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I recognize the voice who’s been haunting my every waking moment. I can’t bear to look at him, hiding behind Kendrick and the guys like a terrified puppy.
“We’re here, Haze. Let’s get this over with,” Kendrick fumes.
“I’d like nothing more, but first… show me the prize.”
My heart sinks.
I can’t believe these words just came out of his mouth.
Out of obligation, Will, Alex, and Blake step aside, but Kendrick doesn’t. He stays in position, clenching his fists as if to say, “Anyone who wants to touch her will have to go through me first.”
Haze scoffs. “What are you afraid of? I’m not going to look at her to death.”
The crowd cackles.
Kendrick sighs and moves barely enough for Haze to get a clear shot of me. That’s when the last trace of will I have leaves my body, and I look up.
Our gazes lock.
There he is, across the circle, wearing his ripped leather jacket and his oh-so-usual arrogant and yet unbearably charming smile. Dark bags rim his piercing blue eyes, making it obvious that he hasn’t gotten much sleep lately.
The blood coursing through my veins turns cold at the complete absence of kindness in his features.
Whoever this guy is, it’s not Haze.
He looks like him. He sounds like him. But he’s a stranger.
I never thought looking at a stranger could hurt this much.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Haze begins as cheers rise all around us. “Thank you for joining us tonight.”
He steps into the circle. “As some of you may have heard, Kendrick here has been a very good fighter recently. Too good. He’s actually been doing so well that some of you started to think he might be better than me.” He pauses, mockery lingering in his tone. “So, of course, I have no choice but to put that to the test.”
Great. All of this for an ego problem.
“But I thought we’d spice it up a little bit. Why not get something else out of it? You see, the East Side and I made a deal. If I win, I get to have this pretty little thing to myself for a month.”
Everybody turns to look at me.
I think I’m going to be sick.
“But if I lose, Kendrick and his… friend here are free to leave unscathed. You know the rules. You know the game. No refunds, no second chances, no killing, and no interference. You’ve all placed your bets.” Haze raises his voices. “Now, are you ready?”
The shouts grow in volume.
Kendrick and Haze both remove their shirts and throw them on the floor. Too much testosterone in here.
It’s well-known that wearing clothes during a fight isn’t recommended as the fabric can be pulled and used against you. Although they’re not doing it to impress the ladies, I can tell from the looks on the faces of the girls witnessing the scene that they find the boys to be a sight for sore eyes. As for me, I can’t even begin to think about that right now.
“No, Kendrick.” I reach for his arm.
“I’m going to be okay. I promise.” I can see the fear burning in the back of his eyes. “Remember, you can’t interfere. Promise me.”
“I—”
He insists. “Promise me, Winter.”
I almost choke on the words. “I promise.”
