Chapter 13
Thirteen
Jaclyn
Past
Hayden’s friends from high school invited us over to the club that Hayden used to fight at.
Thanksgiving dinner was tense. When I found Hayden standing in front of a broken mirror with glass on the floor, I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his back while he begged me not to leave. He told me if I stayed with him any longer I’ll get hurt, and with Hayden I know I will.
But I don’t care.
I love him.
I can’t express how in love with Hayden I am. It almost scares me how much I love him. He told me that he knows he will mess up and there will be ups and downs but as long as he has me, he’ll be okay.
It’s like I’m his armor, the only thing to protect him, when in reality he is the one who is protecting me.
He was vulnerable with me that night. He’s never been vulnerable or expressed his feelings or concerns to me. It meant a lot that he did that.
Today when we were at the mall he saw his friend as we were walking out of the store and he invited us to the club that Hayden used to fight at.
Lately, Hayden hasn’t been fighting much. He is hiding something from me though. I know he is because sometimes when I ask to hangout he says he is busy and doesn’t explain. I can’t help but think it has to do with Marco, even though Hayden assured me that everything is fine.
I know when Hayden is hiding things and I can’t help but worry. My overthinking has been going into overdrive because of everything he isn’t telling me. I can’t help the thoughts of cheating running through my mind even though I know he would never do that.
“Stay close,” Hayden whispers in my ear, bringing me back to the present. He holds onto my hand tightly as we manage to pass through a crowd of dancing people in the club. The song “I Wanna Be Yours” by The Arctic Monkeys is blasting throughout the club. This club looks similar to the one in Arizona. A bar on the side, a fighting cage in the middle, tables, and a dance floor off to the other side. “If you need to use the restroom, tell me so I can go with you.”
“Why?” I ask loudly.
“Because I don’t want to leave you alone. Understand?”
I squeeze his hand twice and he kisses my forehead before looking ahead. Hayden brings us to the bar where we see the guy, Adam, from earlier today who invited us.
Natalia and Chris are grabbing us tables to sit at. Even though Hayden’s friends invited him, he said he’d rather stay with me, Natalia, and Chris.
“Hayden! Glad you could make it,” Adam says before standing up from the bar and giving Hayden a small handshake. Hayden still keeps his arm around me and holds me close to his side. Adam smiles down at me. “Glad you could make it too, Jaclyn. It’ll be a fun fight to watch. Definitely different from Arizona.” I smile and nod my head. “Let’s go to the table that Alexa reserved.”
“Alexa’s here?” Hayden raises an eyebrow at Adam and he squeezes my hand in his.
Who’s Alexa?
“Uh yea? I told you yesterday, remember?” Adam says before he walks away from the bar.
“Not really,” Hayden mutters while he follows Adam.
I look up at him and see his jaw clenched.
I bring his jaw down so he can look at me. “Are you okay?” I ask.
Hayden lets out a deep breath before nodding his head. “Yea, let’s just go,” Hayden says before pulling my hand to follow him. We all scoot into the table. “Where are the others?”
“I invited Luke, Ross, Maddie, and Alexa. They are all here now. They are just getting drinks.” Adam looks behind us before standing up. “There they are.”
I turn my head and see two boys walk up to the table.
Hayden stands up with Adam and turns to the group.
“Is that Hayden Night?” one of the guys says before giving Hayden a bro hug. “Man, I haven’t seen you in ages. When was the last time I saw you?”
“Probably last Thanksgiving.” Hayden shrugs before sitting back down next to me.
“Last time you were in Arizona, I heard you beat up some guy at a party? Trent was it?” The guy asks, looking at Adam and Adam nods his head.
“Dude’s fucking crazy. Always trying to start shit.” The guy shakes his head lightly.
Hayden turns his head to the other guy. “Luke, haven’t seen you in a minute. How are you?” Hayden asks Luke as he sits in the booth.
“Good. Still fighting. How about you?” Luke responds.
