Page 69 of West Bound

“We both know Red can’t be locked down. Hell…how many men has she slept with from this team alone only to say it’s just sex. I don’t even want to know how much dick she’s been getting from the football and basketball players.” Manny smarts and I want to put my fist through his ugly face.

“Shit, you’re right. He probably saved us from gonorrhea and a loose cunt,” Rami snickers.

“Nah man,” a third voice joins in. “Kenrick said she’s tight. Slick and tight, are the words he used to describe her.”

“Well all I can say now is fuck that bitch. Maybe I’ll let her take a ride if she begs once Nix drops her.”

My temper has surpassed boiling point and those three cunt rags better hope someone is there to stop me from killing them.

I stomp into the room, practically running, and slam my fist into Rami’s face without saying a word.

“Phoenix. No!” I hear someone yell, but it’s too late. I’ve straddled him on the ground and pummel my fist into his face over and over.

He squirms beneath and tries to free himself, but nothing can stop a man’s rage when it comes to defending the woman he’s on his way to loving.

Rami’s hands fly up to cover his face and he tries to get some hits in, succeeding in a gut punch or two. Then suddenly, I’m being knocked sideways by a body. I barely get a look before Manny’s fist connects with my jaw.

“You motherfucker. I’m going to kill you!” I roar and push Manny with all my strength, sending him flying backwards.

I scramble over to him and do the same to his face as I did to Rami’s. Arms pull at me but they’re no match for the fury that rages through my body. Manny’s fist flies out and lands on my cheek. The pain should jolt me to a stop, but it’s like a soft wind blowing across my face because all I can feel is the power of my anger.

“What the fuck is going on?” Coach’s voice rises above the shouts of everyone and I’m finally stopped with my attack when it feels like an octopus wraps me in its tentacles. “West! Stop!”

My chest is heaving and I feel a trickle of something slide down my face. My body is vibrating with fury and I just want to rip myself out of the arms that hold me back and finish the job I was so determined to do on Rami and Manny.

“Don’t you ever fucking talk about my girl again. I’m going to murder you two sons of bitches. Let me go!” I start pushing again while the arms pull tighter and tighter.

Someone helps Manny to his feet and I see blood dripping from his nose and lip. His left eye is already swelling shut and he looks like he got roughed up in a dark alley. Rami isn’t much better, but at least he can stand on his own whereas Manny needs two guys to help him stand.

“You’re finished. I’ll make sure of it,” Rami wheezes between sucking in air.

“Watch your fucking back, Ramirez. I heard every goddamn thing you said about Vivian and you’re a dead man the second they let me GO!”

“West! Calm the fuck down now before I send your ass to AAA!” coach bellows in my ear, finally getting me to stop resisting.

Rami spits out a mouth full of blood at my feet and it enrages me all over again.

“Get those two out of here,” coach yells at some of the guys. “Tuck. Philo. Take West to my office. Now!”

“C’mon, man. Chill out. You’re going to get your ass kicked out of here.” Tuck grips me by one bicep with Philo holding on to the other and together they pull me to coach’s office.

They drop me into a chair, then remain flanking me on either side until coach bursts in, slamming the door shut behind him.

“What the hell is wrong with you, West? Manny’s goddamn face looks like a busted mit. I should send your ass down for this shit.” His hand slams against his desk and a picture falls face down.

“I’m not sorry, coach. I’ll apologize to you for bringing this into the clubhouse but if I see those two on the streets, I’m going to finish the job.” I can hear my voice shake as the adrenaline starts to dwindle.

“I don’t want to fucking hear that, West. Just tell me what the hell happened.”

Philo and Tuck stand by me as I rehash the things those two douchebags said about Vivian. I repeat every damn word they say and when asked, Philo and Tuck confirm it all. When I’m done, coach drops his head into his hands looking exhausted and wanting to be anywhere but here.

“I’m sorry you heard them saying those things but you know I’m going to have to suspend you without pay.”

“Yes, coach,” I tell him. “What about them?”

“Well unfortunately, it looks like they’ll be on the disabled list until they can be seen out on the field. Seven to ten days.” He sighs and gives me a small shake of his head. “You’ve put me in a bad spot, West. This is going to hurt our lineup. Especially not having you. We’re leading in the standings, but that could all change without you pitching for ten games.”

“Ten games?” I shout. “Coach…c’mon.”

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