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40

-Devon-

Nateofferedmeabeer, but I refused, still not trusting myself to drink. Maybe I just didn’t have the desire. In my heart, I knew I could casually have a few, but in my mind, I doubted myself like a motherfucker. That alcohol poisoning and overdose scared the shit out of me. Not because I’d almost died, but because I’d resorted to that kind of coping mechanism like it was the only one I had. I needed to learn to do better, handle my shit better, and ask for help when I needed it. Life had been pretty damn good since Maddox got home, and as long as I had him by my side, I knew he’d keep me in check even if I wanted to indulge every once in a while.

“What are we even doing here?” I asked Nate.

“What? You used to love this shit,” he laughed.

“Yeah, back when I used it as an excuse to beat the shit out of Madd.” Maybe that wasn’t such a bad idea for tonight after all.

The main beach at Garron Park had been cleared and ringed with old vehicles, shining their headlights at the makeshift fighting ring. Garron Park Fight Night was crowded tonight, but the vibe of it was good and wholesome. Currently, two chicks were battling it out over who got to keep the curling iron they’d split on.

I really did love fight night. It was the perfect place to let out aggression, blow off some steam, and shed some frustrations in a safe-ish, controlled environment. To the people here, fight night was therapy, and that shit worked wonders. It only took me this long to realize that all those times we’d fought, Maddox had been my therapist on nights just like this. We’d beat the shit out of each other until neither of us could stand, and even though my body would be in pain, I always felt better after. I hadn’t known why at the time, but I understood it now.

“You telling me you don’t love the thrill of this anymore?” Nate asked, edging closer to the front of the circle to get a better view.

People cheered for the girls fighting, egging them on, and amping them up. “Nah, I love it. Where’s Madd and Xavi?” I scanned the crowd, looking for a pair of tall, dark-haired idiots. One of them would be laughing and the other would be brooding.

“They’re here somewhere,” Nate said. “Finish her, Karen! Get that straightener!”

“Curling iron,” I corrected.

“Curling iron! It’s yours, babe!” His beer sloshed all over the place.

I had no idea where Maddox was, but once Karen won the curling iron, two older fucks hopped into the ring; they had a BBQ on the line. Shit, I could have used a BBQ.

“Everyone’s betting big tonight,” I laughed.

“What’re we betting?” Maddox asked, showing up at my side like a dark shadow. His thick, deep tone did something sinister to me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Please,” I scoffed. “We don’t have shit to put on the line.”

“Alright,” Maddox shrugged. “So the winner gets to pick his prize after the fight. Deal?”

I studied him, trying to figure out his deal. His face was stern, his smirk was honest, and his green eyes weren’t shying away from mine. “Shit, you’re serious?” I laughed. “No. Hell no. We aren’t fighting each other, Madd.” I backed away from him.

“Why not?”

“Because. Because you got fucking shot and—”

“That was half a year ago. I’m fine. Fight me.”

“No.”

“Pussy.”

“Fuck you!” I shoved him in the chest. “You’re a little bitch about your job, Madd. You seriously think you can hold your own in there? I had to pick you up off the lawn last week.”

“Fight me and find out. Let’s go.” He wasn’t even joking. “I already know what I want when I win.”

“Whenyou… Oh, fuck no. Don’t make me beat your ass just to put you in your place. We’re supposed to be past this.”

“But we aren’t.” He grinned at me. “Where’s my place, Devon?” he purred seductively, bumping his chest against mine. “Hmm?”

“On your fucking knees in front of me,” I snapped at him.

“Then fight me for it.” He tapped my cock. “Unless you’re afraid to look like a bitch in front of all these people.” He tilted his head.

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