Maybe This Time(45)

I look around for a few seconds, watching people cheering, screaming, and jumping up and down. They're all so excited, so blood thirsty, when all I want to do is cry. I look back just in time to see Reid take him down to the floor, and I hear Ryan say something about a takedown. Reid practically straddles him and pounds into his face. When I see blood flowing from the other man’s mouth, I start to feel a little nauseous. I face Ryan, not wanting to watch anymore.

“It’s almost over,” Ryan says, putting his hands on my shoulders.

Well, thank goodness for that.

What feels like thirty minutes later, the cheering turns to roars and they hail Reid the winner. My dad runs up to Reid, and checks him over for any injuries. Ryan leads me closer as Reid exits the Octagon. Forcing my feet to move, I watch his every step until he reaches me. I lift my hand to his cheek, frowning at the cut on his eyebrow. A few drops of blood drip down, but other than that he doesn’t look too banged up. His chest heaves with his heavy breathing and I put my hand over his heart.

“Hey,” I say.

His lip twitches. “Hey, beautiful.”

“Let’s take you to a doctor.”

“No need, I’m fine.”

“Your eyebrow!”

“You’re gonna be a nurse, you can stitch it up,” he says, grinning. He smells like sweat mixed with his spicy cologne. Surprisingly, it doesn’t smell bad at all.

“I’m still on the theory work!” I say, my voice going a little higher. No way could I stitch that up.

Reid chuckles at the look on my face.

“Reid!” I hear my dad call. “Doc will stitch you up.”

“Who’s your Doc?” I ask, looking around.

He winces, the poor man must be in pain. “Not one. Doctors we have on call for the fights. Why don’t you go wait with Ryan and I’ll meet you out front?”

“Nice fight, Reid,” Jade says, walking up to us.

Reid nods. “Almost there.”

“Almost there,” she whispers back, exhaling deeply.

“I’m gonna get a doc to fix me up,” Reid says, kissing me on my head. He gives Jade an undecipherable look as he walks off. Jade is scowling, her eyes following Reid.

“What is it?” I ask her, knowing something is up.

“Nothing,” she says shortly. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Summer! Let’s go!” Xander calls out. I follow the group outside, wondering what the hell is going on right now.

“You coming home with me?” Xander asks.

“No, I’ll wait for Reid with Jade,” I say.

“Ryan, you waiting here with them?” Xander asks him.

“Of course,” Ryan replies, a scowl appearing on his handsome face.

“Okay, I’ll see you at home then,” he says, kissing me on the cheek. “Look after her. Precious cargo right here,” Xander says before walking to his car.

I can see my dad smiling, looking proud. I roll my eyes.

“Dad, come over tomorrow for dinner,” I say when he comes over to say bye.

“What are you cooking?” he asks, his eyes flaring with interest.

“Whatever you want,” I reply, smiling.

“You know me, I’ll always want meat and potatoes.”

“Meat and potatoes it is.”

“See you tomorrow, baby girl,” he says, pulling me in for a warm hug. I turn to see Jade watching us interact, a wistful look on her face.

“I better be invited,” Ryan adds, leaning on his car. The wind keeps blowing his hair into his face.

“Of course you are. Jade, you can come too,” I tell her. She’s not so bad after all, when she tones down the melodramatics. Jade looks surprised at the invite, hell, I surprised myself.

I look up from my phone, seeing Reid walk out towards us. His steps are hurried, and I can see his fists are clenched. What the hell happened? He pins me with his gaze, now close enough that I can see his eyes. They soften as they rest on me. “Let’s go home, beauty.”

“What happened?” I demand.

“Nothing,” he lies. I know he lies because he looks away as he says nothing, not maintaining eye contact.

“What. The. Fuck?” I growl when I notice that he has pink lipstick stains on his neck. He’s wearing a hoodie again, but they still don’t completely hide them. I ignore Reid, my heart shattering, and walk over to Ryan’s car, getting into the passenger seat. I’m not going home with that bastard.

“Summer…” Reid calls out, stalking to the car. I lock the door. Ryan sticks his head in the driver’s side, looking confused.

“Will you take me home?” I ask him, my voice breaking. Ryan immediately hops into the car, and closes the door, pressing the central lock so Reid can’t get in.