Page 14 of Hold 'Em Tight

“He's going to kill himself,” I shout above the noise. They are extra bloodthirsty tonight, and for every hit Teo takes, they get louder.

“Fuck, we need to save him,” Colton roars, and I nod. I look for a way inside the cage.

It's chained, and the only way to leave is to win.

What the hell was he thinking? Is his life really that expendable? Do we mean nothing to him?

CHAPTER FIVE

The crowd explodes as I take another right hook to my cheek, and this time, I hear a cracking as the pain hits. Well, it looks like I just broke my cheekbone.

I smile, blood covering my teeth, and my opponent grimaces.

“Dude, fight back,” he urges, but I shake my head.

I didn't come here to fight. I came here to end it all. I can't keep living with half of my heart missing. It hurts too much.

I struggle with emotions. I was taught men don’t cry. They suck it up, or they get even.

Destroying the apartment today was a wakeup call. I’m too destructive. The rage blinds me, and I can't risk hurting someone I love.

“Teo, fight or get the fuck out,” my cousin, Angelo, shouts from outside the cage, and I just laugh.

He should be happy I'm here. The way people are betting for my failure will line his pockets for months.

I wave at him with a smirk on my lips, then shuffle closer to my opponent. He's a big guy. Tattoos cover his chest and arms, and he has a teardrop below his right eye.

I think we may have fought before, but who knows. My uncle and cousin have a type, and gangsters straight out of prison are one of their specialties.

“Kid, are you on drugs or something?” he asks, and I shrug.

“Would it matter if I was?”

I'm not… Well, besides the fifth of Jack Daniel's I swallowed on the way here. It's better to be numb these days.

Rylee hasn't come down to the apartment in almost three weeks. Donny says Trevor is hovering over her, as if she needs protection or something.

She's pulling away. Maybe it's better this way. When I'm gone, she won't miss me.

I'm just another disappointment in her life. I promised her that if she came back to Solidarity Academy, I'd keep her safe.

All pretty lies with a poisonous tongue.

I shake my head again as the laughter escapes my lips.

“Fuck, kid, you're crazy.”

I fake left and raise my fist, as if I'm going to take my first swing. I'm not, but he reacts all the same, hitting me in the ribs, and then the temple.

I fall to my knees and take in some shaky breaths.

I always knew my life would end like this. Beaten to death in a fight. It's ironic that I'm here today without any coercion.

For a moment there, I thought maybe we were free. My uncle's gone. I started to picture a future with Rylee and Lennox.

A house on the beach, maybe some kids. I should have known that's all it would ever be... a fantasy.

Groaning, I use my hands to push myself back to my feet, wincing as my ribs twinge.