Page 45 of Always Love You More

“Yes!” I yell.

He’s gonna win. He’s gonna be fine.

Kayden slows, and Jameson stands in place. It’s a stand-off, both of them waiting for the other to make a move.

I’m not surprised when it’s Kayden who moves forward, and neither is Jameson. He ducks when Kayden throws his arm out, going for another hit to Kayden’s stomach. He gets the hit in, but Kayden swipes his foot out, throwing Jameson off balance and forcing him to his back.

The crowd goes crazy as Kayden pins Jameson to the ground, and panic courses through me.

“I can’t see him!” I yell to my brother. “I can’t see Jameson!”

There’s fear in Johnny’s eyes, but there’s nothing he can do.

I can see Kayden moving over him, but I can’t see what’s happening to Jameson. All I know is he isn’t getting up.

I search the crowd for his father. There’s anger on his face, and he’s screaming something I can’t hear.

Time slows down.

I keep waiting for Jameson to get up, but he doesn’t.

It starts to feel like I can’t breathe.

Is he okay?

Why isn’t anyone doing anything?

“Tap out,” I hear my brother say.

I shift, desperately trying to see him. Finally, he manages to roll out from under Kayden.

The crowd gets so loud I have to bring my hands up to my ears to cover them. I didn’t realize until now that I’m shaking.

Jameson pushes himself up, and I close my eyes when I see him, hoping that when I open them, he won’t have blood dripping down his chest anymore.

Obviously, that doesn’t work.

I blink my eyes open and fully take him in. There’s a cut dripping blood above his eye. He’s slightly hunched like he can’t quite hold the weight of his body. And he starts to go fucking crazy.

The control he started the fight with is gone.

He launches at Kayden, cracking him so hard with his fist that Kayden drops to his knees. Jameson kicks him so he’s flat on his back and stands over him. He waits a few seconds then rears back to kick him again but stops before his foot connects when Kayden begins hitting his hand against the ground.

“Winner,” a voice yells.

I exhale, my shoulders slumping forward.

He won.

Jameson won.

Chapter 13

Jameson

Everywherehurts.

Each breath I take stings, and my legs are screaming at me to just let myself collapse.