CHAPTER 15
Astrid
Of course I go inside. Did she honestly think I wouldn’t?
But I do take her warning seriously. Instead of dressing how I normally would, in a skirt or lacy top, I wear my best Sparks-lookalike outfit.
And by that, I mean I steal her clothes from the boxes in my closet.
My final look consists of ripped jeans, a faded t-shirt, and a flannel.
I leave my hair down around my shoulders, embracing my naturally wavy hair.
Sparks didn’t lie, this place is super grungy.
There’s a fighting ring in the center, which I try to avoid.
I grab a cheap beer from the barkeep and keep to myself, wearily eyeing those placing bets on the results of the fights.
Some women who must be supermodels line the outside of the ring, cheering for the fights and flirting with the victors.
I don’t think anyone who steps in that ring would be my type.
The latest duo were both heavily tatted, and one didn’t have all of his teeth.
The fight ends with a lot of commotion. Some celebrate their winnings, while others gripe about their losses.
Don’t bet what you can’t afford to lose, my dad always says.
I sip my lager as the announcer calls forth the next fighting duo. I nearly choke as I see a familiar redhead step into the ring. What the heck? I stand and move closer to the ring, jostling with the crowd.
The bell sounds and Sparks sizes up the lunk in front of her, lightly bouncing on her feet.
He lunges toward her, and she ducks under his arm, kneeing him in the ribs.
The man whirls toward her, angry. She just smirks and pops him in the nose.
He curses as blood drips down his face. They circle each other, searching for weaknesses.
He steps in front of Sparks, and slowly guides her into the corner.
Move! I want to shout. Don’t get trapped.
But I doubt she would hear me over the crowd.
Sparks stalls, waiting for the right moment.
Suddenly, she smiles and strikes. She feints left, and as he exposes his side, she jabs his torso.
She darts around his legs, running back to the center of the ring.
Sparks flips her hair out of her face, and somehow, locks eyes with me.
Her cocky expression falters. I point, but the warning comes too late as her opponent knocks her to the ground.
She skids across the floor. He’s on her before she can regain her footing.
He kicks at her stomach, and Sparks arches her back, barely missing the blow.
The fighter loses his balance and Sparks takes advantage of the mistake.
She jumps on his back and puts the man in a headlock.
He throws himself to the ground, landing on her, but Sparks keeps her grip.
Finally, the ref calls the fight and Sparks is crowned the victor.
She showboats to the crowd, winking at the ladies swooning on the ring ropes. I try not to gag.
I elbow my way to the ring, forcing my way through the bidders and other fighters. Sparks slinks under the ropes and walks down an isolated pathway. I jog to catch up.
“Hey,” I call out. She ignores me. “I wish I knew you were doing this sooner. I could have been whipping my shirt around with all of those floozies.”
“Eh.” She rolls her eyes. “They sleep with you and run off with your winnings. I don't pay them much attention.”
“Nasty fall you took up there.” I study her gait. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” she snaps. Now I’ve annoyed her. “I thought I told you to stay outside.”
I follow into a locker room and Sparks grabs a duffel, ignoring the men changing and showering. They don’t ignore her though, they stare at her body as she walks to the exit. A few of them eyefuck me, so I hustle after Sparks before they can act on their fantasies.
“You knew I wasn’t going to wait when you sent me the address,” I defend. “This isn’t my fault.”
“It never is,” she huffs. “Look, are we good? I’ve got things to do. Oliver needs me to grab the books, I need to file a maintenance request, my cat needs―”
“You got a cat?” I interject excitedly. “Oh my goodness, when can I meet him? I already love him.”
“Firstly,” Sparks whips around to face me. “Her. She’s a girl. And you don’t get to love her. You don’t have Licorice rights.”
I gasp, hands on my face.
“You named her Licorice!” I gush. “That is adorable. Let’s go.”
“Did you not just hear me?” Sparks groans. “It’s like I’m talking to a wall.”
We exit the gym and Sparks straddles her bike. I stand in front of the tire, blocking her path.
“Please,” I beg. She sighs.
“Only if I get my flannel back before you leave.” She flicks her eyes to the shirt I’m wearing. “Don’t think I didn’t notice your change in wardrobe.”
“Deal.” We shake on it, and Sparks speeds off, leaving me to remember where I parked my car.
Sparks meets me in the parking garage and escorts me down to her bedroom.
