Page 10 of Dare to Dance
Beefy Girl wore a crew cut, stood at least a head taller than Meek Girl, and had guns on her arms that mirrored Sugar Ray Leonard. She threw a punch that landed against Meek Girl’s temple. I wasn’t into boxing, but my dad loved to watch the sport.
“You get where you are? This is underground fighting. Only rule here is one girl has to be knocked out for the other to win.”
I had the urge to jump in the middle and save Meek Girl. I wasn’t by any means built like Beefy Girl. I was five foot four and on the skinny side since food was scarce these days. But between all the walking and dumpster-diving, I considered myself strong.
Beefy Girl threw a punch, connecting with Meek Girl’s nose. Blood sprayed out, making me cringe.
“Do it again, Vickie,” someone shouted.
Again, Vickie drove a fist into Meek Girl, this time connecting with her jaw.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I barreled through the bodies to the other side of the ring. “Fight, damn it.” I shouted as loud as I could at Meek Girl. “Kick her ass.”
Vickie bared her teeth like a rabid dog. “Get out of here.”
“Fuck off.”
She dove at me. I jumped back as she tripped over Meek Girl’s foot. Vickie splattered, face first onto the dirt floor. Meek Girl glanced at me, her blue eyes wide. The sound in the room died. The crowd seemed to hold their breath collectively. Some appeared mad, while others had curious looks on their faces.
Tommy ran over, grabbed my arm hard, and pulled me through the crowd. “What do you think you’re doing?” His breath smelled of alcohol.
I jerked away from him when we reached the stairs. “The small girl wasn’t fighting.”
“So the fuck what? If she doesn’t want to, then that’s her choice.” He pointed to a bag on the stairs. “There’s your food. Now get out of here.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “You wanted me to watch. Now you’re kicking me out?” I should have probably left while he was giving me a chance, but I didn’t want Meek Girl to get hurt. I also wasn’t afraid of Vickie, although I should have been. I didn’t know how to fight. I’d watched plenty of matches with my dad, and I had even watched Kross spar when he was in the gym at the academy, but I never ventured into the ring.
Tommy ran a hand through his wavy brown hair. “You want to fight?”
I jutted my chin out. “I want in.”
A wry grin broke out across his face. “You think you can win against Vickie?”
“Yeah.” Not really. But I wanted the opportunity to make money. In my mind, fighting was better than selling my body. My dancing skills could prove beneficial with my flexibility. Sure, it was illegal, and getting my butt kicked regularly would definitely not look good on my resume, but Norma had a point. We had to make enough money to be able to eat and find a place to live. Then during the day, we could continue to look for respectable jobs.
He roared with laughter over the cheers and jeers. “Be here next Saturday, same time.” He lifted the bag and handed it to me.
For the first time in ages, hope coursed through my veins. I ran up the stairs.
“Oh, and Ruby,” Tommy called.
Stopping midway, I tossed a look over my shoulder.
“I hope you know how to fight.”
I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t sure why because I had no business being cocky. “You care?”
“I’d hate to see your pretty face get messed up.”
I hadn’t been called pretty since I’d dated Kross. “You must have blinders on. But thanks, Tommy. I’ll see you soon.” I left, holding onto the bag tightly. I had a week to build up my nerve. I couldn’t believe I had signed up to get my face smashed in. But if I won, then all my efforts would be worth it.
3
Kross
The gym was filledwith people working out on weights, treadmills, elliptical machines, and throwing their fists into punching bags.
“Kross, damn it,” Jay bit out in his cigar-smoking voice. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You haven’t been the same since you went up to the academy to scout Liam. You need to win your next bout to impress Gail.”
