Chapter 24
Skylar
“What the fuckis Holden doing here?” Claire asks, her hand over her mouth, looking as shocked as I feel.
What is Holden doing here?
He is going to get himself hurt, and I don’t want that to happen. I’m suddenly so angry, and as I stare at the fight about to take place, I feel sick with it. How could they both do this? Did they even know they were going to be fighting each other?
Folding my arms, I stare at the two men who mean a great deal to me.
“Are you okay?”
I turn to Claire and shake my head. “No, I’m really, really not okay. In fact, I’m really pissed off. Do you think they planned this?” But I don’t think this has anything to do with me. I’ve spoken with Holden, and he seemed fine with how everything had gone down. He’d accepted what I want.
As I look at their faces, I can see the surprise registering. No, they had no clue they’d be going up against each other. Maybe Holden has always fought. Maybe he hasn’t. Maybe he needs this outlet like Adrian does?
Claire shrugs. “I don’t know. Do you think this has to do with you, or not?”
“No, I don’t think so at all.” And I don’t.
Adrian
For the firsttime in my life I don’t feel comfortable fighting someone. Holden is glaring at me, but I can see on his expression this is about getting his aggression out … same as me. I take a deep breath and stare at him. I’ve been fighting a long time, and I’d bet anything far longer than he has. Hell, I know he grew up in a loving family, had anything and everything he ever needed and wanted. Not like me. Never like me.
“Are you just going to stand around there staring at me? Do you love me, Holden?” I ask.
I’m being a prick but I really don’t want to dwell on this shit right now. Part of me wants to send him off like a child because I don’t want to beat the shit out of him.
“Is this about Skylar? You pissed that I’m the one she wants?” I don’t know why I’m bringing her into this fight. I only know that I’m pissed off for some reason.
Holden steps forward, and I know the show is about to start. “This isn’t about her. I’ve accepted what she wants and moved on. This is about me.” He rolls his head around on his neck. “Do you fight for someone or yourself?”
Okay, so he’s in that mind frame, needing this to help his demons. That’s cool, because that means we’re throwing down.
The audience is shouting for us to fight. I’m not interested in what they have to say.
When Holden charges at me, I dodge his fist and move to the side. He comes at me again, and this time, I land my first blow to his face. I’m rather impressed that he hasn’t gone down. I throw a mean punch but he just stares at me, and the violence is thick as he starts to land blow after blow. I block several, and get hit a couple of times. I’m pissed off, but I defend myself while also landing other blows. We’re both ready to fucking kill each other, and then a flash in the crowd causes me to stop, holding Holden’s fist, and with him seeing me distracted, he looks in the same direction.
Skylar’s in the crowd.
She looks pissed.
I watch as she shakes her head, turns on her heel, and walks away with Claire right behind her.
Shit, I can’t fight when she is running off, the crowd swallowing her up.
Together, because I think Holden agrees with me, we get swallowed into the crowd as well.
Holden
You all thinkI’m running toward Skylar, and yeah, I’m running in her direction but it’s not her I’m actually chasing. No, I’m rushing toward Claire. When Adrian looked into the crowd, I hadn’t seen Skylar, I’d seen the worry on Claire’s face. Does she have feelings for me? Was she worried about me?
I don’t know what to do or even what to think as I rush through the crowd. They all start to boo but I don’t give a shit.
Adrian has already taken the lead, and I can feel the pain in my side as I rush toward the retreating Claire.
“Claire.” I shout her name.