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“He’s really going through with this,” I mutter, my gaze fixed on Kyson.
“Yep, he’s been doing this for a while now,” Lauren replies nonchalantly, but I can detect a hint of pride in her voice.
My stomach churns as Britney leans up and kisses him on the cheek.
Seriously? He’s with her again. I don’t know why the sight of them cuts me so damn deep. Kyson owes me nothing. He never made me any promises. And yet as I watch her whisper something in his ear, I can scarcely breathe. Jealousy slices at me from every angle, leaving me with open wounds that would be visible to the naked eye if he dared to look at me.
Even if he could see the hurt etched on my face, I doubt he’d care. He’d probably get off on my pain.
As the announcer calls out their names and the crowd roars in anticipation, I size up the other guy. He’s broad chested but not much taller than Kyson. They take their respective places in the ring, muscles tensed and ready for the fight. The bell rings, and the first round begins.
My heart is in my throat. As upset as I am with him, I don’t find any joy in the thought of someone hurting him. Even if I think he deserves to get knocked around a bit.
I watch in a daze as Kyson moves with skill that I never would have guessed he possessed. His punches are precise, and his dodges are quick.
“Come on.” Lauren pulls me forward, closer to the ring.
I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from Kyson, nor his opponent, who finally lands an uppercut to his ribs. Kyson takes the punishing punch with a smile as though he’s reveling in the pain.
Retaliating with a flurry of quick jabs, he catches his adversary off guard, causing him to stumble back. The crowd erupts into cheers and applause, loving the brutal show. Sweat glistens on Kyson’s forehead as he escapes a wild swing and counters with a swift blow to his challenger’s jaw.
I find myself cheering along with the crowd, wishing Kyson to emerge as the victor when I should probably be cheering for the other contender to kick his ass. It would serve him right, but I can’t deny that I care for him.
I scream out, “Yeah, Kyson,” catching his attention. He loses focus, pausing to shoot me a sexy grin that has me nearly melting on the spot and for a moment I forget that I’m pissed at him. I forget his harsh words and that he brought his ex-girlfriend here tonight instead of me.
Lauren’s mouth drops, then snaps shut as she yanks on my arm. It all happens quickly, but with Kyson distracted, his opponent rears back with a powerhouse punch that clips him so hard on the jaw his head snaps sideways. Fear grips me as I pray he didn’t just lose a tooth as he goes down to the mat on his knees, staring up as if he’s seeing stars dance before his vision.
Oh crap. If he loses, it will be my fault.
Remy and Gauge are making their way towards the ring, but Kyson staggers to his feet with a bloody grin. Despite the fierce competition and the bruises blooming on his skin, he fights with a determination and strength that leaves me breathless. The other guy is formidable, matching him jab for jab, but Kyson refuses to back down. Now steady on his feet, having recovered from the rough blow with each direct punch and evasive maneuver, he proves that he’s stronger than I imagined.
He’s better than good.
He’s magnificent.
A sense of pride fills me as I continue to watch him dominate the match. I’m in awe as his muscles flex, gleaming with sweat. It’s easy to overlook that I’m mad at him or that he’s trying to rub Britney in my face to prove a point. Kyson’s one hell of a fighter and not to mention Lauren is right. This is so much better than watching the guys practice football.
Britney moves closer to where his friends are gathered, shooting me dirty looks every time she catches my eye. I do my best to ignore her, focusing my attention on Kyson.
Moving efficiently, he dances circles around the other guy, who has grown visibly tired. Kyson lands more body punches, ending the final round with a direct punch to the nose that has blood gushing as the guy stumbles backwards, eventually dropping to his knees and waving an arm in surrender.
Britney sneers at me, flipping her hair as she prepares to greet Kyson. I watch him approach the girl he swore he hates, all sweaty and bruised, ready to celebrate. He pulls her in for a hug, burying his face in her neck in front of everyone in attendance. She returns his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck as he lifts her up, forcing her to latch her legs around his hips, flashing everyone around us her butt cheeks as he spins her around.
“Can we get out of here?” I look at Lauren, but she’s not paying attention to me. She’s moved off to the side chatting with some dude from our school. I don’t want to interrupt or force her to go when she’s having such a great time.
Kyson completely ignores me, and I feel sick seeing him with Britney after everything he’s said about her. I guess she was right about him running back to her. Is this my punishment for our argument earlier? For forcing him to feel? I return to hating them both. Though truthfully, they belong together.
I must be crazy for ever thinking that maybe, just maybe, part of him feels something for me. That I matter even a smidgen to him. He only cares about himself and maybe it’s time I start doing the same.
I glance at my phone to check the time as the next fight starts. Standing all alone, I get jostled around by a group of rowdy guys cheering for one of their friends. All the enjoyment I felt has quickly faded.
My mood further sinks as I realize Lauren has completely forgotten about me in the excitement of the fight and the attention from a guy. Feeling out of place in the chaotic atmosphere, I make my way towards the exit on my own, trying to navigate through the throngs of people attempting to get closer to the ring.
As I step outside into the cool night air, I take a deep breath and lean against the wall of the warehouse. The adrenaline from watching Kyson fight still courses through my veins, mingling with a sense of unease at how he acted with Britney. I can’t shake the image of them embracing so intimately, and a knot forms in my stomach at the realization that maybe Kyson does care about her.
They share a history even if I have known him longer. I have no claim on him. It’s foolish to convince myself otherwise.
Lost in my thoughts, I almost don’t notice when someone approaches me from the shadows. Startled, I look up to see a figure standing before me, their face partially hidden in the dim light spilling from a nearby streetlamp.
