut the fuck up, jackoff. She’s got a name, and nothing’s going on.”

Jace raises his hands in fake surrender. “Hey, you just seem upset for a guy who’s not interested in the girl. So you wouldn’t care if I go down and dance with her for a while, right?”

He stands before Becks shoves the chair into the back of Jace’s knees, knocking him forward. “Knock it off, kid. Don’t be a dick.”

Jace ignores Becks and pushes back, then flips him off. “I’m getting another beer. Anybody need anything?”

Nobody does, and we all watch him cross the space to the bar before Becks turns back to Sawyer and me. “That’s his third beer. What’s going on with him? He hasn’t been here that long. Does he seem like he’s in a shit mood to you?”

I shrug. “Leave him alone. It’s the end of the semester. He’s probably got finals happening, and I know he and Max have been arguing about him entering the draft.”

“I swear to God, I’m never having kids.” Becks squirms.

Sawyer and I both laugh.

“Both of you can fuck off.”

Sawyer stands back up. “Listen, I’ve gotta get back downstairs, but I meant to tell you Spider Reynolds is downstairs with his entourage.”

“The guy with the serious hard-on for you? I saw him talking shit on the sports channel the other day,” Becks adds.

“Yeah. We all have. The dick wants a fight, but he hasn’t fucking earned it. I don’t give them away. You wanna fight me—get in line and pay your dues.” We might all have to fight each other in the cage, but most of us shake hands afterward. There’s a respect there for the sport and for each other. But this douche has neither.

Sawyer looks down at the stage then back at me. “Yeah well, it looks like he’s made his way to your girl.”

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