Chapter Sixteen

Where are you?

Crap. I scroll through my missed messages and calls. While I was trying to be here for Kyson, I totally missed my video chat with Matt. I have a few texts from Lauren, too. I click hers first, wanting to avoid another argument with Matt. I've had enough of that today. I can't deal with anything else requiring heavy emotions.

What are you up to tonight? Are you coming to the fight?

Fight?!?!

I'll swing by and pick you up. You bailed on me last night. You owe me and I swear it'll be fun.

I stare at her message. A night out away from the drama in my own life could be the escape I need.

Let me ask if it's cool if I go anywhere.

I lay my phone down, thankful for a distraction from Kyson and Matt. I'm so over boys at the moment. Maybe I should go out. It is Saturday night, after all. I doubt Matt is sitting in his dorm, pinning away for me. He's probably out with that girl he claims is just a friend.

I go down the hall and tap lightly on Helen and Uncle John's bedroom door.

Low murmurs sound and a moment later, Helen slips out the door dressed in a robe. I try not to dwell on the fact that I may have interrupted something. "Is everything okay?"

I want to confess everything to her and ask her if what Kyson said about my dad is true, but I'm a chickenshit. "Yeah. Um. It's fine. I was only wondering if it would be okay if I went out for a bit with my friend Lauren?"

"Of course. Just don't be out too late."

"I won't be. Thanks."

"Have a good time."

"I'll try," I whisper mostly to myself as I trudge back to my room, passing Kyson as he stalks into his. He ignores me completely, pretending I don't exist.

I notice this time at least he doesn't slam the door.

Probably afraid to further piss off his mom or John.

Afraid that I'll rat him out to them, but I'm sure he's counting on my silence. Counting on me not wanting to create problems.

I text Lauren back.

So what should I wear to this?

The skimpier the better. Trust me.

Skimpy. I rifle through my closet, suddenly hating everything I own, but then I remember I went shopping today.

I bought a slinky dress on a whim off the clearance rack for homecoming, but maybe I can wear it tonight. I doubt I'll go to the dance anyway. It's not like I have a date. My heart beats in anticipation as I pull out the dress. The silky fabric is a shimmering red that falls to mid-thigh, with thin spaghetti straps and a flirty v neckline. The cut is daring and unlike anything else I've worn before. The moment I saw it on the rack, I knew I had to have it.

Paired with my new sparkly red heels and some simple silver jewelry, I do a twirl in the mirror that hangs on the back of my closet door. I hardly recognize the girl looking back at me. Tonight, I won't be Dahlia, the good girl dealing with Kyson's emotional battlefields or Matt's constant demands on her time. Tonight, I will be a new version of myself.

One who gives into impulse and has fun.

Grabbing my phone, wallet, and lip gloss, I make my way downstairs just as Lauren's car pulls up outside. When I get to the door, Kyson comes from the kitchen with a bottled water.

"Off to work the corners?" He smirks as my smile falters.

Recovering quickly, I hurl a stupid insult back his way. "Maybe I'll ask around and see if anyone is desperate enough to give you a date." I jerk the door open and rush down the driveway to Lauren's car before he can inflict more of his brand of damage. I can't withstand another verbal beating from him.

"Holy shit, girl. You look red hot." She makes a sizzling sound.

"Is it too much? Should I go back and change?"

"No way. You are fire."

"I'll take your word for it," I mumble and turn up the radio in an attempt to drown out my own thoughts.

The fight, as Lauren calls it, takes place at some abandoned warehouse in the bad part of town. As soon as she parks, my stomach churns with unease.

"Tonight is a big deal," she gushes, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder.

I definitely overdressed. "Why is that?" I question, glancing around as I see Britney and her clique strut past us in denim cut-off shorts and low-cut tank tops. "Oh no. I'm not getting out of this car. Do you have something I can change into?" What was I thinking?

"Don't be silly. I promise you look amazing. This is an underground fight, but it's not a dump. People make an effort here," Lauren reassures me, squeezing my wrist "And the reason tonight is a big deal, there's some new guy from out of town. Rumor has it he's undefeated and is hella hot."

The excitement radiating from her has me hesitantly stepping out of the car. Once I see how Lauren is dressed, that nervous sensation lessens. She's not wearing a dress, but she's wearing a silver halter top paired with a black leather skirt and cute strappy sandals. I didn't know she had it in her.

"Why don't you ever dress like this for school?"

"My parents would kill me. I changed into this in the Gas N Go bathroom."

"Next time, you can get ready with me."

"Cool, but that would require you to actually invite me inside," she teases.

We share a laugh, and she links her arm through mine. "I promise you can come over one day this week for dinner."

