AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 9
Astrid
In the dark, under the covers, I check the time on my phone as quietly as I can. If my phone buzzes, I’ll have a meltdown. Roni took forever to go to fucking bed. It was like she knew I was up to no good, the way she kept glancing over me as I pretended to be asleep.
Around eleven, she sighs and starts turning off the lights. Crap, I have no time to wait, and I need a plan that will fool her. When she goes into the bathroom, I jump out of bed, shoving my pillows under the covers and pulling the sheet up as if it’s me under there. I’m taking a risk that no one will notice, but I have to do it.
I did a search earlier on investment portfolios. If I can get one through Stonehaven, I’ll have enough money to cover my expenses and take care of Mom. I think about my deadbeat dad and how lame it is that he is calling the shots but still hiding in the shadows.
Getting out of the dorm isn’t too hard using the basement door. Of course, getting back into the building might be a challenge. I push a rock against the door to keep it from locking, but I hesitate. What if some shit happens? It’s bad enough for me to worry about it. I kick the rock out of the way and let the door shut softly. My bike is leaning against the dining hall, and luckily the administrative side of the campus is dimly lit after ten.
The main gate is shut so that a car can’t enter, but the smaller iron gate for pedestrians is always open. I take a running start and hop on my bike, racing down the quiet suburban street. The wind blows hard into my face, and I take deep breaths, smelling freedom in the air. My body is alert to the building excitement and sends a burst of happiness into my brain. In fifteen minutes, I’m back in Weymouth, pedaling past late-night shops that sell gas and cigarettes. My bike starts bouncing over the potholes, and the warehouse is ahead of me. Damn, I feel like a fight.
“Teeny!” I greet him with a smile as I race toward the metal doors. He responds by lifting a brow.
“No drugs inside,” he says, opening the door.
I shake my head and decide to calm the fuck down. It’s the Pit, not one of the dream destinations in the Caribbean. I strut into the warehouse, scanning the crowd for Nova. She’ll help me warm up if I can find her. I dance and weave to the music off to the side. Grinder is on the catwalk, and I climb, my feet barely resting on a step, eager to know when I’ll be on. I need to get rid of this tension while I earn some cash, and I know I’m going to slay. I reach the platform and have to spring to my right before I collide with a dumbass that’s blocking the stairs.
“What the fuck are you standing there for?” I demand.
The man turns around, and I’m face-to-face with Bryce. My eyes widen, and he smirks because my expression does nothing to hide what I’m thinking. He doesn’t look like himself either, not that he would have worn his fancy uniform here, but his clothes are rundown compared to what he wore over the summer.
His old jeans are tight on his thighs and flaunt the fact that he must work out. His vintage rock T-shirt pulls across his muscles, leaving no doubt in any mind that he is fit. His eyes move over my body, checking out my midriff, which is tight. When he lifts his eyes, he has a crafty smirk on his face.
“Did you lose your way to the dining hall?” he asks.
“No,” I point my finger in his face. “Don’t play with me on my territory. What are you doing here?”
He smiles at Grinder as if I’m the crazy one, and they exchange a look that’s meant to put me down.
“You didn’t answer my question, rich kid. No one cares if I’m at Stonehaven because I’m the help. Remember? But here, I belong. So why are you here?”
Wisely, Bryce keeps his eyes on me, but he talks to Grinder. “Do students fight at the Pit, Grinder?”
Grinder shrugs but refuses to make eye contact as he looks off toward the ring below. “She does, and she’s pretty good.”
“Pretty good?” I balk. “You know I’m better than fucking good, Grinder.”
Bryce shakes his head and then ignores me. “You’ve convinced all of us with your eloquence, Astrid.”
I would’ve blown the games off, except Grinder conceals a smirk by sipping on his beer. I look past Bryce. “Who am I fighting, Grinder?”
“Ivette is wandering around,” he replies, “You can fight her if she’s not high.”
“She can barely throw a punch.” Grinder knows the real reason why I am upset. No one’s going to bet on a fight with Ivette in it. She’s unreliable, and it will probably end in a forfeit. Or she will go maniac and kick ass. No one knows which Ivette will get into the ring, so no one wants to risk their money.
“That’s no challenge, Grinder.” I move past Bryce, but Grinder continues to ignore me. “You know I’m better than that.”
“I thought you were until you started going to that prissy school,” he replies.
I’m pissed, and I know who told, but Bryce’s jaw twitches ever so slightly. I’m not the only one who’s pissed. Knowing Grinder, it was an underhanded comment that I’m sure he didn’t expect Bryce to challenge.
“I’d like to see a fair fight,” says Bryce, watching Grinder. “Astrid ranks up in the fights when properly challenged.”
I narrow my eyes on Bryce and tug him away though I’m sure Grinder can hear us. “What the fuck are you up to?”
“I’m here to have fun,” he smirks, “and maybe see the occasional nip slip.”
