AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know.”
“Dad’s rent is in arrears for two months.”
I sighed.“I know.I’ll take care of it.”
“Okay.Well, you get ready for the fight, and good luck, bro.”
“Thanks.You too.”I gave him a quick hug.“I love you, Stefano.”
“Oh my gosh.Don’t go getting all mushy on me, Sam, not before a fight.”
I started laughing and pushed him away.Taking a deep breath, I turned around because I needed to get myself prepared for this fight.I was strong and knew how to give a mean right hook, but I wasn’t a fighter.I hadn’t been training for this.I knew I would have to be on my A game if I wanted to win.
“And one and two and three, he’s out,” the referee shouted.I lay on the ground, looking up at the ceiling.Every part of my body was aching, and my right eye felt bloodied and bruised.
“Oh my gosh, Sam.Sam.”I heard Valentina’s voice close to me, but I couldn’t even turn my head to look at her.I was utterly battered and bruised and embarrassed.“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said, nodding slightly, my head aching.
“I thought he was going to kill you.”
“You’re not the only one.”I tried to smile, but my lips wouldn’t move.
She touched the side of my face gingerly.“Oh my gosh.You’re bleeding everywhere.I can’t believe you did this.”
“I’m okay,” I mumbled and touched my busted lip.“Ow.”
“I’m going to take you home.I’m going to take care of you.”
“Are you sure?Is Shane going to like that?”
“He left.He said he abhors violence, and he needed to go home and meditate and write another poem.”
I tried to laugh, but no sound would come.“You know he’s an asshole, right?”
When she looked down at me, her face looked like an angel, and she smiled.“I mean, he’s okay,” she said.“He’s a—”
“Don’t say kindred spirit again.You’re much too cool to be a kindred spirit with that asshole.”
“Let’s just say he’s unique.”She giggled.“Can you get up?”She held out her hand, and I took it and climbed to my feet slowly.
“Shit, I really need to get home.”
“I’ll get a cab for us, and I’ll take care of you.”
“I’m okay.I can help you.”
“No, I’m coming with you.”
“I can’t let you do that.What about Gabriella?”
“Sergio offered to take Gabriella home, and Gabriella seemed like she was having fun, so here I am.”Valentina shrugged.“Sergio’s a good guy, right?”
“He’s my brother, so I have to say yes,” I mumbled.
She started giggling.“Oh Sam, you’re funny even when you’re beat up.”
“I’m glad you think so.”I shifted slightly.“Okay, we should leave.I think I need to change.”
“You need some bandages and …” She sighed.“I just can’t believe that this happened.I can’t believe that I watched you get beat to a pulp.”
“Are you going to say that you don’t think I’m a man anymore?”
“No,” she said.“I think what you did was admirable.That guy was like four hundred pounds of rock-hard steel.”
“And I’m just two hundred and twenty pounds of … granite?”I grinned, and she giggled.
“Oh, Sam.I mean, I can’t lie.It was hot and sexy.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” I said.All of a sudden, being beat up had been worth it.
