“She stays,” Oliver starts to speak.
“In your corner.”
“We know.”
Eli and Maxwell finish for him.
“Protect your leg.” AJ instructs Oliver as he steps up to the front and we wait for Rob to open the door.
“I promise.” He gives her an earnest dip of his head.
Rob opens the door and the music is so loud it nearly drowns out the cheering of the crowd. I’m always in awe of how many people manage to fit into the back half of the building. Girls reach out and run their handsover any part of Oliver that they can touch and I feel a sharp pulse of jealousy but then my fingers find the chain around my neck.
As if sensing my unease his hand reaches behind for mine. When he finds it, he laces our fingers together and squeezes tight causing me to be pulled forward. We reach his side of the pool and he only lets go to go down the rickety ladder. Rory goes next and he lifts AJ down with ease. Eli and Maxwell stay standing and Oliver turns, motioning for me to let him lift me down as well. Rory says something to AJ before climbing back out of the pool.
Oliver backs me as far into the corner as I can go. He leans down to eye level and thumbs my chin so I have to maintain eye contact. “Please stay here.”
I bring my hand up and salute him mockingly. “Yes, sir.” My words hit their mark as his jaw clenches and his pleading eyes turn to glaring ones. His hand drops just enough to rub his index finger under his chain. “You never listen to me.” He turns around and silently communicates with AJ who is impatiently waiting for him to focus on his fight.
“Mia. Don’t move or he will lose. Men are dumb and I need him focused.” AJ snaps. I know her agitation is with him but I also know that she is in her fight mode and it's why Rory just steps back and lets her do her thing.
“I won’t move.” I turn to face her more and give her a reassuring small smile. “Promise.”
“See. She won’t move. Get your ass out there or I’ll leave.” She motions for Oliver to step to the center. AJ is terrifying when she is fed up. I love it. “He’s going to throw kicks to your ribs, use his height to his advantage. Stay tight and give him no opening.” And she’s hot when she coaches them on how to win.
Oliver goes to meet the other guy in the center. Rob wasn’t wrong, the other guy is taller but Oliver has a broader build. The fight starts and Oliver does the same thing he always does. He doesn't strike first. Hegives time to feel the other guy out. Just as AJ predicted, the other guy throws a hard kick right to Oliver’s left side. Oliver frames the kick to block but he moves fast enough to also catch his leg and dump him.
Oliver stays in base as the guy gets back to his feet. Oliver closes the distance easily and throws a hard punch to the other guy's ribs and he exhales so hard spit comes out. Oliver follows it up with a knee to the gut and the guy's face is red from lack of oxygen. He is still folded over at the perfect height for Oliver to throw a left hook.
“Hell yeah!” I shout and then quickly cover my mouth. I can’t believe I just did that. Oliver’s head snaps over to where I’m standing and my eyes are wide with my outburst. He winks and then takes a punch to the face because he was looking at me. AJ looks back at me and raises her eyebrows. I throw my hands up in defense and mouthsorry.
“Get your hands back up!” She yells out at him and Oliver’s hands come up in reflex.
The whistle blows and each guy backs away into their corners. “I hope that hurts.” AJ nods to the reddening cheek that he took the punch with.
“I’ll end it this round.” Oliver is barely even worked up but he takes a sip of the water AJ hands him anyway.
They are waved back to the center. And Oliver does exactly what he said he would. One punch and the other guy falls. Oliver’s eyes never leave mine as the entire crowd of people erupt into cheers.
OLIVER
Tonight’s fight was too easy. I should have given the guy more room to land but I didn’t want to take my eyes off of Mia for too long and felt this overwhelming urge to end the fight as soon as I could. I’m going to kill AJ for encouraging her to wear that outfit. The girls are out in the crowd dancing because Mia somehow convinced AJ to stay for two songs before Rory whisks them away.
Ty waves me over from the bar where he is slammed making drinks. I had asked him to get a drink ready for her because I just know she’s going to want it when she comes back from dancing. She didn’t have a date this week and I don’t know if that was on purpose or not. If I’m finally breaking past this hot and cold vibe we have. Or if she has just been too busy. Either way, she came alone tonight and that is a win. She’s also still wearing my necklace while every guy she passes stares at her for too long.
When I reach the bar, he places a small container next to the glass. Her extra cherries. I will absolutely be taking credit for those. “She looks incredible tonight,” Ty nods over my shoulder where I know the girls are dancing.
“Don’t look at her.” I tap my finger on top of the money I lay on the table and glare at him.
“AJ looks great too.” Ty is now pouring out a row of shots on the bar top. “It’s really not fair to everyone else that they arethat hot.”
“It’s not a competition and keep your fucking eyes to yourself.” Rory appears beside me and the threat lacing his voice would probably make most men cower. But Ty just pretends to put blinders up and turns around to deliver the shots to the waiting group of girls. “I hate him.” Rory turns to me and sighs.
“He’s harmless.” I pick up my fresh glass of water. No drinking for me tonight with the hopes she lets me take her home.
“You plan on actually asking Mia out on a date?” His question catches me off guard.
“We’re friends.” That’s a lie. We’re definitelysomething.I just don’t know what and it feels too fickle to try and figure out right now. “She’s Mia.” I say dumbly.
