In Too Deep

looking more concerned than necessary. “I’m glad to hear everything’s okay.”

I laugh out loud, despite my best efforts at being polite. “Oh no.” I wag my finger at him. “You need not worry yourself over such matters.”

“Touche.” He tips his beer to me, then drains the rest of the bottle.

“You looked like you came over here with a purpose. Are we still on for defense lessons in the morning?” As much as I complain about him, I’d be crushed if Colt didn’t want to train me anymore. It’s a sick reaction that I don’t even want to examine.

“Of course.”

He turns to face me and I can’t help but allow myself to sneak a peek. His lean, toned abs and chest are quite simply edible. I can literally see each hard muscle on his body they are so well defined and his hair is a tousled mess. He looks like he could have rolled out of bed with that hair – and probably did. And I find myself wondering which girl he was with this time.

“I wanted to talk to you.” He smirks at my visual inspection, clearly loving the attention.

Crap. I pull my eyes back up to his and frown. I can’t regard him as coolly as I want when my eyes are glued to his bare chest. I turn away and look out across the barn. “About what?” I manage to sound uninterested and aloof. I mentally high-five myself.

“You,” he says with complete confidence.

I laugh. “I’m too smart to be seduced by you, Colt.”

“We’ll see.”

My stomach twists in a knot and I blush feverishly. Is he remembering that kiss like I am?

He chuckles, then steps into within my line of sight once again. “Do I make you nervous?”

I scoff. “No.” My body screams yes!

He chuckles again, clearly not believing me. I know the pulse jumping in my neck and my pink flushed cheeks are a dead giveaway. Stupid hormones.

I get the feeling we’re being watched and spot a few girls from across the barn eyeing me. They assess me with casual annoyance. When they whisper to one another, I can imagine they are wondering what he sees in me. I’m just as clueless. Everything about Colt draws attention, from his looks to his confidence, even the way he moves. Everything about me doesn’t.

I curl my hands into fists and turn to him, standing mere inches from his face. “I know it’s hard to believe –with your over inflated ego and all – but not every girl likes you, okay?”

He laughs again. “We’ll see.”

I roll my eyes. “Bye Colt.” I turn and walk away.

I make my way over to Logan and MJ, my heart still pounding in anger at Colt. My reactions to him are strange. I know I shouldn’t let him get to me like that, but I’m finding it increasingly difficult to be around him.

We watch the guys who are fighting tonight huddle in the corner. I turn to Logan. “You don’t participate?”

“Fuck that.” He rolls his eyes. “I don’t subscribe to their testosterone fueled display of masculinity. It’s like, boys, why don’t we just get out a ruler and see who’s the bigger man.”

I flush at his rant. “Oh-kay then.”

I sit down next to Logan and MJ on stacked hay bales that line the center of the barn, giving the fighters a wide berth. We watch the guys in the corner as the others take seats all around us. Colt stands over with the fighters. My stomach plummets.

“Colt’s fighting tonight?” I ask.

“He’s the main event.” MJ says.

Oh.

I watch Colt as he prepares for his fight, and allow myself a more thorough inspection of his body. Everyone’s eyeing the fighters, taking bets, talking about height differences, weight, so it’s only natural that I should inspect the goods too. In the moonlight streaming in through the slats in the barn, I admire his broad shoulders and sculpted pecs leading down to six-pack abs and lean hips. To put it mildly, he won the genetic lottery.

Pete, wearing his trademark cape once again, steps forward shushing the crowd. “Ladies and fuckwads, gather round.” He stands before us grinning. “We’ll have four rounds tonight, announced by the lovely Bria.”

Hoots and hollers from the guys erupt as Bria steps forward holding a cardboard sign that says Round 1 written in black marker. She’s in a denim skirt so short, I think I just caught a glimpse of her butt cheek, a skin- tight white tank and a straw cowgirl hat. She struts around in front of us, making sure everyone has seen both the sign, and everything she has to offer.

“Tonight’s match-ups will feature Dane versus…” Pete leans to the stocky guy next to him. “Paul.”

Our little crowd cheers for Dane, and the people from the karate school cheer on Paul.

Pete introduces the rest of the fighters, pairing up first and second years from Wilbrook against guys from the karate school.

Finally he ushers Colt forward. When I see his opponent, doubt rumbles through me. Colt will be fighting the biggest guy here. Jose. He looks to be in his early twenties, solid muscle and a mean glare on his face. My stomach twists with nerves. I’ve never sat and watched people fight for fun before. And suddenly I’m worried for Colt. I might have been nicer to him earlier if I knew he was fighting tonight.

Pete gives everyone a few more minutes. Money exchanges hands, bets are placed and alcohol continues to be distributed. I stay away from the puke-smelling flask, but do allow myself a few sips as various bottles are passed to try and ease my nerves.

Pete goes over the rules. The fight is over when someone taps out or passes out. My stomach clenches.

When the first match starts, people are on their feet, cheering and screaming. Dane and Paul circle each other at first, neither ready to make the first move. But then Paul lunges at him, knocking him to the ground where they wrestle, fists flying. This is nothing like our fights in our self-defense class. Blood and sweat drip from their bodies onto the straw floor.

Dane ends up tapping out when Paul bends his arm back at the shoulder.

Whoa, that was intense.

Drake, another first year fights next and also loses his match. But no one seems all that surprised that the first years lost. They’re not nearly as experienced as the guys from the karate school.

The next match up, with the second-year I don’t know named Matt is over quickly, and he’s the winner after a knock out, which is tough to watch.

There’s a fifteen minute break in the action before Colt’s fight – the main event. The twins in my grade who fought, Dane and Drake are bloody and bruised as they make their way over to sit near us, taking deep pulls from each bottle that’s passed.

Colt stands alone in the corner, his face is serious and his jaw set firm. His opponent paces on the other side of the barn. Jose is bigger, both in height and weight, but some still think Colt is unbeatable. Bets are being placed all around me, and I find myself more interested than I should be, on the edge of my seat waiting for the fight to start. I remember the way Colt efficiently handled Lars, choking him into unconsciousness and fight off a shiver that runs down my spine.

Bria struts in front of us with the Round 4 sign, wagging her hips and capturing the attention of every male in the place. She’s eating this up.

Pete thanks her and she finally ends her little show. People start chanting Colt’s name and he steps forward. Colt. Colt. Colt. I don’t join them, but I repeat it in my head.

Jose is grinning, standing solidly in the center of the ring. His size is intimidating and I’m suddenly worried for Colt. But I know he’s strong and fast. Still, I hold my breath in anticipation

Jose wastes no time, charging straight for Colt. He grabs Colt around the waist and hauls him back several steps. Colt twists his leg around Jose’s, forcing them to the ground. They roll together, tangled limbs, straw clinging to their sweaty skin as they struggle to free themselves.

Back on their feet, Jose lands a quick punch to Colt’s jaw. Colt steps back, wiping the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, a slight grin on his lips. It’s like the punch didn’t hurt, it only pissed him off.

Colt fakes left, then pops Jose in the nose. He’s got crazy quick reflexes. He hits Jose again with a right hook