Page 37 of Timber's Line

“Dayton,” Axel starts.

“Please don’t say sorry. I can’t take that anymore.”

“Fair enough. Do you know what’s going on?” he asks. I just shake my head.

“Do you know the girl?”

“She’s sweet,” I tell him as we head toward Sal.

“Gentlemen, I know two of you still have dates with Timber. But I thought we would make it interesting. Ashton has had a date. But since he has, I think Axel should fight him for a chance to stay without a date.”

I watch Ashton’s expression and I almost laugh. Fear crosses his features and I’m almost giddy.

“But he’s twice my size,” the asshole whines.

“This is the elimination. You and him.” Sal claps his hands and gestures toward the cage that was brought in.

“That guy is going to get his ass kicked,” Silas snorts.

“I hope so,” I say.

“He looks like a dick anyway.”

“He is. Sal is doing this because he threatened Timber’s reputation.”

“Fuck. Sal is smart.”

“The guy told Memphis to get him into the circuit instead of doing it how we did it. And said if he didn’t, everyone would find out about Timber’s past.”

“What’s her past?”

“I don’t know, but it was in high school. We know how we were, so who cares? It’s the past.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t pissed his pants yet.” Silas laughs.

“I wish he did.” I wish it was me in the ring.

Axel stalks the kid like prey. When Ashton advances, Axel swings and connects with his face. Ashton stumbles but stays upright. He tries again, but Axel kicks him in the chest. He falls this time and Axel is on him. Axel punches three times before the ref calls it.

“That was fast. I wish it would have lasted longer,” I mutter.

“If you want to play in the big leagues, you have to have the skill.”

“True that,” I say as Ashton is helped from the ring.

When he sees me, he sneers, “Hope you like leftovers.”

“Fuck you,” I yell at him and start to advance, but Silas stops me. He has some balls to talk to me like that after he just got his ass beat.

“I’m not the only guy here who can ruin her reputation. She has a sweet little mouth and can take it all the way down her throat.”

Before I can do anything, Silas walks over, snatches him up by his neck, whispers something in his ear, and smashes him back down on the ground.

He’ll be waking up in the hospital this time.

“Man, you are scary.” I shake my head.

“Better me than you doing it.”