I turn around to find Carter, sizing me up like he’s ready to replace my opponent if only someone will tag him in. Grayson’s eyes widen when he sees him.
“What are you doing here?”
I don’t wait for the response. “What the fuck do you want, Trayland?”
“I want you to stay away from Delaney Callahan,” he sneers.
“Sorry, bud. No can do. You’re going to have to talk to Laney about that one.”
He comes closer, getting in my face until we’re only centimeters apart. “No, see, I don’t think I do, because I’m telling you. Stay the fuck away from her.”
I can faintly hear my name being announced over the loudspeaker, but my focus remains on the fucker in front of me. “Are you going to stop me, shithead?”
“Okay, okay.” Grayson forces himself in between us, pushing Carter back. “You need to get the hell out of here!”
“I mean it, Vaughn! I want you nowhere near her.”
Who the fuck does he think he is, telling me what I can do? I take a step toward him, fuming, but Grayson instantly holds me back with a hand on my chest.
“Now’s not the fucking time, man. You need to get in the ring.” I keep my gaze locked on Carter as he glares back at me. “Knox! Get the fuck in the ring!”
Finally, Grayson’s words get through to me, and I walk through the crowd and duck inside the ropes. Gray waits for Carter to leave and then comes to stand by the ring. The referee explains the rules, which are basically first one to go unconscious loses, and that the fight doesn’t end until that happens.
I look across the ring and take in my opponent. Cal was right—he is a scrawny thing, but that probably means he’s fast. Still, now that Carter Trayland’s got me wound up, I’m not worried at all.
The bell sounds, starting the match, and the two of us dance in circles. He throws a couple of punches that I easily dodge before finally swinging. My fist connects with his face harshly, only for me to swing again—into his stomach this time. As my mind pictures Delaney with Carter, I start pounding relentlessly. Other than a few hits to my chest, this kid doesn’t stand a chance. I don’t even realize he’s knocked out until the ref and Grayson pull me off him.
Thankfully, the guy still has a pulse, and as the makeshift medics carry him out of the ring, I’m announced the winner. The crowd goes wild, with some people chanting my name like a prayer. I look up at the office and see Cal looking down at me. He nods in approval, and I relax. I’ve made it through another fight.
GRAYSON PULLS UP TO my house and I climb out of the car, thanking him as I shut the door behind me. When I go to step up onto my porch, however, I find someone sitting there that I haven’t seen in years.
“Brett?”
He stands up and comes toward me. “Hey, Knox.”
“Long time no see, man. What’s up?” I give him a bro-hug but don’t mask the confusion from my face.
“I didn’t want to come here, but I need your help. It’s about Hailey.”
12
DELANEY
If there was a king of playing hot and cold, someone to win the game, it would be Knox. One minute he’s texting me constantly and the next—nothing. I thought I would see him this weekend, but he’s been nowhere to be found. The texts I send either go completely unanswered or get some half-assed response. It’s infuriating.
Maybe if I had some idea where his mind is at, I wouldn’t be so paranoid. Everything seemed like it was going fine, until it wasn’t. We were talking all the time, hanging out and having fun whenever we got a minute alone. Now, it’s like we’re right back to where we started.
“Hey, Lane?” Tessa comes into my room unannounced, as usual. “Have you seen my sunglasses? I can’t find them anywhere.”
I look up from my phone for a second and roll my eyes as soon as I see her. “They’re on your head.”
“Seriously?” She reaches up and finds them. “My God, I’m losing my mind.” When I don’t take the opportunity to make fun of her, she comes to sit beside me. “What’s got you all dull and gloomy?”
“Knox. I’m not sure what’s going on. He goes from burning hot to ice cold without any notice or reasoning at all. I don’t get it.”
Tess sighs, looking like she’s hiding something. “I don’t know, babes. Maybe he got what he wanted and now he’s not interested anymore.”
“Is that really what you think?” I’d be lying if I said the idea didn’t hurt.