“I’m good.” Hayden turns his attention to me, his eyes lighting up as he smiles down at me. “This is my girlfriend, Jaclyn. Jaclyn, that's Luke and Ross.”
“Nice to meet you.” They both say with a small smile.
I smile. “Nice to meet you guys too. How long have you known Hayden for?”
“Since we were all in middle school. This guy got into a fucking fist fight with a kid who was a grade above us. Beat the shit out of him and it was on his first day too. So we took him in.” Adam says with a proud smile. “So what have you been up to? Still getting into petty little fights?” Adam asks Hayden.
Hayden leans back against the booth and wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him. “Nothing, just busy with school.”
“Are you still fighting?”
Hayden shrugs. “Here and there.”
I know he’s lying because I’m here.
I know he still goes to fights but he doesn’t bring me or tell me about them because he is scared that Marco won’t keep his end of the deal.
“You know there is one opening tonight for a fight. If you want I can get you in. Give the people a good show for old time's sake?” Ross offers.
“Who’s fighting tonight?”
“Some new guy who is from out of state and then Ben, too.”
“Is this new guy good?” Hayden furrows his eyebrows.
“Yea, he’s pretty good. You might know him. He is from Arizona and it’s his first time fighting here,” Adam explains.
Hayden tenses. “What’s his name?”
“Eric Thompson.”
This time, I tense.
Since Marco let Hayden and I go that night of the fight between them, Eric has not left us alone. He stalks us on the daily, to the point where it’s concerning.
One night, Eric cornered me in the diner when Hayden wasn’t there. Luckily Franky was there and dealt with him. When Hayden found out what Eric did, Eric almost ended up in the hospital. Eric still manages to follow us around like a creep but he learned his lesson about getting near me.
Doesn’t stop him from trying to talk to me here and there though.
“You know him, Hayden?” Ross asks.
“Unfortunately,” Hayden mutters. “I’ll take the fight if he is the one I’m going to fight.”
I glare at Hayden.
Is he stupid?
“You don’t even have your gloves and you’re not dressed properly,” I say, making his friends look at me.
“I have an extra pair in my car. Pretty sure you're the same size as me and I have some shorts you can use?” Ross offers.
Hayden nods his head. “Okay. I’ll do it. When’s the fight?”
“Maybe like thirty minutes?” Luke says before looking at Ross. “Where did the girls go by the way?”
“No clue. Maybe the restroom? You know how they are.” Ross gets out of the booth. “I’ll go get the stuff for you. They’re in my car and then I’ll get you a room and set up the fight.”
Hayden nods his head and looks at Adam. “Well this will be interesting. I remember fight nights with you. Parties afterwards were crazy. Alexa will love this. She always loves watching you, remember-”
“No,” Hayden cuts off Adam and he takes a deep inhale.
“You didn’t even let me finish,” Adam chuckles.
Hayden looks away from Adam and avoids eye contact with me by looking at the cage in the middle of the club.
I want to pull him out of the booth and talk to him. I want to ask him what’s up with this Alexa and why he took the fight with Eric.
He’s pissing me off.
“Alright, I’m here, Luke. You can stop texting me.” I turn my head and see two girls walking towards the booth.
One of the girls has bright blonde hair with hazel eyes. She is wearing a white denim skirt with a blue halter top that showcases her stomach. How can she wear something like that when it’s freezing cold outside?
The other girl has long brunette hair. She is wearing a black Harley Davidson tank top and black denim jeans. She has a black leather jacket resting on her shoulders.
“Well, Maddie said she wanted to look good for when Ben fights. She is still trying to get his attention,” the brunette says while rolling her eyes. “Scoot, Luke.”
Luke scoots down and the two girls sit down next to him.
Adam chuckles. “Of course you want to get his attention. Sweetheart, he doesn’t date anyone, get the hint!”
The brunette chuckles before looking at Hayden. “Hayden Night. The one who got away.”
Hayden doesn’t say anything. He stays quiet and just stares at her.
I scoot away from Hayden making his arm fall from my shoulders. Hayden looks down at me with furrowed brows.
