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“They’re the main bout. One more leading up. Newbies.”
Garrett pulls out some cash and hands it over. “Give me fifty on Nichols.”
Alden gives me a sideways glance, then accepts it.
“You holding?” Garrett asks.
Alden shakes his head. “Nah. It’s been a dry week. Might want to try Rex.”
Garrett nods toward me. “Don’t get her into trouble. And if I ever hear about her being at Thirty, we’re going to have a serious fucking problem.” I’ve never heard my brother’s voice so firm.
“Understood. I’ll keep her safe.”
Garrett looks at me. “Stay with him. Don’t take a drink or anything from anyone else.”
Wow, this isn’t the reaction I expected. “Got it. I promise.”
With that warning, he goes into his room. A hundred questions run through my mind over what I just heard while we make our way out of the house.
“What was that about? Why did he give you money to bet? And holding?” I’m not the most street smart person but I’m not stupid. “Are you selling drugs? Are you selling drugs to mybrother?”
The humid night air strikes me in the face as he pulls me toward a motorcycle.
“Relax, he was asking if I had any weed.” He tries to hand me a helmet, and I stiffen my back and cross my arms.
“And the money he gave you?”
He shrugs and puts the helmet on my head when I don’t take it. “It’s an easy way to make money. We arrange some fights, charge for people to watch, plus take wagers.”
“That’s illegal as hell. What if you get caught?”
“I won’t. Stop worrying.”
“You hang out at Thirty?” Thirty is an abandoned elementary school a few neighborhoods away. It’s known to be a dangerous spot. People party there but a lot of addicts and homeless stay there too. I’d never dare set foot in the place.
“Of course not.” He fastens the helmet under my chin. “I know you’re a goody two boobs, Ella, but I’m going to need you to let that go for tonight to come and have some fun with me. I won’t let anything bad happen.”
The smile on his face would convince better women than me to toss away their reservations and panties to follow him anywhere.
“I’m not a goody two boobs.” There’s no getting those words out without a giggle.
“Name one thing you’ve done that’s against the rules.”
“I’ve smoked a joint.” It’s true, it was only a couple of puffs, and only once, but he doesn’t need to know that.
He slaps his palms to his cheeks in fake horror. “No! Not sweet little Ella. Who corrupted you?”
A laugh spills out of me. “Shut up. Whose bike is this?”
“A friend’s. He’ll be meeting us at the fight to take it.”
He swings his leg over and gets on, motioning for me to join him. “How will we get home then?”
“It isn’t far.”
It’s not an answer to my question, but I don’t care. He’s right. My whole life is work and school. It’s time to let loose and have some fun.
“Scoot up close and hold onto me,” he says, and the bike roars to life.