Derek is there, lying next to a snuggly ball of black fur.
Licorice squeaks when she sees me, excited to have a new friend to play with.
I am thrilled to oblige. She somersaults over her clumsy paws as she chases a laser pointer, stumbling every few steps.
Derek and I alternate fawning over the kitten.
It’s strange to see such a large, muscular man dote on such a small creature, but Licorice seems to love him.
Licorice falls asleep in Derek’s arms, and I lean back on Spark’s couch. Wait, where’s Sparks? I think back and realize she must have ducked out a while ago.
“Took you that long to notice, huh?” Derek scoffs, disapprovingly.
“Excuse me?” I bristle at his disdain.
“You heard me.” Derek pets the cat while shooting daggers in my direction.
“What’s your problem?” I shake my head. “I barely even know you.”
“Well, I’ve heard plenty about you. Nothing that explains why she tolerates you being here.”
“She never mentions you,” I snipe. “Who’s to say that you have the moral high ground here?”
“Because I take care of her!” He whisper-shouts, trying to not disturb the kitten. “Every time you take a piece out of her, I’m the one trying to patch the cracks. And you know what? She’s running out of fragments for you to steal.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I cross my arms.
“The fuck I don’t.” The kitten stretches her paws.
Derek freezes until she curls back into a little ball.
“Every nightmare, every binge drinking episode, every reckless attempt to get herself killed, I’m there.
She made so much progress, but you had to step back in.
Now she’s getting worse, and I can only do so much. ”
“Why do you care, huh?” I stand, rage overflowing my body. How can he accuse me of being bad for her? “Just wanting her for your meal ticket? You’re using her for her powers.”
“How dare you!” Derek yells for real this time, setting Licorice on the ground. “She’s like a sister to me. I would die for her!”
I scoff, shaking my head. I don’t believe this.
“Did you know that night, Sparks begged me to keep you safe?” Derek speaks slowly, ensuring that every word punches my gut. “After being tortured for hours, she didn’t want me to help her escape. She accepted her death, but she pleaded for me to help you . I should have let you die instead.”
I turn and walk away from him, devastated by his words but trying to hide the pain. I don’t have to listen to him belittle me.
“You know what?” Derek moves to stand in front of me. He is much taller than I am, but I refuse to let him intimidate me. “You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to come in and wriggle back into her life. Stay away from her.”
“I’m not leaving.” I poke his chest. “I’m in love with her.”
“Too late.” He spits at my feet. “You threw away your chance.”
His words cut deep, partially because I know he’s right. I had her in my arms, but I pushed her away.
“I know.” I fight back the tears pricking my eyes. “But I’m here anyway. I’ll make it up to her. Whatever it takes.”
“Do you ever think she might be better off without you?” He backs away, having made his point. “Do the right thing and leave. Or ignore me and follow her up to the roof. I’ll be here to pick up the pieces either way.”
The door slams behind me as I run into the hallway. I repeatedly push the elevator button, flustered and agitated by Derek’s backhanded remarks. I take a breath as I enter the elevator. Luckily, someone is getting off, so I don’t need to beg Derek for his fingerprint. Not that he would help.
Derek’s words stick to my back. Am I bad for her? I can’t be. I love her. How could I be hurting her? I lean my head against the cool metal of the elevator. After a beat, I press the button to the roof.
Sparks is sitting on the edge of the roof, reading from a book.
I nervously perch next to her, apprehensive of the far drop to the street below.
The silence stretches for a bit, until she sets aside her book and lays on her back, staring at the twinkling stars.
I lean back with her, our shoulders barely touching.
“Why were you fighting in the ring today?” I break the silence. She takes a breath, and for a moment, I don’t think she’ll respond.
“Has it occurred to you that I enjoy it?”
“No, it hasn’t.” I turn on my side, analyzing the minute movements of her face. We didn’t date for long, but I got pretty good at reading her expressions. “I don’t think that’s the reason though.”
“It’s not.” Her eyebrows scrunch together, and she combs her hair back. I stumbled onto something personal.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain.” I return to my back and lace my fingers over my stomach.
“Do you remember that night on the boat?” Her voice shakes.
“I’ll never forget it.” Unfortunately, I mean it.
“Do you remember the cuffs Jack used to restrain me?”
“You mean the barbaric ones with the spikes?” Anger laces my voice. The sight of blood dripping down her forearms is etched into my memory.