Page 11 of Dark Alleys

Pick a fight with somebody you’re sure you can beat. Like a guy with a broken wing.

Crissy appeared out of nowhere and sat down across from me uninvited. “Brandy said you dumped her for no reason. I thought you were a better person than that, Lukas.”

“Fuck off, Crissy. You thought wrong.”

She pointed at my arm. “What happened to you?”

“Some asshole knifed me.”

“Where? In the parking lot?”

“Inaparking lot. Not this one.”

“Gonna tell me where it happened?”

“Nope. None of your biz.”

Lila came back with the beer and set down the pitcher and one glass.

Crissy said, “Bring me a glass, Lila. Lukas will let me share.”

I didn’t like Crissy and my mood was foul. “Get out of my booth, Crissy. I don’t feel like having company.”

“Did I mention you’re a piece of shit, Lukas?”

I smiled. “Tell me again.”

Lila laughed and moved on to the next table.

Crissy hadn’t moved her ass out of my private space when my trouble doubled. Brandy slid in next to Crissy and I had two of them facing me.

“I want you to give me another chance, Lukas,” said Brandy. “I miss you, and you have to admit I’ve always been good to you.”

Bad enough she wanted back in my life, but then she noticed my arm.

I never should’ve come here.

“Did you get hurt?”

“No. I’m wearing this bandage for fun. Get out of my booth, girls. I’m not good company.”

“That’s for damned sure,” said Crissy. “Let’s go, Brandy.”

“You go. I have things to say to Lukas in private.”

“We’re besties, Brandy. I want to stay and hear this.” Crissy wasn’t moving.

“This is between me and Lukas,” said Brandy. “Give us some private time.”

Crissy laughed. “Hell no. This is just getting good.”

Brandy snarled as she slid out of the booth, turned and reached in to grab Crissy’s long hair. She wound a bunch around her fist and jerked hard.

Crissy screamed bloody murder as Brandy tugged her right out of the booth and onto the floor.

“Lukas is mine, you bitch, and I want you to stay the hell away from him.” Brandy dropped down, straddled Crissy and pounded her in the face. She got in two or three good punches and did some damage.

“Cat fight,” yelled one of the bikers and that brought a bunch of onlookers and cheerleaders.

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