Chapter 12 The Ring
“Ryan, this doesn’t look like a club.” I yelled, wrinkling my nose as shouts of men and women echoed around us in what I have just found to be a huge underground basement?
Ryan had texted me this morning that he would love to go clubbing before his game this weekend and I thought it was bad idea because I have never gone out to a club before since coming to New Jersey but Summer insisted on coming and now here we are in a place filled with the stench smell of sweat, bad breath and cigarettes.
I glared at Summer in a way that said ‘this is your fault’ and she shrugged.
“I’m sorry but I thought this will be more fun than going to a club just to get drunk,” he winked.
“What exactly are we here for?” My brows shot up with confusion as we pushed through the bodies.
“Telling you will ruin the fun. Come, I will take you both to the VIP section where we can have a better view of what’s going on.”
We followed him up a flight of stairs where two men stood by the wall deeply engrossed in a hot make out.
“Well, this place isn’t that bad,” Summer said with a chuckle, earning a glare from me.
“You also agreed to come here,” She scoffed. “Don’t put it all on me.”
“Based on you pleading that you were bored,” I retorted, feeling that this was a really bad idea.
“Not my fault that New Jersey has seemed to change my best friend from a fun type into a rich princess who tries to do good to please daddy.”
Ouch.
I pursed my lips. “That’s not true. I’m still fun!”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course. Staying at home all day. Very fun!”
I ignore her. Whether she agrees with me or not, I’m very sure I’m still a fun person.
We reached a corner and Ryan opened the door in front of us. There aren’t a lot of people here, chairs which smell of expensive leather are huddled up around. Eyes soon land on us and I’m shocked.
Cindy sits by a corner with a guy I recognize to be part of the hockey team. I remembered him from my first day in school. Muller?
“Hey Miller!” Ryan calls out, giving him a friendly handshake. “I’m sure you still remember Yvonne right? Barth’s sister.”
“Step sister,” I muttered, not like it means anything anyways.
Miller sizes me up and gives out a crooked smile. “Yeah of course. The feisty sister.”
“Isn’t anyone going to introduce me as well?” Summer says.
“Uhm, this is Summer, my best friend,” I say, holding her hand.
They all nod acknowledging our presence.
“Is that a tomato juice cocktail?” Summer asks, her eyes widening in surprise as she stares at the half-drunk bottle before us and Miller nods.
“Yeah, with vodka of course. Want some?” He asks with a wink.
“You bet!” She replies enthusiastically, her eyes practically shining with delight.
I roll my eyes with a groan. I’m definitely dragging a drunk best friend home tonight.
“Come sit with us,” Cindy gestures with a smile. We take up a space beside her. This time I have the chance to look around, it turns out every hockey team member is present here apart from him.
The door opens and another figure walks in.
Tan.
Our eyes meet and she furrows her brow in surprise which is instantly replaced with a look of disgust.
“What is she doing here?” She asked as she reached our table, glancing at the others.
“I brought her here,” Ryan replies.
“Why? You know the rules,” She says through gritted teeth. “No outsiders are meant to be up here!”
“She’s not an outsider.” This time, it’s Cindy who speaks. “She’s Barth’s sister and she has a right to be here considering he is also here.”
I stare at her blankly.
Barth’s here too?
“And that’s the main reason she shouldn’t be here!” Tan retorts, sending a glare Ryan’s way. “You risk everything by bringing her here and not only that, she brings a friend too!”
Ryan only shrugs which deepens my confusion. What’s going on here?
What’s she talking about?
And most importantly where’s Barth?
“I didn’t know you had enemies this quickly,” Summer chuckles beside me. “But you need to see this.”
“Ignore her,” I say, glancing at her “See what?”
She points at the stage in front of us.
A boxing ring.
The crowd cheers even louder than before.
In the middle of the ring is…. Barth?!
Barth takes a punch from his opponent who is two times his size which makes the crowd boos. Blood pours out from the corner of his mouth as he dodges another attack and lands one of his own.
His opponent staggers back, shaking his head and tries to fight back but Barth gives him no opening as he blocks each blow and punches him.
My heart is basically in my mouth as I watch the fight before me. Barth’s exposed upper body is covered with blood but it is not as bad as his opponent. My mind flew to the memory of his injured knuckle and I sigh.
So this is where he got the injury that came from a wall.
Barth is not only an ice hockey pro player at day but also a ring fighter at night.
As he gives his final blow, his opponent falls to the floor unconscious and Barth gives out a cold smile. The crowd cheers on as I bit on my lip staring down on him. Our eyes met and I could feel fury burning inside of me.
But why?
Without saying a word, I bolt out of the door. As I ran I clearly heard Tan’s scoff and felt the gaze of the others on me but I didn't care. Summer was hot on my heels calling out for me but I couldn’t stop. I just can’t stop.
Is this what Barth really is?
Is this why he keeps staying and pushing me away?
So he’s truly the monster they say he is and I give out a sad laugh.