"Will Kyson be okay with that?"

"Who cares?" I'm done caring about him.

"Fair enough." She beams and digs a few bills out of her pocket. "I forgot to tell you it's cash only. My treat."

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

We join the line with the others waiting to get inside and I hope I fly under Britney and her posse's radar. The noise flowing from the warehouse makes my heart beat faster. As we get closer, I can hear the distant roar of the crowd and the echoing sound of someone announcing rules on a microphone.

"Holy moly," I mutter under my breath as the scene unfolds around us. I've never seen anything like it.

The inside of the warehouse is chaotic. The high metal ceiling thunders with echoes with loud voices. People are everywhere: standing, sitting, leaning against walls, or shouting bets at each other while intense, menacing looking men prepare in their respective huddles and corners. My heart rate spikes further as I observe the makeshift ring set up in the center of the room.

"Told you it would be worth it. Hotter than watching football practice." Lauren grins.

"How often do they do this?"

"Once a month."

I continue to glance around the building in complete awe. This whole scene is like something out of a movie.

"That's Hudson Beyers." Lauren points to a beast of a guy covered in tattoos. "I heard he belongs to a motorcycle gang," she whispers.

"Seriously?"

"Yup. Isn't he delicious?"

"You mean dangerous?" Speaking of bad boys, immediately, I catch a glimpse of Britney and her friends along with Remy and Gauge. They all seem to be circling around someone.

My stomach drops to my feet when I see who that someone is.

Kyson.

"Um, Lo." I tug on Lauren's arm to get her attention.

"What?"

"Please tell me I'm imagining things because it looks like Kyson is psyching himself up to get in the ring."

"Surprise." She laughs awkwardly as I cringe at the size of some of the other fighters.

"He can't do this."

"He kind of does this all the time. He's pretty good."

"Does Remy and Gauge fight too?"

Lauren shakes her head. "No, they only come to watch and bet on the matches."

A mixture of fear and disbelief swirls inside me as I watch Kyson preparing for his match. His usually cocky demeanor is replaced by a focused intensity. He wraps his hands with tape and nods at his opponent with a steely gaze.

"He's really going through with this," I mutter, my gaze fixed on Kyson.

"Yep, he's been doing this for a while now," Lauren replies nonchalantly, but I can detect a hint of pride in her voice.

My stomach churns as Britney leans up and kisses him on the cheek.

Seriously? He's with her again. I don't know why the sight of them cuts me so damn deep. Kyson owes me nothing. He never made me any promises. And yet as I watch her whisper something in his ear, I can scarcely breathe. Jealousy slices at me from every angle, leaving me with open wounds that would be visible to the naked eye if he dared to look at me.

Even if he could see the hurt etched on my face, I doubt he'd care. He'd probably get off on my pain.

As the announcer calls out their names and the crowd roars in anticipation, I size up the other guy. He's broad chested but not much taller than Kyson. They take their respective places in the ring, muscles tensed and ready for the fight. The bell rings, and the first round begins.

My heart is in my throat. As upset as I am with him, I don't find any joy in the thought of someone hurting him. Even if I think he deserves to get knocked around a bit.

I watch in a daze as Kyson moves with skill that I never would have guessed he possessed. His punches are precise, and his dodges are quick.

"Come on." Lauren pulls me forward, closer to the ring.

I can't seem to tear my eyes away from Kyson, nor his opponent, who finally lands an uppercut to his ribs. Kyson takes the punishing punch with a smile as though he's reveling in the pain.

Retaliating with a flurry of quick jabs, he catches his adversary off guard, causing him to stumble back. The crowd erupts into cheers and applause, loving the brutal show. Sweat glistens on Kyson's forehead as he escapes a wild swing and counters with a swift blow to his challenger's jaw.

I find myself cheering along with the crowd, wishing Kyson to emerge as the victor when I should probably be cheering for the other contender to kick his ass. It would serve him right, but I can't deny that I care for him.

I scream out, "Yeah, Kyson," catching his attention. He loses focus, pausing to shoot me a sexy grin that has me nearly melting on the spot and for a moment I forget that I'm pissed at him. I forget his harsh words and that he brought his ex-girlfriend here tonight instead of me.

Lauren's mouth drops, then snaps shut as she yanks on my arm. It all happens quickly, but with Kyson distracted, his opponent rears back with a powerhouse punch that clips him so hard on the jaw his head snaps sideways. Fear grips me as I pray he didn't just lose a tooth as he goes down to the mat on his knees, staring up as if he's seeing stars dance before his vision.

Oh crap. If he loses, it will be my fault.

