Redemption(42)

Jimmy shrugged. “I’m only telling you now so you can see how important it is to never give up without a damn good fight.”

Jimmy sighed again. “At the scene, she was found clutching a photograph of us together. I found out from her best friend that she never truly wanted to leave. She was hoping I would fight harder for us. I was thinking it was best to leave her to think, but that decision turned out to be the worst I’ve ever made.” Jimmy looked at me with tears in his eyes. “Now do you see why it’s so fucking important to fight for Tyler? When you truly love someone like you do Tyler, and like I did with Grace, you should never give up fighting and never give up hope. Most of all, you should never stop telling them how much they mean to you because, one day, you might lose your chance forever. And when forever happens, there’s no going the fuck back.” Jimmy turned his head and shook it a little. I could tell he was broken. This was something he had to live with for the rest of his life.

As I sat there, my head losing its fuzziness from the alcohol, I realized something. If Tyler really and truly wanted me to fight for her, I would. I wouldn’t be another Jimmy. I was determined not to see that happening. I was going to win her back, even if it fucking killed me.

Motioning to Graham, I signaled for him to refill Jimmy’s glass. With a smile, he did, then walked off.

I turned to Jimmy. “Okay, Jimmy. Let’s do this. I trust you, man. I trust you.”

Jimmy turned his head to me with a small smile. “Thanks, faggot brain. That means a lot.”

I shook my head with a smile. “Don’t fucking test me, turd burglar.”

Jimmy laughed and the sadness that had overtaken his face had now softened a little. “Let’s pay up here and go clean your shit up. We have a lot to do.”

I nodded, placed a couple of twenties on the bar and motioned to Graham. “Thanks, man.”

Graham saluted with his two fingers. “No sweat. See you around.”

Jimmy and I walked out into the fresh summer air. The British weather lately was nice for a change. The high street was packed, but it always was this time of night. There was no shortage of fucking numptys like me, drinking their cares away.

As we waited to call a taxi, a little thorn in my side approached. Antonio, Jr., was nineteen now and acting every bit the fucking twat his father was. He was tall, but nowhere near as tall as me. He had blonde hair that was obviously dyed. He was Italian, so blonde hair never ran in his family.

“I hear someone lost a girl and is now acting like a pussy.” His fucking smug face lit up as he passed me.

I was about to charge at him when Jimmy held me back. “He’s not worth it, Dean. He’s just doing it to get a rise out of you.”

Antonio, Jr., laughed. “I see you have your lap dog, Jimmy. Rein the fucking arsehole in, will you?” He snorted, then raised his hand. “Hey, I heard Tyler is a fucking machine in the sack. It’s a pity she isn’t here. I could show her how a real man fucks!”

Turning to Jimmy, I glared at him. “Oh, hell no.”

Jimmy let go of me. “You better fucking punch his arse before I do, Dean.”

That was all I needed. I turned, walked over to him, and punched him square in the face. I heard his nose crack as he fell, the blood soon following. Antonio, Jr., wailed as everyone gathered around to have a look.

I wasn’t finished, though. I was so fucking angry, I could have killed the son of a bitch. In fact, I thought I would. I must have kicked and punched him a couple more times before I felt Jimmy’s arms holding me back.

“I think that’s enough, Dean. Don’t send your arse to jail. He’s not worth it.”

I let Jimmy pull me back as I spat on the ground next to the little punk. “You think I’m a fucking pussy now, do ya?”

Antonio, Jr., wiped his nose and winced a little before scowling at me. “You killed my fucking father, you wanker!”

Some people gasped and I shook my head. “Antonio, your father was a fucking dipshit who made a lot of enemies. He was fucking people’s wives, making deals with the devil, and blackmailing half the fucking law of London. Don’t tell me he didn’t pick up some enemies along the way. Get a fucking grip.”

I walked off, but Antonio obviously wasn’t done. As Jimmy and I got into a taxi, he screamed, “I know it was you! I’ll get you for this, Dean. Don’t you forget that!”

Jimmy slammed the door shut to muffle out his noise and the taxi soon sped away.

Jimmy laughed a little and turned to me. “Well! That was quite an eventful fucking evening.” He smiled and we both started laughing. I agreed with him one hundred percent but, then again, I was used to those.