Page 38 of Ever's Last
“I’m all for ratings,” she smirks.
“Do you really hate me?” I ask and she can’t even look me in the face. I don’t know why, after all these years, she still hates me.
I’ll show her.
“Don’t get comfy. Oh, by the way, your ma says hi.” I turn on my heels and leave. Super mature, Ever.
Her mother is beside herself with the way Skye has been acting. I heard my dad talking to her on the phone the other night. Fame really changes people.
I shower and change, and that feeling creeps up again, the one where I feel like shit is going to happen. I can’t place my finger on it. And I don’t have time. It’s noon and I missed breakfast since I took so long in the shower.
There’s no lunch because we’re all going to watch Memphis’s fight. The girls will be dressed to impressed. Since I’m a nobody and not on camera, I put on a nice pair of jeans, cute strappy sandals, a black tank top, and a plaid bomber jacket. It’s about as dressy as I’m going to get.
“She lives.” My dad laughs as I walk into the kitchen, his arm around Ivy.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
“It’s okay. Nothing much needed to be done for breakfast, but we need to head out. Sal is waiting at the arena.”
We meet Brick and Ariel outside and all cram into my dad’s truck. The girls are riding in a limo. Memphis should already be there.
“Ariel, aren’t you supposed to be riding in the limo?” Linc asks.
“I dropped out this morning.” She glances at Brick, who kisses her cheek. It’s the most action I’ve ever seen out of him. He’s always so reserved. Except in the ring. He’s fought before and he’s ruthless.
“I’m happy for you,” I whisper as we pull up to the arena where the fight will be. So many people outside waiting to get in. My dad drives around back and Sal ushers us in and shows us to the box where we will be able to watch.
“The girls are going to be ringside,” Uncle Sal informs us. At least I won’t have to see Skye.
“Ever, do you and Linc want to watch with them?” Uncle Sal asks. Linc is grinning and nodding his head. I don’t want to take that away from him. I just don’t want to be around Skye. On the other hand, I will get to see Memphis in his element up close.
“Sure.” We follow him to our seats. Linc sits between me and the seats where the girls will sit. He can see I’m not happy, at least when Skye is around.
Soon, seats start to fill.
“This is so exciting.” Natalie sits next to Linc.
“Have you been to a fight?”
“No, but I’ve watched Memphis fight on TV,” she admits.
The other girls take in the crowd and the cage. Skye stares at her hands. What is going on with her?
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is an event that’s been a long time coming,” the announcer booms into the mic.
The crowd cheers.
“Memphis ‘The Heat’ Bradford has been absent from the ring far too long. He’s making his comeback tonight against Cheyenne ‘Wrecking Ball’ Meyers.”
The crowd is on their feet. The stadium is vibrating. I can see why people love coming to fights, it’s exciting and exhilarating.
“Let’s do this,” and the music starts for Cheyenne. It’s so loud I can’t even hear the music. But I see him. He’s beautiful. Baldhead, bright green eyes, tattoos as far as the eye can see. He is covered. My eyes glaze over the tattoos, the beautiful art that covers him from neck to feet. A girl can look right? Wait, I’m not sure what Memphis and I are.
The crowd starts stomping and clapping when Memphis enters the hall to walk to the cage. He looks fierce, determined. A stark contrast to how he was with me last night. He’s focused.
I lick my lips as he takes off his shirt. I loved raking my hands up and down that chiseled chest. And I hope I get to do it again.
The bell sounds, and I’m on edge.