I can’t help but feel annoyed and jealous.
Why would he act like this in front of a girl? She has to be an ex.
Does he love her? What kind of relationship did they have?
He has to still like her if he’s acting like this right?
“Haven’t seen you in a bit. Last I heard of you was at that party where you punched Trent. Heard it was wild. But I’m not surprised. Any party with you involved is always a show. I would know.” Alexa smirks and she turns her attention to me. She smiles widely. “Who’s this? New fling?” Alexa gives me a fake fucking smile that I want to punch off her face. “Look love, this won’t last long. These flings of his never really do-”
“Enough, Alexa,” Hayden says, cutting her off.
So this is Alexa?
“Why? Because it’s true? I mean you did that with me but then again you always came back.”
Hayden snickers. “You’re embarrassing yourself. In high school, you would always come back to me and I would just push you away. You acted like lice. The irritating kind that don’t get out of your fucking hair. Trust me when I say this, she isn’t like you at all.” Hayden looks at Luke. “Where is the dressing room I’m going to?”
“I’ll show you.” Luke makes his way out of the table.
“Cool.” Hayden stands up and grabs my hand.
I take my hand out of his and go to follow Luke.
Hayden pulls me against him, his lips touch my ear. “What did I fucking say about staying close?”
“Screw you.” I roll my eyes and continue to follow Luke while Hayden grips onto my wrist.
We go to the dressing room and Hayden closes the door behind us. There are already gloves, wraps, and shorts on the table.
“Go ahead and argue. I know you want to.” He says after I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him.
“Well you can’t expect me to be happy. You think I want to meet your ex and see you fight the guy who’s been stalking us?’
“First of all, Alexa isn’t an ex. She was just someone I would hook up with. She wanted more from me but I didn’t see her like that. All we did was argue and she would always be rude to Natalia. I never liked her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about her?”
“Because I didn’t feel like telling my girlfriend, who I love to death, about a girl I couldn’t give two shits for.”
Hayden takes off his shirt and starts to take off his pants leaving him in his boxers. My eyes go down to his v-line because I love his v-line, even though I’m mad at him. It’s a weakness of mine. I meet his eyes and see him smirking.
“It’s not funny, stop laughing.”
Hayden walks towards me. “But I love it when you get all mad. Remember what I said about you?” Hayden leans down, his lips grazing my ear making me shiver. “Seeing you mad turns me on, princess.”
I force him away. “No, you’re not distracting me. What’s up with the fight with Eric?”
Hayden’s eyes darken. “You know why I want to fight him.”
“I just don't think you should try fighting Eric anymore. What's it going to do? You’re wasting your energy on him.”
“It gives me satisfaction to hurt him knowing all he wants to do is hurt you. What he deserves is for me to put him six feet under after spending hours taking my time killing him.” Hayden turns around and grabs the shorts, putting them on.
I sigh while looking at him. He sits down on the couch and grabs the wraps, starting to put them on. I walk towards him and kneel in front of him. His eyes fill with lust. I grab his hand and a wrap.
“Well, make sure not to get hit in the face too much. It’s your only good feature,” I tease.
Hayden grabs my chin with his other hand. “Don’t be a brat.”
I smile, teasingly. “Or what?”
Hayden lowers his head and his lips meet mine. He pulls me up so I can sit in his lap. I can feel the evidence of how hard he is underneath me, pressing against the zipper of my jeans.
It makes me want to rock against him
“Or I’ll spend all night making you come until you’re writhing and begging me to stop. But I won’t. I’ll keep going until my back is bloody from how much you scratch me. So keep teasing me, Jaclyn.”
His hands, that aren’t finished being wrapped, go under my shirt. He touches my stomach and goes up to my breast. I moan against his mouth as he tugs one of my nipples.
A knock sounds on the door. “Night, you’re up.”
Hayden bites my bottom lip before pulling away with a grunt. “Fuck, I wish we were home.” He rests his head on my shoulder. He looks up at me. “Where will you be?”
Sounding out of breath from his confession and kiss, I say “with Natalia and Chris.”
