Chapter 12 : Fight for your Life

Arriving back home, I looked at Tyler, who was standing in the living room watching me.

"You have to fight Haze Tyler," I said worriedly. I don't think he understood the severity of this situation. Tyler studied me with those beautiful grey eyes that had darkened slightly. "Princess, we fight each other all the time. It's not a big deal", he managed, checking his watch. Suddenly, the door burst open, and Gage stood angrily. His blue eyes were blown wide with annoyance, and I sighed heavily.

"Please come in", I stated sarcastically.

"Now is not the time for sarcasm, princess. Where the fuck were you" he snarled angrily. I laughed, finding his delusions amusing.

“I was out with Tyler eating at the diner", I hissed violently, stepping towards him. Gage did something I never expected: he stepped back. He watched me coldly. Like I was going to hurt him.

"looking, I don't care, Gage, you being obsessed with me is a problem. Your love for me is a problem", I bellowed loudly, causing utter heartbreak to flash in those blue eyes. Guilt churned in my stomach. Making sickness rise steadily in the back of my throat. I'd hurt him.

"I didn't mean-"I started. "No, I get it, Story. My love for you is an issue", he stated, and I watched him. He'd said what I'd only guessed out loud. He became withdrawn. Everything from Gage's face to his feet was hunched. He was seriously hurting, and I worried there would be no coming back from that. Looking at Tyler, he watched me again. He was being cautious around me.

"We have the fight, brother. Are you ready?" murmured Gage quietly. Tyler nodded. Here we go.

***

I arrived at the forest and waited with groups of people. They cheered loudly. The spray of alcohol from their mouths as they exchange money. The roars as they hyped up the crowd. My boys were going to fight tonight, and I could do nothing to stop it. I'd feel every punch. Every touch. They were going to get hurt. I was so scared for them. I heard a fake laugh before I saw it. Turning my head, bees swarmed my brain as I stared at the scene before me. Gage had some blonde girl sitting on his lap. Her big pink fake lips pouted as she gazed up at him. She wasn't a natural blonde, but maybe a brunette. But she was all over him. He met my eyes coldly, and I saw nothing. Nothing at all. That's when I noticed he was on a throne. A huge one. There was a line of them. Suddenly, I heard my name called.

Spinning around, I was met with cold blue eyes. They mirrored Gage's, and then I noticed who was before me. Ryder. Gage's dad. I'd only heard stories of him since I moved to Melvore; none were pretty. His dark hair fell in his eyes. And he watched me as he started his beard, almost assessing me. "Story Ranger, I've heard a lot about you", he said seriously. "Sorry to disappoint, but the stories don't define me", I managed, watching him. A smirk lit up his face, and he nodded.

"I'd like to learn more about you, please join us in the royalty area tonight," he said kindly.

"She's busy", grunted Gage from behind me suddenly. His father watched him with a cold look and nodded.

Grabbing my arm, he grinned. Cruelly.

"We are taking the princess to sit with us", he growled, dragging me towards the chairs. Izack stood with Forrest, watching the interaction with caution. They are both alert. "Oh princess, don't be scared. Come and sit with us", he smiled gently, taking my hand and leading me to a seat. Izack sat beside me, watching me cautiously. His big blue eyes glowed nervously as he quickly pushed his blonde hair back. He was worried about something, but I didn't have time to ask what. The volume of the crowd boomed across the forest. The bar was closed for the fight. The trees had fire torches to illuminate the sport. Tyler came out, and so did Haze. Tyler looked so different in black jeans and no glasses. He was also topless, and I watched in awe at his toned body.

"I see a little drool, princess", quipped Izack with a grin. Rolling my eyes, I looked at Haze and noticed he looked the same as Tyler. Rolling my eyes, I looked at Haze and noticed he wore the same. A bell rang, and they started jumping around the make-out ring. Haze stroked a punch towards Tyler's stomach, and Tyler quickly dodged it. I watched him. He was very skillful and moved extremely quickly. But Haze had the power. He hit a punch to Tyler's face. The crowd roared, and I winced at the sight of them both hurting one another for entertainment. Izack nudged me, lowering his voice.

"You need to start watching, princess", he whispered. Looking at him, I was confused. Why did I?

"For those who don't watch, Ryder throws in a twist. He puts them in the ring," stated Izack, focusing on the game. Flinching again, I nodded.

Suddenly, Tyler darted his hand forward, and blood poured from Haze's mouth. Sickness squeezed my stomach. Turning my head back, Haze lay, and Tyler stood there like the champion he was. Ryder stood in the ring,

"I'd like to congratulate Tyler Summers. But I'd also like to announce a twist. Can Story Ranger please attend the ring?" he grinned humorlessly. My heart dropped, and I shot my gaze at Izack. Panic swept his face, which was now pale and clammy.

"No" stated a voice. Gage stood before me, refusing to let me move another inch. His big body barricaded me in.

"She belongs to the fight club, son. You know the rules we share", growled out Ryder, trying to get a glimpse of me.

"I'll take the twist", managed Gage seriously. I heard Ryder laugh.

"Oh, Gage, shit don't work like that", he spat. Oh fuck.