“What do you mean your family’s gone?” I asked.
Brit grimaced, but Everly, bursting back into the room, saved the ex-pit fighter from answering my question. The music instantly changed to thumping drums. Cayden jumped, shielding me as if wewere under attack. I batted him off of me, giggling, while he flushed with embarrassment.
Everly strode forward with her long hair up in a topknot. Layers of matching facial hair hid her features. Thick makeup toned down her eyes, giving her the appearance of an aged, weathered man. She flung open her coat, revealing handmade pants and a thick wool tunic that flattened her curves.
I laughed and clapped. “Maybe you should have been hiding your gender instead of me.”
“We’re all going in disguise.” Everly pulled four glowing tickets from her pocket.
“No.” Brit grinned. “How’d you find out? It’s one match.”
Everly shook her head. “I can’t believe you thought we wouldn’t find out. The great Brit, back in the ring for a special round.”
“I’ve not retired yet.” Brit quirked her lips. “My transition out of The Pit be more tedious than I expected.”
“You’re not going to a pit fight dressed as a man!” Hero sliced a steaming spoon through the air. “If you must go, we can contact the family and get a box.”
Everly rolled her eyes. “I will not be contacting the family and getting a box. I’ve been to a pit fight in a box. I live in a box! This is my year.”
“I don’t actually know what a pit fight is,” I added.
Brit’s face lit up, and while the twins argued, she filled me in on something that sounded like mixed martial arts fights with all the drama of wrestling.
“I’m going!” Everly stomped her foot, and a wad of clothing, and what looked like a dead fox, flew at me.
Cayden caught it before it hit me in the face, scowling. “I don’t like this.” He dropped the pile on the floor. “I can also afford boxes.”
I looked at Cayden and the simple, unadorned trainee uniform. None of the jewels and finery he arrived with were on display. “Can you?”
Tension filled my friend’s body, and his lips became a line on his face. He left his family and had no plans to go back. In some ways, Cayden was as naïve as I was. I wasn’t sure he truly understood what it meant to have no resources. Starvation or bumming free meals wasn’t a way of life I could picture him in.
“It’s not about what anyone can afford.” Everly put her hands on her hips. “This is about living! Seeing Brit’s world like she does.”
Brit blinked. “I’m not poor. Are you implying I’m poor?”
“You can’t afford a box for your own fight, Brit. You’re poor.” Everly waved her hand at Brit dismissively.
Brit rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.
“Look, I’ve taken every precaution.” Everly pulled out a handful of jewelry. “These will even hide our body odor.” She squeezed the jewelry. “And Quinn can get practice activating them! Please, I need this. I’m going to be pregnant within a year. My mom has eighteen kids. She was pregnant for thirteen years! Think about that. Because I am.”
Eighteen kids. I honestly couldn’t imagine it. I shot to my feet. “We need to do this.”
Brit pumped her fist into the air. “When you put it like that, we do. I know a few lads. They’ll keep an eye out.” She stepped to Everly and gripped her shoulder. “But you still must be careful. Those tickets are ringside. Standing room only. It’ll be packed. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Riots start over spilled beer. In for my fight and out.”
Hero tossed his hands in the air. “I said no, and she’s not going without me at her side.”
Everly chewed on her bottom lip. “I mean.” She looked at me. “Quinn’s got a few men she could ask.”
I flushed, and Cayden’s gaze whipped to me.
“Rowan’s exiting his contract.” Everly batted her eyes at me. “The Moores are trying to keep it quiet, but everyone knows. It can’t be a coincidence that he kissed you, right?”
I groaned, wishing I hadn’t told Everly about that evening.
Cayden stiffened next to me, and guilt flushed my stomach, but I pushed it away. Cayden knew I liked Rowan, and he liked me back. I hadn’t done anything wrong.
Everly gasped. “Sorry, so sorry. I thought you told Cayden… because. Well, you tell him everything.” She patted her chest. “I’m the only one who knows about the kiss. I’ve not told a soul.”
