“And that’s what you want to do?” Tabby asked.
“For now, yeah. I can’t go back there. Not yet. I’m too fucking confused.”
“But you’re going to go back there?” Daisy asked.
“Why does it matter?” He glared at his girl’s best friend.
“No reason.”
“Well, well, look what hell spat back out,” Miles said.
Tabby tensed up and turned, so they all stood in a cluster. He glanced over to see two guys he recognized. They were both wearing leather jackets.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“Ask Daniella how her nose is for me,” Tabby said. “And next time, tell her I’ll make sure no doctor can repair her face.”
“You’re a fucking slut, you are,” the one on the leader’s right said.
“Who the fuck are you talking to?” Simon asked, stepping in front of his girl. No one talked to his girl like that and got away with it. Tabby gripped his arm.
“You heard me. I can see why you like her. She’s got a big enough mouth and I bet she doesn’t even have a gag reflex. That’s what all Skull girls are for, getting their face fucked sucking cock.”
He slammed his fist into the guy’s face, and grabbed him again, hitting him. He didn’t stop until he was suddenly restrained and pulled off. Anthony had a hold of him, and fuck, he was strong. No words were spoken and he glanced behind him. Anthony looked bored. Everything had gone blank in those few seconds of attack. Simon’s heart raced. His blood pumped. He wanted to do more destruction.
“In the ring, now,” the man who’d rushed over said. “I don’t give a fuck if you were fighting in the ring.”
He was taken from Anthony and marched over toward the stadium. Thrown inside, he stood up. Tabby rushed to the edge and patted the concrete floor. He smiled down at her.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“I need to do this. No one talks to my girl like she’s a piece of shit.”
“Si, it’s the Dogs. That was Ryan. He’s always talking to me that way. Believe me, I don’t care.”
He crouched down. “You scared?”
“No, I know you’re a vicious motherfucker when you fight, but I also know you’ve got some serious problems right now. You’re angry.”
“Damn right, I’m angry.”
“Not about this. You’re angry about what your parents have done.”
“Don’t go there, Tabby.”
“I will go there. It’s what we promised each other. We will go there. We’ll talk about it. Deal with it.”
“I’m going to fight this prick.”
“Si, you started that fight out there. Ryan may not even enter the fucking fight.”
He shrugged. “I’ll get to fight someone.” He gripped the back of her neck and kissed her hard. “Love you. Are you rooting for me?”
She rolled her eyes. “As if I’d root for anyone else. Don’t die on me, asshole.”
“Not going to. We’ve got a wedding to be alive for. Do you still have the bouquet from Natalie’s wedding?”
“You remember that?” she asked.
“It’s a day I won’t ever forget.” He winked at her. “It was the fates’ way of telling us both we’re getting married.”
“It’s time to throw the bouquet,” Lexie said.
“We’re still doing that?” Natalie asked.
“Yes, of course. There’s single women here too, and it’s a lot of fun.”
“Two seconds,” she said, kissing Simon on the lips. She’d run onto the floor as she’d been keeping a close eye on Natalie all day. The flowers were so beautiful and Simon had already proposed to her. If she caught the bouquet, their parents couldn’t argue about it. Natalie turned her back to the group and threw the bouquet over her head. Tabitha watched and moved into position as it flew right into her arms. Simon fist-pumped and rushed toward her.
“We’ve got to get married now,” Simon said. Tabitha laughed, and they both ran to their fathers, holding up the roses. “We’ve got to. We’ve got to.”
She shook her head and stepped back right next to Daisy.
“We all know the rules about fighting in the Quad,” the man said who’d marched him right across to this little stadium.
He looked out across the audience.
“It seems we have a new pretty face to mess up, but I warn you, he’s with The Skulls, so I’m guessing you’re one fierce motherfucker.”
“I’m a Chaos.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m part of Chaos Bleeds, I’m not a Skull. My girl is though and anyone who calls her a slut deals with me.”
“So, you heard the man. Who would like to give this punk a lesson? No fighting unless it’s earning money.”
There were cheers from the audience.
Movement across the way caught his eye, and he saw the other guy who’d been the leader back there but hadn’t stopped his boy.
“Well, well, well, this is exciting. Our very own Luke from the Monster Dogs. You guys better get your bets going. This is going to be one fierce fucking fight.”
Luke climbed into the ring and started to remove his jacket and shirt.
“You want to fuck me, is that it?”
“Are you braindead? It’s how the fights are.” Luke glared at him.
“Your jacket and shirt,” Tabby said, drawing his attention.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey.”
“Kiss me for good luck?” he asked.
She climbed up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him hard. Cheers and more dirty talk were spewed their way.
“Okay, enough,” the guy said. “If we start shooting a gang bang, we’ll let you up, but we’re not shooting porn, we’re fighting.”
Simon stepped away from his woman and took a step toward his opponent. He looked at Luke but he hadn’t covered his expression. The fucker watched Tabby and Simon understood his look more than anything. This piece of shit wanted his girl. Oh, he was in for a rude awakening. No fucking way was he ever going to allow him.
“You stare at me. Not at my girl.”
“Your girl’s got a pretty ass.”
“Don’t kill each other,” the guy said.
Simon rammed Luke, throwing him to the floor. “She doesn’t even look at you.” He raised his fist, about to land a blow, but Luke blocked it.
Climbing off him, he stood, tense, waiting for the next hit, but Luke just smiled. Back on their feet, the humor was still on his opponent’s face, and he didn’t like it. He wanted to completely rub it out, get rid of it.
“Are you worried that she’ll stray? A little curious to see if she’d rather have me than you?”
“Fucker.” He attacked. Luke blocked him and even as Luke tried to take a shot at him, he dodged it.
As he stepped back, the crowd went silent.
They were equally matched.
“I know my girl. I’ve known her since we were kids. You think I’m going to fuck that up? She’ll be my old lady, by my side, carrying my kids. Not you. Never you.” He lashed out, finally landing a blow.