The bell sounded and I could feel the collective breath holding that surrounded me. I didn’t feel nervous at all as I watched Mark move swiftly, using his hands to move the wheels of his chair, while he pivoted and ducked his upper body to dodge his opponent’s punches.
“Come on. Hit me!” Mark taunted the guy.
“Just like his fucking brother,” I chuckled under my breath. I could easily see where he’d gotten his fighting style from. I perked up when the guy went in for a right hook to Mark’s face but was caught by surprise when Mark quickly used the guy’s leverage against him, flipping him over his chair. The guy landed on his back, stunned. Mark wasn’t, however, and he promptly sent a blow to the guy’s chest and face. Mark backed himself up so he was able to pull the guy’s arm behind his back, tugging at it painfully. At first, his opponent refused to give in, but eventually it was either tap out or have his damn shoulder ripped out of its socket. His reasoning prevailed and he used his free arm to tap out. The bell sounded and Mark released the guy to lay in a lump on the floor.
“Told you I’d go easy on you,” Mark taunted.
Before the laughter spilled from my lips I heard …
“What the fuck is going on in here?”
“Shit!” I cursed at the sound of Connor’s irate voice. The shit was about to hit the fan. I glanced up and over behind the ring to see Connor’s eyes bulging, breathing heavy and face red as hell.
“Mark, what the hell are you doing in that damn ring?” Connor demanded as he stomped toward the ring. “Buddy, fucking seriously? You let him do this?”
“Connor, calm down,” Mark implored.
“Fuck no! Buddy, what the hell is this? You let my kid brother in this fucking ring—”
“It wasn’t Buddy,” I interjected, moving closer.
Connor turned stormy hazel eyes on me but I didn’t flinch. He could come at me if he wanted.
“Mark was itching to get into the ring. I told him the time and place.”
Connor moved toward me but Mark got in between us.
“It’s not anyone’s fault but mine. I hadn’t been in a fight in a few months, and I was—”
“A few months?” Connor yelled, running a hand through his hair. “You!” He pointed angrily at me. “You knew about this?”
I nodded. “Not only did I know about it but I condoned it.” I folded my arms over my chest. I’d known Connor’s reaction to finding out about Mark fighting wouldn’t be too kind. I was ready for whatever the backlash would be.
“Connor, don’t blame Joshua. In fact, don’t blame anybody. You kn—”
“I asked you to look out for my brother,” Connor seethed as he cut Mark off. “One favor. One fucking favor was all I asked. Get him the job at Townsend and now …”
I stood up straighter, knowing Connor had just crossed a line.
“What did you just say?” Mark’s voice was low, now filled with his own barely controlled anger.
Connor’s head dropped to stare at Mark, a stunned look on his face. He’d just realized he’d revealed our secret in front of the one person he didn’t want knowing.
“Yougot me the job at Townsend?” Mark’s head spun between myself and Connor.
“Mark, listen—”
“Fuck that!” Mark spat back. He didn’t bother to look at either one of us as he wheeled himself over toward the short ramp that was attached to the ring, to let himself out and down.
Connor gave me one last hard glare before he went after his brother who headed inside the door that led to the locker room at the back entranceway of the building.
“No,” Buddy stated, holding me back with his arm. “You’ve got brothers yourself. You know this is something they need to work out on their own.”
I sighed, knowing he was right. Whenever there was an issue between my brothers and I, my parents let us work it out ourselves, unless they absolutely had to intervene. I needed to let Mark and Connor figure their shit out. As for me, getting Mark the job at Townsend, if he asked about it, I’d tell him the truth.
“You’re right.” I nodded at Buddy. “Anyway, I need a fucking fight.”
Buddy grinned up at me. “Will do.” He wriggled his eyebrows and moved to the center of the ring, calling out for a show of hands of who wanted to take me on.
