HAILEY
"How late is this thing going to go? It better not go past midnight. You know I hate being out in the city that late."
I roll my eyes as I finish buttoning my jeans. Then I turn to check out my appearance in the floor-length mirror, as I tell Steve, "It won't go that late. They're usually over by 10pm, so stop worrying."
I can feel his glare on my back. "Don't act like I'm being unreasonable. How organized can these fights actually be? They're basically run by meatheads."
At that, I turn to glare at him. "That's a stupid stereotype. Why do you put them down? You don't even know them. Some of my best friends are fighters and they're plenty intelligent."
Jax and Tristan are both smarter than you.
I don't say it, but I'm definitely thinking it right now. I hate when he gets in theseholier than thoumoods.
"If that were true, they wouldn't willingly be going into a fist fight," he mumbles, adjusting the collar on his polo shirt.
He looks like a stereotypical rich kid douchebag. He's going to stick out like a sore thumb in an arena full of red-blooded men.
"You know, you don't have to come tonight," I seethe. "You're more than welcome to stay home and play video games with your friends. I'm sure killing zombies is more fun than watching real men beat each other bloody."
His eyes narrow at the subtle dig that I didn't anticipate slipping out. I hold my breath and wait for his response, sensing he's not going to let that slide.
"You're pitting primitive idiots who only know pain against a successful adult who enjoys a harmless, creative pastime? Nice, Hailey. You're not exactly proving the case of your own intelligence." My nostrils flare and my jaw tightens, but he ignores me and continues talking. "I'm coming tonight. Some people actually like to make time for their partners.
My jaw drops open at that. He's acting likeInever make time forhim?That's insane. And false. I prioritize most of my life around him.
Steve stays oblivious to all the thoughts I'll never work up the courage to say out loud. "So even if I have to endure this insanity to be with you tonight, I'll do it. Because I love you and that's what people who love each other do." And before I can flounder around with a non-response, he aims a look my way that has the power to instantly make me feel guilty and then leaves the room.
"Let's just go," he calls from the kitchen.
I exhale a tired breath and give my appearance one last look before grabbing my purse.
“Well, tonight’s off to a great start,” I grit through clenched teeth.
* * *
The arena is loud when we finally get there. The beer is flowing, and the fights have already started, so fans are cheering loud enough to wake the dead, especially when one of the fighters in the cage lands a devastating blow to the temple that knocks his opponent to the mat.
And while the familiar environment makes me grin at the feeling of beinghome, it just makes Steve cringe. He actually lifts the hand that's not holding mine to his ear and looks around disapprovingly.
"How long before your friend’s fight? This is not my idea of an ideal Friday night."
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. "We have to find out what fight this is. Jax is number seven, I think. Let's go find Remy, and then we'll figure it out."
I glance at the number written on my wristband and start to make my way toward our section, politely pushing people out of my path as I pull Steve behind me.
"Hailey!" I hear from my left. I turn to see Remy and the rest of the gym gang clustered in a section and hurriedly make our way over to them.
"I was just about to text you to see if you were still coming," she says by way of greeting. She glances at Steve, and if I didn't know my sister as well as I do, I would've missed the slight sneer curling her lips when she takes him in. "Hey, Steve. Nice of you to join the lowly fighting crowd for an evening."
Steve's nostrils flare, but he doesn't taunt her back. I've always had a feeling he's scared of my sister, which in all honesty, doesn't surprise me at all. Remy has a very intimidating, take-no-shit attitude about her, and on top of it, she's deceivingly cunning. She's not one you want to go up against.
So instead, Steve forces a smile on his face as he wraps an arm around my waist. "I just wanted to come support my girl's friend."
Remy's eyes narrow perceptibly as she studies him for any implied insults. She's just as protective of Jax as she is of me, so taunts against him won't be tolerated either.
To break the awkward tension before it can escalate, I blurt out, "How many fights until Jax is up?"
Remy finally tears her gaze away from Steve. "Four more. They're on fight number three right now."