Hayden licks his bottom lip that is a little plump from the kiss. “Okay, good. Stay next to them at all times. People here are fucking sick and you are fucking beautiful. I don’t want anyone to take you away from me.” I nod my head. “What’s your blood sugar?” I pull my phone out of my pocket and turn it on. 199 is what it says on my phone. Hayden looks down and he looks pleased with the number. “Okay good.” He pecks my lips one more time before moving me to the side. “Didn’t even get to finish wrapping my hands because you distracted me.”
I laugh and roll my eyes at him. “I’m going to go then.”
“Okay. I love you.” I kiss him on the lips.
“Love you, too,” I mumble against his lips.
I leave Hayden in the dressing room and easily find Natalia at one of the booths. “Hey,” Natalia says as I sit down next to her.
“Hey,” I say back.
“Nervous for Hayden?”
“No. Hayden is good at what he does. I'm not worried,” I say, with a reassuring smile.
I’m more worried for Eric.
The lights dim and we see an announcer walk on the stage.
“I’m going to go watch him closer.”
“I’ll come,” Natalia says.
We walk towards the cage and hold onto the gate separating us from them.
“Hello everyone! Who is ready for a showstopper tonight?!” Everyone cheers, yelling 'yes' and 'get on it with’. “Great, then let's announce the fighters. First, we have Eric Thompson. He is originally from Arizona. 6 '2 weighing in about 195 pounds of pure muscle.” Some people cheer for Eric and some people boo him, one of them being Natalia.
“Eric's here? How in the hell is he here?” Natalia asks.
I shrug. “I don't know. Hayden is fighting because of Eric.”
“That makes so much more sense,” Natalia says, diverting her attention back to the announcer.
“Last but most certainly not least, Hayden Night.”
Everyone was going crazy for him. They cheer and yell his name over and over.
Some people yell, saying they missed him and are happy he’s back.
“Hayden Night is and always will be our champion in the fighting club. He was one of the best fighters here and never lost a match. He is 6'3 and weighs about 200 pounds!” Everyone cheers for Hayden again. “Now from what we have seen tonight, Eric Thompson is definitely not a newbie to this whole fighting thing. Can he handle and take on Hayden Night tonight?! Let's find out and bring out our fighters!” the announcer says.
Hayden and Eric both come into the ring from opposite sides.
“Touch gloves?” The ref asks but they don’t do anything making the ref step back. “On the count of three. One, two, three!” The bell rings and Hayden lunges at Eric, full speed punching him in the jaw.
Everyone in the crowd winces and cheers as they watch Hayden strike at Eric. Eric doesn’t tumble down but he holds his jaw. Hayden goes to strike at Eric again, but he moves out of the way and thrusts his fist into Hayden’s torso.
After that, punches start flying to the head and chest. They both go at it, not stopping. The boys are spitting out blood as they punch each other.
“He's gotten better,” I turn my head and see Alexa watching Hayden fight.
“He's good at what he does.” I say.
Alexa turns her head to look at me up and down before meeting my eyes. “I don't see why he would choose you. You don't seem like his type at all. You’re too good.”
“I don't either, but I guess he likes what he likes right? Or loves?” I give her a fake smile but she just returns it back.
Alexa raises her eyebrow. “He said he loved you. That's such a lie. Hayden Night doesn't love anything or anyone. He only cares about himself.”
I turn my body to face her. “See that's where you're wrong. You may have known him throughout high school, but you have no idea what he has been through or what he's like. You don't know Hayden.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the next time I see him, you aren’t wrapped around his arm. Enjoy the fight.”
Alexa flips her hair like a fucking diva she thinks she is before walking away from me.
I roll my eyes and focus back on the fight.
I hear a bell ring and Hayden throws Eric on the floor. Hayden holds him down as the countdown starts.
1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10.
The crowd goes crazy and the ref pulls Hayden off of Eric.
A medic attends to Eric as the ref holds Hayden’s fist in the air.
“Your winner! Hayden Night!”