Remy and Gauge are making their way towards the ring, but Kyson staggers to his feet with a bloody grin. Despite the fierce competition and the bruises blooming on his skin, he fights with a determination and strength that leaves me breathless. The other guy is formidable, matching him jab for jab, but Kyson refuses to back down. Now steady on his feet, having recovered from the rough blow with each direct punch and evasive maneuver, he proves that he's stronger than I imagined.

He's better than good.

He's magnificent.

A sense of pride fills me as I continue to watch him dominate the match. I'm in awe as his muscles flex, gleaming with sweat. It's easy to overlook that I'm mad at him or that he's trying to rub Britney in my face to prove a point. Kyson's one hell of a fighter and not to mention Lauren is right. This is so much better than watching the guys practice football.

Britney moves closer to where his friends are gathered, shooting me dirty looks every time she catches my eye. I do my best to ignore her, focusing my attention on Kyson.

Moving efficiently, he dances circles around the other guy, who has grown visibly tired. Kyson lands more body punches, ending the final round with a direct punch to the nose that has blood gushing as the guy stumbles backwards, eventually dropping to his knees and waving an arm in surrender.

Britney sneers at me, flipping her hair as she prepares to greet Kyson. I watch him approach the girl he swore he hates, all sweaty and bruised, ready to celebrate. He pulls her in for a hug, burying his face in her neck in front of everyone in attendance. She returns his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck as he lifts her up, forcing her to latch her legs around his hips, flashing everyone around us her butt cheeks as he spins her around.

"Can we get out of here?" I look at Lauren, but she's not paying attention to me. She's moved off to the side chatting with some dude from our school. I don't want to interrupt or force her to go when she's having such a great time.

Kyson completely ignores me, and I feel sick seeing him with Britney after everything he's said about her. I guess she was right about him running back to her. Is this my punishment for our argument earlier? For forcing him to feel? I return to hating them both. Though truthfully, they belong together.

I must be crazy for ever thinking that maybe, just maybe, part of him feels something for me. That I matter even a smidgen to him. He only cares about himself and maybe it's time I start doing the same.

I glance at my phone to check the time as the next fight starts. Standing all alone, I get jostled around by a group of rowdy guys cheering for one of their friends. All the enjoyment I felt has quickly faded.

My mood further sinks as I realize Lauren has completely forgotten about me in the excitement of the fight and the attention from a guy. Feeling out of place in the chaotic atmosphere, I make my way towards the exit on my own, trying to navigate through the throngs of people attempting to get closer to the ring.

As I step outside into the cool night air, I take a deep breath and lean against the wall of the warehouse. The adrenaline from watching Kyson fight still courses through my veins, mingling with a sense of unease at how he acted with Britney. I can't shake the image of them embracing so intimately, and a knot forms in my stomach at the realization that maybe Kyson does care about her.

They share a history even if I have known him longer. I have no claim on him. It's foolish to convince myself otherwise.

Lost in my thoughts, I almost don't notice when someone approaches me from the shadows. Startled, I look up to see a figure standing before me, their face partially hidden in the dim light spilling from a nearby streetlamp.

"You okay?" Gauge steps closer and I relax at seeing his familiar face.

"Just needed some fresh air."

"You shouldn't be out here all alone in the dark. A wolf could snatch you right up." He snaps his fingers and chuckles, meaning he's the wolf.

"I'll take my chances."

"You gotta ignore Kyson and Britney's drama. They do this a lot. Fight. Break up. Use others to make one another jealous. Been a victim of that myself a time or two. So has Remy and half the school."

"It's not like that."

"It's always like that."

"I have a boyfriend."

He glances from side to side as though he's looking for someone. "Doesn't count if he's imaginary."

"Ha. Funny."

"You need a ride to the party?"

"I'm really not in a party mood."

"Looking like that in that dress. It would be a tragedy for you to go home."

"Is that so?" Flirting with Gauge feels all wrong, but it's only a little harmless fun. I promised myself I would have a good time.

Lauren and her guy friend approach us. "There you are. I've been looking all over for you."

"Needed some fresh air," I lie, but am grateful for the interruption.

He rubs his lips together and swipes his thumb across them. "You should come." Gauge isn't nearly as cute as Kyson or Matt, but I could have worse prospects. He runs a hand over his light hair. His green eyes shine with something I can't quite read. "Don't make me beg."

"Where's this party?" Lauren questions, unable to hide her excitement, breaking the tension.

"The lake house."

Lauren looks at me, practically begging me with her expression to say yes.

"I'll think about it."

"Hope you do. Come find me if you change your mind." He starts to stroll away when Lauren pinches me.

"You owe me."

"Ow," I hiss and shoot her a dirty look, but I give in. "Hey, Gauge. About that ride?"

He grins big. "Your friends can follow us."