Page 33 of Tell Me Everything
“Save your stupid ass comments. It was my win. The referee clearly showed favouritism.”
Alex raised his palms. He really didn't want to get involved inanother fight.
“Dude, calm down, it was just a friendly tournament. It doesn't mean a thing.”
“You have no idea how much money we've lost because of you.”
Bets? This made the situation even trickier. Alex had already bet a few coins on certain fighters as a joke. But he'd never noticed that there were bigger bets in their circle. Two more guys emerged from the shadows. Alex wasn't going to make it out of here like nothing had happened. He put out his cigarette.This is going to hurt.
***
“Alex, what happened?”
Alex struggled to open his eyes. Xavier, the bar owner, was crouching down opposite him, his face taut with worry. Alex must have lost consciousness at some point because Robbe and his buddies had disappeared. His whole body ached. He tried to stand up, without success. Xavier put his hand on his shoulder and forced him to remain seated.
“I'll tell Matthew to take you to a doctor.”
No way. Alex shook his head. He wanted to protest and say he'd manage. He always did. But every breath he took was painful.
“At least let me call someone to come get you.”
Alex handed him his phone before letting his head fall back against the wall. He wouldn't make it home alone.
Someone touched his cheek. He'd probably been unconscious again. He blinked to find Elena in front of him. She looked sad. Alex tried to smile to reassure her, but ended up grimacing. His lower lip was split.
“Bring him to my car,” an unfamiliar voice commanded.
Alex wanted to retaliate. He didn't want to leave with a stranger.
Elena silently pleaded with him. “Please, let us help you.”
Finally, he nodded. Two men helped him up and into a car that smelled of new leather. Alex tried to see who the driver was, but he was getting dizzy. It had been a long time since he'd been in this state. He had hoped to keep Elena away from this part of his life. Now it was too late. He didn't want her to think he'd thrown himself headlong into a fight when he was trying to do better. Alex didn't understand why he cared so much about what she thought. She turned back to him, her blue eyes filled with worry.
“How are you?”
“I've been better.”
Elena and a pretty woman who must have been in her late twenties took him out of the car and into his room. He heard his mother panic, but the blonde woman seemed to know how to reassure her. Once Alex was lying on his bed, she came and sat beside him. Elena followed her like a puppy. There was a strange resemblance between them.
“Hey, Alex, I'm Jade. I'm a doctor. May I look at your wounds?”
Alex glanced at Elena. She had called a doctor. Elena beckoned him to accept. Alex merely nodded. He was too tired.
“Don't worry, his wounds are superficial. Alex, I’d advise you to stay in bed for a few days.”
Once the treatments were over, Jade kissed Elena and Lexi goodbye.Who is she?
***
Rays of sunlight illuminated the room, waking Alex from his sleep. His whole body was numb with pain. It would takeweeks to fully heal. He turned his head to find himself face to face with Elena again. The dancer was sleeping peacefully. Her head rested on her arms, and Alex felt warmth spread through his chest. She'd been watching over him all night. How she had managed to fall asleep while sitting on the floor was a mystery. Before giving himself time to think, Alex stroked her cheek. Elena startled awake. The moment she caught sight of Alex, her face broke into a broad smile. He smiled back. She stretched and yawned, revealing a piece of skin that looked so soft. He already knew she was beautiful and hot, but the more time they spent together, the more Elena seemed to become his type again. Who was he trying to fool? She was totally his type; she always had been.
“How are you feeling?”
The question snapped Alex out of his thoughts. He shook his head. Alex had to stop himself from staring at her like a hungry animal. “A little sore, but fine.”
If Elena knew he was lying, she made no comment. She reached for the first-aid kit on the bedside table. “I'll take care of your wounds, okay? Jade said they had to be cleaned the first few days.”
“Who's Jade? You seem to trust her.” Alex began to understand her way of thinking. Elena didn’t easily trust others. The people she did trust had to be exceptional.
